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With so many ED medicines out there, how do you choose the best one for you? Well, it helps to know how long the medicine lasts and its cost. In this blog, we give you information on different medicines, how long they last, and how much they may cost so you can make the right decision.
PDE5 inhibitors are common medicines for ED.
They work by increasing blood flow to the penis, helping a man get and keep an erection. Other ED treatments include alprostadil, which goes into the penis or urethra, and testosterone therapy for men with low levels. Treating health issues like heart disease or diabetes can help with ED too. But remember, medicines might not always work for ED and can have side effects.
How long do these medicines last?
A drug’s half-life is how long it takes for half of the medicine to leave your body. For example, if you take a 50mg Viagra pill, after one half-life, there will be about 25mg left in your body.
Half-life shows how long a medicine stays active in your body. ED drugs still work after one half-life but get weaker as they leave your body.
After two or three half-lives, the medicine won’t work anymore.
Here’s the half-life and how long some common ED drugs work:
Viagra (sildenafil) has a 4-5 hour half-life and works for 3-5 hours.
Cialis (tadalafil) has a 17.5 hour half-life and works for up to 36 hours.
Levitra (vardenafil) has a 4-5 hour half-life and works for up to 6 hours.
Stendra (avanafil) has a 3-5 hour half-life and works for up to 6 hours.
Cialis lasts the longest, so it’s good for men who want to treat ED for a few days without taking many pills. Shorter-lasting drugs like Viagra, Levitra, and Stendra are better for one-time use. Cialis can also help with an enlarged prostate. Always talk to your doctor before using any ED medicine.
What is the cost of these medicines?
The price of ED medications like sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, and avanafil can change based on several things.
Dosage: ED medicines come in different doses. A doctor will be able to guide you to the best-suited dosage.
Medication type: Sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, and avanafil have different prices.
Usage: If you take ED medicine daily, it will cost more than if you take it once or twice a week.
Insurance: Some insurance plans cover ED medicine costs, making it cheaper for you.
Brand: ED drugs are sold under brand names like Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra but can also be found as cheaper generic versions.
You need a prescription for these medicines, and they are not available over the counter. There are over-the-counter supplements, but they don’t work as well as prescription drugs.
There are some side effects associated with ED medicines that you should be aware of. Since most ED medications work similarly, they tend to share common side effects. These side effects usually occur while the drugs are active in your body, and in some cases, can last longer than the medication itself, particularly for drugs like tadalafil with a longer half-life.
Frequent side effects of ED medications include:
- Mild headaches, associated with all ED drugs.
- Dizziness, generally not severe, but may cause discomfort or fainting in people with specific health conditions.
- Muscle aches or back pain.
- Nasal congestion or stuffy nose.
- Facial redness, varying from mild to bright red skin, often experienced with sildenafil.
- Vision issues, such as temporary blurry vision and blue-tinged vision.
- Digestive problems like upset stomach, diarrhea, indigestion, and bloating, which can be worsened by alcohol, caffeine, carbonated drinks, and dairy products.
- Indigestion (dyspepsia).
- Stuffy or runny nose (rhinitis).
Remember, any information we give here is not meant to replace a doctor’s advice. This was an effort to help you make a more informed choice and discuss your options with your doctor.
