Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is the inability to get and maintain an erection that is sufficient for satisfactory sexual intercourse and happens when not enough blood flows to the penis.

ED also known as impotence is a very common condition, particularly in older men. It is estimated that half of all men between 40 and 70 years of age will experience ED at least once.

ED isn’t the same for all men. Some men aren’t able to get an erection at all. Others can get one, but it’s not hard enough for sex. And others get a hard erection but lose it before or during sex.

ED is a medical condition. So in most cases, erections will not improve without treatment.

Treatment

If you think you might have ED, there’s something you can do. Get a free consultation from our online doctor or ask your doctor about treatment. Most men with ED can significantly improve their erections. And better erections can mean better sex.

Viagra

Viagra

Viagra is an oral medication for erectile dysfunction. It helps most men with ED improve their erections. That means they are able to achieve harder erections.

Getting an erection is only half the story

Maintaining an erection is just as important as getting one. VIAGRA can help with both. This can lead to a more satisfying sexual experience with your partner.

Who can take Viagra?

Find out if Viagra is right for you. Get a free consultation from our online doctor, or speak to your doctor. He can tell you if you have ED. And can recommend an effective treatment.

Common questions

What is Viagra?

Viagra is a pill used by men to treat erectile dysfunction, or ED. It can help many men who have erectile dysfunction get and keep an erection when they become sexually excited. Viagra is also known by its scientific name, sildenafil citrate.

How does Viagra work?

Viagra is a prescription drug that works by increasing blood flow to the penis. Viagra enables many men with erectile dysfunction to respond to sexual stimulation. When a man is sexually excited, Viagra helps the penis fill with enough blood to cause an erection. After sex is over, the erection goes away.

How long will it take for Viagra to work?

In one study of prior Viagra users that were given a 100-mg tablet 2 hours after eating, it was proven to work in as little as 14 minutes. Viagra remains effective for about 4 hours.

How often can I take Viagra?

For most patients, Viagra can be taken once a day as needed. In patients taking certain protease inhibitors (such as for the treatment of HIV), it is recommended not to exceed a maximum single dose of 25 mg of Viagra in a 48-hour period. As always, please consult with your doctor if you have any questions about taking Viagra.

Can I take Viagra with alcohol and food?

Yes. However, drinking alcohol can temporarily impair the ability to get an erection. To get the best results, it is best not to drink large amounts of alcohol before taking or while taking Viagra.

Viagra can be taken with or without food. When taking Viagra, a fatty meal—like a cheeseburger and fries—can slow your body’s ability to absorb the drug. It may not work as quickly. So eat something with less fat if you can, or give yourself more time.

Can I take Viagra with other medicines?

Tell your doctor about any medicines you are taking. Don't take Viagra if you take nitrates, often prescribed for chest pain, as this may cause a sudden, unsafe drop in blood pressure. If you have prostate problems or high blood pressure for which you take medicines called alpha blockers, your doctor may start you on a lower dose of Viagra. If you are taking protease inhibitors, such as for the treatment of HIV, your doctor may recommend a 25-mg dose and may limit you to a maximum single dose of 25 mg of Viagra in a 48-hour period. Do not start or stop taking any medicines before checking with your doctor or pharmacist. This includes prescription and non-prescription medicines or remedies.

What are the side effects of Viagra?

The most common side effects of Viagra are headache, flushing, upset stomach, and abnormal vision, but there are others. Do not take Viagra if you take nitrates, as it may cause an unsafe drop in blood pressure. Seek immediate medical help for an erection lasting more than 4 hours. And if you experience a sudden decrease in vision or hearing, stop taking Viagra and call your doctor right away.

What if Viagra doesn’t work?

It’s possible that you may need to take Viagra 3 or 4 times before it works for you. Or you may need to try a different dose. Viagra may not be right for every man, but it has proven to be effective in up to 4 out of 5 men with ED. If Viagra isn’t working for you, your best bet may be to speak to your doctor. Remember: always follow your doctor’s instructions closely to get the best results when taking Viagra.

See below for more important safety information on Viagra.

Viagra Safety Information

Don't take VIAGRA if you take nitrates, often prescribed for chest pain, as this may cause a sudden, unsafe drop in blood pressure.

Discuss your general health status with your doctor to ensure that you are healthy enough to engage in sexual activity. If you experience chest pain, nausea, or any other discomforts during sex, seek immediate medical help.

As with any ED tablet, in the rare event of an erection lasting more than 4 hours, seek immediate medical help to avoid long-term injury.

