Exploring the Main Active Ingredients in ED Medications
[8] It can be taken orally (swallowed by mouth), intravenously (injection into a vein), or through the sublingual route (dissolved under the tongue).
- Erectile dysfunction can be caused by psychological factors.
- Blood pressure medications may affect ED tablet performance.
- Cialis (Tadalafil) is known for 36-hour effectiveness.
- Viagra (Sildenafil) is one of the first developed ED drugs.
- Side effects include flushing and nasal congestion.
- Use of ED tablets is a common treatment option.
- ED tablets can be used in conjunction with therapy.
- Older men may need adjusted doses for effectiveness.
- Precautions are necessary for men with heart disease.
- Prescription ED drugs should be obtained from licensed providers.
- Generic versions provide a more affordable option.
- Patience is needed for optimal results from therapy.
[8][10] Onset when taken orally is typically within twenty minutes and lasts for about two hours.
| Brand Name | Active Ingredient | Typical Dosage | Onset of Action | Duration | Common Side Effects | Approved Countries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viagra | Sildenafil | 50 mg, 100 mg | 30-60 minutes | 4-6 hours | Headache, flushing | US, UK, EU, Canada |
| Cialis | Tadalafil | 10 mg, 20 mg | 30-60 minutes | Up to 36 hours | Muscle pain, headache | US, UK, Australia |
| Levitra | Vardenafil | 10 mg, 20 mg | 25-60 minutes | 4-5 hours | Nasal congestion, flushing | US, EU, Japan |
Common side effects include headaches, heartburn, and flushed skin. [8] Caution is advised in those with cardiovascular disease.
Why is this medication prescribed?
Sildenafil works by encouraging more blood to flow to the penis, ensuring a strong erection when you need one. It’s effective for 82% of men.1 Find the clinically proven ED treatment that suits you best. No names, no logos, no delivery fee. 4.6* from over 33,000 people like you. BSc (Hons) MBBS MRCGP AFHEA MA (Hons) AFMCP “Efficacy and Safety of Sildenafil Citrate for Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction in a Population With Associated Organic Risk Factors.” Journal of Andrology (2013). [8] Rare but serious side effects include vision problems, hearing loss, and prolonged erection (priapism) that can lead to damage to the penis. [8] Sildenafil should not be taken by people on nitric oxide donors such as nitroglycerin, as this may result in a serious drop in blood pressure. Sildenafil acts by blocking phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5), an enzyme that promotes breakdown of cGMP, which regulates blood flow in the penis. [8] It requires sexual arousal to work, and does not by itself cause or increase sexual arousal. [8] It also results in dilation of the blood vessels in the lungs.
| Product | Dosage | Quantity + Bonus | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viagra Generic | 100mg | 10 Pills | 28.91€ 27.53€ | |
| Cialis Professional | 20mg | 30 Pills | 104.57€ 99.59€ | |
| Apcalis SX Oral Jelly | 20mg | 50 + 6 Sachets | 146.39€ 139.42€ | |
| Levitra Generic | 20mg | 30 + 4 Pills | 70.59€ 67.23€ | |
| Levitra Generic | 10mg | 20 Pills | 46.54€ 44.32€ | |
| Kamagra Effervescent Tablets | 100 mg | 28 Pills | 90.83€ 86.50€ | |
| Levitra Professional | 20mg | 90 + 2 Pills | 304.49€ 289.99€ | |
| Cialis Professional | 40mg | 10 Pills | 65.09€ 61.99€ | |
| Kamagra Effervescent Tablets | 100 mg | 84 + 7 Pills | 202.91€ 193.25€ | |
| Levitra Soft Tabs | 20mg | 180 + 10 Pills | 398.14€ 379.18€ | |
| Super Kamagra | 160 mg | 60 + 4 Pills | 342.71€ 326.39€ | |
| Cialis Generic | 10mg | 270 + 10 Pills | 308.71€ 294.01€ |
Pfizer originally discovered the medication in 1989 while looking for a treatment for angina.
What Tests Will a Urologist Do if I Have ED?
Little attention has been paid to endocrine factors. Testosterone modulates desire, arousal and orgasmic function. Concerning the orgasmic response, testosterone modulates the integrity of genital sensory receptors. Concerning the arousal response, decreased testosterone blood levels can influence the efficacy of sildenafil (Viagra). If the sildenafil response is not reliably improving erection, the physician should first check if the patient is taking the pill correctly.
