A Little History

In just eleven years, the world has been through a form of social revolution. Before the arrival of the now famous little blue pills, the majority of men who suffered from erectile dysfunction had no convenient treatment. There were injections and the vacuum pump (often the subject of off-color jokes), both of which were effective, but the majority of men preferred not to admit the problem and hid themselves away. Avoiding sexual activity was better than the embarrassment of failure. Then rumors began to circulate that clinical trials of a drug in England had found an unexpected side effect. Although intended to treat high blood pressure, this drug helped men to have erections. Expectations began to build and, for once, men began to talk more openly about the problem.

When the FDA approved the drug in 1998, the floodgates were opened and doctors were overwhelmed by demands for this “miracle cure”. Fortunately, it was a cure and, as word spread, so demand increased. Within the first year, it moved from a purely medical therapy to a lifestyle choice. Men were back in action. In 2003, cialis (also sold under the generic name tadalafil) joined the fray and, as it has now been shown to be the better product, it has quickly begun to challenge the other drugs for the world's biggest brand.

What's Happening Today?

When the floodgates opened, the medical profession was taken by surprise. Few doctors had any training or detailed understanding of erectile dysfunction. The first year was chaotic. Eleven years later, all doctors have significant training to deal with all forms of sexual disorders. They are better able to provide a more sensitive and supportive service if you go to discuss your problems. This is essential because, before you order cialis online, it is always a good idea to have a full physical check-up. Buying online without the need for a prescription saves you a lot of money as against the retail prices of brick-and-mortar pharmacies in your local malls or neighborhoods, but it cannot go through all the tests necessary to eliminate some of the more serious illnesses that can cause erectile dysfunction. Going to see your doctor before buying is the safest course of action.

Cialis or Tadalafil?

Cialis is the brand name while tadalafil is the generic name. In chemical terms, the two pills are bioequivalent, i.e. they have exactly the same active ingredients and exactly the same safety record. The only difference lies in the names and the extent to which they are advertized. The manufacturer, Eli Lilly, spends millions of dollars keeping the brand name cialis in the public eye. To recover the cost of this marketing effort, the retail price is high. Eli Lilly licenses other manufacturers to produce the same medication and, to avoid confusion, it is sold as tadalafil. Because it is not heavily advertized, the price is usually significantly lower. So always look for the prices online where you will find both versions for sale.