Beyond the Blue Pill: Alternatives to Viagra for ED

Highlights 

• Viagra has been the most popular ED treatment since its 1998 FDA approval.

• Newer PDE5 inhibitors like Cialis, vardenafil, and Stendra are viable Viagra alternatives for many men.

• While some herbal substances have scientific evidence that they can help with erectile dysfunction, none have FDA approval for safety and efficacy.

• Some over-the-counter Viagra alternatives have no effect, and others can even be dangerous.

• Stick to FDA-approved ED medications from reputable and trusted sources. 

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Some form of erectile dysfunction affects more than 50% of men between the ages of 40 and 70, and some even younger. The older you are, the more likely you are to see erectile dysfunction affect your quality of life.

Viagra is the best-known FDA-approved treatment for ED. There are Viagra alternatives, however, that may work even better than Viagra, depending on the specifics of your condition.

Sildenafil citrate, the active compound in Viagra, has been the go-to erectile dysfunction medication since 1998. Researchers have been busy developing new solutions since, and they have created a handful of FDA-approved medications that have proven to be good Viagra alternatives for many men.

Overview of ED Medications and Viagra Alternatives

Viagra and other scientifically proven ED medications belong to a class of medications called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. They work by blocking the action of the PDE5 enzyme on cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP).

Upon sexual arousal, the body releases nitric oxide to relax the smooth muscles of the penis. Relaxation allows for more blood to flow into the spongy tissue of the penis, enabling an erection. Nitric oxide stimulates cGMP production to achieve smooth muscle relaxation.

Following the boost, PDE5 begins to break down cGMP. With PDE5 blocked, high cGMP levels persist, maintaining smooth muscle relaxation and leading to stronger, longer-lasting erections.

Having achieved almost legendary status following its discovery, Viagra is the best-known erectile dysfunction treatment. However, other options are available to treat ED.

Comparing ED Medications

If you struggle with ED, your doctor may prescribe Viagra, Cialis, vardenafil, or Stendra, depending on how your body reacts to PDE5 inhibitors.

Viagra

Pfizer’s UK-based scientists discovered Viagra in the 1990s. Initially, they tested sildenafil for chest pain and high blood pressure. During the trials, they found that the new drug improved patients’ erectile function.

The FDA approved Viagra for erectile function in March 1998. It became the best ED treatment instantly and gained popularity everywhere.

A reason for Viagra’s popularity was its quick onset and suitability as an on-demand erection-boosting solution. It only takes Viagra 30-60 minutes to act, and its effects last for two to three hours.

As with all medications, however, Viagra is not without side effects. The most serious can include:

• Sudden vision loss in one or both eyes
• Sudden hearing loss
• A painful, persistent erection (priapism)

These effects are rare, however. The more common side effects of Viagra include:

• Digestive problems
• Headaches
• Flushing
• Stuffy nose
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Back pain
• Rash

For more information about all known side effects of Viagra, read The Comprehensive Guide to Viagra and Sildenafil Side Effects.

Cialis

Invented in the early 1990s, tadalafil is another PDA5 inhibitor initially intended to treat heart and blood vessel conditions. Like Viagra, it proved to be a winner on the ED front. The FDA approved it for erectile dysfunction in 2003.

Cialis begins to exert its effects in about 30 minutes following ingestion. Its erection-boosting effects last for up to 36 hours. After you take it, you’re ready to respond to sexual stimulation with an impressive erection for an entire weekend.

Cialis’ long duration means you can take it in lower doses daily to ensure that you’re ready to have sex around the clock. For on-demand use, the Cialis dose is 10-20 milligrams. For daily use, the dose is 2.5 milligrams.

Like Viagra, Cialis’ possible severe side effects include:

• Vision changes or loss of vision
• Loss of hearing
• Priapism

Cialis’ more common potential side effects include:

• Headache
• Back pain
• Indigestion
• Muscle pains
• Stuffy nose
• Flushing

Due to its lower dosage, Cialis’ side effects tend to be less intense than Viagra’s. If Viagra’s side effects bother you, consider Cialis as an alternative. On the downside, Cialis’ side effects may last longer.

Vardenafil (formerly Levitra)

Vardenafil is the generic form of Levitra and Staxyn. The brand-name versions have been discontinued by the manufacturer, but generic vardenafil is still available.

Vardenafil typically starts boosting your erection within 15-30 minutes. Its effects last for up to four hours.

Vardenafil’s possible severe side effects are similar to other PDE5 inhibitors:

• Sudden changes in vision
• Loss of vision
• Loss of hearing
• Painful, prolonged erections that require medical attention

Its more common and less severe potential side effects include:

• Dizziness
• Indigestion
• Stuffy nose
• Flushing
• Back pain
• Headache

Vardenafil may have fewer side effects than Viagra, and the side effects may be milder, depending on your sensitivity. If you need a fast-acting, on-demand erection booster, vardenafil may be a better option for you. The medication may start acting in as little as 10 minutes.

Stendra

Stendra (avanafil) is the newest PDE5 inhibitor. The FDA approved it for erectile dysfunction in 2012.

A second-generation PDE5 inhibitor, avanafil can start acting in 15 minutes. Its effects can last for five hours. It is a great option for on-demand erection boosting.

How does Stendra compare with Viagra? According to user feedback at drugs.com, many patients feel it doesn’t work as well as Viagra.

However, other sources point to avanafil being more effective for ED than sildenafil.

Stendra’s more common possible side effects are:

• Headache
• Nasal congestion
• Flushing
• Back pain

Its less common but more severe possible side effects include:

• Priapism
• Vision loss
• Hearing loss

If Viagra’s side effects bother you, you may want to consider Stendra as an alternative. Individual sensitivities to drugs differ; your body may tolerate Stendra better. One potential drawback: Avanafil, the active ingredient in Stendra, is not yet available as a generic medication.

