There are a lot of questions surrounding herbal viagra – is it safe? Does it really work? Does it have side effects? While the FDA has approved the use of herbal supplements for sex problems, the agency has cautioned users about the lack of clinical research on the effects of these products. Due to this fact, men who take these dietary supplements may not be able to get an erection or experience an improvement in their sex life. Though many men are under the impression that herbal viagra is a modern-day equivalent to Viagra, this couldn’t be further from the truth. As you’ll soon discover, there is a lot more to herbal viagra reviews than meets the eye.
Key Facts About the Drug
According to the FDA, there are a number of key facts about the drug that you need to know:
- It’s a dietary supplement. Not a medication.
- It’s been shown in clinical trials to increase blood flow to the penis. (1)
- Though rare, it has been associated with severe side effects. (2)
- It’s a herbal product. So, it’s not subjected to the same kind of testing as pharmaceuticals. (3)
- The FDA says it does not recognize herbal viagra as an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction. (4)
- The agency, however, suggests that if you’re looking to enhance your sexual performance, you might want to consider trying a different product.
Key Differences Between Viagra And Herbal Viagra
The most obvious difference between the drugs is in the appearance of the tablets. While all drugs have an identical appearance, the tablets for Viagra and herbal viagra look different. This is because herbal viagra tablets are round while the ones for Viagra are rectangular. Aside from this, Viagra and herbal viagra are not made using the same process. Pharmaceutical drugs are manufactured in a controlled environment while dietary supplements are produced in a more natural environment (i.e., they are not subjected to the same amount of QC control). This can result in minor differences in the chemical composition of the products. As you’ll see below, these differences can make a significant difference in the way the drugs work.
Side Effects
Though all drugs come with a list of possible side effects, the side effects of Viagra and herbal viagra are different. According to the FDA, patients who took part in clinical trials experienced the following adverse reactions to the drug:
- Diarrhea (6%)
- Dizziness (5%)
- Bloody nose (4%)
- Headache (4%)
- Nausea (3%)
- Flushing (3%)
- Dry mouth (2%)
- Depression (2%)
These side effects are rather mild, and most patients report that they went away after a short period of time. Nevertheless, the blood-related side effects are of great concern since they can lead to hemotoxicity (i.e., the damaging of red blood cells). Though extremely rare, this side effect can make patients extremely anemic. In fact, during a clinical trial for Viagra, one patient developed anemia so severe that the doctors had to take him off the study drug. In the event of an extreme reaction like this, you should consult your personal physician immediately.
Clinical Trials
The clinical trials that led to the approval of Viagra consisted of four separate studies. Though there was not a control group in any of the trials, all of them showed that Viagra is effective at helping men with erectile dysfunction. The trials also indicated that the drug can improve sexual activity in men who experience this issue. The FDA says that though all four of the trials had positive results, there were some differences in how the drug performed in various situations. The findings from these trials have since been proven to be correct and have led the agency to reevaluate its stance on herbal viagra.
Price
The price of generic Viagra is rather high. This is largely due to the fact that all four of the trials that led to its approval were double-blinded placebos. Since placebos aren’t actually drugs, they are less expensive to produce than drug therapies. Though you might be able to find a discount if you buy in bulk, the price of a standard 30-day supply is still rather high, at around $600. This is, of course, assuming that you can find it in your local pharmacy. Though there are ways to lower the cost of generic Viagra if you look on online forums like GoodRx, it’s still a cost that many average people simply cannot afford.
As mentioned above, the side effects of herbal viagra are rather mild. Nevertheless, this doesn’t mean that you can’t experience any side effects from taking this supplement. In rare circumstances, people have reported experiencing severe allergic reactions after taking herbal viagra. Though these side effects are rather rare, it’s still important to be aware of them. Some of the more serious reactions include:
- Rash
- Sensitivity
- Irregular heart beat
- Liver toxicity
- Anaphylaxis
- Hives
- Fainting
Though these side effects are rather rare, it’s still important to be aware of them. If you experience any problems after taking herbal viagra, you should consult your personal physician immediately.
With all of this information in mind, it’s rather obvious that there are some significant differences between Viagra and herbal viagra. Though most people assume that these products are identical, in reality they are not. Though the potential side effects of herbal viagra are rather low, this doesn’t mean that they are benign. In fact, there are some rather serious risks associated with this product that you should be aware of. If you are interested in trying this product, be sure to consult your personal physician first and have a serious conversation about the matter. In the event of an adverse reaction, you should also consult a specialist as soon as possible.