Sildalis vs Alternatives: Sildenafil and Tadalafil Compared for Erectile Dysfunction

If you're looking at Sildalis for erectile dysfunction, you're not alone. But before you buy it, you need to know how it stacks up against the other options out there. Sildalis isn't a brand you’ll find in every pharmacy-it’s a combo pill. It contains both sildenafil and tadalafil, two of the most common ED drugs. But is mixing them better than taking one alone? And what about other pills like vardenafil or avanafil? Let’s cut through the noise.

What is Sildalis really made of?

Sildalis contains 100 mg of sildenafil and 20 mg of tadalafil per tablet. That’s the full daily dose of both drugs in one pill. The idea behind it is simple: get the fast action of sildenafil (which kicks in within 30 to 60 minutes) plus the long window of tadalafil (which can last up to 36 hours). But here’s the catch-no major health authority like the FDA or TGA has approved Sildalis as a single product. It’s mostly sold online or through specialty pharmacies, often from overseas suppliers.

That means you’re not getting a regulated product. There’s no guarantee the pill has the right dose, or even the right ingredients. A 2023 study from the World Health Organization found that 42% of ED pills bought online without a prescription contained wrong dosages or harmful fillers. That’s not a risk most people realize they’re taking.

Sildenafil (Viagra) vs Tadalafil (Cialis): The Standalone Options

Let’s compare the two main ingredients in Sildalis to each other-because they’re both available on their own, and both are FDA-approved.

Sildenafil (Viagra, generic versions) is the original ED pill. It starts working in about 30 to 60 minutes. Its effects last 4 to 6 hours. You need to take it on an empty stomach-fatty meals can delay it by up to an hour. It’s cheap, widely available, and works for about 70% of men.

Tadalafil (Cialis) takes a little longer to kick in-usually 30 to 45 minutes-but it lasts up to 36 hours. That’s why it’s called the "weekend pill." You can take it once a day at a lower dose (2.5 or 5 mg) for daily use, or a higher dose (10 or 20 mg) as needed. It’s also less affected by food. If you’re someone who doesn’t want to plan sex around a pill, tadalafil gives you more flexibility.

Both can cause headaches, flushing, or upset stomach. But tadalafil has a slightly lower chance of causing vision changes, while sildenafil has a higher risk of nasal congestion.

Other ED Pills You Should Consider

Sildenafil and tadalafil aren’t the only two options. There are two more FDA-approved pills you might not know about.

Vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn) works similarly to sildenafil-fast onset, 4 to 5 hours of effect. It’s a bit more potent per milligram, so you might need a lower dose (10 mg instead of 50 mg). It’s also less affected by food than sildenafil. But it’s not as widely prescribed, partly because it’s more expensive and less known.

Avanafil (Stendra) is the newest. It starts working in as little as 15 minutes, faster than any other ED pill. It lasts about 6 hours. It’s also less likely to cause headaches or nasal stuffiness. But it’s pricier, and not all pharmacies stock it. If you need something quick and you’ve had bad reactions to other pills, avanafil is worth asking your doctor about.

Why Sildalis Might Not Be the Best Choice

Combining sildenafil and tadalafil sounds like a smart idea-double the power, right? But it’s not that simple. Your body doesn’t work like a light switch you can turn up with more drugs.

Both sildenafil and tadalafil work the same way: they relax blood vessels to increase flow to the penis. Taking them together doesn’t make the effect stronger-it just increases the risk of side effects. High blood pressure drops, dizziness, fainting, and even priapism (a painful, prolonged erection) become more likely.

There’s zero clinical evidence that Sildalis works better than taking either drug alone. In fact, a 2024 review in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found no benefit in combining these two drugs for ED. The only real advantage Sildalis offers is convenience-if you can trust the source. And that’s a big "if."

Also, if you’re on nitrates for heart disease, you can’t take any of these drugs. Mixing them with nitrates can cause a dangerous, life-threatening drop in blood pressure. Always check with your doctor before starting any ED medication.

Cost Comparison: What You’ll Actually Pay

Price matters. Here’s what you can expect to pay per pill in Australia, based on 2025 pharmacy data:

Notice something? Sildalis looks cheap-but you’re paying for two drugs at once. If you buy generic sildenafil and tadalafil separately, you can get the same active ingredients for less than $4 total per day. And you’re getting regulated, safe products from Australian pharmacies.

Who Should Avoid Sildalis Completely?

Some men should never take Sildalis-or any combination ED pill. Here’s who:

• Men on nitrates (for chest pain or heart failure)
• Men with severe liver or kidney disease
• Men with uncontrolled high or low blood pressure
• Men with retinitis pigmentosa (a rare eye condition)
• Men who’ve had a stroke or heart attack in the last 6 months
• Men under 18 or over 75 without medical supervision

If you fall into any of these groups, talk to your doctor about safer alternatives. There are non-pill options too-like vacuum pumps, penile injections, or even low-intensity shockwave therapy-which might be better for your health long-term.

What Works Best in Real Life?

Let’s say you’re 52, active, and don’t want to plan sex around a pill. Tadalafil (Cialis) at 10 mg taken as needed works great. Or if you’re 45, on a budget, and want something reliable, generic sildenafil is the way to go.

One patient I spoke to in Sydney-let’s call him Mark-tried Sildalis after reading about it online. He got dizzy after taking it, and his doctor later told him the pill had 150 mg of sildenafil instead of 100 mg. He ended up switching to generic tadalafil and hasn’t had an issue since.

The bottom line: Sildalis isn’t better. It’s riskier. And it’s not necessary.

How to Choose the Right ED Medication

Here’s a simple decision guide:

1. Do you need fast action? Go with avanafil or sildenafil.
2. Do you want flexibility? Choose tadalafil.
3. Do you have food or alcohol habits? Tadalafil and vardenafil are more forgiving.
4. Are you cost-sensitive? Generic sildenafil is the cheapest proven option.
5. Are you buying online? Don’t. Get a prescription and fill it at a licensed Australian pharmacy.

There’s no "best" pill for everyone. The right one depends on your body, your lifestyle, and your health history.

Final Thoughts: Stick to What’s Proven

Sildalis might sound like a shortcut, but it’s not. It’s a gamble with your health. The ingredients inside it-sildenafil and tadalafil-are proven, safe, and available separately. You don’t need them mixed together.

Stick with FDA- or TGA-approved options. Talk to your doctor. Get a prescription. Buy from a licensed pharmacy. Your body will thank you.

Next Steps

If you’re considering Sildalis, pause. Talk to your doctor first. Bring up sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, or avanafil-ask which one fits your health and lifestyle. Most GPs in Australia can prescribe these under the PBS, meaning you’ll pay less than $30 per script.

If you’ve been using Sildalis already, stop. Get tested. Your blood pressure, liver, and kidney function may need checking. And if you’re buying online, stop. The risk isn’t worth it.

ED is common. But the solution doesn’t have to be complicated-or dangerous. Stick to what’s proven, safe, and legal. Your body-and your peace of mind-will thank you.