2. Testosterone replacement
The physician should also check the patient’s testosterone level. One investigator in Italy gave testosterone to patients with low testosterone who did not respond to sildenafil (Viagra). When daily testosterone was given, subsequent sildenafil (Viagra) use resulted in IIEF (the International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire used to determine erectile function) scores improving significantly. Other risk factors for erectile dysfunction include neurologic problems (multiple sclerosis, stroke), depression and medications for treating diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and depression. There are many oral therapies for erectile dysfunction, but the only approved medication in the US is the PDE 5 enzyme inhibitor sildenafil (Viagra). [11] It was approved for medical use in the United States and in the European Union in 1998. [5][8][11][12] In 2023, it was the 151st most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 3 million prescriptions. [13][14] It is available as a generic medication.
Start your treatment journey
Unfortunately, we don’t know much about PDE11, which is found in the heart, in the pituitary gland in the brain and in the testicles. Pharmacokinetics, half-life, is how long the medication stay s in the blood. This means that vardenafil (Levitra) should act longer than sildenafil (Viagra) but the clinical significance is not known. Tadalafil (Cialis) has the longest half-life and allows you to take the medication and not relate the sexual activity to the immediate use of the medication. The drawback is if you need nitrates after using tadalafil (Cialis), this medication lasts a long time in your blood stream and may place you at a higher risk.
Pulmonary hypertension
Younger people might do well treated with tadalafil, (Cialis) while older people with other health issues might be better off using sildenafil (Viagra) or vardenafil (Levitra) but more data are needed. The side effects of vardenafil (Levitra) are potentially less than sildenafil (Viagra), but more data are needed. In a recent study on men with erectile dysfunction and diabetes, vardenafil (Levitra) improved their erectile dysfunction. Tadalafil (Cialis) is as effective as sildenafil (Viagra), and vardenafil (Levitra) with similar side effects except for back pain that occurs occasionally with tadalafil, probably because of the long half-life. Many people stop taking drugs because they are experiencing side effects, they no longer have a partner, or they are worried about safety. [15][16] In the United Kingdom, it is available as a pharmacy medicine. The primary indication of sildenafil is treatment of erectile dysfunction (inability to sustain a satisfactory erection to complete sexual intercourse).
- Sildenafil is a common erectile dysfunction medication.
- Tadalafil offers longer-lasting erection assistance.
- Vardenafil works quickly for some men.
- Sildenafil and tadalafil are available as generics.
- Erections depend on proper blood flow to the penis.
- Tablets should be taken under medical supervision.
- Alcohol can impair the effectiveness of ED tablets.
- Some tablets can cause side effects like headaches.
- Mixing ED tablets with nitrates can be dangerous.
- Dietary restrictions may affect medication absorption.
- Natural supplements claim to boost erectile function.
- Consistent use can improve erectile confidence over time.
Its use is now one of the standard treatments for erectile dysfunction, including for males with diabetes mellitus. Tentative evidence suggests that sildenafil may help males who experience antidepressant-induced erectile dysfunction. While sildenafil improves some markers of disease in people with pulmonary arterial hypertension, it does not appear to affect the risk of death or serious side effects.
| Supplement Name | Main Ingredients | Claimed Benefits | Typical Dosage | Price Range | Notes | User Feedback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Horny Goat Weed | Epimedium extract | Enhance libido, blood flow | 300-900 mg/day | $20-40/month | Limited scientific evidence | Mixed reviews |
| Panax Ginseng | Ginsenosides | Improve stamina, erection | 200-400 mg/day | $15-35/month | May cause insomnia | Positive anecdotal reports |
| L-Arginine | Amino acid | Boost nitric oxide levels | 500-3000 mg/day | $10-25/month | Taken with citrulline for better results | Varies widely |
Sildenafil and other PDE5 inhibitors are used off-label to alleviate vasospasm and treat severe ischemia and ulcers in fingers and toes for people with secondary Raynaud's phenomenon;[9][21] these drugs have moderate efficacy for reducing the frequency and duration of vasospastic episodes.
