The Use of Oral Medications to Treat Erectile Dysfunction

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Oral medications for ED are known as PDE-5 inhibitors. Stendra (avanafil), Cialis (tadalafil), Levitra (vardenafil), Viagra (sildenafil), and many more fall under this category. In most cases, this class of medication is the initial line of treatment for ED.

 

Some substances in the penis cause an erection, while others prevent one. PDE-5 inhibitors raise levels of these "erection compounds" in the body. Rather than producing an erection on their own, these drugs strengthen existing ones by boosting blood flow to the penis, leading to a stronger and longer-lasting erection.

 

In addition, these medications require both mental and physical sexual excitement to result in a strong erection. Thus, while under the influence of one of these medications, it is necessary to engage in sexual activity to achieve an erection. However, improvement in erections occurs in the majority of cases (about 80%). Men with mild ED might benefit more from medication. Meanwhile, men with more severe ED might not benefit from these medications.

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What Is the Optimal Time to Take These Medications, and How Long Will They Provide the Desired Effect?

 

Vardenafil and sildenafil both take about 30-60 minutes to start working. The same holds with Tadalafil, which begins working within 60-120 minutes after dosing. Avanafil, a relatively new medicine, has a shorter required time of action (15-30 minutes). Take your medications on an empty stomach for maximum effectiveness.

 

The duration of these medications' effects varies from one drug to the next. Many ED drugs, including sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil, and avanafil (Stendra), have their greatest impact when taken between four and eight hours before intercourse. Similarly, tadalafil (Cialis) is most effective when taken during the first 18 to 36 hours.

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Benefits of Oral Medications for Erectile Dysfunction

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        Following are some of the advantages of ED medication taken orally:

        - Ease of use 

        - High success rate       

        - Safety

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Side Effects of Oral Medications for Erectile Dysfunction

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Oral ED medications often cause the following side effects:

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  ●  Dizziness

• Skin flushing or rashes

• Reduced blood pressure

• Clogged nose

• Nasal congestion

  ●  Heartburn

 

Furthermore, certain adverse effects of drugs are medication-dependent. One example is that 5-10% of people might experience a blue tint to their eyesight. This is a temporary problem that goes away as the offending substance leaves the body. One of the rare adverse effects of tadalafil (Cialis) is transient muscle soreness (like a muscle cramp or backache). This adverse effect often fades with time, and increased water intake might help. The most prevalent and uncomfortable side effect of ED medicines is priapism (painful erection), which can last up to four hours.

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Oral ED Drugs: A Few Common Drug Interactions

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Effectiveness and adverse reactions to drugs are both impactedd by their potential to interact with one another. Below, we've included a list of typical medication interactions for your reference. Please be aware that we cannot cover all potential medication interactions in this article. 

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BEWARE: Stendra, Levitra, Viagra, and Cialis users who experience chest discomfort within three days after starting treatment should call 911 immediately. You might also want to go to the nearest hospital's emergency department right away. In most cases, a doctor will prescribe nitroglycerin in the form of a patch or pill. It's not a good idea to take nitroglycerin unless your doctor tells you to do so. This is because combining nitroglycerin with oral ED medications might induce a dangerous decrease in blood pressure. In the end, you will run a greater risk of passing out, getting dizzy, or having a heart attack.

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When taking oral ED meds, you should be careful with the following drugs:

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• Poppers or recreational substances such as butyl nitrite or amyl nitrite.

• Medications for angina, such as nitroglycerin and isosorbide.

• Think about taking modest dosages of ED drugs with macrolide antibiotics like erythromycin and clarithromycin, antifungal drugs like ketoconazole and itraconazole, hepatitis C virus protease inhibitors like telaprevir and boceprevir, HIV drugs like saquinavir and telaprevir, rifampin, and mifepristone.

• Medicines like doxazosin and tamsulosin for enlarged prostate problems. When used with ED medications, these medications can reduce blood pressure. As a result, you shouldn't use these medications when using Viagra.

• Limit your alcohol consumption while using these drugs. If you don’t, you might experience migraines, a faster heartbeat, vertigo, or low blood pressure.

• Do not use many oral ED drugs at once.

• Avoid grapefruit and anything related to it. Otherwise, you run the risk of experiencing a buildup of the ED medicine and its potential adverse effects.

•  In all cases, follow your doctor's instructions for taking the medication.

 

When It Might Not Be Safe to Take ED Medication

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 The Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning to patients on oral ED medicines who have previously:

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  ●  Had congestive heart failure or unstable angina

• Experienced a stroke, heart attack, or irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation) in the past six months

  ●  Had an uncomfortable blood pressure reading; it may be above or below normal (>170/110mm Hg)

 

 It’s Not Recommend Taking ED Drugs If You Have:

  ●      Severe vision problems

  ●      A history of eye surgery

 

Before using these drugs, speak with an experienced practitioner.

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Some people cite oral ED drugs as a root cause of cardiac events. However, that isn't the case. Any physically demanding activity, including sexual activity, has the potential to trigger a heart attack. As a result, if you haven't had sex in a while or aren't feeling particularly robust, it's best to check with your primary care physician to see if your heart is in good enough shape to handle sexual activity.

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How Much Does Oral ED Medicine Cost?

Drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction are not covered by insurance. Consequently, the high price of erectile dysfunction drugs is a big downside. However, several low-priced and generic alternatives are gaining traction.

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When Should You See a Doctor About Getting ED Drugs?

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ED drugs, like many other drugs, can have major negative effects on people. If you suffer any of the following while taking these drugs, stop using them immediately and seek medical help:

  ●  Painful erection

• Chest pain

• An erection that lasts for hours

• Vision impairment

• A total blackout

• Sensitivity to allergens

  ●   Seizures

 

What Further ED Treatment Alternatives Are There? 

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• Treatment with Low-intensity Shockwave Therapy (LiST)

• Treatment with platelet-rich plasma (penile shot)

• Treatment with penile injections

• Vacuum erection device