Cialis Versus Viagra UK - Compare Prices & Cheapest Option

Clinically Proven UK Registered Pharmacy

Cialis vs Viagra - Compare Prices & Cheapest UK Option

Compare cialis versus viagra at the cheapest UK price from £9.19 with 20% off using code Ednew.

UK-registered clinical team
Confidential and secure
No GP visit needed
Fast and discreet delivery
Start Your Free Consultation

Takes less than 2 minutes to complete 100% online

Ednew 20% off for new customers
Genuine Products
UK-licensed only
Fast Delivery
Next-day available
Expert Advice
UK pharmacists
Man using Cured Pharmacy online consultation for erectile dysfunction treatment
£11.49 From £9.19 20% discount using discount code Ednew
LIVE PRICING

Our Pricing

Pricing Disclaimer: Prices on some pages may not be up to date — the live pricing table below and pricing shown during consultation are official current prices and take precedence over any other figures on the site.

Sildenafil - UK-licensed prescription Treatment
Treatment

Sildenafil

From £0.45

Future orders save 5%
Start Assessment
Tadalafil - UK-licensed prescription Treatment
Treatment

Tadalafil

From £9.99

Future orders save 5%
Start Assessment
Sildenafil Eropid - UK-licensed prescription Treatment
Treatment

Sildenafil Eropid

From £8.99

Future orders save 5%
Start Assessment
Tadalafil (Teva) - UK-licensed prescription Treatment
Treatment

Tadalafil (Teva)

From £9.99

Future orders save 5%
Start Assessment
Avarante Tablets Tadalafil Tablets 10mg - UK-licensed prescription Treatment
Treatment

Avarante Tablets Tadalafil Tablets 10mg

From £11.49

Future orders save 5%
Start Assessment
Viagra Connect 50mg - UK-licensed prescription Treatment
Treatment

Viagra Connect 50mg

From £11.49

Future orders save 5%
Start Assessment

Cialis Versus Viagra: A Clinical Comparison for UK Patients

When evaluating cialis versus viagra, UK patients often seek clarity on which erectile dysfunction treatment best suits their lifestyle and clinical needs. Both medications have proven efficacy in clinical trials, yet they differ significantly in duration of action, onset time, and dosing flexibility. This comprehensive guide examines the pharmacological distinctions, real-world effectiveness, and cost considerations to help you make an informed decision under the guidance of a UK-registered prescriber.

How Cialis Versus Viagra Work: Mechanism of Action

Understanding cialis versus viagra begins with their shared mechanism: both are phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors that enhance erectile function by increasing blood flow to the penis during sexual stimulation [1]. Viagra (sildenafil citrate) was the first oral PDE5 inhibitor licensed for erectile dysfunction in 1998, while Cialis (tadalafil) followed in 2003 with a longer half-life that distinguishes its clinical profile.

The key pharmacological difference lies in their duration of action. Sildenafil has a half-life of approximately 3-5 hours, providing an effective window of 4-6 hours, whereas tadalafil's half-life extends to 17.5 hours, offering up to 36 hours of therapeutic effect [2]. This extended duration has earned Cialis the nickname 'the weekend pill' among UK patients, allowing greater spontaneity in sexual activity without the need for precise timing.

Onset Time and Duration: Cialis Versus Viagra Compared

When comparing cialis versus viagra for onset and duration, practical differences emerge that influence patient preference. Viagra typically begins working within 30-60 minutes when taken on an empty stomach, with peak plasma concentrations reached at approximately 60 minutes post-dose [1]. Food, particularly high-fat meals, can delay absorption and reduce peak efficacy.

Cialis demonstrates a slightly slower onset, generally taking effect within 30-120 minutes, but its prolonged duration of up to 36 hours offers a distinct advantage for patients seeking flexibility [2]. This extended window means patients can take Cialis well in advance of anticipated sexual activity, reducing performance anxiety associated with timing. For those requiring daily treatment, low-dose tadalafil (2.5mg or 5mg) provides continuous therapeutic levels, eliminating the need to plan around medication timing entirely.

Daily Dosing Options

Unlike Viagra, which is taken on-demand only, Cialis offers both on-demand and daily dosing regimens. Daily tadalafil at 2.5mg or 5mg maintains steady plasma levels, allowing spontaneous sexual activity without the need to take medication beforehand [3]. This approach particularly suits patients with frequent sexual activity or those who prefer not to plan around tablet-taking. Viagra's shorter half-life makes daily dosing impractical, limiting it to on-demand use only.

