You are here because you are looking for answers to all the questions about generic Viagra (sildenafil citrate). This article will tell you everything you need to know about this interesting medication – including what makes it different from the popular brand, Viagra. Keep reading to get the facts about this medication and where you can find them at savings.
Different Names, Same Medicine
Even though generic medications usually start out as being identical to their brand counterparts, they can still differ in small but important ways. While speaking with the Consumer Health Information (CHI) team at UBM Medi-Cal, a senior manager for a national pharmacy chain said, “The thing about generics is that they never really are 100% the same as the name brand version. There is always some kind of difference, whether it is in the pharmaceutical composition of the drug or the method of processing or both. So while [the name brand] would be a great solution for erectile dysfunction, it may not be the case for your grandma’s arthritis or high blood pressure.”
In fact, many times the slight differences between generic medications and their brand counterparts are what give them their advantages. A good example is Viagra. Brand Viagra was approved in March 1997. Since then, it has revolutionized the way men get aroused and engaged in sexual activity. Millions of men around the world have gotten pleasure from the wonder drug. In the U.S., brand Viagra is often used to treat erectile dysfunction and low libido. However, generic sildenafil was approved years before brand Viagra and is still very much available as a treatment option for the same issues.
The Active Ingredient Is Sildenafil Citrate
Sildenafil citrate is the active ingredient in generic Viagra, as well as in the brand name drug, Revatio. It is a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor, which stands for “enzyme inhibitor.” When applied to the penis, these medications allow for improved blood flow into the penis and surrounding areas, effectively enhancing the erection that you get from stimulation. Sildenafil citrate is also a vasodilator, which means it widens the blood vessels, enhancing the body’s ability to transport blood throughout the entire system.
As you might imagine, there are many different names for this ingredient, including but not limited to, sildenafil, citrate, VIAGRA, and Revatio. Each of these names has become quite popular in its own right and is often referred to by the brand name or generic name depending on which one is more familiar to the person speaking.
More Effective Than The Name Brand
Based on clinical trials, generic sildenafil is more effective than the brand name in treating erectile dysfunction and low libido. In particular, the drug has shown to be more effective at increasing blood flow to the genitals, resulting in greater erections in response to stimulation and better satisfaction for those who take it. Studies have also shown that men who were previously not able to get an erection or sustain one during sexual activity reported significantly greater improvement with generic Sildenafil compared to those who took the name brand version.
It Is A Potent Inhibitor Of Enzyme PDE-5
The active ingredient in generic Viagra, sildenafil, is a potent inhibitor of phosphodiesterase type 5, or PDE-5. PDE-5 is one of at least twenty enzymes found in the body. These enzymes break down certain molecules, known as neurotransmitters, which increase the efficiency of mood-boosting chemicals in the brain. One of these molecules is dopamine. Inhibiting PDE-5 prevents the breakdown of dopamine, thus maintaining higher levels of this neurotransmitter in the brain. As a result, dopamine’s ability to increase mental alertness and produce pleasure is preserved.
PDE-5 inhibition also improves the efficiency of nitric oxide in the body. Nitric oxide is a naturally occurring molecule, which helps improve blood flow throughout the body, including the genitals. By preserving nitric oxide, sildenafil allows for enhanced blood flow into the penis and surrounding areas, effectively enhancing erections in response to stimulation and improving the satisfaction of those who take it.
Side Effects Are Limited
Although sildenafil is a potent medication and highly effective at treating erectile dysfunction and low libido, it is not without its downsides. One of the most common side effects is headache. Other side effects include upset stomach, flushing, diarrhea, and rhinitis (inflammation of the nose and sinuses).
However, these are not life-threatening side effects and tend to go away once the medication is discontinued and the body adjusts back to regular doses. If these side effects are a concern, a doctor can prescribe you alternative medication. One popular option is vardenafil, which is a vasodilator, similar in mechanism to sildenafil. It differs from the latter in that it does not inhibit PDE-5 and is therefore less likely to cause some of the side effects associated with the former. In addition, vardenafil does not break down into toxic chemicals as do sildenafil and its predecessors. As a result, physicians often suggest that patients who experience chronic toxicity from sildenafil try vardenafil instead.
In summary, while sildenafil is a highly effective medication at treating erectile dysfunction and low libido, it is not without its downsides. If you are taking this medication, make sure to remain adherent to proper dosing and side effect monitoring as well as seek medical help for any potential complications.