You’ve probably heard of Viagra. For decades, the blue pill has been a household name, thanks to its ability to boost erection. But what is Viagra, and what is its main ingredient?
Viagra and its sister drug Cialis are both popularly known as ED (erectile dysfunction) medications. These are the same drugs that the ancient Chinese used to treat impotence (erectile dysfunction). In 2016, a British pharmaceutical company called Pfizer bought the rights to sell the drug in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA).[1] The name Viagra is actually a combination of the two names of the two major compounds found in the pill: sildenafil and vardenafil. Sildenafil is short for sildenafil citrate, and vardenafil is short for vardenafil citrate. Let’s take a closer look at what each ingredient does.
Sildenafil
Sildenafil is a drug used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and improve exercise capacity in patients. The drug was originally developed by Bayer and Roche in the late 1990s. The main use of sildenafil is to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence). However, it has many other medical uses as well. According to several studies, sildenafil can be an effective treatment for asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and heart failure (congestive). It has also been shown to improve sleep apnea (obstructive sleep apnea) and snoring. [2]
Sildenafil works by increasing blood flow to the penis and boosting erection. Studies have shown that taking this drug regularly can increase the size of the penis about 3 to 4 inches. Another advantage of sildenafil is that it’s incredibly effective regardless of a man’s age. In fact, it can be used to treat men as young as 12 years old. This makes it a great treatment option for men with younger partners.
Vardenafil
Vardenafil is another drug used to treat erectile dysfunction. It’s been around for more than a decade, and it is the active ingredient in the medication Priapus XL. Vardenafil is 98% as potent as sildenafil and has fewer side effects. Some of the side effects of sildenafil are short-lived and include headaches, flushing, jaw soreness, and nausea. However, research also shows that sildenafil can be very dangerous in people with certain heart conditions. Like many other prescription drugs, Vardenafil can cause hypotension (low blood pressure) which in some cases can be dangerous. [3]
The major difference between sildenafil and vardenafil is that vardenafil is a phosphate ester which makes it more stable and easier for doctors to prescribe. The chemical structure of sildenafil and vardenafil are almost identical, so they have extremely similar effects on the body. One important point to make is that while sildenafil has been around for more than 60 years, it has only recently been accepted as a bona fide drug. Before that, it was more or less considered a reagent or industrial chemical. It’s only been recently that it has been determined that this drug can indeed help men with erectile dysfunction. This is largely due to increased social acceptance of this condition and heightened public awareness about it (thanks to the popularization of the internet).
So, what is the difference between sildenafil and vardenafil? Ultimately, it’s all about the dosage. Sildenafil comes in 100 milligram tablets, while vardenafil is available in 50 milligram tablets. A 100 milligram tablet of sildenafil is the same dose as a 50 milligram tablet of vardenafil. In other words, if you’re taking vardenafil, you can just go ahead and take a 100 milligram tablet of sildenafil. You don’t need to do anything extra. This is because sildenafil is considered to be a bioisostere or a look-alike of vardenafil, so it has the same effects. The only real difference between sildenafil and vardenafil is that vardenafil is more stable and easier to transport. This is why doctors often prefer to prescribe this medication.
ED Medications
ED (erectile dysfunction) medications, like Viagra and Cialis, are among the most popular medications in the world. It’s been a $13 billion industry in the United States alone. Viagra (sildenafil) was approved for use in the United States in 1998 and has since been prescribed to more than 14 million men worldwide. [4] In Europe, where Viagra is available as a prescription drug, it has been prescribed to more than 12 million men. [5] In Australia, where it’s available over-the-counter, it’s been prescribed to more than 4 million men. [6]
There are a few other similar drugs on the market, such as Levitra and Staxyn. These are all variations on the sildenafil theme. They work by increasing blood flow to the penis and relaxing the muscles there, allowing for easier erection. So, while ED medications can be extremely beneficial for men with erectile dysfunction, they can also be very dangerous if taken incorrectly or in excess. Like any other drug, these medications can cause various side effects. However, the most common side effect is flushing. This is because sildenafil and its family members, including vardenafil, have the potential to increase blood flow to the skin and cause skin redness or warmth. In some cases, this increased blood flow can cause severe pain at the injection site. In addition to this, it also has the potential to elevate blood pressure and cause heart damage. [7] So, while ED medications can be very effective in treating erectile dysfunction, you need to be very careful about taking them and make sure you consult a physician if you’re concerned about any side effects.
The bottom line is that sildenafil and vardenafil are both extremely useful drugs and have a lot of similarities. They can be substituted for one another, and most doctors will likely tell you to simply take the dosage that you need for your specific case. However, if you have a history of heart disease or are at risk for heart disease, you should not take sildenafil. Instead, you should try vardenafil or one of the other similar drugs that are now available. These medications are safer and have fewer side effects than sildenafil, especially in people with heart disease or risk of heart disease.