Efficacy and Clinical Trial Data: Cialis Versus Viagra

Clinical trials demonstrate that cialis versus viagra both deliver robust efficacy, with success rates typically exceeding 70% across various erectile dysfunction severities [1][2]. In pivotal trials, sildenafil showed that 82% of attempts at intercourse were successful at the 100mg dose, compared to 32% with placebo. Tadalafil trials reported similar success rates, with 81% of men achieving successful intercourse at the 20mg dose.

Head-to-head comparative studies suggest no clinically significant difference in overall efficacy between the two agents when used at therapeutic doses [4]. Patient preference studies, however, often favour tadalafil due to its longer duration and reduced need for precise timing, which can enhance treatment satisfaction and adherence. Both medications require sexual stimulation to work and do not increase libido independently.

Feature Viagra (Sildenafil) Cialis (Tadalafil)
Active Ingredient Sildenafil citrate Tadalafil
Onset Time 30-60 minutes 30-120 minutes
Duration of Action 4-6 hours Up to 36 hours
Dosing Options On-demand only On-demand or daily
Typical Starting Dose 50mg 10mg (on-demand) / 2.5mg (daily)
Food Interaction Delayed by high-fat meals Minimal food interaction
Common Side Effects Headache, flushing, visual changes Headache, back pain, flushing
Starting Price (Generic) From £0.45 From £9.99
Starting Price (Branded) From £11.49 From £53.00

Side Effects: Comparing Cialis Versus Viagra Safety Profiles

The side effect profiles of cialis versus viagra are broadly similar, reflecting their shared mechanism as PDE5 inhibitors, though subtle differences exist [1][3]. Common adverse effects for both include headache, flushing, nasal congestion, and dyspepsia, typically mild to moderate in severity and transient. Headache occurs in approximately 16% of sildenafil users and 11-15% of tadalafil users.

Viagra is more commonly associated with visual disturbances, including a blue tinge to vision or increased light sensitivity, due to mild PDE6 inhibition in the retina [1]. This occurs in roughly 3-11% of patients at higher doses. Cialis, with its longer half-life, may produce back pain or myalgia in 6-12% of users, attributed to PDE11 inhibition in skeletal muscle [3]. Both medications are contraindicated with nitrates due to risk of severe hypotension and require caution in patients with cardiovascular disease.

Who Should Avoid These Treatments

Both cialis and viagra are contraindicated in patients taking nitrates for angina, those with severe hepatic impairment, recent stroke or myocardial infarction (within 6 months), or uncontrolled hypertension [1][3]. Patients on alpha-blockers require dose adjustment and careful monitoring due to additive hypotensive effects. A thorough clinical assessment by a UK-registered prescriber is mandatory before initiating either treatment to ensure safety and appropriateness.

Dosing and Administration: Cialis Versus Viagra Guidelines

Dosing recommendations differ when evaluating cialis versus viagra, reflecting their pharmacokinetic profiles. Viagra is available in 25mg, 50mg, and 100mg tablets, with 50mg as the typical starting dose taken approximately one hour before sexual activity [1]. The maximum recommended frequency is once daily, though many patients use it less frequently as needed.

Cialis offers more flexible dosing: on-demand doses of 10mg or 20mg taken at least 30 minutes before activity, or daily doses of 2.5mg or 5mg for continuous effect [3]. The daily regimen suits patients with frequent sexual activity (twice weekly or more) and eliminates the need for planning. Both medications can be taken with or without food, though high-fat meals may delay Viagra's onset. At Cured Pharmacy, tadalafil is available from £9.19 and sildenafil from 20% offering the cheapest UK price with transparent upfront pricing before consultation.

Cost Comparison: Cialis Versus Viagra UK Pricing

When comparing cialis versus viagra on cost, generic formulations have dramatically improved affordability since patent expiry. At Cured Pharmacy, generic sildenafil starts from £9.19 per tablet, while generic tadalafil begins at £9.19, representing the cheapest UK price for these treatments. Branded Viagra Connect 50mg is priced from £9.19, and branded Cialis (tadalafil) from £9.19 for those preferring original formulations.

Generic versions contain the same active pharmaceutical ingredient at identical doses and meet the same MHRA quality standards as branded products, offering equivalent efficacy at substantially lower cost [5]. For patients requiring daily treatment, generic tadalafil provides excellent value, with monthly costs significantly lower than on-demand branded options. All prescription erectile dysfunction treatments at Cured Pharmacy require a free online clinical assessment by a UK-registered prescriber, completed in under three minutes, with discreet next-day delivery available.

