Sildenafil vs Tadalafil

• Sildenafil takes around 30-60 minutes to work and can last for 4-6 hours
• Tadalafil takes around 30 minutes to work and can last for 36 hours
• Tadalafil has a low-dose option taken every day. It takes 2-3 days to work and has a continuous effect

Comparing Tadalafil vs Sildenafil comes down to timing, lifestyle and tolerance—not just “which is better.” We break down how long each treatment takes to work, duration of action, success rates, side-effects, and interactions.

Use our summary table to find the right option for you.

Both medicines generally start working in 30–60 minutes when used correctly.

Sildenafil:

• Onset can be slower with a heavy meal – aim for an empty stomach or leave a 1-2 hour gap after meals.

Tadalafil:

• Less affected by food.

Bottom line:

If you often eat near dosing, tadalafil is usually more reliable. If you can plan for an empty stomach, sildenafil works well.

Tadalafil:

• Lasts up to 36 hours (often called the “weekend pill”), offering a broad window for spontaneity and reduced clock-watching.
• Low dose options have an on-going effect, ideal for those that have frequent sexual encounters, or those that don’t want to schedule doses.

Sildenafil:

• Lasts around 4–6 hours.

Bottom Line:

Tadalafil has a longer window of action and also offers a continuous effect.

Head-to-head “hardness” data are limited. In practice, both are highly effective ED treatments when:

• The dose is appropriate,
• There’s adequate sexual stimulation, and
• You avoid meal timing issues (especially with sildenafil).

Many men respond well to both; some prefer the long, natural window of tadalafil, while others prefer sildenafil’s punchier early effect.

Bottom Line:

Tie on overall efficacy—choose based on timing, lifestyle, and tolerability. Individual responses to both treatments can vary. What works for you, may not work for someone else, and vice versa.

Side-effects are usually mild to moderate and improve with dose adjustments and time.

• Shared common side effects: headache, flushing, indigestion/heartburn, nasal congestion, dizziness.
• Tadalafil: Back or muscle aches (temporary) are more common.
• Sildenafil: Visual tinge/blur or light sensitivity (temporary) are more common.

Tolerability tips:

• Try a lower dose first and titrate.
• Avoid heavy or fatty meals near dosing (especially for sildenafil).
• Keep alcohol light to moderate.
• If backache is an issue on tadalafil, consider sildenafil; if visual effects occur on sildenafil, consider tadalafil.

Bottom Line:

Tie overall—pick the profile you personally tolerate better.

Both medicines interact with nearly all the same medicines:

• Do not use with nitrates or “poppers” (risk of a dangerous blood-pressure drop).
• Alpha-blockers (tamsulosin/doxazosin) can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure. Start on a low dose and gradually increase the dose to reduce dizziness/low BP.
• Grapefruit may increase drug levels in the body—avoid large amounts.
• Alcohol can reduce the effectiveness of both medicines. Try to limit alcohol intake.

Always let your doctor or pharmacist know if you are taking medication. This will help to ensure that treatment is safe for you to take.

Bottom Line:

Tie on breadth of interactions; sildenafil exits the body quicker, reducing the chances of interactions.

Pricing varies by supplier, dose and monthly usage, but overall:

• Sildenafil is usually cheaper. Prices start from 47p per tablet.
• Tadalafil is often slightly more expensive; daily tadalafil can increase monthly spend despite convenience. Prices start from 67p per tablet.

Bottom Line:

Sildenafil wins on price.

If you’re choosing between tadalafil and sildenafil, you’re not picking a “better” drug. You’re choosing what works for you. Both are proven and popular treatments; and users will often respond differently to treatments.

How they work in real life:

• Speed: Both treatments usually start working within 30–60 minutes. If you’ve just had a heavy or fatty meal, the effectiveness of sildenafil may be reduced.
• Duration of action: Tadalafil is the “weekend pill” for a reason—coverage can last up to 36 hours. Sildenafil gives you a focused 4–6 hour window for planned occasions.
• Dosing style: Sildenafil is on-demand only. Tadalafil gives you a choice: on-demand 10–20 mg or a daily 2.5–5 mg option that keeps you “ready” without clock-watching. The daily version may also ease urinary symptoms in BPH.
• Effectiveness: Both are highly effective when taken correctly (right dose, right timing, sexual stimulation). Some people prefer tadalafil’s long, “natural” window, others like sildenafil’s punchier early feel. There’s no universal winner for “hardness.”
• Side-effects: Broadly similar and usually mild. Tadalafil can more often cause back/muscle aches; sildenafil can occasionally cause a blue visual tinge or light sensitivity. If one profile annoys you, the other often suits better.
• Interactions & safety: Neither should be taken with nitrates or poppers. Be cautious with alpha-blockers and certain medicines that lower blood pressure.
• Cost (UK private market): Sildenafil is usually cheaper per tablet. Tadalafil is often a bit more, and daily tadalafil increases monthly spend (you’re taking it every day).