{"id":10741,"date":"2016-07-15T04:16:18","date_gmt":"2014-07-15T04:16:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.viamedic.com\/blog\/?p=1811"},"modified":"2018-12-19T15:30:50","modified_gmt":"2018-12-19T15:30:50","slug":"how-long-do-male-impotence-medications-last","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.edrugstore.com\/blog\/erectile-dysfunction\/how-long-do-male-impotence-medications-last\/","title":{"rendered":"How Long Do Male Impotence Medications Last?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Make sure the ED drug you\u2019re using has the right duration of action to meet your needs. Different medications have different half-lives, and your sexual needs can determine which one is right for you.\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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For men who suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED), the medication they choose to overcome their condition depends to a large extent on just when they expect to engage in sexual activity.<\/p>\n

Although all of the FDA-approved impotence drugs work in much the same way, they come in varying strengths, and their duration of effectiveness varies from a low of about four hours to as much as 36 hours or slightly more.<\/p>\n

Viagra Was the First<\/h3>\n

Viagra, the granddaddy of ED medications, was approved by the FDA in March 1998. The drug revolutionized the treatment of erectile dysfunction not only in the United States but around the world as well.<\/p>\n

Sildenafil citrate, the active ingredient in Viagra, was the first of the so-called PDE5 inhibitors, which earned their name through their ability to temporarily block the effects of an enzyme known as phosphodiesterase-5. The PDE5 enzyme compromises blood flow to the penis, which is essential to achieve an erection.<\/p>\n

Drugs Won\u2019t Cure You<\/h3>\n

In any discussion of the PDE5 inhibitors, it should be noted that none of these drugs can cure impotence. However, they have all proven their ability to temporarily restore normal or near-normal erectile function to men who have lost that ability due primarily to physiological causes.<\/p>\n

In a head-to-head comparison of the first three PDE5 inhibitors (Viagra, Levitra, Cialis) to be approved for sale in the United States, eMedExpert.com<\/a> estimates Viagra\u2019s duration of action at four to five hours. The drug, which is available in 25-, 50-, and 100-milligram tablets, should be taken at least 30 minutes before sexual activity. It can take up to 60 minutes to become fully effective. Taking your Viagra tablet with a meal — particularly a high-fat meal — can somewhat delay the onset of its action.<\/p>\n

No Spontaneous Erections<\/h3>\n

Under normal circumstances, Viagra and the other drugs in the PDE5 family don\u2019t cause erections in and of themselves. Rather, they temporarily optimize blood flow to the penis so that feelings of sexual desire can give rise to erection, allowing otherwise impotent men to engage in sexual activity.<\/p>\n

In mid-August 2003, the FDA approved Levitra, the second PDE5 inhibitor to hit the U.S. market. Originally, it was co-marketed by Bayer Pharmaceuticals, GlaxoSmithKline, and Schering-Plough. The active ingredient in Levitra is vardenafil. The drug is available in tablets of 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 milligrams. The usual starting dose is 10 milligrams, which can then be adjusted upward or downward depending on how well it works.<\/p>\n

Levitra is very similar to Viagra in both onset of action — 25 to 60 minutes for Levitra — and duration of action — four to five hours, according to eMedExpert. In another similarity to Viagra, Levitra\u2019s onset of action can be delayed somewhat if the drug is taken concurrently with a high-fat meal.<\/p>\n

An Orally Soluble Drug<\/h3>\n

Levitra\u2019s manufacturers in 2010 won approval to market another formulation of vardenafil called Staxyn. Staxyn is an orosoluble tablet, meaning that it dissolves quickly under the tongue of the user and can be taken without water. Staxyn is sold in 10-milligram orosoluble tablets only. Onset of action takes up to 60 minutes, and most users estimate its duration of action at four to five hours, although some say the drug\u2019s effects last up to six hours for them.<\/p>\n

Cialis was the third of the PDE5 inhibitors to win FDA approval, getting its nod from the regulatory agency in November 2003, five years and eight months after Viagra\u2019s introduction. The active ingredient in Cialis is tadalafil.<\/p>\n

The \u2018Weekend Pill\u2019<\/h3>\n

In the form in which it was originally marketed (now known as Cialis for Use as Needed), Cialis stands apart from the rest of the impotence drugs because it is by far the longest lasting, boasting a duration of action of up to 36 hours, according to eMedExpert. Nicknamed the \u201cweekend pill\u201d because of its long-lasting effectiveness, Cialis for Use as Needed is available in tablets of 10 and 20 milligrams. Taking the drug with food does not appear to delay onset of action, which ranges from 15 to 45 minutes after the drug is taken.<\/p>\n

