Aleve (Celebrex) is a drug that’s been around for quite some time. Originally developed to treat arthritis, it’s since become a multibillion-dollar business. It’s also one of the most popular drugs in the world. You might have even heard of it.
Viagra (Sildenafil Citrate) was originally developed for sexual dysfunction, but it’s since become a multibillion-dollar business as well. It’s also one of the most popular drugs in the world. You might have even heard of it.
Both drugs are used to treat some pretty common ailments. Yet, they’re so vastly different in both branding and mechanism of action that it’s almost hard to believe they’re related.
Pharmacologically, They’re Quite Distinct
To start with the basics, both drugs are used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence) and chronic arthritis pain. Yet, they work through completely different mechanisms. Aleve reduces inflammation while Viagra enhances blood flow to the penis.
Beyond that, they also differ in their side effects. For instance, aleve is known to cause skin rashes and liver problems. Viagra is considered to be relatively safe, though it should still be noted that it has been associated with heart attack and liver problems. Both drugs are also contraindicated for people taking nitrates (eg, nitroglycerin) or with existing heart conditions.
Branding-wise, They’re Quite Similar
Of course, as we mentioned above, both drugs are incredibly popular and well known. They’re also both manufactured by Pfizer. So, not only are they related in terms of their pharmacological actions, but they’re also branded to look alike and have similar commercials (like the frogs jumping out of a log or the horse shoes).
That being said, although the branding is quite similar, the actual drugs themselves are not exactly the same. In fact, they’re quite different. As we mentioned above, Aleve reduces inflammation while Viagra enhances blood flow to the penis. So, it’s no surprise that these drugs have very distinct mechanisms of action. Though it’s nearly impossible to say just how much this factor contributes to the vast differences in their effects, it’s certainly a distinct possibility.
Cost-wise, Viagra is the Clear Winner
Despite being a somewhat older drug, Viagra still commands a pretty high price per pill. These days, you can buy a 30-day supply of Viagra for something like $300 to $400. That’s a lot of money, especially if you consider that many people only need to take it for a few months to treat their symptoms. So, if you compare the cost of a month’s supply of Aleve to that of a single dose of Viagra, it’s easy to see why Viagra is more expensive.
As for how much money you’d have to spend on medicine over time, that depends on how often you need to buy it. If you have a high cholesterol level and need to take your cholesterol medicine every day, then you’ll spend a lot more money on cholesterol-lowering medications than you would if you only needed to take it occasionally (once or twice a week).
That being said, because of the way prices are set in medicine, the cost of a unit of treatment can vary greatly. One man’s medicine is another man’s poison. It’s important to do your homework and know what you’re buying.
Overall, Compared To Aleve, Viagra Is Much More Effective
If you’re looking for an overall comparison of the two drugs, it’s fairly easy to see that Viagra is the clear winner. Not only does it cost less per pill, but it also has a much more effective ROI (return on investment).
Why? Well, that’s quite the feat of pharmacology and pharmaceutical industry that we mentioned above. But, let’s take a closer look.
First of all, as mentioned above, Aleve reduces inflammation while Viagra enhances blood flow to the penis. So, if you’re looking for an overall treatment for erectile dysfunction (impotence) or chronic arthritis pain, you can’t go wrong with Viagra. Especially since it has a much more favorable side effect profile.
Plus, in terms of the actual drugs themselves, Viagra is considerably stronger than Aleve. It’s a well-known fact that weaker medicines require more frequent dosing. But, in the case of Viagra, it’s not just that it’s a stronger drug. It also has different (more potent) ingredients. More on those ingredients in a bit…
What About The Downside?
We mentioned above that both Viagra and Aleve have very distinct side effects. For instance, people taking aleve have a higher chance of developing rashes or liver problems. In terms of the actual drugs, they also differ in the sense that aleve can interfere with certain dental procedures and cause problems for people with heart conditions or those who are taking blood thinners. Finally, when taken at the same time as some medications (eg, anticoagulants), the side effects of Aleve may be increased.
So, even though Aleve reduces inflammation while Viagra enhances the blood flow to the penis, you have to keep in mind that these drugs are not perfect and have fairly significant drawbacks.
As for the price, regardless of the strength or potency of the drug, it’s still an expensive affair. So, if you can afford it, you can’t go wrong with Viagra.
At the end of the day, although both medications are very useful and effective, it’s important to keep in mind that not all pharmaceuticals are created equal. One man’s poison is another man’s medicine. It’s important to do your homework and know what you’re buying.
To that end, if you’re looking for a treatment for erectile dysfunction (impotence) or chronic arthritis pain, it’s fairly easy to see that Viagra is the clear winner. Not only does it cost less per pill, but it also has a much more effective ROI (return on investment).