Cialis and Viagra are effective remedies for sexual health problems. Patients using any of these drugs report not only an improvement in erection but also an increase in self-confidence, more natural and emotionally rich sexual relations. But is it possible to take Cialis and Viagra together to get a more pronounced effect? Let’s study this issue in detail.
How Cialis and Viagra Work
Cialis Viagra mechanisms of action are similar. But still, there is a difference. To understand the possibility of combining these drugs, you need to know how each works.
Cialis
Tadalafil is the active constituent of Cialis. It is a PDE5 inhibitor responsible for the breakdown of cGMP in the cavernous body. Madani et al. in their study on BPH patients revealed that this substance does not have a direct relaxing influence on the cavernous body, but actively enhances the relaxing effect of NO on this tissue. When the NO/cGMP pathway is activated during sexual excitement, the inhibition of PDE5 under the influence of tadalafil leads to an increase in cGMP levels. This, in turn, improves the erectile function of men.
Viagra
The main component of Viagra is sildenafil. It is a selective inhibitor of cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) in the corpora cavernosa, where PDE5 is responsible for the breakdown of cGMP. The effect of sildenafil on erection is similar to that of tadalafil. The drug increases blood flow to the penis and, thus, restores reduced erectile function.
Difference Between Viagra and Cialis
The main difference between medications is in the speed and duration of action. The effect of Cialis usually appears within 16 minutes after oral administration and persists for 36 hours. As for Viagra, it begins to act 40-50 minutes after ingestion and has a fairly noticeable effect for 4-6 hours.
Can I Mix Cialis and Viagra?
If you ask a doctor whether you can use low-dose Cialis and Viagra together, you will most likely get a negative answer. This is because mixing sildenafil and tadalafil can lead to health problems such as low arterial pressure and other unwanted side symptoms. But still, some people start using Viagra and Cialis together as it has some advantages (for example, prolonged duration of effectiveness).
Potential Risks
Potential risks of the Cialis Viagra combo include priapism, low blood pressure, and overdose.
Low Blood Pressure
The use of a PDE5 inhibitor has a systemic vasodilation effect and may cause a decrease in blood pressure. The situation is exacerbated if two such drugs work together.
Priapism
Priapism is an unwanted, prolonged, often painful erection. It can develop during erectile dysfunction treatment with Viagra and Cialis. A visit to the doctor is required if the erection persists for more than 4-4.5 hours in the absence of sexual arousal.
Overdose
Taking Cialis Viagra together may result in an overdose because the chemical structures and mechanisms of action of these medications are similar. And this, in turn, provokes various side effects and carries great risks to human health.
Potential Benefits
People who want to know how to take Viagra and Cialis together without negative health effects should carefully study the daily dosages of these drugs. Thus, it is usually recommended to take the 20 mg Cialis pill 30-60 minutes before intimacy. Viagra is used at a dosage of 50-100 mg 60 minutes before sex. But such doses are optimal only if taken as needed, and not regularly. Otherwise, the dose of Cialis is reduced to 5 mg, and Viagra – 25 mg per day.
If we are talking about the joint use of erectile dysfunction ED drugs, then a doctor’s consultation and the selection of an individual dosage are mandatory. Potential benefits in this case are the prolonged duration of effectiveness and overcoming tolerance.
Prolonged Duration of Effectiveness
Given that Viagra and Cialis have different periods of exposure, the combined use of these ED drugs can lead to a prolonged duration of effectiveness, more than 36 hours.
Overcoming Tolerance
The concept of drug tolerance is widespread in medical practice. This is a weakened response of the human body to the action of the drug, which occurs upon repeated administration. As a result, the body adapts to its constant presence, and the desired effect is not achieved. The joint use of Viagra and Cialis allows to get rid of the problem and overcome tolerance.
Viagra and Cialis Side Effects
Viagra and Cialis are considered safe drugs when used correctly. But still, there are some negative effects that can develop during treatment.
The most common side symptoms associated with the use of Viagra include:
- Headache;
- Facialredness;
- Vertigo;
- Visionproblems;
- Lightsensitivity;
- Stuffynose;
- Indigestion.
Cialis may cause the following adverse effects:
- Headache;
- Dyspepsia;
- Backache;
- Myalgia;
- Nasalcongestion.
In the case of individual intolerance to the active components, the development of a hypersensitivity reaction and angioedema is possible.
Amplification of side effects
If you decide to mix Cialis and Viagra, then most likely you will have to deal with amplification of the above side effects. But the most severe consequence may be a sharp decrease in blood pressure, which, as noted above, occurs due to a systemic vasodilation effect of these drugs.
Alternative ED Treatment
To avoid adverse effects caused by Cialis and Viagra working together, you can use an alternative ED treatment.
Medication
There are a great number of other effective ED drugs that may be a better option for you. Levitra, Stendra, and Caverject deserve special attention:
- Levitra’s action is based on vardenafil, the effectiveness and safety of which have been proven in numerous clinical studies. The effect of the drug begins within 15–25 minutes after administration and lasts up to 8-12 hours;
- Stendra (avanafil) is one of the fastest-acting drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction condition. The effect persists for 5-8 hours;
- Caverject (alprostadil) is an innovative technique aimed at combating ED. A mixture of drugs is injected into the penis, the effect occurs after 5-10 minutes and lasts up to several hours.
Do not self-prescribe medications, so as not to aggravate the problem. Tell a specialist about your condition and get actionable advice.
Therapeutic options
As an alternative to the combined use of Cialis and Viagra, you can try therapeutic options such as vacuum pumps, penile implants, or injections. Each of these methods has its own advantages and disadvantages, so a detailed study will help you choose the right one.
Counseling or Therapy
Psychological factors play a significant role in a person’s life, often causing various health problems. Therefore, if you associate your erectile dysfunction ED with stress or unresolved emotional issues, use psychological counseling or therapy as a primary treatment.
Testosterone Replacement Therapy
Testosterone replacement therapy allows men not only to improve libido but also overall well-being, improve mood, eliminate problems with sleep and muscle gain.
Summary
The main purpose of this article was to provide an answer to the question “Can I mix Cialis and Viagra?”. Actually, it is possible. But a doctor is unlikely to recommend you take these medications together, as there are a number of potential risks. It may be more beneficial for you to use alternative ED treatments.
FAQ
Is it OK to take Cialis and Viagra together?
It’s not OK. Taking Viagra and Cialis together can lead to priapism, low blood pressure, and overdose.
Is 20mg Cialis equal to 100mg Viagra?
20 mg Cialis can theoretically be considered as 100 mg Viagra, but at the same time, they cannot be fully equated. The fact is that the duration of their action is significantly different.
Does Cialis make you harder than Viagra?
Cialis does not make you harder than Viagra. Each of these medications has been proven effective in helping men achieve and maintain erections during sex.
How can I make Cialis work better?
The ED medication Cialis works best if you stick to the dosage, drink enough water, and exercise regularly.