In the years since the 2003 debut of Cialis, manufacturer Eli Lilly and Company has introduced a different formulation of the drug, which is marketed as Cialis for Daily Use. As its name indicates, the drug is designed to be taken daily. If taken as directed, the drug is supposed to allow the user to engage in sexual activity whenever the moment is right. Cialis for Daily Use is available in 2.5- and 5-milligram tablets.<\/p>\n

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Cialis is known for its long half-life (and it’s iconic TV ads featuring outdoor bathtubs).<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Stendra Approved in 2012<\/h3>\n

In May 2012 the FDA approved Stendra for sale as an impotence medication. Avanafil is Stendra\u2019s active ingredient, and the drug belongs to the same family of PDE5-inhibiting medications that includes Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, and Staxyn. Stendra is marketed in the United States by Auxillium under an agreement with Vivus Pharmaceuticals, which developed the drug and continues to manufacture it.<\/p>\n

Stendra is relatively fast acting, taking effect within 15 to 30 minutes after it is taken. Stendra is available in tablets of 50, 100, and 200 milligrams. The normal starting dose is 100 milligrams. Based on how effective and well tolerated the drug is at that strength, your doctor can adjust your dose down to 50 milligrams or up to 200 milligrams as needed.<\/p>\n

Lasts for 4 to 6 Hours<\/h3>\n

Stendra\u2019s duration of action ranges from four to six hours. The medication can be taken with or without food, and no more than one Stendra tablet should be taken in a 24-hour period.<\/p>\n

Because all of the PDE5 inhibitors belong to the same class of drugs and are very similar in chemical structure, they have many side effects in common. Most of these side effects are mild and tend to disappear as your system adjusts to the drug. Among their more common side effects are dizziness, flushing, headache, indigestion, and runny or stuffy nose.<\/p>\n

More Serious Side Effects<\/h3>\n

For a small number of patients, the use of these impotence medications may cause more serious adverse reactions. These include a temporary loss of hearing or vision or an erection that lasts for more than four hours. If you experience one of these more serious side effects, you should see a medical professional immediately.<\/p>\n

While the vast majority of men seem to tolerate these ED drugs with little or no problem, they are not suitable for everyone and should never be taken without first consulting a doctor who is familiar with your medical history and any underlying health diseases or disorders you might have. If you recently had a heart attack or suffer from advanced congestive heart failure, your doctor may advise you against engaging in any form of sexual activity, in which case these drugs are clearly not for you.<\/p>\n

Effects on Blood Pressure<\/h3>\n

To work their magic, PDE5 inhibitors temporarily promote strong blood flow to the penis by dilating or expanding the blood vessels that supply the penis. During this period, your overall blood pressure drops as these vessels expand to promote circulation. This blood pressure-lowering effect is incompatible with other drugs that have similar effects.<\/p>\n

Thus, PDE5 inhibitors should never be taken at the same time as nitrate-based drugs, which also dramatically lower blood pressure and are used widely in the treatment of angina and some forms of hypertension. Taken together, these drugs could cause a life-threatening drop in blood pressure.<\/p>\n

Prescription Required<\/h3>\n

None of these drugs is available in the United States without a prescription. If you have a prescription from your doctor and would like to order one of the PDE5 inhibitors online, eDrugstore.com<\/a> supplies all brands of FDA-approved impotence drugs, all of which are sourced from U.S.-licensed pharmacies. eDrugstore.com<\/a> now offers FDA-approved generics for Viagra and Cialis as well. You can fax or scan and email your doctor\u2019s prescription to eDrugstore.com<\/a> at the same time that you place your online order. If you don\u2019t already have a prescription, eDrugstore.com<\/a> can arrange an online consultation with one of its network of contract physicians. This service is provided free of charge. To facilitate such a consultation, you will need to fill out a medical questionnaire that covers your medical history and current complaints of sexual dysfunction. Visit eDrugstore.com<\/a> to start your order today!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Make sure the ED drug you\u2019re using has the right duration of action to meet your needs. Different medications have different half-lives, and your sexual needs can determine which one is right for you.\u00a0   For men who suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED), the medication they choose to overcome their condition depends to a large […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":25910,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_autoblog_aioseo_focus_keyphrase":"","_autoblog_aioseo_title":"","_autoblog_aioseo_description":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10741","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-erectile-dysfunction"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t