Cialis (tadalafil) and Levitra (vardenafil) are brand-name prescription medications. They’re approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat erectile dysfunction (ED).
This article describes the key similarities and differences between Cialis and Levitra. If you’re thinking about taking one of these drugs, you can review this information with your doctor. Doing so can help you decide whether one of these drugs may be right for you.
For more comprehensive information about Cialis, see this article. You can also talk with your doctor pharmacist if you have questions about either drug.
Note: The brand-name form of Levitra was discontinued in 2021. However, the active drug in Levitra is available as a generic medication called vardenafil. The generic form has the same use, dosage, safety, and effectiveness as the original drug.
Key differences between Cialis and Levitra
These are a few of the main differences between Cialis and Levitra:
- Dosage: Cialis is taken daily or as needed 30 minutes before sexual activity. Levitra is taken as needed at least 1 hour before sexual activity. (See “Dosages, forms, and administration” below.)
- Conditions treated: Cialis and Levitra are both used to treat ED. Cialis is also used to treat symptoms of a prostate condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia. (See “Uses of Cialis vs. Levitra” below.)
Here’s information about the generic status for Cialis and Levitra, as well as details on their active ingredients.
| Cialis | Levitra | |
| Generic available | yes | yes |
| Active ingredients | tadalafil | vardenafil |
| Drug class | phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor | PDE5 inhibitor |
The generic version of Cialis is called tadalafil. The generic version of Levitra is called vardenafil. The brand-name form of Levitra was discontinued in 2021.
Cialis and Levitra have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat the following.
- Both Cialis and Levitra are FDA-approved to treat:
- Erectile dysfunction (ED) in adult males.* ED is the inability to achieve or sustain an erection firm enough for sexual activity.
- Cialis is also FDA-approved to treat:
- Symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in adult males. BPH is a condition that occurs when the prostate becomes enlarged, which can lead to problems with urination.
- ED and BPH symptoms in adult males who have both conditions.
Note: For more information about the uses for Cialis, see this article. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn about these drugs’ uses.
* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the term “male” in this article refers to sex assigned at birth.
Here’s a quick look at the dosage and administration of Cialis and Levitra for the conditions both drugs treat.
Dosage for erectile dysfunction
Below are the dosages of Cialis and Levitra for erectile dysfunction (ED). Milligrams are abbreviated as “mg.”
| Cialis for ED | Levitra for ED | |
| Form | oral tablet | oral tablet |
| Strengths | • 2.5 mg • 5 mg • 10 mg • 20 mg | • 2.5 mg • 5 mg • 10 mg • 20 mg |
| Dose | • when taken as needed: 5 mg to 20 mg • when taken daily: 2.5 mg to 5 mg | 5 mg to 20 mg |
| Frequency | • when taken as needed: one dose at least 30 minutes before sexual activity, with a maximum of one dose per day • when taken daily: one dose at the same time daily, regardless of the timing of sexual activity | one dose at least 1 hour before sexual activity, with a maximum of one dose per day |
Note: For more information about the dosages for Cialis, see this article. Your doctor and pharmacist can also answer questions about either drugs’ dosages.
Cialis and Levitra both treat erectile dysfunction. These drugs can cause some of the same side effects, as well as some different ones. Some of the side effects reported in clinical trials of these drugs are mentioned below.
For more details about side effects of Cialis, see this article. You can also refer to the Cialis prescribing information and Levitra prescribing information.
Mild side effects
The following table lists some of the more commonly reported mild side effects of Cialis and Levitra. The table may also include mild side effects that are less common but that you might have concerns about in some cases.
| Mild side effects | Cialis | Levitra |
| pain in your muscles or back | ✓ | ✓ |
| pain in your arms or legs | ✓ | |
| headache | ✓ | ✓ |
| cough | ✓ | |
| skin flushing | ✓ | ✓ |
| stuffy nose | ✓ | ✓ |
| digestive problems, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and indigestion | ✓ | ✓ |
| mild infection, including urinary tract infection | ✓ | |
| dizziness | ✓ | ✓ |
| mild allergic reaction | ✓* | ✓ |
* An allergic reaction is possible after taking Cialis. This side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials. However, allergic reaction has been reported since the drug became available as a prescription.
These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. If the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Serious side effects
The following table lists the reported serious side effects of Cialis and Levitra.
| Serious side effects | Cialis | Levitra |
| hearing problems, such as sudden hearing loss or ringing in the ears | ✓ | ✓ |
| vision problems, such as sudden vision loss or changes in how certain colors appear | ✓ | ✓ |
| priapism (prolonged, painful erection) | ✓ | ✓ |
| low or high blood pressure | ✓ | ✓ |
| long QT syndrome (a type of abnormal heart rhythm) | ✓ | |
| severe allergic reaction | ✓* | ✓ |
* An allergic reaction is possible after using Cialis. This side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials. However, allergic reaction has been reported since the drug became available as a prescription.
If you have serious side effects while using Cialis or Levitra, call your doctor immediately. If the side effects feel life threatening or you believe you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number right away.
Below are answers to some common questions about Cialis and Levitra.
