Viagra is a pill and Caverject is an injection directly into the penis. For most men, the comparison ends there.
Clinical studies have shown that both Viagra, an oral erectile dysfunction drug, and Caverject, a brand-name form of penile injection therapy, are safe and overwhelmingly effective in men with vascular-related erectile dysfunction. The former is taken in pill form 30 to to 60 minutes before the anticipated start of sexual activity, while the latter involves a self-administered injection of alprostadil, a vasodilating medication, directly into the penile shaft shortly before sex.
If you find the description of Caverject’s implementation a bit cringe-inducing, you’re not alone, although in fairness regular users of penile injection therapy insist that the injection itself causes little, if any pain.
However, one of the side effects reported by some Caverject users is mild to moderate residual pain at the injection site post-injection as well as the possible buildup of scar tissue. Balanced against these relatively mild side effects is Caverject’s rapid onset of action.
Other possible side effects include back pain, dizziness, headache, penile numbness or rash, and runny or stuffy nose. A more serious side effect, although rare, can be an erection that persists for more than four hours, which demands immediate medical attention.
Viagra Much Easier to Take
Viagra and its generic equivalent, sildenafil citrate (Viagra’s active ingredient), are taken orally. Common side effects are generally mild and tend to disappear upon continued use. These are much like those of Caverject and include back pain, dizziness, headache, nausea, runny or stuffy nose, and upset stomach. Like Caverject, Viagra has a few more serious side effects that are possible, including a long-lasting erection and a sudden reduction or loss of hearing and/or vision. If you experience these, seek medical attention immediately.
In a side-by-side comparison of ED medications at Drugs.com, Viagra, sildenafil citrate, and Caverject (not Caverject Impulse) all received 8.0 ratings from consumers who had used the drugs. The ratings for Viagra and sildenafil citrate were derived from the reviews of more than 400 users, while the Caverject rating was based on the reviews of only eight users.
Bottom Line: Given the choice, most men would opt for Viagra or its generic equivalent. However, Viagra doesn’t work for everyone, so Caverject offers an alternative if the little blue pill isn’t effective for you.
Interested in ordering your Viagra or other ED medications online? Check out what eDrugstore.com has to offer by visiting its Erectile Dysfunction page.
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