According to the Urology Care Foundation, over 30 million American men always or occasionally have a problem getting or keeping an erection. When erectile dysfunction (ED) becomes a long-standing problem, many turn to oral ED medications to address the issue.
However, 4 oral ED medications are commonly prescribed in North America, which may lead to some confusion as to what treatment works best for your needs.
How Do ED Medications Work?
Sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), vardenafil (Levitra), and avanafil (Stendra) are all in a class of drugs called phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitors (PDE5). ED medication blocks the PDE5 enzyme from duplicating too quickly, boosting nitric oxide and increasing vasodilation.
Vasodilation is a phenomenon that relaxes the blood vessels’ inner muscles, causing them to widen and increase circulation. Since men need blood flow to stimulate an erection, ED medication allows penile veins to expand, leading to a straight pathway to the penis.
Tadalafil is also used to treat an enlarged prostate (prostatic hyperplasia) and pulmonary arterial hypertension. Since these conditions likely require prolonged use, use tadalafil coupons and generic brands available on online pharmacies, like USARX, to offset your costs.
Are All ED Medications the Same Across the Board?
Since ED medications work similarly, it’s common to think all erectile dysfunction pills cost the same, are just as efficient, and are as safe as their counterparts. That isn’t the case. In fact, that line of thinking can lead to men feeling hopeless when their first drug intervention doesn’t work.
When deciding between the 4 most common ED medications, you should consider your heart disease risk, individual pill and treatment costs, efficiency, onset, duration, and side effects.
Why Consider Heart Disease Risk?
Erectile dysfunction isn’t a side-effect of getting old; it’s a possible indication of poor physical or mental health. ED is a common indicator of early-stage heart disease. Remember that ED medication doesn’t “fix” the problem. It provides an immediate but non-permanent solution.
How to Determine the Best ED Medication For Your Needs
While some pills produce similar outcomes, other medications vary based on the onset, duration, and efficiency. The following information includes a European Urology meta-analyses study that looks at 18 different ED papers and a Harvard University Health Publishing press release.
Hint #1: Off-Brand Pills are Cheaper
The cost of your ED drug therapy will range based on coverage, pharmacy price, or prescription co-pays. However, off-brand ED medication (i.e., buying tadalafil instead of Cialis) will be cheaper than name-brand pills. What’s more, you can save money online, or with discounts.
Hint #2: Sildenafil and Tadalafil are the Most Efficient
While all ED pills produce an erection that’s sufficient enough for intercourse in most men, only sildenafil and tadalafil produce it about 70% of the time. Vardenafil and avanafil are the least effective. If you see no changes with oral medication, ask your doctor about other treatments.
Hint #3: Avanafil Has the Quickest Onset
Most ED medication will start working after 15-60 minutes provides that the user is sexually aroused. Avanafil, despite it being the least effective medication, has the earliest erection onset time of 15-30 minutes. Sildenafil and vardenafil take the longest at 30-60 minutes.
Hint #4: Tadalafil Has the Longest Duration
ED medication will allow men to produce an erection for as long as it stays in their system. However, you shouldn’t have an erection that lasts longer than 4 hours. Tadalafil lasts 24-36 hours, avanafil lasts for 6-12 hours, and vardenafil and sildenafil last for 4-5 hours.
Hint #5: Avanafil Has the Least Amount of Side-Effects
All ED oral treatments have the same potential side effects (headaches, diarrhea, vision problems, upset stomach, dizziness, rashes, and nasal conjunction), but avanafil is associated with the least amount of side effects. Men that take vardenafil commonly experience the most.