The arrival of summer has sprung, which means warm sunshine, lighter clothing, and all-natural wonders.
While we eagerly anticipate spending more time outdoors and soaking up nature’s vitamin D, it’s important to protect our bodies from the harmful effects of the heat. That’s why we need reliable medication to maintain healthy erections during these hot summer months. Luckily, as promised, pharmaceutical companies have delivered with a new line of erectile dysfunction (ED) meds that maintain the potency of the original CVS/Astra-Zeneca product, Viagra. Let’s take a look at the new alternatives and see which one suits you best.
Cialis
Maintaining an erection sufficient for vaginal penetration is important for any sexually active man, but especially so for those with ED. In the case of Cialis, scientists have taken the ability to sustain an erection into consideration, thus tailoring the medication to better match the needs of its users. As a result, the side effects are minimal, and most users report positive results.
While Cialis is highly effective and its side effects are minimal, it is still a prescription drug and as such, needs to be purchased from a pharmacist. As a result, it’s not suitable for mass use.
Levitra
While Cialis focuses on sustaining an erection, Levitra attempts to improve on the original Viagra formula by enhancing bioavailability (how well the medication enters the bloodstream, and thus its effective application). Because of this enhancement, the prescription medication becomes more readily available for consumption, especially in pill form. As a result, more users are likely to achieve an erection, and thus experience the benefits of the drug. However, like Cialis, Levitra is a stronger erection-inducing agent and as a result, comes with a greater potential for side effects.
Vardenafil
If you’re looking to avoid the side effects associated with Cialis and Levitra, try out vardenafil, which is a medication approved by the FDA in 2011. As the name would suggest, vardenafil inhibits the action of phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5), an enzyme that breaks down the chemical messenger cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). When this reaction is blocked, the potency of the neurotransmitter is maintained.
This is the same compound that’s found in medications for high blood pressure and other cardiovascular disorders, demonstrating the versatility of this medication.
Staxyn
Staxyn is another medication approved by the FDA in 2012 for the treatment of ED. Like the other medications on this list, Staxyn prevents the breakdown of cGMP, thus enabling the body to maintain an increased level of this important chemical messenger.
Unlike the other medications on this list, Staxyn contains another compound, called icosapent ethyl, which enhances the effect of sildenafil, another PDE5 inhibitor. This combination of compounds makes Staxyn quite an effective ED medication, with minimal side effects.
Tadalafil
The newest addition to the ED medication arsenal is tadalafil, which received FDA approval in 2014. Similar to vardenafil and Staxyn, tadalafil prevents the breakdown of cGMP, thus enabling the body to maintain an increased level of this important chemical messenger. However, unlike the other medications on this list, tadalafil is a longer-acting treatment option, with a half-life (the time it takes for the body to remove or metabolize this medication) of 11.8 hours.
This is due to tadalafil’s novel structure, which enables it to interact more effectively with the enzyme responsible for metabolizing it, namely, CYP450 2C9. The net effect of this improved interaction is that the medication can remain effective in the body for a longer period of time, increasing the chance of an adequate dose being available when needed.
Summary
When choosing an ED medication, you need to bear in mind that not all of these products are created equal. While each of them has proven effective for some men, only you can decide which one is the best option for your body. By considering the above information, you’ll be able to select the most suitable ED medication for your needs.