Tadalafil and sildenafil are the two most widely prescribed treatments for erectile dysfunction. Both work well for most men, and both are now available as lower-cost generics. The real question is often not which one is "better", but which one matches your plans.
Generic sildenafil is usually taken about an hour before sex and lasts around four to five hours. A heavy meal can slow it down. Generic tadalafil, on the other hand, can work for up to 36 hours, and food makes little difference. Plenty of men also take a low daily dose of tadalafil so they never need to time a tablet.
For a side-by-side look, this guide explains the differences step more info by step.
Before you start: never take either medicine with nitrate heart medicines or with "poppers". Let your doctor know about any blood pressure tablets. Common side effects are headache, flushing, a blocked nose and indigestion. Get urgent help for an erection lasting more than four hours or any sudden loss of sight or hearing.
Strength matters too. The licensed doses are 25, 50 or 100 mg for sildenafil and 2.5 to 20 mg for tadalafil. Bigger doses do not reliably work better, but they do make side effects more likely. Only take the dose your prescriber has set.
When you buy generic ED tablets online, check the strength on the pack and read the patient leaflet. A valid prescription is required for every order of a prescription medicine. You can read more in this tadalafil and sildenafil guide.
This is general information, not medical advice. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist before starting any medicine.