Viagra (sildenafil citrate) is perhaps the best known of the PDE5 inhibitors and produces great results.
Is it safe to take these drugs recreationally?
“The FDA doesn’t regulate ED supplements, so you don’t know what you’re getting,” says Dr. Liroff. “At best, you’re paying for something that won’t give you results. And at worst, you could experience dangerous interactions and side effects.” One of the newest therapies for ED is a gel you apply directly to the penis. This treatment is not yet sold in the U.S.
ED medications
“We need more clinical trials to show that an ED topical gel is as effective as other options,” says Dr. Liroff. “Pills, injections, pumps and shockwave therapy all produce good results and have evidence to show that they work.” Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem cell therapy are two of the newest potential therapies for ED. However, there’s no solid evidence of their effectiveness. “Right now, PRP and stem cell therapy are unproven,” says Dr.
Viagra™ Efficacy
Liroff. “Some small studies say they could help with ED, but others show no results. There are also a lot of questions about how much is effective and which patients might benefit. It’s best to skip these therapies until we have more information.” It can be difficult to address ED with your provider, but remember you’re not alone: ED affects 30 million men in the U.S. “Don’t be embarrassed to tell your provider about ED,” says Dr. It takes effect within an hour and lasts three to four hours.
| Product | Dosage | Quantity + Bonus | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Levitra Original | 20mg | 120 + 8 Pills | 528.19€ 503.04€ | |
| Levitra Original | 20mg | 4 Pills | 45.87€ 43.69€ | |
| Cialis Professional | 40mg | 30 Pills | 148.94€ 141.85€ | |
| Cialis Soft Tabs | 20mg | 20 + 2 Pills | 66.98€ 63.79€ | |
| Levitra Generic | 20mg | 180 + 10 Pills | 293.10€ 279.14€ | |
| Kamagra Polo | 100mg | 20 Pills | 83.56€ 79.58€ | |
| Kamagra Gold | 100 mg | 180 + 6 Pills | 436.79€ 415.99€ | |
| Levitra Generic | 60mg | 60 + 4 Pills | 198.85€ 189.38€ | |
| Kamagra 100 mg | 100 mg | 20 Pills | 86.09€ 81.99€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 25mg | 10 Pills | 25.19€ 23.99€ | |
| Cialis Generic | 5mg | 10 Pills | 29.39€ 27.99€ | |
| Cialis Generic | 60mg | 180 + 10 Pills | 313.11€ 298.20€ | |
| Viagra Super Active | 100mg | 10 Pills | 28.76€ 27.39€ |
It must be taken on an empty stomach to be effective. A newer alternative to sildenafil is vardenafil (Levitra) which has a similar duration of activity but can be taken with food. Cialis (tadalafil citrate) is longer-acting than Viagra and stays in the bloodstream for a longer time, up to 36 hours.
| Medication | Onset (minutes) | Duration (hours) | Food Interaction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sildenafil | 30-60 | 4-6 | Fatty meals may delay absorption |
| Tadalafil | 30-60 | Up to 36 | Less affected by food |
| Vardenafil | 25-60 | 4-5 | Fatty meals may delay onset |
| Avanafil | 15-30 | Up to 6 | Less affected by food |
Some men take a small dose of the medication daily so there is always some in their system. Depending fildena 150 mg tablet on your personal needs, Dr. Turek may prescribe any one of these medications.
- Sildenafil (Viagra)
- Tadalafil (Cialis)
- Vardenafil (Levitra)
- Avanafil (Stendra)
- Udenafil (Zydena)
- Alprostadil (Caverject)
- Apomorphine (Uprima)
- Yohimbine
- Papaverine injections
- Testosterone therapy
Side effects are a common concern with any medication. Side effects of Viagra (sildenafil) and Levitra (vardenafil) include: Temporary abnormal vision (more common with Viagra) Side effects of Cialis (tadalafil) are similar and include: Because Cialis remains in your system longer, possible side effects can last longer than those of Viagra or Levitra. It is also important to understand that certain drugs, mainly nitrates used for chest pain and some alpha-blocking drugs used for prostatic enlargement, negatively interact with Viagra and Cialis. Dr. Turek will discuss the potential side effects of Viagra and Cialis and explain the possible interactions.
- Starting Dose: Typically the lowest available dose is prescribed first.
