Most men have seen or heard of Viagra. This popular drug was first approved by the FDA in 1997 and is currently available with over-the-counter (OTC) status in most countries. It is a famous sildenafil citrate (sildenafil), which is a substance that helps increase blood flow to the penis, resulting in an erection. Sildenafil has been shown to increase the blood flow to the penis by about 40% and lasts for about an hour or more. Inhibiting apoptosis in neurons, which promotes cell growth, has been suggested as the mechanism of action for sildenafil.
However, many men have questions about whether Viagra has any similar alternatives, especially when first diagnosed with erectile dysfunction (ED). Although Viagra is a highly effective drug for men with ED, it is important to keep in mind that not all erectile dysfunction is the same. Just like with any drug, there are other options for men with ED who want to try something different. This article will discuss some of these alternatives and how they compare to Viagra.
Phenylpropanolamine (Orphenadrine)
One of the first things that come to mind when someone thinks of Viagra is weight loss. It has been suggested that sildenafil reduces body fat in patients and therefore helps them achieve a more toned appearance. In addition to helping men appear more toned, doctors also suggest that sildenafil may reduce body fat in patients with metabolic syndrome, Type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. Unfortunately, most forms of Viagra, including the over-the-counter (OTC) are not approved for weight loss, and there is at least one report of a man suffering from priapism (an erection that doesn’t go away) while on an unapproved weight loss drug called rimonabant (Acomplia).
Darogen
Darogen is a medication that was originally marketed as an antidepressant and has since been shown to increase the blood flow to the penis by 25% within 15 minutes of ingestion. In terms of quick and easy relief for ED, darogen is commonly prescribed by doctors in Japan and some other Asian countries. Like sildenafil, darogen is also a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitor and works in a similar manner by increasing blood flow to the penis. However, unlike sildenafil, darogen has no known adverse reactions. Most men who have tried darogen have reported that it was quite effective and easy to use. While it may not be a cure for ED, it does provide some relief and has fewer side effects than most other medications commonly used to treat ED. Due to its popularity in Asian countries, darogen is commonly found with over-the-counter (OTC) status in many parts of the world. However, it is still a prescription drug in the United States and many other countries.
Tadalafil
Tadalafil, which stands for tadalafil citrate, is a medication manufactured by the company Eli Lilly and Company. This drug was approved by the FDA in 2006 and is similar to Viagra in that it is a PDE-5 inhibitor. Like most other medications used to treat ED, tadalafil increases the blood flow to the penis and therefore results in an erection. However, unlike sildenafil and darogen, tadalafil does not require a prescription and is quite affordable. There is also some evidence that suggests that tadalafil may help improve the quality of sleep for men and women who have sleep apnea (a condition where the breathing stops during sleep, causing poor quality sleep). Tadalafil’s major difference from Viagra is that it is more effective in the treatment of ED. In studies, it has been shown to increase blood flow to the penis by 50% in 15 minutes and maintain that level of blood flow for up to 3 hours. This is in contrast to the 40% increase in blood flow that is seen with sildenafil and the 25% increase that is seen with darogen. As a result, tadalafil is commonly prescribed by doctors to men who want an easy and affordable alternative to Viagra.
Sevasteroid
Sevasteroid is another medication that was originally marketed as an antidepressant and has since been shown to increase the blood flow to the penis by 50% in the first 15 minutes. This effect lasts for up to 3 hours before the medication loses its effectiveness. Like most other drugs used to treat ED, sevasteroid is a PDE-5 inhibitor and works in a similar manner to increase blood flow to the penis. However, unlike sildenafil and darogen, sevasteroid has been shown to increase blood flow in a more predictable manner. In addition, like tadalafil, sevasteroid does not require a prescription and is quite affordable. There are also some studies that suggest that sevasteroid may be more effective in treating ED than tadalafil. However, sevasteroid has a much longer half-life than tadalafil and so requires multiple doses daily to maintain its effects. Some men have reported headaches as a result of taking sevasteroid daily, so it should not be taken by men who experience migraines frequently. Overall, sevasteroid is another medication that is quite effective in treating ED and is quite affordable. However, it has a longer half-life than tadalafil and so requires more frequent dosing. This may lead to problems if a man’s schedule does not allow for regular doses or if the medication is not stored properly (especially at room temperature).
Avanafil
Like most other medications used to treat ED, avanafil (formerly known as FT226) is another PDE-5 inhibitor. However, this drug is different from most other medications used to treat ED in that it does not need to be stored at cold temperatures and can be taken as needed throughout the day to maintain its effects. This is particularly helpful for men who suffer from ED as a result of medications or alcohol. The other major difference between avanafil and most other medications used to treat ED is that this drug has been shown to increase blood flow to the penis by up to 95% in 15 minutes. In combination with vardenafil (another PDE-5 inhibitor medication), avanafil has been shown to increase the blood flow to the penis by up to 105% in 15 minutes and maintain that level of blood flow for up to 3 hours. In other words, avanafil is a potent medication and has many similarities to Viagra. However, it is considerably more effective and has fewer side effects than most other medications commonly used to treat ED.
Revatio
Revatio is a medication that is currently being studied as a potential treatment for ED. This medication is a combination of tadalafil and dapoxetine (which is the active ingredient in Prilosec OTC). Revatio is being tested as a method of improving men’s erectile function, preventing the progression of erectile dysfunction, and improving the quality of sleep for men and women who experience sleep apnea. It is believed that tadalafil inhibits the reuptake of norepinephrine (a chemical in the brain that causes a feeling of excitation or nervousness) by blocking the reuptake receptor, while dapoxetine increases the duration of sleep cycles for both men and women who take it. Overall, this medication is still in the testing stages and has not yet been approved by the FDA. However, if it is shown to be safe and effective in future studies, it could be a game-changer in the treatment of ED. It’s important to keep in mind that Revatio is a combination drug and so can also be useful for men with low testosterone levels due to cancer or other illnesses.