The start of this thread is pretty old so I assume the dollar figures people were paying are no longer accurate for them. At least I hope they aren't. I would never risk getting prescriptions from Mexico these days. I obtained the generics - sildenafil and tadalafil - in max dose and cut them. The cost for the 25mg sildenafil were the same as the 100mg. The 100mg sildenafil are easily cut to 25s...well, 25ish I guess, I use a scale to measure and there is always some slight loss. I've spoken with a few different doctors about cutting the pills and they all said it was fine. A 30mg dose or 20mg dose (20mg is actually a prescription size dose from some pharmacies) because of a slightly larger/smaller cut doesn't make a whole lot of difference. Again, we're taking about insurance, not life saving medication here. Talk to your doctor about it. For those who are taking 25 or 50, a 30 pill 100mg prescription runs about $15. Those can be cut down to 60 (50mg) or 120 (25mg) doses. I've found 25mg is enough to provide insurance for most people. A 50mg dose would likely cover nearly everyone who are taking the pill simply to avoid the no-show issue. This is based on discussions I've had with others in the lifestyle.
The tadalafil (Cialis) is a better option in some cases. The half-life of it is 18 hours so it'll hang around in your system longer than sildenafil (4 hour half-life). So with tadalafil you don't have to guess right on when the festivities will start, and you'll be ready for round 2 or 3 the next morning. With that longer half-life the tadalafil is easier to keep a steady does in your system for a weekend getaway and you can be more spontaneous. The kicker for tadalafil over sildenafil is alcohol and food. Sildenafil absorption is effected by alcohol and fatty foods whereas tadalafil is not. So if you have a couple drinks or maybe a small meal, you may not get the result you want from your dose of sildenafil.
Regarding side effects, some have noted a few above. The indigestion side effect is one I haven't heard of. I know a couple guys who take full does 100mg of Viagra. He turns bright red and gets stuffy but doesn't have any of those other side effects. I don't really understand why he takes 100mg. He's in decent shape, late 40's and says he doesn't need it. Being far from an MD, I have no idea if there are any adverse side effects for taking 100mg when a 25mg works the same. To each their own. I think the side effects from both are similar but I've found the tadalafil are less. Sildenafil seems to make most guys red and stuffy. The tadalafil stuffiness and redness are consistently less. The rest of the side effects noted when you do a search on these meds - vision issues, dizziness, nose bleeds, headaches, etc aren't as common from what I've experienced or talked to people about. I've personally never experienced anything beyond redness (some with tadalafil, more with sildenafil) and slight stuffiness (only with sildenafil).
I have taken real Viagra and didn't notice any difference between it and the generic. I have not taken name brand Cialis, just the generic tadalafil. I always tell people who ask about these medications the same things - talk to your doctor, ask every question you have. When you get the medication, take the smallest dose possible (20mg sildenafil, 5mg tadalafil). Take it at home with your SO and see how it works and see the side effects you may have before you take it in a lifestyle capacity. This way you'll know what is normal and what is concerning (if anything). Learn how food and/or alcohol interacts with the meds in your system.