Priapism can cause damage to the penile tissue if it’s not treated promptly. Visual problems, such as sudden vision loss, are rare adverse effects of vardenafil and Cialis.
PDE5 inhibitors like vardenafil and Cialis work by relaxing and widening blood vessels. This effect can help with the intended benefits of these medications, but it can also lead to some unwanted side effects. Combining vardenafil or Cialis with nitrates, alpha-blockers, or other blood pressure medications (antihypertensives) can lead to a dangerous drop in blood pressure, which may be fatal in severe cases. Vardenafil and Cialis should not be used with guanylate cyclase (GC) stimulators like riociguat for this same reason. Vardenafil and Cialis are both metabolized or processed in the liver.
The doses of these drugs may need to be adjusted when taking other drugs that alter certain liver enzymes, such as the CYP3A4 enzyme. Therefore, caution is recommended when mixing vardenafil or Cialis with certain antibiotics, antifungals, and anticonvulsants (seizure medications), among others. In addition, grapefruit juice may increase the levels of vardenafil and Cialis in the body, which may lead to adverse effects. This is not a complete list of drug interactions. Please consult your doctor before taking these medications. Using these medications can also increase the risk of a sudden decrease or loss of hearing.
| Product | Dosage | Quantity + Bonus | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Levitra Generic | 10mg | 20 Pills | 46.54€ 44.32€ | |
| Levitra Generic | 20mg | 10 Pills | 31.49€ 29.99€ | |
| Levitra Generic | 40mg | 60 + 4 Pills | 162.37€ 154.64€ | |
| Levitra Original | 20mg | 14 + 2 Pills | 102.27€ 97.40€ | |
| Levitra Generic | 40mg | 20 Pills | 67.56€ 64.34€ | |
| Levitra Generic | 40mg | 120 + 8 Pills | 302.37€ 287.97€ | |
| Levitra Generic | 20mg | 120 + 10 Pills | 224.15€ 213.48€ | |
| Levitra Soft Tabs | 20mg | 360 + 20 Pills | 682.21€ 649.72€ | |
| Levitra Original | 20mg | 12 Pills | 81.99€ 78.09€ | |
| Levitra Generic | 20mg | 270 + 10 Pills | 376.33€ 358.41€ | |
| Levitra Original | 20mg | 4 Pills | 45.87€ 43.69€ | |
| Levitra Generic | 40mg | 90 + 6 Pills | 234.73€ 223.55€ | |
| Levitra Soft Tabs | 20mg | 30 + 2 Pills | 99.17€ 94.45€ |
Seek prompt medical attention if you experience these effects.
Taking a drug like vardenafil or Cialis may increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, or other heart problems in people with heart disease. The use of vardenafil and Cialis should be avoided in people with a history of unstable angina (chest pain), uncontrolled high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack, arrhythmia, and/or severe heart disease. PDE5 inhibitors can increase the risk of dangerously low blood pressure, particularly when combined with other blood pressure medications. It is important to monitor blood pressure regularly if you are prescribed these drugs. If you experience priapism, or a painful erection that lasts longer than 4 hours, seek emergency medical attention. Levitra and Cialis belong to the same class of drugs called PDE5 inhibitors, but they are not the same drugs.
Vardenafil can take up to an hour to start working. Once it kicks in, its effects can last 5 to 7 hours, and in some cases, effects can last up to 12 hours. On the other hand, Cialis typically starts working faster, within 20 to 30 minutes, and its effects can last much longer—up to 36 hours. Vardenafil and Cialis can be taken with or without food, as indicated on their drug labels. However, the absorption of Levitra may be affected by a high-fat meal, while Cialis remains largely unaffected by food intake.
Vardenafil and Cialis are both FDA-approved to treat ED. This sexual disorder is diagnosed after a medical evaluation by a healthcare provider. ED can be caused by both psychological problems and physical health issues that cause a persistent inability to get or keep an erection. While PDE5 inhibitors have been studied to improve benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), Cialis is the only one that is FDA-approved to treat it. BPH is a medical condition characterized by an enlarged prostate. These drugs contain different active ingredients and can be used in different ways.
| Country | Patent Situation | Generic Approval Status | Regulatory Body |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | Patent expired | Widely available | FDA |
| UK | Patent expired | Approved for sale | MHRA |
| Canada | Patent protected in some provinces | Approved | Health Canada |
| Australia | Patent expired | Licensed for pharmacy sale | TGA |
Cialis is available as a once-daily pill, while Levitra is only taken as needed.
Choosing which is better can depend on personal preferences and how often you plan to be intimate. Cialis may work faster and have effects that last longer than vardenafil. In addition, Cialis may be preferred by those who also have BPH or want a once-daily option.
This meta-analysis included 118 different trials and compared seven different medications. All PDE5 inhibitors in the studies were found to have similar safety profiles. However, one study found that sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra, may be the most effective PDE5 inhibitor for ED in the general population. The study noted that while PDE5 inhibitors are generally effective and safe compared to a placebo, more high-quality studies that directly compare these medications are needed. Levitra or Cialis may be more effective, depending on your preferences and other health conditions.
