Generic Viagra & Cialis in Canada: A Sildenafil and Tadalafil Guide

Generic sildenafil and generic tadalafil are the exact same medications as Viagra and Cialis. Same active ingredient, same dose strengths, same effect. The difference is the name on the box and the price on the receipt.

For most Canadians, the generic version is the more sensible default. It's why the majority of prescriptions filled through online telehealth platforms are for sildenafil or tadalafil rather than the branded originals.

Generic Viagra and Cialis

Generic sildenafil is the generic version of Viagra. Generic tadalafil is the generic version of Cialis. Both have been available in Canada for years, both are approved by Health Canada, and both cost significantly less than their brand-name counterparts.

What "Generic" Means Under Health Canada Rules

A lot of people assume "generic" means a simplified or lower-quality version of the real thing. In Canada, that's not what the term refers to at all. 

Before Health Canada allows any generic drug to be sold, the manufacturer has to prove it is bioequivalent to the original brand-name product. Bioequivalence means the medicinal ingredient is absorbed into the bloodstream at essentially the same rate and to the same extent as the brand-name version. [1]

Once a generic drug clears that bar, along with meeting the same manufacturing and quality standards as the brand, it receives a Notice of Compliance and a Drug Identification Number (DIN) from Health Canada. [1] That DIN is what allows it to be legally sold in Canadian pharmacies. Essentially, if a generic sildenafil or tadalafil product is sitting on a licensed pharmacy's shelf, it's already cleared the same regulatory bar as Viagra or Cialis did.

Generic Sildenafil vs Brand-Name Viagra

Sildenafil is the active ingredient in both Viagra and its generic equivalents. Sildenafil is a PDE5 inhibitor that increases blood flow to the penis during sexual stimulation, and it has been sold as a generic in Canada since 2012, several years after the original patent on Viagra expired.

Nothing about how sildenafil works changes based on which company manufactured the tablet. Onset time, duration, and available strengths (25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg) are generally indistinguishable between brand and generic, since both are held to the same Health Canada standards for the active ingredient. [2] What differs is the inactive ingredients—things like tablet shape, colour, and coating—none of which affect how the medication works.

Generic Tadalafil vs Brand-Name Cialis

Tadalafil follows the same pattern. It is the active ingredient in Cialis, and generic tadalafil must meet the same bioequivalence standard before Health Canada approves it for sale. 

Available strengths carry over, too, including the lower daily doses (2.5 mg and 5 mg) and the higher as-needed doses (10 mg and 20 mg). [3]

If you're switching from Cialis to generic tadalafil, the duration and onset you're used to shouldn't change. A generic tablet is designed to behave the same way in your body as the brand-name version.

Are Generic ED Medications as Safe as the Brand Name?

Yes. Generic sildenafil and tadalafil are manufactured under the same Good Manufacturing Practices that apply to brand-name drug production in Canada, and they're subject to the same post-market safety monitoring by Health Canada once they're on the market. 

Approval isn't a one-time formality. If a safety concern emerges after a generic drug is approved, it faces the same scrutiny and potential regulatory action as any brand-name product would.

The manufacturer of your specific tablets can also change between refills, since multiple companies produce approved generic sildenafil and tadalafil in Canada. This is completely normal and doesn't affect the medication's safety or effectiveness. If you ever want to double-check a specific product, you can search its DIN directly in the Government of Canada's Drug Product Database. [4]

How Much You Can Save

The savings tend to be substantial, often between 50 and 80 percent of the brand-name price, though the exact figure depends on dosage, quantity, and which pharmacy or provider you use. 

Our dedicated pricing guides break this down in more detail for Viagra costs and Cialis costs in Canada specifically.

Since public drug plans in Canada generally don't cover ED medication, brand-name or generic, this price gap tends to matter more here than it might for a drug that's partially reimbursed. 

Choosing generic is usually the best way to keep costs manageable in the long term.

Getting a Generic Prescription Online in Canada

Both sildenafil and tadalafil require a prescription in Canada, whether you're getting the brand or the generic. A licensed telehealth platform like TreatMeNow can help get you a prescription entirely online. 

You'll complete a short health questionnaire, and a licensed healthcare provider will review it. If it's appropriate for you, your prescription is filled by a licensed Canadian pharmacy and shipped to your door.

If you're curious about the mechanics behind either medication, our guide to how ED medications work breaks down the PDE5 inhibitor process in plain terms. 

Available strengths carry over identically from brand to generic, too. Our dosage guide covers what to expect at each one. 

And for a broader look at ED treatment options in Canada, our main guide to ED treatment and full blog on erectile dysfunction are both good places to start.

FAQ: Can I Request Brand-Name Viagra or Cialis Instead of the Generic?

Yes, generally speaking. Most online prescriptions default to generic simply because it's the more practical choice for most people, not because you're locked out of the brand-name option. 

If you have a specific reason for wanting Viagra or Cialis by name, talk to your provider. It’s not something you need to just accept or work around on your own.

Cost is usually the main tradeoff. Brand-name medication costs considerably more, and since public insurance typically doesn't cover either version, that difference comes straight out of pocket. 

Some private plans also only reimburse the generic, which is worth checking before you commit either way.

If you're thinking about requesting the brand name, here are the steps to take:

1. Mention your preference during your online questionnaire or consultation, rather than assuming it's off the table.
2. Ask about the price difference upfront, so you know what you're actually signing up for.
3. If your hesitation is about generics in general rather than a specific experience, ask your provider to walk you through the bioequivalence requirement. It may change how you feel about it.
4. Check your insurance plan's formulary, if you have one, since some plans only reimburse generic sildenafil or tadalafil.
5. Remember you're not locked in. You can switch between brand and generic on a future prescription if your preference changes.