The Medications Used To Treat Erectile Dysfunction

There are several oral and injectable medications that are used to treat erectile dysfunction.

Perhaps the most well known of the medications used to treat erectile dysfunction is Viagra. Viagra is a prescription medication. Viagra works by blocking the flow of blood OUT of the penis and can start to work as soon as 30 minutes after taking it. Viagra does have some common side effects including facial flushing, headache and indigestion.

Cialis is another commonly prescribed medication for ED. Clinical studies show that 78% of men who have used Cialis were able to have successful intercourse. It can take up to an hour for Cialis to start working. Common side effects from taking Cialis are facial flushing, headache and indigestion, the same as for Viagra.

A third common medication that treats erectile dysfunction is Levitra. Levitra is a prescription drug that has studies showing that up to 80% of men taking the drug reported that they experienced improved erections while taking Levitra. This drug has been used successfully in men with various medical problems. Levitra can take up to an hour to start working. Just as in the other two medications the common side effects are facial flushing, headache and indigestion.

Your doctor may put you on a treatment plan that includes lifestyle changes, therapy, implants, and surgery, medications in any combination or just one of the above. Your treatment plan will be tailored to your age, symptoms, and cause of the ED and severity of it. If medications are a part of your plan they may come in the form of oral or injectable. Your doctor will discuss the method as well as instructions about drug interactions and side effects.

As you work your treatment plan, it will be important to notify your doctor about any side effects you experience, the duration and the severity of the side effect, even if the side effect is a common one. Your doctor may be able to adjust the dosage, or change medication.

Medications used for ED can be given orally, injected into the penis or inserted into the tip of the urethra (tip of the penis).

Viagra, Cialis and Levitra are all phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors. These drugs all relax the smooth muscles of the penis in order to increase the flow of blood. These medications can only improve the response to sexual stimulation; they cannot trigger an automatic erection like injections do.

The recommended dose for Viagra is higher than Levitra or Cialis but can be adjusted up or down. No PDE medication should be used more than once per day. Men who take nitroglycerin or any other nitrate-based drug should NOT take PDE inhibitors as the combination of the two drugs could cause a severe drop in blood pressure.

As with any medication it is important to read the information pamphlet that accompanies the medication, follow any instructions your doctor or pharmacist gives you and ask questions if you are unsure about dosage or anything regarding the medication.

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