There are many erectile dysfunction medications on the market that work by increasing blood supply to the penis. In this article, we will reveal a list of these drugs and talk about their features and differences.
Viagra – the Best-Known ED Pill
This is undoubtedly the most famous oral medication that made a splash in the medical community, since before the invention of Viagra, there were no effective oral remedies for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. The active substance was synthesized in 1989, it was originally intended for the treatment of heart diseases. However, patients noticed a non-expectable but amazing side effect (improved erection) and the research continued in a new direction. In 1998, the blue Viagra tablet was approved by the American FDA.
Viagra has a vasodilating effect, which is achieved by inhibiting the PDE5 enzyme and suppressing the cascade of erection quenching reactions triggered by this enzyme. The medicines described below namely Cialis, Levitra and Spedra work identically, but they feature some important differences. It should be noted that these medications are not antidotes. They assist with erectile dysfunction, and allow men to give their best, provided the pills are taken right.
Cialis – a Record Holder in Terms of Action Duration
Cialis is a well-known competitor of Viagra, with an enviable advantage — it lasts up to 36 hours, while its rivals usually work up to a maximum of 6 hours. In addition, it features a quicker effect onset rate.
Cialis is also officially approved for daily intake, which further increases the spontaneity in intimate life. Moreover, this medication can treat prostate enlargement symptoms when taken on an everyday basis.
Levitra – a Great Choice for Diabetics
Levitra appeared on the market at about the same time as Cialis. At first glance, it does not have significant advantages over Viagra, but this is an erroneous opinion.
Levitra is considered the most suitable ED medication for men with diabetes. It is also the safest therapeutic choice when combined with alcohol.
Spedra – New Solution, With the Fastest Action
This is a new PDE5 inhibitor, not yet very famous, but it has earned impressive popularity among European patients.
The key difference between this medication and Viagra is that Spedra (based on avanafil) starts to work much faster. Some men get the desired effect as quickly as 15 minutes after ingestion.
Other Oral Medications
There are other types of oral medications that have been tested to treat erectile dysfunction, but they have not shown the proper effectiveness for the ‘mass adoption’. For example, their list includes pentoxifylline, a ‘nonspecific’ PDE5 inhibitor used to treat occlusive arterial disease. In the 1990s, it was investigated as a potential agent for the treatment of impotence, but in 2019 it was discovered that it is most likely ineffective even in combination with sildenafil.
A separate category of remedies is homeopathic remedies. However, when it comes to the treatment of erectile dysfunction, their effect can only be explained by the placebo effect.
Injectable Agents
There are drugs that are designed for injection into the penis. Of course, they are significantly less convenient for men, but in some cases (usually when oral medications are powerless), shots are irreplaceable. Sometimes they are used as part of combination therapy with another oral product (Viagra, Cialis or others).
The best-known remedies of this kind include Caverject (aprodastil), papaverine, and phentolamine. The main difference between injectable agents and oral drugs is the effect on an erection, for example, Caverject provides penile hardness for up to an hour, regardless of the presence / absence of sexual arousal.