Maximising Value with Cured Pharmacy

New patients at Cured Pharmacy can save 20% off their first order using code Ednew, reducing the cost of tadalafil to as low as £9.19. With transparent upfront pricing, no hidden fees, and the lowest prices guaranteed in the UK, patients can access both cialis and viagra generics affordably. Our UK-registered clinical team ensures every prescription is clinically appropriate, with superintendent pharmacist Tarun Kumar (GPhC 2233073) overseeing all dispensing to maintain the highest standards of patient safety.

Scientific References

  1. Goldstein, I., Lue, T. F., Padma-Nathan, H., Rosen, R. C., Steers, W. D., & Wicker, P. A. (1998). Oral sildenafil in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. New England Journal of Medicine, 338(20), 1397-1404.
  2. Carson, C. C., & Lue, T. F. (2005). Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors for erectile dysfunction. BJU International, 96(3), 257-280.
  3. Porst, H., Giuliano, F., Glina, S., Ralph, D., Casabé, A. R., Elion-Mboussa, A., & Sorsaburu, S. (2006). Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of once-a-day dosing of tadalafil 5mg and 10mg in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. European Urology, 50(2), 351-359.
  4. Eardley, I., Mirone, V., Montorsi, F., Ralph, D., Kell, P., Warner, M., & Büttner, H. (2005). An open-label, multicentre, randomized, crossover study comparing sildenafil citrate and tadalafil for treating erectile dysfunction in men naive to phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor therapy. BJU International, 96(9), 1323-1332.
  5. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. (2020). Generic medicines: Overview. GOV.UK.

Information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. All prescription treatments require clinical assessment by a UK-registered prescriber. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new medication.

How it Works?

Select from our recommended UK-licensed medications.

1

Choose your treatment

Step 1: Choose your treatment from Cured Pharmacy

Select safe UK treatments. Quick answers.

2

Answer quick questions

Step 2: Answer quick consultation questions

We will deliver direct to you as quickly as tomorrow.

3

Get it delivered fast

Step 3: Fast discreet delivery to your door

Start Your Assessment For Erectile Dysfunction

Start your journey to better health today.

  • Reviewed by UK-based prescribers
  • Takes under 3 minutes
  • Discreet Packaging

Start Your Journey To Better Health Today

Once you complete a short online assessment you will be able to choose your preferred treatment from safe medically approved options tailored to you.

Start My Assessment

Returning Customer?

Log in to Your Account

Faq

Which is better for erectile dysfunction: cialis versus viagra?
Neither is objectively better; the choice depends on individual needs. Cialis offers longer duration (up to 36 hours) and daily dosing options, while Viagra has a faster onset and shorter duration, suiting different lifestyles and preferences.
Can I take cialis and viagra together?
No, you should never combine cialis and viagra as both are PDE5 inhibitors, and concurrent use significantly increases the risk of serious side effects including severe hypotension. Always consult a UK prescriber before switching between treatments.
How quickly does cialis versus viagra work?
Viagra typically works within 30-60 minutes, while Cialis takes 30-120 minutes to become effective. However, Cialis remains active for up to 36 hours compared to Viagra's 4-6 hour window.
Is generic tadalafil as effective as branded Cialis?
Yes, generic tadalafil contains the same active ingredient at identical doses and meets MHRA quality standards, providing equivalent efficacy to branded Cialis at a significantly lower cost from £9.19 at Cured Pharmacy.
What are the main side effects when comparing cialis versus viagra?
Both share common side effects like headache, flushing, and nasal congestion. Viagra more commonly causes visual disturbances, while Cialis may cause back pain or muscle aches due to its longer half-life.
Can I drink alcohol with cialis or viagra?
Moderate alcohol consumption is generally acceptable, but excessive drinking can reduce effectiveness and increase side effects such as dizziness and hypotension. Limit alcohol intake when using either medication for best results.
Do I need a prescription for cialis versus viagra in the UK?
Yes, both medications require a prescription from a UK-registered prescriber. Cured Pharmacy offers a free online clinical assessment completed in under three minutes, ensuring safe and appropriate treatment.
Which lasts longer: cialis versus viagra?
Cialis lasts significantly longer, remaining effective for up to 36 hours, while Viagra's effects last approximately 4-6 hours. This makes Cialis more suitable for spontaneous sexual activity over an extended period.
Tarun Kumar, Prescribing Pharmacist

Medically reviewed by

Tarun Kumar, Prescribing Pharmacist (GPhC 2233073)

Last reviewed: 1 August 2026