Generic Alternatives to Viagra

Drug patents last 10-20 years, allowing the companies that create them to recover their research and development costs. After patents expire, other pharmaceutical companies can make generic equivalents, pushing the price down.

The inventors retain the rights over the brand-name versions, but the generic equivalents typically work just as well for a fraction of the cost.

Name-brand Medication	Generic Equivalent
Viagra	sildenafil
Cialis	tadalafil
Levitra (discontinued)	vardenafil
Staxyn (discontinued)	vardenafil

The patents on Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, and Staxyn have all expired, so these are all available in more-affordable generic versions.

Because the patent on Staxyn has not expired, its active ingredient, avanafil, is not yet available as a generic.

“Natural” Remedies and Male Enhancement Products

There has never been a shortage of purported natural Viagra alternatives. Even before Viagra, we had erectile dysfunction remedies, from herbal concoctions to animal organs. Viagra is far from being the first ED remedy, but it’s the first one that’s scientifically proven to be safe and effective.

Despite the existence of scientifically proven ED drugs, the market for dubious sexual enhancement products has never been larger. The internet poured more snake oil on the fire, allowing swindlers everywhere to peddle their herbal supplements for ED to a global audience.

From over-the-counter Viagra alternatives to herbal supplements, gas station pills, and proprietary blends with “secret” ingredients, you can buy everything online. Most of these products do little or nothing. Some, however, may hurt you.

The FDA keeps a list of male enhancement products that have been laced with hidden and potentially dangerous ingredients not disclosed on the labels. Counterfeit Viagra has even been found to contain rat poison.

Unregulated medication is never a solution to any problem. FDA-approved ED pills are all available by prescription only. If someone sells you “Viagra” without a prescription, you’re likely dealing with a fake ED medication.

Invasive ED Treatment Options

For some men, ED pills don’t do the trick. If you have stubborn ED that doesn’t respond to medication, you may need to explore other options. Here are the most common invasive ED treatments that can help when pills fail.

Intraurethral Suppositories (MUSE)

MUSE stands for medicated urethral system for erection. It’s alprostadil (same as Caverject and Edex) in pellet form. You insert it into your urethra, and it dissolves to boost blood flow to your penis and give you an erection.

Possible side effects include:

• Pain or burning sensation in your penis
• Minor bleeding from your urethra

Penile Injections

Injectable alprostadil ED medication (Caverject, Edex) and other injectables like papaverine and phentolamine go straight into your penis. You stick a needle into the side or base of your penis and deliver the medication that relaxes smooth muscles and widens blood vessels.

Believe it or not, t’s not as bad as it sounds, but there are side effects to consider, including:

• Pain and bruising at the injection site
• Scarring of penile tissue
• Priapism (a persistent, painful erection that can last more than four hours and cause permanent penile damage)

Penile Pumps (Vacuum Erection Devices)

A penile pump consists of a plastic cylinder that goes over your penis, a hand- or battery-powered pump to create a vacuum that pulls blood into your penis, and an elastic ring that goes around the base of your penis once it’s erect.

Penile pumps can cause:

• Bruising
• Cold sensation at the tip of your penis
• Numbness

Penile Implants – A Surgical Solution

If your ED is so severe that nothing else works, penile implants can be a viable solution. Implants are either inflatable or semi-rigid.

Inflatable implants consist of a pump, a reservoir, and two cylinders. You create an erection by activating the pump that transfers fluid from the reservoir to the cylinders, making your penis erect.

Semi-rigid implants are bendable rods that allow you to manually adjust your penis for sex.

Penile implants require surgery, so there are risks involved, including:

• Infection
• Erosion of the implant through your skin
• Device malfunction that may require additional surgeries

Which Option Is Right for You?

Injectable alprostadil is the most common second-line treatment for ED when pills don’t produce results. Injectables and suppositories act locally, so they may have fewer side effects than ED pills.

If you want to avoid sticking needles into your penis, a pump can be an option. Penile implants are usually the last resort.

Even though ED pills are the least invasive treatment option, you should consider the alternatives if ED medication isn’t giving you the results you want. Discuss your options with a doctor to determine which solution is right for you.

Considerations When Choosing an ED Medication

While some men may have to resort to invasive treatment options to treat their ED, the good news is that FDA-approved phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors are safe and effective choices for most men.

However, you do have options, so consider your choices thoughtfully.

For optimal results, you need personalized ED treatment. Your doctor understands the factors that influence your erectile function. Doctors consider your lifestyle, underlying health conditions, possible ED causes, overall health, etc.

Only a healthcare professional can determine which medication to prescribe and provide you with the prescription you need to buy your medication legally.

And while authorities can’t rein in the counterfeit ED medication industry, there are things you can do to avoid ingesting rat poison instead of Viagra:

• Only buy scientifically backed, FDA-approved medications.
• Be aware that all FDA-approved ED pills are available by prescription only.
• Don’t fall for the “natural alternative” hype.
• Seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
• Educate yourself by exploring this site further for detailed information on ED medications.
• Only buy ED medications from a reputable, trusted source like eDrugstore.

Order ED Medication Confidently from eDrugstore

When you become an eDrugstore client, you can provide your own prescription or get a complimentary consultation with a U.S.-licensed physician, who will write your prescription for you.

We carry only genuine, FDA-approved medications. We deliver quickly, discreetly, and at no extra charge.

Place your order now and get the best available treatment for your erectile dysfunction.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about health and related topics but is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.