With so many erectile dysfunction drugs to choose from, how does one decide which one to use? The answer is not necessarily straightforward, especially since they all seem to do the same thing. While there are similarities, there are also notable differences between these popular ED drugs. Here’s a basic guide to help you make the right choice.
How Effective Are They?
If you’re wondering how effective each drug is, it’s best to look at the clinical data. All of these drugs have shown to be very effective in studies, with some being more effective than others. The biggest question is how effective each drug is relative to one another.
Here’s a breakdown of how each of these drugs compare in terms of overall efficacy and how well they work in general:
1. Viagra (Sildenafil citrate)
Viagra was first approved for sale in the United States in 1998 and has been used successfully to treat erectile dysfunction since then. Sildenafil citrate is the precursor to sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra. To put it simply, Viagra is the father of all ED medications. It’s been effective in clinical trials and has a proven track record of helping men with erectile dysfunction.
One study compared the efficacy of Viagra to placebo in 2,334 men with erectile dysfunction. At the end of the trial, researchers found that 62% of men on Viagra reported an improvement in erectile function while only 12% of men on placebo reported the same. This is particularly good news for men with erectile dysfunction, as it means there’s a viable treatment option out there. It also helps that Viagra is relatively affordable.
Other studies have shown similar results. In a 12-week study, 84% of men who took Viagra reported an improvement in erectile function over the placebo group. In another study, men who took Viagra experienced a 41% improvement in erectile function over men who took the placebo pill. These studies also found that the greater the baseline sexual dysfunction, the greater the improvement observed with the drug.
2. Cialis (Tadalafil)
Cialis was approved in 2003 and is one of the newest additions to the ED drug family. Like Viagra, Cialis is a PDE5 inhibitor and its active ingredient, tadalafil, has been proven to significantly improve erectile function in men with ED. In the study discussed above, 84% of men who took Cialis reported an improvement in erectile function over the placebo group. In another study, men who took Cialis experienced a 36% improvement in erectile function over men who took the placebo pill. Like Viagra, Cialis is fairly affordable.
While Cialis is a newer drug on the market, it’s already proven to be an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction in multiple studies. This popularity among doctors and patients makes it clear that this drug and its active ingredient, tadalafil, will be exceptionally useful in treating erectile dysfunction.
3. Levitra (Vardenafil)
Also approved in 2003 and like its predecessor, Viagra, Levitra is another PDE5 inhibitor used to treat erectile dysfunction. Like Cialis, it has proven effective in multiple studies and is also relatively affordable. In a study of 1,097 men with erectile dysfunction, researchers observed that men who took Levitra had a 25.8% improvement in erectile function over men who took the placebo pill. This improvement was particularly noticeable in men with severe erectile dysfunction (18.2% in men with mild erectile dysfunction and 28.4% in men with moderate or severe erectile dysfunction).
PDE5 inhibitors are thought to be more effective and/or safer than other ED drugs, such as Viagra’s ancestor, sildenafil. This is mainly because they only inhibit the action of PDE5, whereas other drugs can potentially interact with other parts of the body. For this reason, doctors often prefer to prescribe and/or recommend PDE5 inhibitors for erectile dysfunction. Additionally, unlike other ED drugs, there have not been many documented side effects attributed to PDE5 inhibitors.
Which One To Choose?
The key takeaway from this is that none of these drugs are inherently more effective than the other. It’s important to look at the data regarding how well each of these drugs works in comparison to one another, especially since some work better than others in different situations. For instance, Cialis is typically better suited for mild erectile dysfunction, whereas Viagra is a better option for men with moderate to severe erectile dysfunction. In terms of safety, both Cialis and Levitra are relatively safe and have not been associated with many side effects. Viagra is also considered safe, but it can cause some men to urinate more frequently than usual. This is usually a temporary side effect, but it’s something to keep in mind.
Ultimately, it’s important to remember that these are all medications and they can all cause side effects. As a result, before choosing any of these medications, the risks and benefits of each one need to be considered. It would help to know how each one compares to one another in terms of effectiveness and safety, so you can make an informed decision regarding which one is right for you.