ED can really make your life difficult. It’s embarrassing, uncomfortable, and prevents you from living your life to the fullest.

Not only does ED make you feel like you’re less of a man, it also has serious impacts on your relationships and quality of life. Who wants to be intimacy-less? Who wants to take an embarrassing trip to the pharmacy every time they need help with their problem?

Don’t let this happen to you! There are lots of medications available that work great for people with ED, so read on!

Best Safest ED Medication

Drugs like Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra are all medications used to treat erectile dysfunction. They are generally safe to use for healthy people in the right doses, but, as with most drugs, they do carry risk of side effects.

All work by improving blood flow to the penis, which allows you to have an erection.

Cialis, in particular, is FDA-approved for daily use in doses of 2.5 or 5 milligrams. So in terms of safety profile, Cialis can be considered one of the safest. It can help to produce erections on demand and also relieve urinary problems, like difficulty starting urination, that result from an enlarged prostate.

How Do They Differ

There are minor differences between the medications in this class, and these differences affect how quickly the medications work, how long they stay in your system, and the potential side effects. Your doctor will consider these factors as well as other conditions you have and possible interactions with other medications you take.

How To Identify The Safest ED Medication

ED can be treated with multiple drugs, but PDE5 inhibitors are the most popular. Pills like Viagra, Cialis, and Sildenafil are PDE5 inhibitors and work pretty much the same way. Of course, they aren’t exactly the same and each one’s combination of ingredients mean different users will respond differently.

The first thing to note is that choosing a pill can also depend on what you want to achieve. Some ED drugs work quickly, some work slowly, and some, depending on the severity of your ED, don’t work at all. So, the pill you choose should be based on what you want to achieve and the type of ED you’re experiencing. 

Another thing is that there are many different ED treatments on the market, and everyone responds to them differently, so what might be the safest for someone won’t necessarily be the safest for another. This means that finding the best one will take time and a little bit of trial and error. Also, it will definitely be a good idea to get yourself physically checked so your doctor can help you determine which ED drug will work for you and produce the least side effects.  

Dosage

Since most ED medicines are in pill form, they are generally to be taken an hour or so before sex. 

Each pill will be effective for a number of hours, and some will even be effective for up to a few days, so the dosage will really depend on the type of ED drug you’re taking. 

How They’re Taken

The easiest way to take ED pills is to swallow them whole an hour or so before sex. In the case of Levitra and Viagra, you’ll want to take the pill on an empty stomach or after a low fat meal. Most pills will dissolve quickly, but some may need to be taken without food or with a fast-acting liquid like a carbonated beverage for best results.

Viagra (Sildenafil). This medication works best when taken on an empty stomach an hour before sex. For those with mild ED, it can remain effective for around four to five hours after taking it.

Levitra (Vardenafil). This is best taken one hour before sex, with or without food. A high-fat meal might keep it from absorbing quickly, so if you need an erection fast, you’re probably better off avoiding high-fat meals after popping the pill. Levitra is effective for four to five hours or more after you’ve taken it, but a new form of the drug that dissolves on the tongue works faster.

Tadalafil (Cialis). Cialis is a prescription medication that is used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). This medication can be taken in a small dose daily or in a larger dose as needed.

Avanafil (Stendra). Stendra can be taken with or without food, but for best results, it’s best taken 30 minutes before sex. It can remain effective for about 6 hours after it’s taken, depending on the severity of one’s erectile dysfunction.

How Long They Last

For most ED drugs, you can expect to start to feel the effects within 30 minutes. Indeed, this is one of the reasons why they are so popular.

For good measure, however, it’s recommended that you take the pill at least 2 hours before you plan to have sex.

How long effects last will depend on the drug you’re taking. Viagra remains effective up to 4 to 5 hours after you take it, while other drugs, like Cialis, can remain effective for up to 36 hours.

Side Effects

None of the PDE5 inhibitors are selectively directed at the PDE5 enzyme, and most of the side effects occur due to cross-reactivity with other PDE isoenzymes.

