Over 50% of men over age 40 experience erectile dysfunction (ED)¹ - and that can have negative effects on confidence, self-esteem, and relationships. Most men are familiar with treatments like Viagra (sildenafil) or Cialis (tadalafil) - and generics have increased access to these meds. Generic medications contain the same active ingredients as the brand name, at a lower price. 

When our 42-year-old tester (we’ll call him Paul) searched online for ED treatment, he found plenty of companies like Hims, Ro, and BlueChew offering generic sildenafil and tadalafil - as well as newer options promising to be more effective like Rugiet Ready, which include clinically proven ingredients for both physical and mental arousal.

We tested and reviewed Viagra (sildenafil) and Cialis (tadalafil) vs. Rugiet Ready for ED treatment and consulted Dr. Robert Woodward (MD), a primary care physician who treats ED, for his expert medical opinion. Read on to find out our winner.

What to Look For In ED Treatment

An erection requires two things to work together: sufficient blood flow to the penis, and the right arousal signals from the brain. Most ED treatments only address the first one, aka physical arousal

Drugs like Viagra (sildenafil) and Cialis (tadalafil) are PDE5 inhibitors - they slow the breakdown of a compound that relaxes blood vessel walls, increasing blood flow to where it’s needed most. That results in “stronger, longer-lasting erections,” says Dr. Woodward. 

But blood flow alone isn't always enough. "These drugs do nothing for the desire to get hard: libido," Dr. Woodward says. Stress, performance anxiety, and low confidence can all play a role in ED - and addressing just the physical may produce no response. 

The most effective treatments address both sides: physical blood flow and mental arousal. Here's how Rugiet Ready, Viagra, and Cialis compare.

ED Treatments Compared

Formulation: Rugiet Wins With Clinically-Proven Ingredients for Physical and Mental Arousal

Viagra’s active ingredient is sildenafil; and for Cialis, tadalafil. Both are PDE5 inhibitors, with different durations and strengths.

Rugiet Ready combines both sildenafil and tadalafil - and is the only one that contains an ingredient clinically proven to increase arousal signals in the brain: apomorphine. In a study of 5,000 men, apomorphine significantly improved erectile success compared to before treatment.² This dual mechanism treats both the physical and mental sides of ED. 

"Rugiet boosts physical arousal and improves mental arousal, mood, and sensation," says Dr. Woodward. Viagra and Cialis, by contrast, "contain no ingredients that increase arousal or make sex more pleasurable."

Rugiet’s addition of apomorphine makes it the only medication that supports both body and brain.

Effectiveness: Rugiet Wins with Speed & Duration

In ED treatment, men should look for two things: speed to onset and duration. Rugiet kicks in in about 15 minutes - compared to 30-60 minutes for Viagra and Cialis. That's because Rugiet's sublingual tablet bypasses liver metabolism - meaning it hits your bloodstream faster. Viagra is only effective for 4-6 hours, while Cialis and Rugiet both remain effective for up to 36 hours. 

Paul noticed the difference right away. Within 15 minutes of his first dose of Rugiet, he felt "relaxed and confident” in a way that Viagra and Cialis never achieved. "My head was in it too,” leading to “more satisfying sex.” 

Bottom line: Rugiet kicked in fastest and felt most effective. 

Side effects across all three are generally mild - the most common being flushing, headache, or indigestion.^3,4 Paul experienced none during testing.

Convenience & Form Factor: Rugiet Wins With The Most Discreet Experience

Discretion matters. Viagra and Cialis are traditional oral tablets. They require doctor's appointments, pharmacy lines, and a glass of water to swallow a clinical pill - potentially a mood killer. 

Rugiet Ready is entirely online - a licensed physician will review your medical intake form and prescribe the medication, no live visit required (except in special cases), and medication will be shipped to your door. Rugiet is a sublingual tablet that dissolves under the tongue in about 5 minutes - no water or interruption needed. It tastes like a breath mint and starts working in about 15 minutes.

According to Paul, the process felt "less clinical and awkward.”

Price & Value: It’s a Tie 

Who wins on cost per dose and value?

Brand-name Viagra runs around $65 per dose and Cialis around $70 - though generic options can be much cheaper, around $2-4 per tablet. Rugiet Ready comes in at approximately $10 per dose.

But since Rugiet features a more comprehensive formulation than Viagra and Cialis, it clearly comes out as the winner for overall value.

The Overall Winner: Rugiet Ready

Which erectile dysfunction medication is most effective? After testing Rugiet Ready, Viagra, and Cialis, we recommend the one that works in minutes, supports both physical blood flow and mental arousal, and comes in a discreet, minty tablet. And that’s Rugiet Ready.

Dr. Woodward agrees: "I recommend Rugiet Ready. It's an effective ED treatment that supports both sexual arousal and performance."

Ready to try Rugiet? Use code READY15 for 15% off:

References

1. Journal of Urology
2. Urologia Internationalis
3. National Library of Medicine
4. Urology