Your healthcare provider can help you decide which ED medication is best for you. Most Medicare and commercial insurance plans don’t generally cover ED pills like vardenafil and Cialis. Therefore, you may have to pay out of pocket for these medications. Some health insurance plans may be more likely to cover Cialis if it’s prescribed for BPH. Still, you may want to contact your pharmacist or insurance company directly about insurance coverage for ED drugs. It’s best to consult a doctor for medical advice about the best option for you.
It can cause symptoms like an increased need to urinate, difficulty urinating, and an inability to fully empty the bladder. Off-label uses of Levitra and Cialis include treating Raynaud’s phenomenon and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Raynaud’s phenomenon is a rare condition in which the fingers or toes can become discolored or numb due to cold temperature changes. PAH is another rare disorder caused by high blood pressure in the lungs and can lead to shortness of breath and chest pain. The active ingredients of Levitra and Cialis have also been shown to prevent and improve altitude sickness.
These drugs may be useful for climbers who are at risk of experiencing high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), a condition caused by fluid leakage in the lungs. This condition can be fatal if it’s not treated in a timely manner. When taken as prescribed, vardenafil and Cialis can be effective ED treatments. However, Cialis may be preferred for its once-daily dosing option, longer duration of action, and approved use for BPH. According to a meta-analysis, tadalafil was found to be the most effective agent for ED, followed by vardenafil. Taking Levitra or Cialis along with alcohol may increase the chances of side effects.
| Website | Reputation | Price Range | Shipping Countries | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MedsOnline.com | High | $1.50–$3.00 | Worldwide | Verified pharmacy |
| CanadianPharmacy.com | Good | $1.20–$2.50 | Canada, US | Prescription required |
| TrustedMedShop.net | Moderate | $1.00–$2.20 | Worldwide | Discreet packaging |
| LocalPharmacyChain | High | $2.00–$4.00 | Local region | In-store purchase |
Since alcohol affects blood vessels in a way similar to these medications, you might experience more noticeable symptoms, like flushing and dizziness. While small amounts of alcohol might be okay, drinking too much can make these medications less effective.
Talk to a doctor about how much alcohol is safe to drink while using these medicines. There is no single ED drug that is considered the best.
Vardenafil is a generic medication that may be cheaper than brand-name alternatives. The average retail price may be around $479 for 10 tablets with a strength of 20 mg. Cialis is available as a brand-name and generic drug. For 30 tablets with a strength of 5 mg, the average retail price of generic Cialis is around $448. If you’re looking to save on the retail cost of vardenafil or Cialis, you may want to use a SingleCare savings card.
You may find that SingleCare helps you save up to 80% on brand-name and generic medications. Another potential alternative is to check out SingleCare’s partnership with Lemonaid Health, where you can get Sildenafil for as little as $2 per pill. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of Jan. 30, 2026. The listed price without insurance references the price of brand-name drugs (unless otherwise specified). ED treatment is highly individualized, and thus, the better choice is the one that helps you the most.
The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available. Vardenafil and Cialis tend to have similar side effects since they’re both in the same drug class. The most frequently reported side effects include headaches, levitra now online nasal congestion or a stuffy nose, indigestion, and back pain. In addition, both medications may lead to facial flushing, characterized by redness and warmth in the face. Other common side effects of vardenafil are dizziness, flu symptoms, and inflamed sinuses (sinusitis).
Other common side effects of Cialis include muscle pain and pain in the arms or legs. Most side effects with these medications are mild and go away on their own. If you experience serious side effects, such as visual changes or sudden hearing loss, seek medical attention immediately. This may not be a complete list of adverse effects that can occur. Please refer to your doctor or healthcare provider to learn more. Price and potential side effects should also be considered when picking an ED drug with your healthcare provider. Erectile dysfunction prevalence in the United States: report from the 2021 National Survey of Sexual Wellbeing, The Journal of Sexual Medicine (2024) Determination that Levitra (vardenafil hydrochloride) tablets, 2.5 milligrams were not withdrawn from sale for reasons of safety or effectiveness, Federal Register (2019) A comparison of the available phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors in the treatment of erectile dysfunction: a focus on avanafil, Patient Preference and Adherence (2015) Determining the earliest time within 30 minutes to erectogenic effect after tadalafil 10 and 20 mg: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, at-home study, The Journal of Sexual Medicine (2004) Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors in the management of erectile dysfunction, Pharmacy & Therapeutics (2013) PDE-5 inhibitors in scleroderma Raynaud phenomenon and digital ulcers: Current status of clinical trials, International Journal of Rheumatology (2011) Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors for pulmonary hypertension, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2019) Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors help climbers to achieve new heights, BJUI Internacional (2006) Comparative effectiveness and safety of oral phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors for erectile dysfunction: a systematic review and network meta-analysis, European Urology (2013) The effect of phosphodiesterase-type 5 inhibitors on erectile function: an overview of systematic reviews, Frontiers in Pharmacology (2021) Medically accurate: SingleCare’s Medical Review Board analyzes all of our content to confirm it’s in line with current medical advice.