For centuries, men have been struggling with erectile dysfunction (ED), also known as impotence, which is the inability to attain or maintain a firm erection that is strong enough for sexual intercourse. In the early 1800s, German physician Johann Friedrich Pfitzer conducted research on the effects of wine and beer on men’s sexuality and concluded that alcohol consumption causes ED. Pfitzer later developed a medication, called Prostaglandin, to treat this condition. Prostaglandin is still the first choice of treatment for ED globally.
But it wasn’t until the 1950s, with the introduction of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor (PDE5) drug, that things changed for the better. Sildenafil, the first drug of its kind, was first developed to treat pulmonary hypertension and then repurposed to treat ED. In 1998, Viagra came on the market (along with its sister drug, Levitra) and completely changed the game for men suffering from ED. Since then, other drug types, such as Cialis and Kamagra, have joined the ED treatment ecosystem, expanding the choices available to consumers.
The Journey To Utopia
It’s well known that the development of a pharmaceutical product, such as Viagra, is a lengthy and costly process. Between five and seven years go into the development of a new drug, with an average cost of over US$800 million. This is to say nothing of the considerable amount of money spent on advertising and marketing the drug once it’s on the market, which is estimated to be between $40 and $60 million.
The lengthy development process for a new drug can be both excruciating and rewarding. The former can typically involve up to 20,000 hours of human testing, while the latter is characterized by euphoria and elation, as you finally reach the culmination of your hard work.
How Many Patients Did It Take To Test Viagra?
Viagra, along with its sister drug, Levitra, were first tested on animal models and then moved on to human trials. These trials were conducted in a laboratory setting and involved testing the effects of the drugs on a small number of healthy men. It wasn’t until the early 1970s that Pfizer, the drug’s original manufacturer, began testing the medication in a clinical setting, which is when things started to get interesting. Pfizer initially tested the effects of Viagra on just 24 patients in a clinical trial and found that it improved erectile function in the majority of the men who were taking the drug. While this was promising, it was still just a small sample size and more clinical trials were needed.
Based on the promising results of the initial trials, Pfizer decided to initiate a different type of clinical trial. Instead of testing the drug on a small number of patients, this new trial would involve administering the medication to a large number of men with erectile dysfunction. Pfizer’s main goal was to determine if the drug was effective in terms of improving erectile function and whether it was safe to use.
What Are The Main Differences Between Viagra and Its Sister Drug, Levitra?
Besides the obvious differences in the way they work (which we’ll get to in a bit), one of the main differences between these two medications is how they were developed and tested. As mentioned above, developing a new drug takes a lot of time and effort, and this is reflected in the way these medications were structured and tested. Levitra was originally developed to be an oral alternative to Viagra for men with impotence. Just like its sibling drug, it was designed to work by increasing blood flow toward the penis and thus enhancing the firmness of the erection. The medication was also formulated to be taken orally, which allows for easier dose titration.
While both drugs work to enhance blood flow toward the penis, they differ in the way they do so. Levitra increases the blood flow toward the penis by binding to a receptor on the surface of the blood vessel walls, thus relaxing and expanding the arteries. In contrast, Viagra works by inhibiting the enzyme phosphodiesterase (PDE5), which breaks down the hormone, cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), inside the walls of the blood vessels. Cyclic GMP, in turn, helps to open up the arteries and thus increase the blood flow toward the penis. The result is the same, but the mechanisms by which they achieve this are completely different.
What Makes Viagra Stand Out From The Crowd?
In addition to the differences between it and its sibling drug, Levitra, discussed above, Viagra also has several distinct advantages, as a drug to treat erectile dysfunction. First, and most obviously, it is much easier to take. In most cases, a man will only need to take it once per day, as opposed to the twice-daily dosing required by Levitra. This makes it much more convenient for the user, especially if he has erectile dysfunction and is on the go all the time. Second, it costs much less than other ED treatments. While exact costs vary by country, it is estimated that between $4 and $5 per month is spent on ED treatments in the U.S. Third, it is much more effective. While there is no definitive research that proves this, early trials indicate that Viagra is up to 98% effective in treating erectile dysfunction. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, it has a much shorter history of harmful effects. While it is true that many drugs, including Viagra, have side effects, these are largely benign and temporary. In other words, while it is still possible to have a bad reaction to a pharmaceutical drug, the possibilities are much more limited with Viagra than with other drugs.
How Effective Is Viagra In Treating Erectile Dysfunction?
In addition to the obvious differences in the way they work, discussed above, in terms of effectiveness and safety concerns, Viagra and its sibling drug, Levitra, also differ in the way they were tested and approved for use in the United States. When Viagra was approved in 1998, it was approved for use as an oral treatment for erectile dysfunction. But since then, it has been shown in trials to be just as effective when administered by injection into the penis. This is important because in some cases, the dysfunction is so severe that it’s not practical, or even possible, for the patient to take oral medication every day. In these cases, a penile injection, once or twice per day, provides an attractive alternative. Furthermore, since the introduction of Viagra, other ED drugs have seen a drop in the rates of side effects and allergic reactions. This is a major advantage, given the fact that many of these drugs, especially the older generation, were known to have a significant number of unpleasant side effects.
What Forms Does Viagra Come In?
As mentioned above, one of the major advantages of Viagra is how easily it is taken. This is because the drug is commonly available in a number of different forms, including a generic form that can be found relatively easily at any local drugstore. There are, however, a few brand-name forms that are more expensive and thus, in many cases, only available from a pharmacist. These brand-name forms, which include Viagra Professional and Rapid-Acting, are not usually needed for treating mild to moderate cases of erectile dysfunction. The reason for this is that most people experience some degree of improvement with the regular, over-the-counter (OTC) form of the medication. In most cases, men will only need to take it once or twice per day, which is usually sufficient for treating mild to moderate cases of erectile dysfunction. But if they experience persistent problems, then a more expensive, brand-name form might be the better option. In these cases, it’s usually necessary to inject the drug directly into the penis, once or twice per day. The injectable forms of Viagra are also what give the drug its popular nickname, “the little blue pills.”
Where Can I Buy Viagra?
Now that you know a little about Viagra, the next step is to learn where you can buy it. Fortunately for you, we’ve got you covered on this front. Here’s a quick list of where you can buy Viagra (and its generic equivalent) online: