{"id":18376,"date":"2021-01-28T16:33:10","date_gmt":"2021-01-28T21:33:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=18376"},"modified":"2021-01-29T18:08:03","modified_gmt":"2021-01-29T23:08:03","slug":"best-ed-pill-treatment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/best-ed-pill-treatment\/","title":{"rendered":"How to choose the best ED pill"},"content":{"rendered":"

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a condition where men are unable to get and maintain an erection that\u2019s firm enough for sexual intercourse. Erectile dysfunction affects as many as <\/span>30 million<\/span><\/a> men in the United States and is usually caused by a combination of psychological and physical issues that affect the brain, hormones, muscles, blood vessels, and nerves.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Stress, anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem are some of the most common psychological causes of ED. Experiencing erectile dysfunction can be difficult to deal with both physically and emotionally, but there are several medications on the market that can help treat the condition. Let\u2019s take a look at how to choose the best ED pill.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is the most effective pill for ED?<\/span><\/h2>\n

There isn\u2019t one single prescription drug that\u2019s best for treating ED. There are multiple drugs that can help improve erectile function. The most popular erectile dysfunction pills are Viagra, Levitra, Cialis, and Stendra. These medications are classified as phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Erectile dysfunction medications help improve erectile function by increasing levels of nitric oxide, a chemical that relaxes the smooth muscles in the blood vessels. This in turn increases blood flow to the penis, which allows men to get and maintain an erection that\u2019s firm enough for sex. If used correctly, erectile dysfunction drugs are safe to use and can be very effective at helping men feel more fulfilled in their sex lives.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s take a more in-depth look at how effective these medications are.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Viagra\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Viagra<\/span><\/a> is the brand-name of the generic medication <\/span>sildenafil citrate<\/span><\/a>. It\u2019s one of the most popular drugs in the world and has been given the nickname \u201cthe little blue pill\u201d because of its appearance. Viagra is thought of as being a safe and effective medication for most men. According to a study from the <\/span>Journal of Urology<\/span><\/a>, 95% of men who were using Viagra long term (1-3 years) had an improved ability to engage in sexual activity. Numerous other <\/span>studies<\/span><\/a> show that even though treatment response to Viagra can vary, Viagra is generally well tolerated and improves erectile dysfunction. One 4-year, open-label <\/span>study<\/span><\/a> showed that the use of Viagra has a low incidence of adverse events and most patients end up being happy with how the medication treated their ED.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Levitra<\/span><\/h3>\n

Levitra<\/span><\/a> is the brand name of the generic medication called <\/span>vardenafil<\/span><\/a>. According to the <\/span>International Journal of Impotence Research<\/span><\/a>, Levitra doses of 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg have all been <\/span>proven<\/span><\/a> to be more effective than placebo. <\/span>About 69% of men receiving vardenafil reported that treatment improved their erections compared with 26% of men allocated to a placebo group. In one study where 4374 patients were evaluated and 2660 received vardenafil, 50.4% reported <\/span>adverse effects<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cialis<\/span><\/h3>\n

Cialis<\/span><\/a> is the brand name of the generic medication <\/span>tadalafil<\/span><\/a>. According to the Food and Drug Administration (<\/span>FDA<\/span><\/a>), the efficacy and safety of Cialis in the treatment of ED has been evaluated in 22 clinical trials, involving over 4000 patients for up to 24 weeks of treatment. When taken as needed no more than once per day, Cialis 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg were shown to be effective for treating erectile function. In clinical pharmacology trials, back and muscle pain were some of the most commonly reported side effects of Cialis. Side effects generally occurred 12 to 24 hours after dosing and typically resolved within 48 hours.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Stendra\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Stendra is a brand-name medication; its chemical name is avanafil. There is currently no generic version of Stendra available on the market. Compared to other ED pills, Stendra has a faster onset of action. Because of its fast onset, Stendra may be preferred over other ED drugs for patients who want more flexibility with the timing of sexual activity. Some <\/span>studies<\/span><\/a> suggest that Stendra may be as equally effective as other PDE5 inhibitors, like Viagra and Levitra, while having fewer adverse effects and drug interactions.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nViagra<\/b><\/a> (<\/b>sildenafil citrate<\/b><\/a>)<\/b><\/td>\nLevitra<\/b><\/a> (<\/b>vardenafil hcl<\/b><\/a>)\u00a0<\/b><\/td>\nCialis<\/b><\/a> (<\/b>tadalafil<\/b><\/a>)<\/b><\/td>\nStendra (avanafil)\u00a0<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
How to take it<\/b><\/td>\n25 to 100 mg taken as needed 30 minutes to 4 hours before sexual activity. Maximum of 1 dose per day.<\/span><\/td>\n5 to 20 mg taken as needed about 60 minutes before sexual activity. Maximum of 1 dose per day.<\/span><\/td>\n5 to 20 mg taken as needed prior to sexual activity. Maximum of 1 dose per day.<\/span><\/td>\n50 to 200 mg taken as needed as early as 15 minutes before sexual activity. Maximum of 1 dose per day.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
How fast it works<\/b><\/td>\nStarts working 30-60 minutes after taking.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lasts between 2-3 hours, or longer depending on the dosage.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n

Starts working in about 30 minutes<\/span><\/p>\n

Lasts up to 5 hours, depending on the dosage.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n

Starts working in 30 minutes to two hours.<\/span><\/p>\n

Can last up to 36 hours.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n

Starts working 15-30 minutes after taking.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lasts up to 6 hours.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Efficacy\u00a0<\/b><\/td>\nAs many as 95% of people in long-term studies of Viagra have an improved ability to get an erection.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nIn one study where 4374 patients were evaluated and 2660 received vardenafil, 69% reported that it improved their erections.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nAccording to the FDA, Cialis 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg proved to be statistically significant at improving erectile function.<\/span><\/td>\nStendra has comparable efficacy to other ED pills and may cause fewer adverse effects.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Side effects\u00a0<\/b><\/td>\nFlushing, nasal congestion, and headache.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nStuffy\/runny nose, dizziness, and flushing.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nHeadache, upset stomach, and backache.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nFlushing, backache, and headache.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Coupon\u00a0<\/b><\/td>\nSave money on Viagra<\/span><\/a><\/td>\nSave money on Levitra<\/span><\/a><\/td>\nSave money on Cialis<\/span><\/a><\/td>\nSave money on Stendra<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Prescription gels and creams<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are currently no topical creams that have been approved by the FDA to treat ED. Topical medications AndroGel and Axiron are approved to increase testosterone for men with lower than normal testosterone levels. The active ingredient in these medications is testosterone, and men who use them may experience improved erectile function as a secondary result of using them. However, these medications won\u2019t work for ED patients who have ED that\u2019s caused by something other than low testosterone.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Are ED treatments available over-the-counter?<\/span><\/p>\n

Some ED treatments may be available to purchase over-the-counter (OTC) without a prescription. These OTC products aren\u2019t actually medications but supplements. The following supplements won\u2019t work as well as Viagra or other ED meds, but may be helpful for some men. It\u2019s important to consult a healthcare provider before trying an OTC product or supplement for ED.\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n