Erectile dysfunction is a problem that the vast majority of men have to face. And age doesn’t matter here. Of course, mature and elderly men have erectile problems much more often, although young 20-30-year-old men also have to deal with them quite often. Currently, there are reliable and effective medications for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). The most popular ED drugs are Viagra, Cialis and Levitra. What do they have in common and how do they differ?
A large-scale clinical study on erectile dysfunction showed that its prevalence among men aged 70 years and older is 67%, at the age of 40-70 years – 52%. At the same time, certain potency problems are quite common in men aged 30-40 years – in 39% of cases.
Mel potency disorders – not impotence, but erectile dysfunction
First of all, it is necessary to focus on the fact that erectile dysfunction is not a disease that finally and irrevocably leads to the cessation of sexual life. This is confirmed by the fact that the term “impotence” has left the lexicon of doctors for a long time, and another one is used instead – “erectile dysfunction”.
The use of the term “dysfunction” indicates that this is not the final cessation of male sexual function but only its violation. This is also confirmed by the fact that in most cases properly selected treatment can help you achieve a hard and lasting erection, allowing you to have a full-fledged sexual intercourse.
Usually, erectile dysfunction is treated with phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE-5 inhibitors): Viagra, Cialis, Levitra.
PDE-5 inhibitors – best treatment for erectile dysfunction
PDE-5 inhibitors are currently the first-line drugs for the treatment of ED. They are used to treat male potency disorders caused by both physical and psychological factors.
To date, there are many drugs from the class of PDE-5 inhibitors. However, the most studied and commonly used are sildenafil (brand name Viagra), tadalafil (brand name Cialis), and vardenafil (brand name Levitra). In addition, there are quite a few generics that use these substances as active ingredients.
Viagra was the first drug to appear in pharmacies around the world. Its active ingredient – sildenafil -was developed by Pfizer. Initially, it was focused on the treatment of angina pectoris. But during clinical tests, it became clear that the medicine copes poorly with this function. And at the same time, its positive effect on male potency was discovered. In 84% of cases, the user got a hard erection after administration.
After the huge triumph of sildenafil, scientists continued to work on the creation of new drugs for treating ED. The well-known company Bayer developed a new active ingredient – vardenafil. Levitra lasts e a little longer than other ED drugs. Most users also note its softer effect on the body.
Cialis was the last of the trio. It was developed by Eli Lilly. The drug is based on the substance tadalafil, which has a very long period of action. In 2003, the medicine went on sale in the United States. Cialis is the only remedy that is allowed to be used daily. In some cases, it is also used to combat benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Levitra, Cialis and Viagra have an identical principle of action. They work by blocking an enzyme known as phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) in the corpus cavernosum. By inhibiting PDE5, nitric oxide molecules are better able to bind to muscles in the corpus cavernosum, allowing them to relax and increase the flow of blood into the penis. This results in a hard and long-lasting erection.
It is worth noting that all three drugs are quite similar in their main features, effectiveness and safety profile. Although they have significant differences in some respects. How are they similar and how are they different? We will try to answer these questions by comparing Viagra, Cialis and Levitra.
Viagra vs Cialis vs Levitra: a detailed comparison
- Onset of action. This indicator is approximately the same for all three drugs. They begin to work after 25-30 minutes, and the maximum level of action is reached after 30-60 minutes.
- Duration of action. Cialis is the longest-lasting drug, it lasts for up to 36 hours. Viagra and Levitra work for 4-5 hours.
- Effectiveness. The effectiveness of all three drugs is approximately equal – about 85% (according to various sources, from 80% to 87%). Although some sources indicate a higher efficiency of Cialis (up to 89.2%).
- Compatibility with food. Fatty food reduces the absorption of sildenafil by about a third and, accordingly, the concentration of the drug in plasma decreases. If the fat content in the dish is more than 50%, the rate of absorption of vardenafil also decreases, if the fat content is not more than 30%, then this does not affect the pharmacokinetics of vardenafil in any way. The action of tadalafil is not affected by food.
- Compatibility with alcohol. Viagra and Cialis are not recommended to be taken with alcohol, or rather, it is not recommended to abuse it. It is allowed to combine these pills with a small amount of alcohol (100 g of vodka, 0.5 l of wine or 0.7 l of beer). The use of Levitra has no restrictions regarding the simultaneous use of alcoholic beverages.
- Side effects. PDE5 inhibitors can affect the nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory system, organ of vision, and mucous membranes. All three drugs have may cause similar adverse reactions: muscle pain, back pain, nasal congestion, headache, hot flashes, dyspepsia.
To make it easier for you to evaluate all the pros and cons of Viagra, Cialis and Levitra, as well as their common features and differences, we have collected all this information in a table.
| Active substance | Viagra (sildenafil) | Cialis (tadalafil) | Levitra (vardenafil) |
| Standard dosage | 100 mg | 20 mg | 20 mg |
| Maximum daily dosage | 200 mg | 40 mg | 40 mg |
| Effect | Hard and lasting erection | Hard and lasting erection | Hard and lasting erection |
| Duration | 4-6 hours | up to 36 hours | 10-12 hours |
| How long does it take the drug to work | 40-55 minutes | 30-60 minutes | 30 minutes |
| Compatibility with alcohol | Not compatible | Not compatible | Compatible |
| Sexual stimulation | Required | Required | Required |
| Side effects | In 7% of cases: a runny nose, redness of the skin, nasal congestion | Not noted in 98% of cases | Not noted in 97% of cases |
| Addiction | No | No | No |
| Effect on hormonal levels | No | No | No |
| Min. price in Trusted Tablets | $0.34 per pill | $1.00 per pill | $0.94 per pill |
| Conclusion | The first erection enhancement drug in the world | Popular for its long-lasting effect and lack of side effects, known as the “weekend pill” | The golden mean between Viagra and Cialis in terms of duration; has no side effects |
Viagra vs Cialis vs Levitra: release forms
You can buy Viagra in our pharmacy in various dosages (25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg), as well as generics – sildenafil preparations produced by other manufacturers under other brands.
