Levitra vs Cialis. Erectile dysfunction is a disorder that can significantly impact your sexual life. It doesn’t matter if you have it sometimes, however, a treatment is necessary when it becomes more regular.
In your quest to relieve erectile dysfunction, you will come across drugs like Cialis and Levitra – two of the most popular, FDA-approved, ED medications.
What is the difference between Levitra and Cialis? Read more to find out.
What is Levitra?
Levitra is a prescription medication used to treat erectile dysfunction or impotence. You can take Levitra alone or with other medicines. It belongs to a class of drugs called Phosphodiesterase-5 Enzyme Inhibitors, responsible for increasing blood flow in your penis.
What is Cialis?
Like Levitra, Cialis is also a drug used for treating erectile dysfunction. It relaxes the blood arteries that go to the penis, allowing more blood to enter it. Besides, Cialis also eases benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) symptoms by relaxing the muscles in your bladder, making it easier for you to pee.
What are The Differences between Levitra and Cialis?
Component
Levitra and Cialis differ primarily in their active components. Levitra contains Vardenafil and Cialis contains Tadalafil.
Effectiveness
The effects of Levitra typically last between 4 and 6 hours and can start working up to an hour after taking it. Meanwhile, it takes two to three hours for Cialis to begin acting and needs to be taken 30 minutes before sexual intercourse. Cialis, also known as “weekend pill” can lasts for 36 hours and much longer than Levitra.
The better effect of Cialis or Levitra will depend on the underlying health conditions. Your healthcare provider will decide which ED medication is best for you.
Side Effects
Levitra and Cialis share similar side effects that are common with most PDE5 inhibitors. You can experience the following:
- Facial flushing
- Runny or stuffed nose
- Back, head, or muscular discomfort
- Migraines
- Indigestion
- Flu or feeling sick
- Runny or blocked nose
- Vision problems
Mention it to your doctor if you decide to use an erectile dysfunction medicine while also on another prescription.
Cost and Coverage
When choosing an ED medication, the cost can be a significant challenge. Medicare and insurance policies typically don’t cover Levitra. It is one of the more expensive ED drugs in the market. The typical retail cost of two 20 mg Levitra pills is about $120. Thankfully, a less expensive option you can consider is generic Levitra which can save you about $40.
Similarly, Medicare or insurance coverage often does not include Cialis. However, if you’re using medication to treat a different ailment in addition to ED, like BPH, specific insurance plans could pay for it. Generic Cialis can be an alternative, which can save you good money. For thirty 5 mg pills, Cialis may cost as much as $500 on average at retail.