If you maintain a sexually active life as you age, you increase your chances of needing an erectile dysfunction (ED) drug.
Around 25% of men in their 50s, according to estimates, have trouble getting erections. When males reach their 60s, this number increases to about 50%, and to 60% when they reach their 70s.
"Unfortunately, as men age, their erections do not improve," says Dr Michael O'Leary, head of men's health at the Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital. "However, the good news is that there is no age restriction on the use of ED medications. You may continue to take them as long as you can have intercourse safely."
Obtaining the most cost-effective medication
The cost of brand-name ED medications and their similarly effective generic versions varies significantly. You'll want to browse around for the greatest deal. However, use caution while obtaining these medications over the Internet. "Some of the ED drugs marketed on cheap websites may not be FDA-approved or may lack necessary components," urologist Dr.says urologist Dr Michael O'Leary of Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital.
The cost of brand-name ED medications and their similarly effective generic versions varies significantly. You'll want to browse around for the greatest deal. However, use caution while obtaining these medications over the Internet. "Some of the ED drugs marketed on cheap websites may not be FDA-approved or may lack necessary components," urologist Dr.says urologist Dr Michael O'Leary of Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital.
There are presently four ED medications available: vardenafil (Viagra) (Levitra), sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), Vardenafil (Viagra) (Levitra) and avanafil (Stendra). They work by increasing blood flow to the penis and help men in achieving and maintaining an erection.
While all ED medications (even generic versions) work through the same biological processes, men might respond differently to them.
"This is why using ED medications frequently needs a trial-and-error approach," Dr O'Leary explains. "Just because one anti-erectile dysfunction drug does not work for you does not mean another will." The majority of men begin with a low dose and gradually increase it as needed. For instance, your doctor may first prescribe 25 milligrams (mg) of Viagra.
"However, if that does not work, you may require 50 mg or even 100 mg," Dr O'Leary explains. Additionally, it is recommended to avoid taking any ED medication with food or shortly after a meal, since this might impair absorption.
Your decision may be impacted by the speed with which the medication acts and the duration of the effect.
"For example, some men like Cialis since it may be taken in the evening and lasts until the next morning," Dr O'Leary explains.
Because Cialis works for 24 hours and may also help with symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate, you may choose to take a low dose daily.
Clinically, ED medications are regarded to be fairly safe. Facial flushing, stomach upset, Headaches, and muscular pain are all common side effects. However, they are infrequent, minor, and resolve within an hour or two.
There are several circumstances in which ED medications are unlikely to be helpful. Men who have had damage to their nerves or arteries as a result of prostate surgery, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease frequently do not respond as well to ED medications.
If you are using nitrate medicines to treat heart disease, you should avoid ED meds. Combining nitrates with ED medications might result in a severe decrease in blood pressure. (However, nitrates in food are not harmful.)
Because alpha-blockers such as tamsulosin (Flomax) and alfuzosin (Uroxatral), which are used to treat the symptoms of an enlarged prostate, can cause low blood pressure, it is critical to space these and ED medications by at least four hours.
ED drugs: How soon and how long? | ||
Medication | Onset | Duration |
avanafil (Stendra) | 15 to 30 minutes | 6 to 12 hours |
sildenafil (Viagra) | 30 to 60 minutes | 4 to 5 hours |
tadalafil (Cialis) | 30 to 45 minutes | 24 to 36 hours |
vardenafil (Levitra) | 30 to 60 minutes | 4 to 5 hours |
