Let’s dive right in and get you the answer you want. There is no difference between Cialis and Tadalafil. They are the same compound, with Cialis being the brand name approved by the FDA in 2003, and Tadalafil being the generic name (representing a more accessible and cost-effective option than its branded counterpart) introduced when Cialis’ patent expired.
Are All Tadalafil Prescriptions the Same?
While it would be nice to believe that you get a quality product from any store or pharmacy selling tadalafil, this is, unfortunately, not the case and represents a good reason to consider the source. When the medication is sold under a brand name, the drug brand owner must answer to the FDA and has a significant incentive to police pharmacies and ensure that counterfeit drugs are not being sold. They have both legal and reputational reasons for doing so.
The FDA also oversees generic drug manufacturers, who must adhere to good manufacturing processes and ensure the product’s quality and purity. Once again, the company stands to lose quite a lot if proper manufacturing and marketing processes are not in place.
However, when the drug is produced by compounding pharmacies, the FDA provides little oversight, which allows unscrupulous pharmacies to potentially offer low-quality products.
So, How Do I Know I’m Getting a Good Non-brand Ed Drug?
Of course, the cost is the first and most significant attraction of generic and compounded ED drugs. Researching online will often yield hidden pricing and subscriptions on ED drugs like Tadalafil. You’ll also likely find pharmacies overseas in Canada, Mexico, and elsewhere selling medications at seemingly impossibly low prices. Ultimately, however, generic drugs are so inexpensive that it’s worth finding a reputable option here in the United States.
Start With a Reputable Practitioner.
Opt for a urologist for your Cialis / Tadalafil prescription. Urologists are well-trained in this prevalent condition and can prescribe maximum dosages, which can often be cut in half for a typical starting dose. Further, a urologist can help you find additional options when medications no longer work.
The Pharmacy
You or your urologist likely have a preferred pharmacy; however, if you don’t, or, for example, you are out of town and need to fill a prescription, be sure that they are in the United States and/or are licensed to sell and ship to your state or location. And be sure that the pharmacy is transparent about their business practices, including their pharmacist of record. If you are uncomfortable with their business practices, ask your urologist for a different recommendation or find a pharmacy you feel more comfortable with.
How to Tell Generic From Compounded
There are two straightforward ways to differentiate between generic Tadalafil and a compounded version. First, the generic only comes in tablet form, so it’s compounded if you see sublingual tabs, gummies, mints, or other formulations. There is also no generic combination ED medication – these Tadalafil-Sildenafil combinations are always compounded. Lastly, generic Tadalafil only comes in specific dosages: 5mg, 10mg, and 20mg. Any other dosage is compounded.
Bottom Line
Ultimately, when you are seeking treatment for erectile dysfunction, and it’s time to find the right pill, first know that Cialis and Tadalafil are interchangeable. Second, we always recommend choosing the generic because of its low cost and stronger FDA oversight. With that said, finding the right medication requires visiting with a qualified urologist, ideally specializing in men’s health.
By: Michael Kemper, M.D. Erectile dysfunction, or ED, places a significant physical and psychological burden on a man and their partner. Because it is so prevalent and disruptive, there are many options for treatment at every stage of ED. Due to their effectiveness and a great deal of marketing over the past few decades, ED medications […]
On Sunday, March 12, 2023, Georgia Urology’s Dr. Michael Kemper appeared as the featured guest on “The Weekly Check-Up,” Atlanta’s number one healthcare radio show, on 95.5 FM WSB. The main focus of the show was men’s health, namely what Dr. Kemper refers to as “lifestyle urology.” This refers to urology issues which can impact […]
Erectile Dysfunction (ED) affects both men and their partners. Yet many couples struggle in silence, hoping the issue will resolve itself, only to find their relationship growing more distant or strained. It’s a sensitive topic that can feel deeply personal and sometimes embarrassing. But the truth is, avoiding the conversation often makes things more complicated […]