Nevertheless, the adverse outcomes encountered with the use of PDE5 inhibitors rarely leads to their discontinuation. While PDE5 Is have been associated with a number of side effects, they are often mild and will go away after the drug exits the body.

Side effects may include: changes in vision, sudden loss of vision, and prolonged or painful erections.

People with heart disease or diabetes are more at risk of getting side effects.

It’s important to tell your doctor if you’re taking other medications or supplements because PDE5 inhibitors may interact with them. They may also interact with alcohol, so people should make their doctor aware if they are taking alcohol or drinking alcohol.

Cost

If you’re paying out of pocket for ED drug therapy, the cost varies considerably depending on the pharmacy’s price and your health plan coverage. Even if your private insurance covers it, you may be limited to only four doses per month.

There are many things you can do to keep costs down, however. Check out pharmacies in your area, as they will have different prices. Using a price comparison tool can help you find the best price. 

Naturally, this is best done with the help of your doctor, as some medications may not be covered by insurance.

Another way to save money is to choose generic medications. While these may not be as effective as brand-name medications, they are often much cheaper. Remember, your doctor can also prescribe you a generic alternative.

What Are The Common Side Effects

PDE5 inhibitors are safe for most people. In fact, studies have shown that PDE5 inhibitors are safe for women, too.

Although the adverse side effects associated with PDE5 inhibitors are usually mild, some are more common than others. Some of these side effects may be avoided by taking the medication as directed. Others, however, may require discontinuation of the medication.

The most common side effect is vision changes. Other common side effects include:

Headache

This type of medication works by increasing the production of nitric oxide, the most common side effect of which is to produce headaches in users.

This side effect is common with all forms of ED medication, so switching brands won’t necessarily alleviate your symptoms. 

Nasal Congestion

Nasal congestion can occur in most ED medications, including Viagra and Levitra. Cialis, however, causes this side effect at a higher rate than the other ED medications.

Fortunately, nasal congestion tends to subside after a few days. Switching from Cialis to shorter-acting drugs like Viagra or Levitra can help decrease the duration of your nasal congestion.

Indigestion

People on ED medication can experience uncomfortable side effects in the digestive system, including indigestion and diarrhea.

One way to avoid this side effect is to avoid caffeine and other sugary drinks before taking the pill.

Vision Changes

If you’re taking ED medications, it’s important to keep in mind that they can affect your vision. If you experience blurred vision, or are having symptoms of prolonged vision loss, you should visit your doctor.

Muscle Pain

Some people report muscle aches and pains throughout their bodies after using ED medication. It’s a side effect of ED pills that isn’t as common as the ones already mentioned, but common enough to mention. Over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication can help in this regard, but if the pain doesn’t go away after a few days, then it might be best to consult your doctor.

How Long Do The Safest ED Pills Take To Work?

Viagra and Levitra are fast-acting ED drugs that can give you an erection within 30 minutes of taking them. They can also be taken at any time of the day or night. Cialis works for up to 36 hours after you take it, so you need to take it at least 2 hours before you plan to have sex.

Drug Interactions

These medications cause blood vessels to dilate, so they shouldn’t be used in combination with medications such as nitrates that cause similar reactions in the body. They should also not be used with blood thinners or anticoagulation medications such as warfarin and enoxaparin. 

Who Shouldn’t Take Even The Safest ED Drugs?

This is a question that your doctor needs to answer for you, but generally, men who have problems with their blood pressure and who take nitrate, alpha-blockers, or anticoagulation medication should avoid using PDE5 inhibitors.

PDE5 inhibitors are also not recommended for those with heart problems, who have a history of heart problems, and who have kidney or liver disease.

Because ED medication can affect vision, they’re also not recommended for use by men who suffer from Retinitis Pigmentosa, which is a group of eye diseases that can lead to eventual vision loss.

Conclusion 

If you’re struggling with ED and are ready to get back in the saddle, the good news is that there are many ED medications available, and your doctor can help you choose the best one for you.

Taking ED medications is a relatively simple process. However, it’s important to know about the possible side effects and side effects of drug interactions before you begin using them. 

With proper guidance, it’s possible to take ED medications safely and effectively.