Erectile dysfunction affects more than 3 million males in the United States to some degree every single year. With the help of erectile dysfunction medications, around 70 percent of healthy men can get an erection sufficient enough for sexual intercourse. Determining which medication is right for you and will work best may take some trial and error with different drugs but there is no single drug that is the best fit for every male with erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction medications work by enhancing a natural chemical that your body produces called nitric oxide. Nitric oxide relaxes the muscles in the penis and taking oral erectile dysfunction medication allows for an increase in blood flow and ultimately produces a healthy erection suitable for sexual activity.
There are four main erectile dysfunction medications that are most effective and commonly prescribed for men. It is important to talk with your doctor about any and all underlying health conditions you may have and medications you regularly take. Discuss with your doctor the pros and cons of each medication and possible side effects that may arise. If treating an underlying health condition that may be responsible for your erectile dysfunction does not help then it may be time to opt for a medication specifically designed to combat erectile dysfunction. Be sure to discuss with your doctor whether or not you are healthy enough for sex.
Different Types of Oral Erectile Dysfunction Drugs
Depending on the underlying cause of erectile dysfunction, many men with ED may have a positive outcome with certain ED pills, such as PDE5 inhibitors. PDE5 inhibitors treat ED by enhancing the nitric oxide in the body and increasing blood flow to the penis with minimal side effects. Before starting any type of ED treatments, it is important to obtain medical advice from your primary care doctor in order to discuss the different side effects, the pros and cons of taking ED pills, and whether or not you are healthy enough for sexual activity.
While each medication work in similar ways, they each have a slightly different chemical makeup and a different active ingredient from drug to drug. Each medication will treat ED but the differences in the medication will affect how quickly it begins working, how long it will take to wear off, and possible side effects. The different PDE5 inhibitors that are prescribed to men to treat erectile dysfunction include:
- Sildenafil (Viagra)
- Vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn)
- Tadalafil (Cialis)
- Avanafil (Stendra)
Sildenafil (Viagra)
Sildenafil (Viagra) is the most commonly known medication for erectile dysfunction and can be an extremely effective treatment for mild to moderate erectile dysfunction. When taken on an empty stomach 60 minutes before sexual activity, Viagra can effectively assist you in achieving a firm erection and will remain effective for 4 to 5 hours. As one of the most studied and common form of ED treatments, Viagra can be prescribed in 25, 50, or 100 milligrams.
Pros of taking Sildenafil for ED include:
- Sildenafil is fast-acting and can start working around 30 minutes after taking the pill
- The effects have been researched and medically reviewed in many clinical trials
- Can remain effective for 4 to 5 hours
- May be helpful with treating high blood pressure
- Increase blood flow to the penis
- FDA approved
- Serious side effects are rare
Cons of taking Sildenafil for ED include:
- Can cause negative interactions with other medications
- While serious side effects are rare, they can include allergic reactions and cardiac issues
- Sildenafil may not be suitable for people with some chronic or underlying conditions
Possible Side Effects of Sildenafil:
- a stuffy or runny nose
- headaches
- a fever
- nausea
- chest pains
- hot flashes
- dizziness
- vision problems
- painful erections lasting longer than 4 hours
Vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn)
Vardenafil is most effective at treating erectile dysfunction when taken 60 minutes before sexual activity. While it may be taken with or without food, a meal that is high in fat might keep the pills from absorbing as quickly. If you have mild to moderate ED, Vardenafil will remain effective for 4 to 5 hours. Vardenafil can be prescribed as a tablet that dissolves under the tongue or as a pill that you swallow.
Pros of taking Vardenafil include:
- Found to be effective in medically reviewed clinical trials
- Levitra, the generic form of Vardenafil, is cheaper than other ED pills
- Increases blood flow to the penis
- FDA approved
Cons of taking Vardenafil include:
- May take longer than other drugs to start working
- When compared to other drugs, Vardenafil does not offer any unique advantages
Possible Side Effects of Vardenafil:
- facial flushing
- headaches
- a stuffy or runny nose
- back pain
- vision problems
- stomach problems
Tadalafil (Cialis)
Tadalafil (Cialis) may be taken with or without food 1 to 2 hours before sexual activity. May be taken in a small daily dose or in larger doses as needed and is effective for up to 36 hours. Cialis can also treat hypertension and enlargement of the prostate. However, for the treatment of ED, Tadalafil will be prescribed to healthy men as an oral tablet.
Pros of taking Tadalafil include:
- Tadalafil is the longest lasting medication for ED
- Can be a longer term treatment in small daily doses
- May provide long term assistance with getting and maintaining an erection
- Taking a daily pill may be preferred by men who participate in regular sexual activity
- May help provide more sexual confidence and a sense of normalcy in men with ED
- Found to be effective for long term use in medically reviewed clinical trials
- FDA approved
Cons of taking Tadalafil include:
- Taking daily ED drugs may become expensive
- Long term use could prolong or prevent treatment for the underlying cause of ED
- May cause negative interactions with certain kinds of drugs, such as blood pressure drugs
Possible Side Effects of Tadalafil:
- pain in the arms and legs
- a cough
- hot flashes
- indigestion
- a stuffy or runny nose
- headaches
- muscle pain
- back pain
Avanafil (Stendra)
Avanafil (Stendra) may be taken with or without food 30 minutes before sex, depending on the dose prescribed, and may last up to 6 hours. Stendra is just as effective as the other pills prescribed for ED and works by increasing blood flow to the penis.
Pros of taking Avanafil include:
- Can start working after 15 minutes
- Effects can last up to 6 hours
- Found to be effective in medically reviewed clinical trials
- FDA approved
- Men prefer the quick effects
Cons of taking Avanafil include:
- Not available in generic form
Side Effects of Avanafil:
- a stuffy or runny nose
- hot flashes
- headaches
- muscle aches
- back pain
- nausea
- vision problems
Conclusion
When it comes down to which drug works best for men with erectile dysfunction, the answer is not simple. While each medication will allow for men to get an erection, different treatments will affect each individual male differently. Depending on the type of drug prescribed and the dose of the drug, treatments may be a daily pill or a pill you would take before participating in sexual activity. It is important to receive medical advice from your primary care doctor about whether or not drug treatments would be suitable for you and your erectile dysfunction and whether or not you are healthy enough for sex. Remember to update your doctor on any and all medications you are taking on a regular basis.
References:
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/mens-health/which-drug-for-erectile-dysfunction
- https://www.webmd.com/erectile-dysfunction/guide/erectile-dysfunction-treatment
- https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/erectile-dysfunction/all-content
