CIALIS vs LEVITRA
Independent side-by-side comparison.
Both are PDE5 inhibitors for erectile dysfunction, and for most men they are far more alike than the internet suggests. The differences that are real live in the labels — and the pick is your prescriber's.
The key difference
One difference that matters is scope of approval and dosing shape. Tadalafil's label covers erectile dysfunction and also the signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), including men who have both; vardenafil's label covers erectile dysfunction only. Tadalafil comes both as an as-needed tablet — which the label says improved erectile function versus placebo up to 36 hours after a dose — and as a tablet taken once daily at about the same time each day. Vardenafil is an as-needed tablet.
Another labelled difference: vardenafil's Warnings and Precautions say men with congenital QT syndrome, or on class IA or class III antiarrhythmics, should avoid it. Tadalafil's label carries no such warning.
The warning that can kill is shared and neither label softens it: taking any form of organic nitrate with either drug is contraindicated — the combination can drop blood pressure dangerously. Both labels also warn that sexual activity itself carries cardiac risk, and that neither drug should be used by men for whom sex is inadvisable because of their heart.
What favours Cialis (tadalafil)
Tadalafil is the one with a BPH indication, so a man whose urinary symptoms and erectile dysfunction travel together can be treated for both with one drug — the label covers that combination explicitly. Its long window (up to 36 hours after an as-needed dose) and the option of a once-daily tablet suit men who would rather not plan around a pill. Note the label does not recommend combining tadalafil with an alpha-blocker for BPH, and says not to split the tablets.
What favours Levitra (vardenafil)
Vardenafil is an as-needed tablet for erectile dysfunction, and that narrower job is not a defect — a shorter, more contained window is what some men want. Its own label tells you when to steer clear: men with congenital long QT syndrome or on class IA/III antiarrhythmics should avoid vardenafil. The orally disintegrating form contains phenylalanine, which matters if you have phenylketonuria.
Bottom line
These two are the same class doing the same thing by the same mechanism, and both labels carry the same absolute nitrate contraindication, the same contraindication with riociguat, the same warning about the cardiac risk of sexual activity, the same instruction to seek emergency care for an erection lasting more than 4 hours, and the same instruction to stop the drug and get help for sudden vision loss (NAION) or sudden hearing loss. If a prescriber steers you toward tadalafil, it is usually a labelled reason — BPH, or the longer/daily dosing shape. If toward vardenafil, it is usually because as-needed is all you need. We do not sell these drugs and we do not sell coupons; we rate them on their FDA recall record, which is why we can tell you the choice here is smaller than the marketing implies. Take it to your doctor with a full list of what else you take — nitrates, alpha-blockers, riociguat, antiarrhythmics.
This is not a summary of either drug’s FDA label, and it is not complete. Both labels carry warnings, contraindications and interactions that are not on this page. Read the label for the drug you are actually taking — we link both above — and take the decision to your prescriber.
Possible drug interaction. CIALIS and LEVITRA are different prescription medicines. Combining or switching between them can cause interactions — talk to a pharmacist or prescriber before making changes. This page is not medical advice.
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Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, Cialis or Levitra?
Cialis costs pharmacies less to acquire — about $4.43 vs $86.65 for a 30-count supply, per the CMS NADAC survey. That gap is in the pharmacy's cost of goods, not necessarily in what you pay: your price is set afterwards by your insurer and the pharmacy.
What is the difference between Cialis and Levitra?
Cialis contains Tadalafil, while Levitra contains Vardenafil Hydrochloride — they have different active ingredients.
Ratings are based on FDA regulatory (recall-safety) data. This comparison is for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional before choosing or switching a medication.