Oral medications are often the first port of call when it comes to erectile dysfunction treatment. For the majority of men who struggle maintaining an erection sufficient enough for sex, these medications are effective and result in only a few side effects.
Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis are oral medications designed to reverse ED by enhancing the effects of a natural chemical called nitric oxide. Produced in your body, nitric oxide relaxes your penis muscles. It increases blood flow and enables you to achieve an erection when sexually stimulated.
How These Oral Medications Differ
While they’re similar in how they work, each of the aforementioned oral medications has a slightly different chemical composition. These differences, while minor, affect how each of the medications work. This includes potential side effects, and how quickly they work and the effects wear off. A doctor would take these factors into account, along with other conditions and potential interactions with other medications you’re on.
Sildenafil (Viagra). Viagra is at its most effective when you take it an hour before sex and on an empty stomach. If your ED is mild to moderate, you’ll find that the drug works for a minimum of four hours.
Vardenafil (Levitra). This is another drug that works best when you take it an hour before sexual intercourse, and you can take it with or without food. It’s worth bearing in mind that it may not absorb as quickly on a high-fat meal, however.
Levitra works for at least four to five hours if your ED is mild to moderate. There’s a newer form of Levitra that dissolves on your tongue and might work faster than when you swallow a pill.
Tadalafil (Cialis). You can take Cialis with or without food approximately one to two hours before sexual intercourse. It works for up to 36 hours and can be taken as a small daily dose or a larger dose as and when needed.
As these drugs are similar in effectiveness, the American College of Physicians recommends that the one you choose be based on your preferences, such as ease of use and cost. There are also generic versions of these drugs available.
Avanafil (Stendra). One that we haven’t mentioned, you can take Stendra with food or without, and half an hour before sex, depending on the dosage. It works for up to six hours.
Side Effects
The majority of men who take oral ED medications aren’t bothered by side effects. When they do occur, however, they can include:
- Indigestion
- Headache
- Flushing
- Back pain
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Visual changes, like blurred vision, light sensitivity, or blue tinge to vision
There are more serious, although rare, side effects that can occur, which include;
An erection was maintained longer than I wanted. Known as priapism, this is a rare condition that can hurt and needs medical attention in order to prevent damage to your penis. If your erection lasts over four hours, you should seek medical attention immediately.
Vision or hearing loss. There have been some men who have suddenly lost their vision or hearing after taking one of the above medications. It’s not clear, however, whether vision or hearing loss was a direct result of the medication or from a preexisting condition. If you’re taking an oral ED medication and have a sudden loss of vision or hearing, you should seek medical attention promptly.
Buying Oral ED Medications Online
Ed treatment is big business, and unfortunately, there are a number of scams on the Web. So if you’re looking to buy erectile dysfunction medications online, make sure you:
Check that the online pharmacy is legitimate. Don’t order any medications online if the pharmacy doesn’t have a phone number for you to reach them on, they tell you that a prescription isn’t necessary, or their prices seem too low. Some illegal operations sell fake versions of legitimate medications. These can be dangerous or effective. In the U.S., the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy is able to tell you whether an online pharmacy is in good standing and licensed.
Get the right dose and prescription. When you order your medication – and when it arrives in the mail – make sure you have the exact type and dose your doctor prescribed.
Don’t buy verbal viagra. Don’t take medication that claims to be the nonprescription or “herbal” equivalent of an oral medication for ED. These aren’t effective alternatives, and some include harmful substances.