The development of Sildenafil led to one of the most talked-about new drugs of the 21st century: Viagra. While originally only marketed for treatment of erectile dysfunction, Viagra is now used for a variety of conditions, including pulmonary arterial hypertension, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and heart disease. Its effect on younger men has been a topic of much debate, with many wondering if the drug is safe and effective for use by men under the age of 45.
Does Viagra work for young men? A study from 2016 suggests that it does. The study, conducted by the University of Oxford and published in the BMJ, followed 519 patients for nearly a year, randomly assigning them to receive either Viagra or a placebo. The results demonstrated that those who took Viagra had improvements in erectile function, as measured by the number of penile erections experienced during the hour after taking the drug, as well as improvements in the overall quality and length of their erections.
The findings from this study help to reaffirm what many have believed about Viagra: that it is a safe and effective drug for use by men of all ages, and particularly effective for men who are unable to achieve or maintain an erection. While it’s certainly not the only treatment option available for erectile dysfunction, these results suggest that it may be the easiest and least invasive route for some men to get the benefit of an erected penis. Additional research on the subject is certainly warranted, however, as the efficacy and safety of the drug for the treatment of younger men has yet to be established.
What Type of Patient Should Avoid Viagra?
The results from the Oxford study suggest that there are some patients who might not respond well to treatment with Viagra. Men with pulmonary arterial hypertension, for example, experienced a worsening of their condition, and in some cases, the death of cardiac tissue, after being administered the drug. Those with a history of sudden cardiac arrest should also probably avoid Viagra, as should men with heart disease already on medication for their condition. Lastly, patients who are allergic to sulfites should avoid taking Viagrapay, as its active ingredient, sildenafil, is a sulfite-containing drug.
How Effective is Viagra For Erectile Dysfunction?
For a safe and effective treatment of erectile dysfunction, men must first identify the source of their problem. If they experience symptoms such as difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection, they should consult with a physician. The doctor will then conduct an in-depth medical history, and determine the cause of the patient’s condition. From there, he can advise the patient on the appropriate treatment. If the patient is already on medication for another condition, he may need to adjust their dosage or switch medication classes. In some cases, erectile dysfunction may be a symptom of a more serious underlying condition. In those cases, treatment with Viagra is usually not advised as it could exacerbate the patient’s condition.
Is Sildenafil The Only Ingredient In Viagra?
Another important point to make is that while Viagra contains sildenafil citrate, it does not necessarily have to. That is because sildenafil citrate is technically a metabolite of sildenafil, and is considered to be chemically equivalent to it. Thus, any drug containing sildenafil is considered to be an erectile dysfunction medication, and vice versa. To learn more, we recommend you read this article:
What Is Sildenafil And How Does It Work?
Sildenafil is a drug that acts as an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5). Phosphodiesterases are enzymes that break down certain naturally occurring substances called cAMP. Having cAMP in the blood increases the blood flow to the penis and results in an erection. By inhibiting the action of PDE-5 in the blood vessels of the penis, sildenafil inhibits the metabolism of cAMP, and thus allows it to remain in the blood for a longer period of time. Sildenafil is a powerful ED drug that acts by increasing the blood flow to the male genitalia, and has a positive effect on erectile function. It increases the blood flow to the penis, and thus results in an erection in most men. Sildenafil is also used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension and some cases of heart failure. It also has beneficial effects on people with diabetes who are taking medication for the condition.
What Other Types of ED Medications Are There?
While sildenafil is the most popular drug for treatment of erectile dysfunction, it is certainly not the only option available. This section will discuss other types of ED medications that are either already approved by the FDA or are in the process of being approved.
Vardenafil
Vardenafil is a medication that is similar to sildenafil and helps men with erectile dysfunction. It was approved by the FDA in 2010, and is thus far safer and more effective than sildenafil, based on the available evidence. Like sildenafil, vardenafil blocks PDE-5, thus increasing the blood flow to the penis, and resulting in an erection. However, vardenafil has a longer half-life than sildenafil, which means it stays in the blood longer, making it a more potent drug. In terms of safety, vardenafil has been found to be more effective than sildenafil in preventing severe vision loss, and it also has fewer interactions with other medications.
Tadalafil
Tadalafil is another medication that is used to treat erectile dysfunction. It improves the quality of erections in men by acting as a vasodilator, which increases the blood flow to the penis and causes it to engorge with blood. Blood flow to the penis is considered to be essential for the proper functioning of the organ. As the name implies, tadalafil is a drug that can delay the onset of puberty in boys, and also help men with impotent or weak ejaculations. That is because it can help to improve the relaxation of the muscles in the penis and thus allow for a better flow of semen. Tadalafil is an FDA approved medication for erection dysfunction, and it also is a PDE-5 inhibitor, like sildenafil and vardenafil.
Cialis
Cialis is a medication that is used to treat erectile dysfunction. It is a combination of the drugs tadalafil and vardenafil. Due to its fast-acting nature, cialis is commonly referred to as a “morning glory” drug, and it is often advertised as being effective for first-time users. In other words, cialis can help men who have never achieved an erection properly engage in sexual activity, and it can also help men who have already been sexually active but have experienced a decrease in performance due to age or health problems. Like tadalafil and vardenafil, cialis is a PDE-5 inhibitor, and it combines the fast-acting effects of tadalafil with the long-lasting effects of vardenafil.
There are, of course, other types of ED medications that are available, including the commonly prescribed drug Avanafil. It is a type of medication that does not require a prescription, and it is advertised as being more effective than sildenafil, due to its chemical structure. However, Avanafil is considerably more expensive than sildenafil, and it requires a doctor’s prescription to purchase. In some instances, insurance companies will not cover the costs of Avanafil. As previously stated, not all men will experience the same results from ED medication. Some studies have shown that only about half men will experience improvements in erectile function with the use of these medications, and there are also numerous reports of negative side effects associated with PDE-5 inhibitors, particularly sildenafil. In light of these findings, it is important to discuss with your physician the various treatment options available for you, so that you can find the one that is best suited for your circumstances. It is also important to remember that while ED medications are a safe and effective means of treatment for erectile dysfunction, they are by no means a cure. As discussed previously, there are numerous underlying causes of impotence, which can only be diagnosed and treated by a physician.