Oral ED Treatments

Oral treatment options for erectile dysfunction

• Levitra (vardenafil), Staxyn (vardenafil), Stendra (avanafil) and Viagra (sildenafil)-
  1. These medications are taken by mouth 30 minutes to one hour before sexual activity.  The medication will not automatically give you an erection but will increase/improve your natural erection.  You must have sexual stimulation to allow the medication to work.  It may take up to 6 tries of the medication for it to begin to work.  These medications may not work as well if taken with fatty food or alcohol, particularly Viagra.
  2. These medications will work for between 4-8 hours.
  3. Do not take this medication with nitrates such as nitroglycerin or isosorbide di-nitrate (Imdur).
• Cialis (tadalafil) as needed-
  1. This medication is taken by mouth two hours before sexual activity.  The medication will not give you an erection but will increase/improve your natural erection.  You must have sexual stimulation to allow the medication to work.  It may take up to 6 tries of the medication for it to begin to work.  
  2. This medication will work for between 36-48 hours.
  3. Do not take this medication with nitrates such as nitroglycerin or isosorbide di-nitrate (Imdur).
• Cialis (tadalafil) daily-
  1. This medication works similar to Cialis as described above.  When taking the Cialis daily, the medication does not need to be two hours before sexual activity.  This medication should be taken at the same time each day regardless of sexual activity.  
  2. Another benefit of daily Cialis is that is can improve urination and treat BPH (enlarged prostate).  In many cases, daily Cialis will allow men to urinate less, get up to urinate at night less, improve the strength of their stream and decrease the urgency with which they have to get to the bathroom.  
  3. Do not take this medication with nitrates such as nitroglycerin or isosorbide di-nitrate (Imdur). 
• Side effects of each of these medications
  1. Headache, dizziness, facial flushing, upset stomach, back ache (tadalafil), blue vision (sildenafil), low blood pressure, hearing changes, vision changes
  2. Overall these medications are very safe when taken appropriately.  I have reviewed the FDA data on these medications in the past and the risks of heart attack or stroke is thankfully low.  
  3. Cost is an issue with many of these medications.  Dr. Lowe can assist in helping patients as they find ways to make this a cost effective treatment for erectile dysfunction.  

Treatments to consider if Cialis, Levitra or Viagra are not working:

Please see the section on erectile dysfunction and penile prosthetics

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