The popularity of the generic drug Viagra shows just how much men around the world seek improved sexual performance. Years of rigorous research and development have resulted in a number of competing generic Viagra analogs that are now available to consumers.
To determine which of these drugs are the best option for men seeking to buy an erection-boosting medication without the brand name, let’s take a quick look at the various types of Viagra available for sale.
Generic Viagra
The original version of Viagra, developed by Pfizer, remains the gold standard by which all other generic ED medications are judged. Having been on the market for more than a decade, it is the only FDA-approved treatment for erectile dysfunction and is considered one of the safest and most effective prescription drugs available. If you’re interested in trying out a generic medication to see if it’s right for you, then the first choice would be Viagra. But, before buying any drug, it’s a good idea to consult with your physician or healthcare provider to find out what dose you should take and how you should take it.
Viagra Sublingual
Sublingual administration, commonly known as “spray therapy,” allows for the quick absorption of a drug into the bloodstream through the lining on the inside of the mouth. Much like the original oral version of Viagra, the sublingual version is a fast and effective way to deliver a drug into the body. What’s more, men who use this method report that it feels as good as, and sometimes even better than, having sexual relations with a woman. Sublingual Viagra, or Viagra MLi, is available in a variety of doses and has the added convenience of being delivered right into the mouth, eliminating the need to swallow the tablet whole.
Viagra Membrane
Viagra Membrane, or Viagra MD, is another variant of Viagra that is often touted as being more effective than oral medication. Developed by Sunrise Pharmaceuticals and initially approved in 2016, Viagra MD is a transparent film that is placed over the penis before sexual activity to improve blood flow to the genitals and, therefore, induce an erection.
Sildenafil Citrate
Sildenafil Citrate, commonly known as “Viagra” or “vigorous grapefruit,” is a prescription drug that improves erectile functioning by inhibiting phosphodiesterase (PDE), an enzyme that destroys cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). When this drug is combined with a dose of a vasodilator (a substance that widens blood vessels), the resulting combination is known as “vigorous Viagra.”
Sildenafil Citrate is a fast-acting ED drug that provides effective relief in as little as 30 minutes and, for most people, lasts for more than six hours. Since its introduction in the 1990s, it has become one of the most popularly prescribed ED drugs in the world. While it is not considered a cure for erectile dysfunction, it does provide effective relief for most men who take it.
Tadalafil
Tadalafil, another PDE inhibitor, is marketed as Kadivar by the pharmaceutical company Pfizer. Like Sildenafil, it improves blood flow to the penis when taken orally and, likewise, has been clinically shown to increase erectile function and the frequency of orgasms for men with ED. Like many other PDE inhibitor drugs, it is taken orally and can provide effective relief for men with ED in as little as 30 minutes. The main difference between this drug and the others we’ve discussed so far is that it is highly selective for PDE5, which is present in smaller amounts in the prostate and the penis. Because it is highly specific for PDE5, it can be used to treat male impotence (erectile dysfunction) without causing systemic toxicity in the patient. This makes it a safer and more comfortable option for men with this condition than other, less selective PDE inhibitors like sildenafil.
Vardenafil HCl
Vardenafil HCl, or vardenafil, is a prescription drug sold under the brand name Stendra by the pharmaceutical company Bayer. It is an orally active PDE5 inhibitor that is used to treat erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).
Vardenafil is highly effective as an ED drug and has been shown to increase spontaneous erections and the overall rate of successful intercourse in men with ED. It is also an effective treatment for PAH, which is a serious condition that causes shortness of breath and chest pain. Because vardenafil is a prescription drug that needs to be prescribed by a physician, it provides a more reliable way for men to attain erections than do some of the over-the-counter (OTC) remedies available in drugstores.
Udenafil
Udenafil, which is now available in both Europe and the United States, is a prescription drug that inhibits PDE5 and is marketed as Staxyn by the pharmaceutical company Elan. Like most PDE inhibitor drugs, udenafil improves erectile functioning, but it is unique in that it is the first oral medication to be developed specifically for use in treating pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).
To our knowledge, there is no current evidence that suggests using udenafil for treatment of ED. However, in light of its effectiveness and tolerability in treating PAH, it is certainly worth a try for men with this condition, especially since it is an OTC drug that is highly effective and has no known dangerous side effects.
Cialis
Cialis, which is sold under the brand name Tadalafil 25 mg/1mg and has the convenience of being packaged in a long-lasting oral tablet, is another widely available PDE5 inhibitor that is gaining in popularity due to its efficacy and safety. Having been around for many years, and first becoming available in 2006, it is one of the most popular ED drugs in the world. Tadalafil (Cialis) is a prescription medication that is used to treat erectile dysfunction and is available in both a 10 mg and 20 mg dose. Like Sildenafil and Vardenafil, it is a fast-acting ED drug that provides effective relief in as little as 30 minutes and has been clinically shown to increase the rate of successful intercourse for men with ED. Since it is an FDA-approved drug for sale in the United States, it is a popular choice for men who want to use an ED medication that is already on the market.
Levitra
Levitra, which is also sold under the brand name Vardenafil and has been around for more than a decade, is another popular PDE5 inhibitor that is frequently prescribed to men who want to purchase an erection-boosting drug without having to worry about a running prescription. Like most of the medications we’ve discussed so far, it is taken orally and has been clinically shown to increase overall sexual satisfaction and the rate of successful intercourse for men with ED. Being a benzoxazole derivative, it is less toxic than some of the other PDE5 inhibitors discussed above and is approved for use in Japan and many other Asian countries. Like Cialis, it is also an OTC medication that is highly effective and has no known dangerous side effects. However, as is the case with many other medications, it can cause birth defects if taken during pregnancy. So, it is a good idea to ask your doctor about safe times to take it, especially if you’re planning on becoming or being pregnant.
Summary
Here’s a short summary of what we’ve discussed so far: