Drugs for Erectile Dysfunction
Three drugs Viagra, Levitra and Cialis are discussed
Three drugs have hit the market targeting male impotence. A discussion of the pros and cons of each will be discussed.
Viagra has been and is the most widely used and most popular male impotency drug. The drug manufactured by Pfizer has captured 90% of the American market. Several new drugs, however, are trying to create inroads within this market. The newcomers are Levitra and Cialis. All three are currently waging a marketing war to try to convince doctors and patients that their product is the best.
The benefits that each provide depends on what individuals are looking for. Conversely, there are negatives as well. Viagra has been around longer and thus has been the most widely tested and studied of all three drugs. The bottom line is that if it works for you and you have no side effects, there's no reason to change. Changing medications may also produce new side effects.
Similarities
Each of the three drugs have some similarity to each other. All three inhibit the enzyme PDE-5. This enzyme allows the smooth muscles of the penis to relax and allows bloodflow into the area. All three, however, do nothing to improve sex drive or libido. In addition, the three cannot be used together or with certain heart medications that contain nitrates. As with all medications, consult a physician first before taking anything new.
Differences in medication
Viagra has a longer onset than the other two drugs and tends to have the shortest effect. Viagra lasts for approxamately four hours, while Levitra proclaims to last for five Of all three, Cialis has the longest efficacy rate. Its effect can last for 36 hours straight.
Cialis may be for those people who like the idea of not having to take too many pills and emjoy the spontaneity of love-making.
Currently Cialis has overtaken Viagra as the number one prescription drug in Europe. Levitra is vying for all the newer diagnosed cases of erectile dysfunction, as opposed to winning over Viagra users. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, "between the ages of 40 and 70 years, the probability of complete erectile dysfunction triples from 5.1 percent to 15 percent". So the market is vast. Levitra also appears to be more effective for diabetics than Viagra, so may be this may be a good option for them.
Side Effects
As far as side effects are concerned Viagra seems to have the most. Most of these seem to revolve around vision problems. It's been known to create abnormal and blurred vision, , double vision, ocular bleeding, difficult and painful urination and diarrhea to name a few. The other 2 drugs Levitra and Cialis seem to have fewer side effects. The reason lies in their more specific effect of targeting the PDE-5 enzyme. Cialis, however, is known to cause lower back pain, while Levitra cannot be taken by men who take certain high blood presure medicines or those who have prostrate problems. Viagra also works better on an empty stomach, while the other 2 can be taken with food.
Even though Viagra has more potential side effects, it does happen to be the most studied of the three. It's possible that the other 2 may, with time, show other problems that aren't currently known. Most doctors tend to feel that there's little difference between Viagra and Levitra. Only time will tell if Cialis has any clear advantage over the other two. What your doctor suggests will be of paramount importance in deciding which of the three current drugs are for you.
