Select two medications to compare their key characteristics:
Important Note: This tool provides general information only. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any new medication.
Active Ingredient: Tadalafil
Dosage: 10 mg / 20 mg (as-needed)
Onset Time: 30-60 minutes
Duration: Up to 36 hours
Price (UK): £23 (10 mg × 4) / £42 (20 mg × 4)
Side Effects: Headache, flushing, indigestion
Active Ingredient: Tadalafil
Dosage: Daily 2.5 mg/5 mg OR 10 mg/20 mg (as-needed)
Onset Time: 30-60 minutes
Duration: Up to 36 hours
Price (UK): £25 (daily 5 mg × 30) / £35 (10 mg × 4)
Side Effects: Back pain, headache, dizziness
Active Ingredient: Sildenafil
Dosage: 50 mg (as-needed)
Onset Time: 15-30 minutes
Duration: 4-6 hours
Price (UK): £30 (4 × 50 mg)
Side Effects: Flushing, visual tinge, nasal congestion
Active Ingredient: Vardenafil
Dosage: 10 mg (as-needed)
Onset Time: 15-30 minutes
Duration: 4-5 hours
Price (UK): £28 (4 × 10 mg)
Side Effects: Headache, dizziness, upset stomach
Active Ingredient: Avanafil
Dosage: 100 mg (as-needed)
Onset Time: ≈15 minutes
Duration: 6-12 hours
Price (UK): £38 (4 × 100 mg)
Side Effects: Headache, flushing, back pain
Active Ingredient: Tadalafil
Dosage: 10 mg / 20 mg (as-needed)
Onset Time: 30-60 minutes
Duration: Up to 36 hours
Price (UK): £12 (10 mg × 4) / £20 (20 mg × 4)
Side Effects: Same as brand-name
Tadarise vs alternatives - you’ve probably seen the name Tadarise on a pharmacy shelf and wondered how it stacks up against the more familiar pills like Cialis or Viagra. This guide walks through the science, costs and real‑world quirks so you can decide which option fits your lifestyle.
Tadarise is a brand‑name tablet that delivers tadalafil, a phosphodiesterase‑5 inhibitor used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). The product was launched in the UK in 2022 and quickly gained attention for its “week‑end dose” claim - a single 20mg tablet can support sexual activity for 36hours.
Tadalafil belongs to the same drug class as sildenafil (Viagra) and vardenafil (Levitra). It blocks the enzyme PDE‑5, which normally breaks down cGMP, a molecule that relaxes smooth muscle in the penis. By preserving cGMP, blood flow improves and an erection can be maintained when sexual stimulation occurs.
Below are the most frequently mentioned ED treatments in the UK market. Each uses a different active ingredient but follows the same basic mechanism.
Cialis is the branded version of tadalafil, marketed by EliLilly. It’s available in daily 2.5mg/5mg tablets and as‑needed 10mg or 20mg doses.
Viagra contains sildenafil citrate, the first oral ED drug approved worldwide. Typical tablets are 25mg, 50mg and 100mg.
Levitra is the trade name for vardenafil. It’s sold in 5mg, 10mg and 20mg strengths.
Stendra (avanafil) is a newer entrant with a faster onset - often 15minutes - and is marketed in 50mg, 100mg and 200mg tablets.
Generic tadalafil offers the same active ingredient as Tadarise and Cialis but at a lower price point. It’s sold by various UK pharmacies in 10mg and 20mg packs.
Erectile dysfunction is a condition where a man cannot achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance. Roughly 1 in 10 men over 40 experience occasional symptoms, with prevalence rising to 40% among men over 70.
Headaches, facial flushing, nasal congestion and upset stomach are reported by 10‑20% of users for any PDE‑5 inhibitor. Rare but serious events include sudden vision loss or priapism (an erection lasting longer than 4hours). Men with cardiovascular disease should consult a GP before starting any of these drugs.
Drug | Active ingredient | Typical dose | Onset | Duration | Approx. UK price* (per pack) | Common side effects |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tadarise | Tadalafil | 10mg / 20mg (as‑needed) | 30‑60min | Up to 36h | £23 (10mg × 4) / £42 (20mg × 4) | Headache, flushing, indigestion |
Cialis | Tadalafil | Daily 2.5mg‑5mg OR 10mg/20mg (as‑needed) | 30‑60min | Up to 36h | £25 (daily 5mg × 30) / £35 (10mg × 4) | Back pain, headache, dizziness |
Viagra | Sildenafil | 50mg (as‑needed) | 15‑30min | 4‑6h | £30 (4×50mg) | Flushing, visual tinge, nasal congestion |
Levitra | Vardenafil | 10mg (as‑needed) | 15‑30min | 4‑5h | £28 (4×10mg) | Headache, dizziness, upset stomach |
Stendra | Avanafil | 100mg (as‑needed) | ≈15min | 6‑12h | £38 (4×100mg) | Headache, flushing, back pain |
Generic tadalafil | Tadalafil | 10mg / 20mg (as‑needed) | 30‑60min | Up to 36h | £12 (10mg × 4) / £20 (20mg × 4) | Same as brand‑name |
*Prices are based on typical NHS‑approved pharmacy listings in October2025 and exclude any private insurance rebates.
Think about three practical factors before you click ‘add to basket’.
When cost is a major driver, generic tadalafil provides the same efficacy as Tadarise at roughly one‑third the price. The only trade‑off is brand‑recognition and possible packaging differences - the active molecule is identical.
The NHS now allows online consultations for ED in many regions. A typical pathway looks like this:
Beware of websites offering “no‑prescription” pills at rock‑bottom prices - many sell counterfeit tablets that lack the correct dosage and may contain harmful contaminants. Always verify that the pharmacy is C‑QC‑registered and displays a valid MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) license.
On UK forums like MumsNet and Reddit’s r/ukhealth, men often compare the “weekend vibe” of Tadarise to the “daily habit” of low‑dose Cialis. One 42‑year‑old shared: “I tried Tadarise for a month before a weekend trip. The 20mg tablet let me stay relaxed without having to time the pill. A couple of weeks later I switched to daily Cialis because I was seeing my partner more often, and the lower dose saved me money.”
Another user highlighted that Stendra gave him confidence for impromptu dates because it worked within 15minutes, something he could not achieve with a 60‑minute onset drug.
If you need a flexible, long‑lasting option and don’t mind a slightly higher price, Tadarise (or branded Cialis) fits the bill. For everyday reliability, a low‑dose daily Cialis or generic tadalafil works well. When rapid onset matters most, Stendra or Viagra may be preferable. Always match the drug to your lifestyle, health profile and budget, and obtain it through a legitimate UK pharmacy.
A moderate amount of alcohol (one‑two drinks) usually doesn’t interfere with tadalafil’s action. Heavy drinking can increase the risk of dizziness and may blunt the erection response, so keep it light on the night you plan to use the pill.
Most men feel the effect within 30‑60minutes after swallowing the tablet. Food can slow absorption slightly, so taking it on an empty stomach may give the quickest onset.
Yes. Tadalafil‑based products are prescription‑only medicines. You can obtain a prescription through your GP, a private doctor, or a registered online tele‑health service.
Often, yes - many men with controlled hypertension take tadalafil without issues. However, you must discuss it with your GP, especially if you are on nitrate medication, as the combination is dangerous.
Chemically, there’s none - both contain the same 10mg or 20mg of tadalafil. The distinction lies in branding, packaging, and price. Generic versions are usually cheaper but may come from different manufacturers.
Tadarise’s price premium is unjustified given the identical active ingredient.
Write a comment
Your email address will be restricted to us