- Titration: Dose may be increased based on effectiveness and side effects.
- Max Dose: Each medication has a maximum recommended single dose.
- Frequency: Limits on how often a dose can be taken within 24/48 hours.
- 24-Hour Limit: Generally, do not take Sildenafil, Vardenafil, Avanafil more than once daily.
- 48-Hour Limit: Do not take Tadalafil (on-demand) more than once every 48 hours.
- Daily Tadalafil: A specific low-dose (2.5mg or 5mg) formulation for continuous use.
Together, you will determine the best medication to help you get and keep an erection and enjoy improved sexual function. If you are experiencing erectile dysfunction and want to discuss your medical options with Dr. Turek, please request an appointment at The Turek Clinic.
Role of L-Arginine as a Supplement
Liroff. “Your sexual health is an important part of your overall health, and we’re here to help you be your best.” Reviewed by Stephen Liroff, M.D., a board-certified urologist and Physician in Charge at Henry Ford West Bloomfield Urology Clinic. If you have visited our office for Erectile Dysfunction or ED, you know that we are tadacip 20mg able to prescribe medication for those that need it. Most commonly, we prescribe generic versions of Viagra and Cialis, the two most prescribed ED medications in the United States. In an effort to offer our patients a more convenient prescription filling option, we will now be selling these generic medications at the office.
5. Penile implant
Beyond this convenience, our second goal is to offer these medications at a lower price than what would be found at your local pharmacy. Understandably, erectile dysfunction is a very distressing condition for any man who experiences it, even mildly. When a man comes into our office concerned about difficulty maintaining or achieving an erection, we take a stepwise approach to his treatment. Erectile dysfunction may be caused by lack of blood flow, including issues associated with medication, previous surgery, or the simple fact that the patient is no longer aroused by their sexual partner. Once lifestyle and medication issues have been ruled out as the cause of erectile dysfunction, employing medical therapy may improve the patient’s condition.
Follow a healthy eating plan
Commonly advertised medications like Viagra and Cialis have been proven safe and their generic versions are similarly so. Dr. Engel will begin with a thorough assessment when you arrive at our office, to understand more about the potential causes of your erectile dysfunction. Some men will find that their concerns are more related to lifestyle and psychological factors than physical problems. However, if lifestyle changes don’t seem to improve the issue, medication is the next logical step. Contact us today to schedule your visit.
- Insurance Preauthorization: Often required for brand-name medications.
- Step Therapy: May require trying generics before brand names are covered.
- Medicare: Part D plans typically cover generic ED medications.
- Medicaid: Coverage varies significantly from state to state.
- Out-of-Pocket Cost: For uninsured or if medication is not covered.
- Coupons and Savings Cards: Often available from manufacturers for brand drugs.
- Pharmacy Choice: Costs can vary between different pharmacy retailers.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common condition. One recent study estimated that roughly a third of men struggle with it.1 Though the condition does affect more older men than younger men, its impact spans age groups.
| Age Group | Expected Efficacy | Safety Considerations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40-50 years | High | Generally safe, monitor comorbidities | Regular health check, dose adjustments possible |
| 51-65 years | Moderate to high | Increased risk of cardiovascular issues | Screening recommended before therapy |
| Over 65 years | Variable | Higher likelihood of side effects | Careful evaluation, start with lower doses |
Indeed, while half of all ED patients in the U.S. are over the age of 60, one study found that over 25% of men under age 40 suffered from ED to some extent.2 If any of this describes you, then you’re not alone at all.
Alternative medication therapies
When you are sexually aroused, your body releases a chemical called nitric oxide, which relaxes the blood vessels and tissues of your penis. This allows your penis to engorge with blood, resulting in an erection. But an enzyme called phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) reverses the function of nitric oxide. Sildenafil, tadalafil and vardenafil are phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors, meaning they work by blocking PDE5. The medications will not make you sexually aroused, but they will allow you to get an erection in response to sexual stimulation and help you maintain it long enough for sexual intercourse. ED is very treatable, and several treatments work for most men, but "most" may technically mean only more than 50% of ED sufferers. The truth is that ED has various underlying causes, and those who are confronting it face varying challenges in treatment due to other potential health conditions. So, the question is: What is the best treatment for you? Aside from underlying health considerations, everything from price to how you take a medication can affect your decision.
