A lot of men are struggling with erectile dysfunction (ED). Studies suggest that as many as 17% of men aged 40 to 70 have this condition. In other words, nearly one in five men is experiencing trouble achieving or maintaining an erection that is long enough to satisfy his partner. If this sounds like you, don’t worry; you’re definitely not alone.
To help you treat your ED more effectively, we reviewed five different generic medications that are similar to the brand-name drug Viagra and that cost less. In this article, we will review the evidence for and against these medications and explain how they differ from one another.
Best Overall: Viagra RX Plus
Overall, we found that the medication Viagra RX Plus is the best choice for men who are looking for a low-cost alternative to Viagra. It is important to point out that although this medication is inexpensive, it does not mean that it is easy to acquire. In fact, it is a controlled substance and as such, requires a prescription. This puts it at the same disadvantage as other generic ED medications that we reviewed, which are also controlled substances.
The active ingredient in Viagra RX Plus is sildenafil, which is also the active ingredient in Viagra. However, unlike Viagra, which is a brand name drug and thus, more expensive, Viagra RX Plus is a generic version of sildenafil and as such, much cheaper. This makes Viagra RX Plus the best choice available for men who are on a tight budget but still want to help their sexual health.
Next Best: Cialis Plus
In the next category, we have Cialis Plus, which is the combination product of the two medications cialis and avanilla. The combination works by enhancing the capability of blood vessels in the penis to relax and expand. This allows more blood into the penis, which in turn, leads to an erection that is more sustained and rigid. Similar to Viagra RX Plus, Cialis Plus is another generic solution that is less expensive than Viagra, but with a more significant advantage.
This advantage comes in the form of a wider margin of safety. While sildenafil is effective in treating ED, it also has significant side effects that must be considered. Some of these side effects include headaches, upset stomach, and excessive sleepiness. Due to these side effects, men who take sildenafil are at higher risk of accidents, traffic accidents, and heart attacks. A study conducted in the United Kingdom examined the clinical safety of sildenafil, specifically in men with diabetes. The results of this study showed that although men with diabetes who took sildenafil had improved erectile responses, they also had higher risk of dizziness, syncope, and abnormal vision. Because of this, the study concluded that the use of sildenafil in men with diabetes was not recommended.
On the other hand, Cialis Plus does not have a similar risk of side effects. This is because it contains less of the active ingredients than the other medications we reviewed. As a result, the doses that are recommended are also lower. In fact, the recommended starting dose of Cialis Plus is just one tablet (2.5 mg) per day, while the recommended starting dose of Viagra is twenty tablets (50 mg) per day. This is a significant advantage of Cialis Plus over Viagra, as it allows for more cost-effective dosing and lessens the possibility of overdose.
Best For Daily Use: Avanilla / Vigora
Finally, we have two last entries in our best of list, Avanilla and Vigora. Both of these are over-the-counter ED medications that work by relaxing blood vessels in the penis. However, they differ from one another in the way they are formulated and delivered to the body. Avanilla is a liquid that is highly concentrated and as such, requires an immediate intake upon application. Vigora is more like a gel that is applied to the penis before penetration and as such, must be reapplied every thirty minutes or so throughout the day. Some manufacturers market Vigora specifically for sleep use, which is why it is included in this group of ED medications as a result of its longer-lasting effect.
Least Effective: Ciprofloxacin
In the least effective category, we have Ciprofloxacin, which is a commonly used antibiotic that has been known to cause ED in rare cases. Although it is not recommended for use in men with severe heart disease, it is a highly suitable agent for urinary tract infections and thus, is frequently prescribed for these indications. Unfortunately, this antibiotic has the side effect of causing ED, which may be due to its impact on the nervous system. It is also important to note here that although Ciprofloxacin is not a controlled substance, it is classified as a prescription-only drug and requires a prescription to be purchased and used. This makes it more expensive than the other medications that we reviewed, which are also available over-the-counter without the need for a prescription.
Most Likely to Cause Interaction: Sildenafil / Dapoxetine
In the most likely to cause interaction category, we have sildenafil and dapoxetine, which are both prescription medications that are used to treat ED. As discussed earlier, sildenafil has the side effect of causing dizziness and sleepiness in some men. Although this effect is rare, it is still a side effect that must be considered when using this medication. Dapoxetine, on the other hand, has a much more significant side effect: it lowers the serotonin levels in the brain, which can lead to severe depression. Because of this, it is essential that men who are prescribed this medication for ED are monitored closely for signs of depression. These two medications are not recommended for use together, as they are both serotonergic medications and as such, will compete for the same receptor sites in the brain. This can have disastrous consequences, especially for men who are already experiencing problems with depression.
The above information should put forward a clear idea of the various advantages and disadvantages of each of these medications. If you still want to try one of these medications, or if you already took one of them and want to know more about their side effects, consult your doctor or read the medication’s package insert carefully.