Viagra was originally designed to be an easier, less-side effect-filled alternative to the popular PDE-5 inhibitor sildenafil citrate. Named after the city where it was invented, the blue-colored oral medication allows for more efficient transfer through the bloodstream and is often referred to as the “little yellow pill” due to its main ingredient (Sildenafil citrate). However, while sildenafil citrate has traditionally been used to treat the symptoms of ED, Viagra is often misused as a “get-lucky” pill. Furthermore, it has become quite popular among people trying to improve their libido. Thus, the purpose of this article is to help you tell the difference between the two medications so that you can enjoy their distinct benefits while avoiding their respective side effects.
Differences In Appearance
While both sildenafil citrate and Viagra are oral medications that are taken once or twice a day, they are significantly different in appearance. In general, Viagra is a light yellow to orange pill with a sharp-edged square shape. It is approximately the size of a vitamin pill or a nickel.
On the other hand, sildenafil citrate is a white to cream-colored pill with a round shape. It is slightly larger than a typical vitamin pill and has a smoother, more buttery texture.
The differences in appearance are clearly visible to the naked eye and may be used to determine the contents of each pill. After years of identifying the wrong pills by their appearance alone, pharmacists have now started associating the markings on pills with their chemical composition. Accordingly, if you are ever unsure of the contents of a particular medication, you can determine its identity by its appearance alone.
How To Tell The Difference
Although sildenafil citrate and Viagra are significantly different in appearance, they are both PDE-5 inhibitors that are used to treat the symptoms of ED. As a result, the way in which you take them is virtually the same. To begin with, you must swallow each pill whole. Then, as directed by your physician or pharmacist, you should wait about 10 minutes for each pill to dissolve before having food or drinking any alcoholic beverages. Doing so may help prevent potential negative interactions with other medications you might be taking.
The primary difference between sildenafil citrate and Viagra is in the way they are prescribed and in the presence or absence of side effects. While sildenafil citrate is generally taken once or twice a day (often in the morning), Viagra is taken only once or twice a day (often in the morning) with food. Furthermore, sildenafil citrate is generally used to treat the symptoms of ED, while Viagra is used to treat the cause of ED (i.e., impaired blood vessel dilation due to poor nitric oxide production).
As mentioned above, the side effects of sildenafil citrate are usually mild and include headache, flushing, and abdominal pain. In contrast, the side effects of Viagra may include headache, flushing, stomach pain, and low blood pressure. Additionally, sildenafil citrate is usually well tolerated by most patients, while some individuals experience undesirable effects such as hives, skin redness, or photosensitivity when taking Viagra. Finally, sildenafil citrate is an anti-inflammatory agent, while Viagra is not. As a result, some patients have reported that taking Viagra increases the likelihood of developing an autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.
In summary, sildenafil citrate and Viagra are both PDE-5 inhibitors that can be used to treat the symptoms of ED. However, as they are significantly different medications with distinct properties and uses, it is important to be aware of the differences in their appearance and how to tell them apart when necessary. Furthermore, since sildenafil citrate is generally well-tolerated and has fewer potential interactions with other medications, it is usually the preferred choice for ED patients who are already taking or who will be starting to take other medications.