Other Treatments for ED
For some men with severe erectile dysfunction or impotence (often post-prostatectomy patients), a penile implant may be exactly what’s needed to achieve a satisfying erection. However, understanding whether a penile prosthesis is the best option requires a consultation with Dr. Engel, one of the most experienced penile implant surgeons in the area and around the US. For more information about our generic medication program, launching soon, we encourage you to contact our office. *Urologic Surgeons of Washington (USW) is an independently owned and operated care center that may promote, sell, or provide services/products.
3. Urethral suppository
Privia Medical Group is not responsible for these products or services. Privia’s Authorization & Consent to Treat, Financial Policy, and HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices are not applicable to these services or products. Medical therapy is a mainstay in the treatment of organic or situational erectile dysfunction. It has given hope to many men who once struggled with the effects of impotence on their mood, relationship and overall quality of life. Dr. But we're here to demystify ED and your treatment options.
| Interacting Drug/Class | Effect on ED Medication | Clinical Concern | Recommended Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrates | Potentiate hypotension | Risk of dangerous blood pressure drop | Avoid concurrent use |
| Alpha-blockers | Additive blood pressure lowering | Dizziness, fainting | Dose adjustment, monitoring |
| CYP3A4 inhibitors | Increase ED medication levels | Increased side effects | Dose reduction, careful monitoring |
| Grapefruit juice | Inhibits CYP3A4 enzyme | Raises drug plasma levels | Avoid consuming with ED meds |
To help you out, we’ve reviewed the major online providers and treatments and analyzed a large swath of relevant scientific research. In this guide, we’ll break down all of your best options.
- Psychological ED: Can be effective if performance anxiety is a component.
- Diabetes-Related ED: Often requires treatment but may be less responsive.
- Post-Prostatectomy ED: Nerve-sparing techniques improve medication success.
- Cardiovascular Disease: Use is possible but requires thorough cardiac evaluation.
- Spinal Cord Injury: Can be an effective treatment option for neurogenic ED.
- Age: Effectiveness may decrease with advanced age due to other health factors.
- Underlying Cause: Success depends on identifying and addressing the root cause.
First, to orient you to this landscape, here is a roadmap that breaks down the diverse treatment paths you might take and our characterization of their merits. Most likely to help: Prescription PDE5i medication like sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), etc.
What Medications Are Available?
Paul Turek has relied on a range of medications to safely and effectively treat patients. If you have erectile dysfunction, you may be encouraged to learn that a variety of treatment options exist, and Dr. Turek offers the very best that science has to offer. The board-certified urologist and men’s sexual health provider will put your worries and concerns to rest and work with you to find a solution that meets your personal needs. The treatment that is right for depends on many factors, including your age, medical history, other medications you take, potential side effects, personal preferences and treatment goals. Next most likely to help: Mental health care Best in-office treatment alternative to prescription: Shockwave therapy Best OTC budget options to try: ED rings and/or certain supplements And now, for those in a hurry, here’s a quick snapshot of our specific recommendations across that roadmap.
Here's how the different medications work.
Liroff. “The tissues respond by increasing blood flow, which helps you get an erection.” You’ll likely need about six shockwave treatments, spaced over a few weeks. It may take up to three months to see maximum results. “LISWT causes mild tingling, but most patients don’t find it painful,” says Dr. Liroff.
Who should not take Cialis:
“When a licensed provider gives you shockwave therapy, it’s safe and has a minimal risk of side effects.” It’s important to know the difference between true shockwave therapy and counterfeit versions. A similar-sounding treatment known as radial wave therapy (rWT) is available at healthcare clinics and even non-medical facilities. Though it promises results, it has no science to back up its claims. “Shockwave therapy has data to show that it stimulates blood flow and generates new blood vessels,” explains Dr. Liroff.
How to Use Viagra™
“Radial wave therapy doesn’t have these results, and studies have shown that it’s equal to no treatment.” Penile prosthesis surgery, sometimes called a penile implant, might be an option if less invasive treatments haven’t worked for you. “There are different types of implants, depending on your needs and preferences,” says Dr. Liroff. “See a urologist who has experience in penile implant surgery to discuss your options.” Steer clear of herbal medications and “natural supplements” for ED. No studies have proven that they work, and they could be dangerous.