Cialis is usually available in four forms of release – tablets of 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg and 20 mg of tadalafil (packs of 4, 8, 12, 28 tablets).
Vardenafil is produced in the form of tablets of 10 mg and 20 mg in packs of 4 and 12 pieces.
All the three ED drugs presented in our online pharmacy are supplied by reliable manufacturers and distributors, so you can be sure of their high quality, efficiency and safety. Generic drugs are produced in compliance with the required formulation and the strictest GMP standards, so they are quite comparable in their effectiveness to the original drugs. We will deliver the drugs to anywhere in the world.
Viagra, Levitra, Cialis: similar features
All drugs have a similar main function – they strengthen an erection and raise confidence in the upcoming sexual intercourse. Viagra, Cialis and Levitra are available in a convenient dosage form – tablets or jelly. The main similar features of ED drugs are:
- Drugs will not work if you are not sexually aroused.
- Drugs are taken in advance, before sexual intimacy.
- The disintegration of drugs occurs due to liver enzymes, therefore, taking any drug with liver disease is dangerous.
Also, Viagra, Cialis and Levitra have similar contraindications for use:
- joint use with drugs containing nitrates, nitric oxide donors;
- hypersensitivity to active components;
- female sex;
- minor age;
- trauma to the penis;
- cardiovascular, hepatic, renal insufficiency;
- joint use with indinavir, erythromycin.
Popular ED drugs: pros and cons
| Viagra (sildenafil) | Cialis (tadalafil) | Levitra (vardenafil) | |
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How to choose the right pill to treat ED
Pharmacies offer a fairly rich selection of ED drugs. The most suitable remedy can be determined by a medical specialist.
First of all, you must select the drug in accordance with the purpose. For a slow effect and a short result, choose Viagra. To get a longer effect, pay attention to Cialis. Both drugs are suitable for rare use, but if the problem needs to be solved on an ongoing basis, it is recommended to use Levitra. This medicine has less pronounced side effects and is also tolerated better than other drugs.
The choice is also influenced by the release form. Ordinary pills last longer and affect the work of the digestive tract. If you need a quick result and a gentle action, you should choose tablets marked “soft” or in the form of jelly.
Which is better: Viagra Cialis or Levitra? User reviews
Below are some of the most recent reviews posted by consumers on the net:
Melvin: “Some time ago I noticed erection problems, so I started using Viagra. However, I did not get the desired result. I decided to try other ED pills: Cialis and Levitra. I tried both drugs, and Levitra somehow worked better for me, so now I use it. ”
John: “I have been using Viagra for 5 years, but only as needed. Recently I had to look for a drug for frequent use. I decided to try the advertised medicine – Cialis Daily. The results were very pleasing, but I didn’t need such a long-lasting effect, so I opted for Levitra Soft. I was quite satisfied with the effectiveness and duration!!”
Mike: “I prefer Cialis. Love its action. Lasts about 1 day, I have enough love for the night.”
Robert: “Had good experiences with Levitra on special nights when I wanted a firm erection. Last weekend I decided to try Cialis for a longer-lasting erection. The result was worse than that of Levitra – possibly because I had eaten fatty food and drank a few glasses of wine…”
Stephen: “I have been using Viagra for about 10 years. It works fine for me with no side effects. One 50 mg tablet gives me a hard erection for about 5 hours. The main thing is to always take it on an empty stomach. I discovered that if I eat too much, the pill does not work as well.”
Brian: “Levitra is the best drug for me! I am 58 and have moderate erectile dysfunction. For several years I have tried various drugs and only Levitra gives the desired result. It makes my erections hard and lasting. Side effects are minor: in a few cases, this drug caused back and hip pain. Good news is that the pain is dosage-related. After experimenting, I have found that 5mg of vardenafil is a perfect dosage for me.”
Michael: “For a year I was having erections that were not hard enough for penetration. Cialis helped me solve the problem. Really amazing results. Within an hour of taking a 10mg tablet, my erection becomes really hard and not have to worry! Now I enjoy sex again. It also makes my orgasms and ejaculation much more intense.”
John: “I use Viagra whatever necessary. I recommend starting with 25mg. If that isn’t working then switch to 50mg next time. It takes about 30 minutes to work. Do not take MORE than necessary. It will just give you a headache. It is a perfect drug for me, the effect is always instant and lasts for about 6 hours.”
Diego: “Viagra actually worked, it is the most effective drug to increase potency and i would highly recommend it to all men who want to boost their sexual performance.”
Oliver: “I use Cialis Daily almost every day. I take it regularly in the morning, and I have no issues. It won’t last for at least 2 days if you don’t take it daily. With this medicine, you can maintain an erection for as long as you want it, from 30 minutes to several hours! Highly recommended!”