Are there reasons why Cialis is a better treatment option than Levitra or vice versa?
Yes, certain factors could make one drug a better treatment option than the other.
For example, Cialis may work faster than Levitra for treating erectile dysfunction (ED). For this reason, Cialis can be taken about 30 minutes before sexual activity, while Levitra should be taken about 1 hour beforehand.
Cialis is also approved for daily use, while Levitra is not. This means Cialis can be taken once daily at the same time each day, regardless of the timing of sexual activity. Levitra is typically taken only as needed before sexual activity.
In addition to ED, Cialis is approved to treat the symptoms of a prostate condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). If you have both ED and BPH, Cialis may be a better treatment option for you than Levitra. This is because Cialis can be used to treat both ED and BPH symptoms, while Levitra is only approved to treat ED.
The manufacturers of Cialis and Levitra have not provided reviews from people who have taken either drug. If you have questions about how Cialis compares with Levitra, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Note: For more information about the dosages for Cialis, see this article. To learn more about the uses for Cialis, see this article. You can also refer to the prescribing information for Cialis and Levitra.
Can Cialis and Levitra be used together?
No, Cialis and Levitra should not be used together.
Both Cialis and Levitra belong to a drug class called phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. Medications in this class can cause similar side effects, such as headache and low blood pressure. Taking Cialis and Levitra together can further increase the risk of these side effects.
Due to this risk, doctors typically will not prescribe Cialis and Levitra together.
For lists of some possible side effects with Cialis and Levitra, see the “Side effects of Cialis vs. Levitra” section above.
Below are details about the effectiveness of Cialis and Levitra.
Prescribing information. For information about how these drugs performed in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Cialis and Levitra. Keep in mind that trial results may not apply to your individual health situation.
Treatment guidelines. Another way to see whether a drug is considered effective is to look at treatment guidelines. When an organization includes certain drugs in treatment guidelines, this means that research has shown the drug to be safe and effective.
Drugs called phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors are recommended as treatment options for ED in guidelines from the American Urological Association. (Both Cialis and Levitra are PDE5 inhibitors.)
How much Cialis or Levitra costs depends on the treatment plan your doctor prescribes, your insurance plan, and your pharmacy.
Both Cialis and Levitra are brand-name drugs. The two medications also come in generic form. Brand-name medications are often more expensive than generics. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn about the generic form of either drug.
You can visit Optum Perks for price estimates of Cialis and the generic version of Levitra (vardenafil). The brand-name form of Levitra was discontinued in 2021.
Note: For more information about the cost of Cialis, see this article. You can also discuss drug costs with your doctor or pharmacist.
Cialis and Levitra may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. The two drugs share some of the same precautions, but they also have different ones. Some of these precautions are mentioned below.
Precautions
If any of the following medical conditions or other health factors are relevant to you, talk with your doctor before using Cialis or Levitra.
| Precaution | Cialis | Levitra |
| if you’ve had an allergic reaction to either drug or any of its ingredients | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you’re pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant | ✓* | ✓* |
| if you’re breastfeeding or thinking about breastfeeding | ✓* | ✓* |
| if you have a problem with your retina or optic nerve, such as retinitis pigmentosa | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you have a blood cell problem, such as sickle cell anemia | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you have a heart problem, such as having had a heart attack in the past 90 days | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you’ve had a stroke | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you have a blood cancer, such as multiple myeloma or leukemia | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you have a peptic ulcer | ✓ | ✓ |
| If you have a bleeding problem, such as hemophilia | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you have a liver or kidney problem, such as liver failure or kidney failure | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you have a condition that affects the shape of your penis, such as Peyronie’s disease | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you have low blood pressure | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you have high blood pressure that isn’t managed | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you have pulmonary hypertension | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you have seizures | ✓ |
* Cialis and Levitra are not approved for use in females. Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the term “female” in this article refers to sex assigned at birth.
Note: For more comprehensive information about these two drugs, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to this article about Cialis.
Switching between Cialis and Levitra might be possible.
If you’d like to know more about switching between Cialis and Levitra, talk with your doctor. They can give you additional details and help determine the best course of action for your personal situation. Even if two drugs treat the same condition or are in the same drug class, your body can still respond differently.
It’s important that you do not stop, start, or switch any of your drug treatments without your doctor’s recommendation.
Some key points to remember when comparing Cialis and Levitra include:
- Cialis and Levitra are used to treat erectile dysfunction. Cialis is also approved to treat symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia, which is a type of prostate condition.
- Cialis is taken as needed or daily. When taken as needed, Cialis is used at least 30 minutes prior to sexual activity. Levitra is meant to be taken as needed at least 1 hour prior to sexual activity.
If you’d like to learn more about Cialis or Levitra, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about similarities and differences between the drugs. They can also help determine whether one drug or the other might work well for you.
For more information about erectile dysfunction, see our men’s health hub.
Note: The brand-name form of Levitra was discontinued in 2021. However, the active drug in Levitra is available as a generic medication called vardenafil. The generic form has the same use, dosage, safety, and effectiveness as the original drug.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.