VIAGRA VS CIALIS VS LEVITRA VS STENDRA

Understanding Erectile Dysfunction medication

Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, & Stendra are well-known medications that treat the symptoms of erectile dysfunction.

These drugs have been approved for use by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the UK, and the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These drugs perform the same function, but also have some differences.

It is important to understand these differences so you can know which is best for you.

Let’s examine the functions

Viagra is also known as sildenafil. Cialis is the brand name for tadalafil. Levitra can also be called vardenafil, while Stendra can also be called avanafil.

These medications have similar functions. They are inhibitors of PDE5. PDE5 means phosphodiesterase type 5. PDE5 affects blood flow within the body. These drugs (Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, and Stendra) inhibit the action of PDE5. This means that they help your muscles to relax and boost the flow of blood to the body.

So, it becomes easy for blood to flow into the penis, and this allows people with erectile dysfunction to have longer erections during sex.

These drugs have a fast action. Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, and Stendra should be taken at least 30 minutes to an hour before sex.

The key difference between these drugs is how long they last:

• Viagra is used only when it is needed. Viagra should be taken 30 minutes to an hour before sex. Its effects last for 3-5 hours.
• Levitra may work faster than Viagra. However, it lasts just about the same duration as Viagra.
• Cialis lasts up to 36 hours.
• The effect of Stendra is felt after 15 – 30 minutes after taking the drug. Studies have shown that its effect may last up to 6 hours.

Interactions and side effects

Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, and Stendra are all PDE5 inhibitors. Their interactions and side effects are therefore similar.

Producers of these drugs have advised that they should not be taken with grapefruit juice or grapefruit, as the fruit or the juice may affect the drug’s action. These drugs also interact with nitrate, so they mustn’t be used together. Nitrate drugs are prescription medicines that treat chest pain or heart pain.

However, each drug has specific side effects.

Before taking any of these drugs, your doctor may look into your health history and ask if you’ve had any of the conditions listed below:

• Stroke
• Heart problems
• Stomach ulcers
• Kidney or liver problems
• Sickle cell anemia and other blood problems

UK-trained Doctors under the employ of AccessDoctor will ask these questions and more during consultations so as to plan the best care for you.

The three main side effects of Viagra are:

• Flushing of the face
• Stomach pain
• Headaches

Interactions

Viagra interacts with other substances. It is important that you understand these interactions before using them. Viagra may interact with drugs that treat pulmonary hypertension. This interaction may cause drastic reductions in blood pressure levels.

The three main side effects of Cialis are:

• Low blood pressure
• Chest pain
• Congestion

Interactions

Cialis has some important side effects. It should not be combined with blood pressure medications. If you take this drug with blood pressure medications, it can cause your blood pressure to fall to unsafe levels.

People who have prostate conditions should not take alpha-blockers. This is because Cialis performs the same function as these drugs. Taking it will seem like an overdose.

Some antibiotics and antifungal medications should also be avoided when you are taking Cialis.

If you are taking Cialis for erectile dysfunction, ensure that you are guided by your doctor.

The main three side effects of Levitra include:

• Congestion
• Headache
• Flushing of the face

Warnings and interactions

If your doctor has asked you to avoid sex for some reason, then it is also important that you keep away from Levitra.

Sex strains the heart, and this is bad if your heart has already been weakened from heart disease.

Just like Cialis, Levitra should not be used with:

• Some antibiotics and antifungal medications
• Blood pressure medications
• Alpha-blockers (used to treat prostate problems)

The three main side effects of Stendra are:

• Flushing
• Headache
• Priapism (an erection that doesn’t go away)

Please, seek urgent medical advice if you experience:

• An erection that lasts longer than 4 hours
• Hearing or vision loss

Interactions

Do not use Stendra if you have or had:

• Blood pressure problems (whether high or low blood pressure)
• Heart surgery or heart problems
• Stomach ulcer
• A stroke
• Bleeding problems
• Loss of vision
• A penis that has been deformed
• Liver or kidney problems

If you have any of these health conditions, let us know in our online consultation.

When should you see your doctor?

These drugs have side effects. The side effects have been listed for each medication. If you experience these symptoms, stop taking the drug and report to the nearest Emergency Department.

In some cases, these drugs may cause priapism. Priapism is an erection that lasts for a very long time. If your erection lasts above 4 hours, then report to the nearest Emergency Department.

Takeaway

Viagra, Levitra, Cialis, and Stendra doesn’t cure erectile dysfunction, but they can relieve the symptoms.

There are many interactions and side effects to consider, but with guidance from your doctor, these medications can help you to overcome erectile dysfunction and enjoy sexual activity with your partner.

It is important to note that these drugs do not cause arousal. To have an erection, you will need to be stimulated.

You should also work with a qualified doctor who will monitor any side effects and decide which drug best suits your condition.

AccessDoctor offers a range of prescription-only medications for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. We deal with leading brands such as Viagra, Cialis, and Spedra.

Our therapy options include:

• Cialis 10 mg film-coated tablets
• Cialis 5 mg film kapli tablet
• Levitra 20 mg film-coated tablets
• Sildenafil 50 mg tablets
• Spedra 50 mg tablets avanafil
• Tadalafil 10 mg film-coated tablets
• Vardenafil 10 mg film-coated tablets
• Viagra 100 mg film-coated tablets