Tadalafil vs. Sildenafil: Which BlueChew Is Better?

The biggest difference between tadalafil and sildenafil is how long they last. Tadalafil (TAD) can work for up to 36 hours, which makes it a good fit for spontaneity. Sildenafil (SIL) works for about 4–6 hours, which suits planned intimacy. Both work the same way and are effective for most men, so the better choice depends on your routine.

At BlueChew, these come as TAD (tadalafil, the active ingredient in Cialis) and SIL (sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra). Here's how they compare.

• TAD and SIL are both PDE5 inhibitors that increase blood flow to the penis during arousal.
• TAD lasts up to 36 hours, earning tadalafil the nickname "the weekend pill."
• SIL lasts about 4–6 hours, which works well for date nights and planned intimacy.
• Both are sublingual tablets that typically start working within 15–30 minutes.
• If you want both a fast start and a long window, MAX combines sildenafil and tadalafil.

• They work the same way. Both are PDE5 inhibitors that increase blood flow to the penis when you're aroused. Neither causes an erection without sexual stimulation.
• They start working fast. As sublingual tablets, both typically start working within 15–30 minutes. Take either one 15–30 minutes before sexual activity.
• They're both proven. BlueChew's compounded tablets haven't been studied themselves, but their active ingredients have decades of research behind them. In clinical trials, 67–89% of men taking PDE5 inhibitors had improved erections.
• They share common side effects. Headache, flushing, nasal congestion, and indigestion are common with both. Tadalafil is more likely to cause back or muscle aches.
• Neither is safe with nitrates. Taking either one with nitrates for chest pain can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure.

TAD contains tadalafil, the active ingredient in Cialis.

• A long window: tadalafil can work for up to 36 hours, so you can be intimate whenever the moment is right over the next day or so.
• Less pressure: because you don't have to time your dose precisely, a long window may help ease performance anxiety, a common contributor to erection problems.
• Less affected by food: unlike sildenafil, tadalafil's absorption isn't significantly affected by meals, according to the Cialis label.
• A daily option: if you'd rather not plan at all, DailyTAD combines daily tadalafil with 7 essential vitamins in a chewable tablet.

TAD may be a good fit if you value spontaneity, or if timing pressure tends to get in your way. Here's how to get longer-lasting erections with tadalafil.

SIL contains sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra.

• Built for planned intimacy: sildenafil works for about 4–6 hours, a good match for a date night, a getaway, or an anniversary.
• The longest track record: sildenafil was the first PDE5 inhibitor approved for ED, in 1998, and it's the most widely studied.
• Shorter-lasting side effects: because it leaves your body faster, any side effects usually fade sooner than with tadalafil.

To get the most from SIL, take it on a relatively empty stomach, since heavy meals can delay it. Here are 5 tips for the best results with sildenafil.

There isn't a universal winner. It comes down to how you like to plan, or not plan, intimacy.

• Choose TAD if you want a long window, more spontaneity, less timing pressure, or the option of daily use with DailyTAD.
• Choose SIL if you usually know when sex will happen and prefer a shorter-acting medication with side effects that fade sooner.

You don't have to commit to one forever. Many men try one, then switch if it isn't the right fit. You can also compare vardenafil and sildenafil, or see all seven formulas side by side.

If you want sildenafil's fast start and tadalafil's long window, MAX combines 45 mg sildenafil and 18 mg tadalafil in one sublingual tablet. Research has found that combining the two improved erection quality and satisfaction compared with tadalafil alone. Here's how to take MAX for the best results.

If performance anxiety or low desire is part of the picture, GOLD adds apomorphine and oxytocin. See how it compares in GOLD vs. MAX and VMAX.

Never combine separate ED medications on your own. Combination formulas are prescribed by a provider.

Interested in getting your hands on an erectile dysfunction prescription? BlueChew has got you covered.

Select a plan, complete an online intake, and you're done. A medical provider will review your information and, if appropriate, prescribe your plan, which will be shipped directly to your door.

No doctor appointments or patient support charges make it a stress-free experience.

Plus, there's no commitment—you can easily cancel or switch plans anytime. Click here to explore all plan options for treatments at BlueChew.

Which lasts longer, tadalafil or sildenafil?

Tadalafil lasts much longer: up to 36 hours, compared with about 4–6 hours for sildenafil.

Which works faster, TAD or SIL?

Both typically start working within 15–30 minutes as sublingual tablets. Take either one 15–30 minutes before sexual activity.

Is tadalafil stronger than sildenafil?

Not necessarily. Both are effective for most men. The main difference is duration, not strength, and some men simply respond better to one than the other.

Can I take tadalafil and sildenafil together?

Don't combine separate ED medications on your own. If you want both, BlueChew's MAX combines sildenafil and tadalafil in one prescribed sublingual tablet.

Can I take tadalafil every day?

Daily low-dose tadalafil is a common approach. At BlueChew, DailyTAD is the daily option. TAD is for as-needed use, so don't take it more than once in 24 hours.

Does food affect TAD or SIL?

Heavy, high-fat meals can delay sildenafil. Tadalafil's absorption isn't significantly affected by food.

Which has more side effects?

Both share common side effects like headache, flushing, and nasal congestion. Tadalafil is more likely to cause back or muscle aches, and because it lasts longer, its side effects can last longer too.