Adverse effects
“Efficacy and Safety of Sildenafil Citrate for Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction in a Population With Associated Organic Risk Factors.” Journal of Andrology (2013). Answer a few simple questions to get the treatment vardenafil premature ejaculation you need. Sildenafil, sold under the brand name Viagra among others, is a medication used to treat erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension. [4][8] It is also sometimes used off-label for the treatment of certain symptoms in secondary Raynaud's phenomenon. [9] It is unclear if it is effective for treating sexual dysfunction in females. [9] As of 2016,[update] their role more generally in Raynaud's was not clear. Sildenafil has shown some potential for improving exercise performance at high altitudes.
What if I like sex to be spontaneous?
Unapproved therapies, some of which are available in the US and some elsewhere, some of which have data to prove efficacy and some not, include tadalafil (Cialis), vardenafil (Levitra), yohimbine, phentolamine, trazodone, apomorphine and neutraceuticals. PDE5 inhibitors act to relax penile erectile tissues with sexual stimulation thus enhancing your ability to get an erection. Sildenafil (Viagra) is effective for all sorts of erectile dysfunction in 69% of people. Why is there a need for another pill? In some cases the erection is not hard enough, sometimes sildenafil (Viagra) just doesn’t work.
What erectile dysfunction pills are available?
Structurally vardenafil (Levitra) is similar to sildenafil, while tadalafil (Cialis) is very different. Vardenafil (Levitra) is almost 10 times more biochemically potent than sildenafil, therefore a lower dose is needed to facilitate the penile erection, potentially resulting in less side effects. Selectivity is the ability of the drug to attach to the specific enzyme PDE 5 found in penile tissues. Vardenafil (Levitra) is more selective than sildenafil and tadalafil (Cialis) to PDE5, which again means a lower dose is needed with potentially less side effects. Tadalafil is very specific for PDE5 and is also very specific for the enzyme PDE11. However, its overall efficacy is not clear. Sildenafil has been studied for high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), but its use is currently not recommended for that indication. In clinical trials, the most common adverse effects of sildenafil use included headache, flushing, indigestion, nasal congestion, and impaired vision, including photophobia and blurred vision. [4] Some sildenafil users have complained of seeing everything tinted blue (cyanopsia). [24] This cyanopsia can be explained because sildenafil, while selective for PDE5, does have some affinity for PDE6, which is the phosphodiesterase found in the retina.
Can You Get Erection Pills Without a Prescription?
Sexual activity is not a best erection pills major contributor to the risk of a heart attack. Sexual activity, with or without sildenafil (Viagra) increases the chance of an MI during sexual activity by only 0.1%. If pills fail, there are vacuum devices, Muse, injections, bypass surgery and implants. The patient making a presentation has had penile bypass surgery. In addition he takes testosterone and sildenafil as needed.
Cost of erectile dysfunction pills
This is a classic example of why people with ED need complete care: a psychological exam, history and physical exam, and diagnostic studies with long term follow-up care. Patients with ED should not just be prescribed sildenafil (Viagra) and then be lost to follow-up. Make erection worries a thing of the past. Medically equivalent to Viagra®, but at a fraction of the cost. We’ll ask you a couple of quick medical questions. Patients thus taking the drug may experience colorvision abnormalities.
Recommended reading
Tick the boxes and a clinician will review your answers and issue you a prescription. Your selected treatment will be delivered for free, with discreet packaging and instructions on how to use it. Chat with a medical expert whenever you need. Enabling the mission of revolutionising how men approach health, they are at the core of the men’s wellness platform. Excellent service and products which really do work.
Sildenafil: the science
Have helped me get back a lot of confidence and appreciate this company massively!!! Excellent service and extremely well priced supplements. Very efficient team, advise is beyond expectation service and supply was second to none, I'd recommend any day Excellent service has helped me greatly and given me so much confidence first class All content on this page has been medically reviewed by: Hassan Thwaini, Clinical Pharmacist and Copywriter, Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) on 30 March, 2026. Sildenafil is an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction. It contains the same active ingredient as branded alternatives. Some complained of blurriness and loss of peripheral vision.
| Product Name | Main Ingredients | Marketing Claims | Availability | Typical Cost | Sample Effects | User Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VigRX Plus | Asian Red Ginseng, Horny Goat Weed | Natural enhancement | Online, some stores | $60/month | Improved libido | 4.2/5 |
| MaxMan | L-Arginine, Muira Puama | Increased blood flow | Online only | $30-50 | Better erections | 3.8/5 |
| ExtenZe | Yohimbe, Ginseng | Quick boost for stamina | Pharmacies | $45-70 | More vigorous intimacy | 3.5/5 |