If you are older than age 65, or have serious liver or kidney problems, your doctor may start you at the lowest dose (25 mg) of VIAGRA. If you are taking protease inhibitors, such as for the treatment of HIV, your doctor may recommend a 25-mg dose and may limit you to a maximum single dose of 25 mg of VIAGRA in a 48-hour period.

In rare instances, men taking PDE5 inhibitors (oral erectile dysfunction medicines, including VIAGRA) reported a sudden decrease or loss of vision. It is not possible to determine whether these events are related directly to these medicines or to other factors. If you experience sudden decrease or loss of vision, stop taking PDE5 inhibitors, including VIAGRA, and call a doctor right away.

Sudden decrease or loss of hearing has been rarely reported in people taking PDE5 inhibitors, including VIAGRA. It is not possible to determine whether these events are related directly to the PDE5 inhibitors or to other factors. If you experience sudden decrease or loss of hearing, stop taking VIAGRA and contact a doctor right away.

If you have prostate problems or high blood pressure for which you take medicines called alpha blockers, your doctor may start you on a lower dose of VIAGRA.

VIAGRA does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.

The most common side effects of VIAGRA are headache, facial flushing, and upset stomach. Less commonly, bluish vision, blurred vision, or sensitivity to light may briefly occur.

Cialis

Cialis

Cialis is a prescription medicine taken by mouth for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) in men.

Cialis helps increase blood flow to the penis and may help men with ED get and keep an erection satisfactory for sexual activity. Once a man has completed sexual activity, blood flow to his penis decreases, and his erection goes away.

Some form of sexual stimulation is needed for an erection to happen with Cialis.

Cialis does not:

Cialis is only for men over the age of 18 who have ED, including men with diabetes or who have undergone prostatectomy. CIALIS is not for women or children. Cialis must be used only under a healthcare provider’s care.

Cialis can work for you. That's why CIALIS offers you choices—two different dosing options to meet your individual needs and lifestyle.

The chart below can help you and your doctor decide if a CIALIS option is right for you.

Cialis Safety Information

What Is the most important information I should know about Cialis?

Cialis can cause your blood pressure to drop suddenly to an unsafe level if it is taken with certain other medicines. You could get dizzy, faint, or have a heart attack or stroke.
Do not take Cialis if you take any medicines called nitrates. Nitrates are commonly used to treat angina. Angina is a symptom of heart disease and can cause pain in your chest, jaw, or down your arm.

Medicines called nitrates include nitroglycerin that is found in tablets, sprays, ointments, pastes, or patches. Nitrates can also be found in other medicines such as isosorbide dinitrate or isosorbide mononitrate. Some recreational drugs called “poppers” also contain nitrates, such as amyl nitrite and butyl nitrite.

Tell all of your healthcare providers that you take CIALIS. If you need emergency medical care for a heart problem, it will be important for your healthcare provider to know when you last took CIALIS.

After taking a single tablet, some of the active ingredient of CIALIS remains in your body for more than 2 days. The active ingredient can remain longer if you have problems with your kidneys or liver, or you are taking certain other medications. (See “Can Other Medicines Affect CIALIS?”)
Stop sexual activity and get medical help right away if you get symptoms such as chest pain, dizziness, or nausea during sex. Sexual activity can put an extra strain on your heart, especially if your heart is already weak from a heart attack or heart disease. (See also “What Are The Possible Side Effects Of CIALIS?”)
CIALIS is only for men over the age of 18 who have ED, including men with diabetes or who have undergone prostatectomy. CIALIS is not for women or children. CIALIS must be used only under a healthcare provider’s care.

Who Should Not Take CIALIS?

Do not take CIALIS if you:
take any medicines called nitrates
use recreational drugs called “poppers” like amyl nitrite and butyl nitrite. (See “What Is The Most Important Information I Should Know About CIALIS?”)

What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider Before Taking CIALIS?

CIALIS is not right for everyone. Only your healthcare provider and you can decide if CIALIS is right for you. Before taking CIALIS, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical problems, including if you:
are allergic to CIALIS or any of its ingredients. See the end of this section for a complete list of ingredients in CIALIS.
have heart problems such as angina, heart failure, irregular heartbeats, or have had a heart attack. Ask your healthcare provider if it is safe for you to have sexual activity. You should not take CIALIS if your healthcare provider has told you not to have sexual activity because of your health problems
have low blood pressure or have high blood pressure that is not controlled
have had a stroke
have liver problems
have kidney problems or require dialysis
have retinitis pigmentosa, a rare genetic (runs in families) eye disease
have ever had severe vision loss, including a condition called NAION
have stomach ulcers
have a bleeding problem
have a deformed penis shape or Peyronie’s disease
have had an erection that lasted more than 4 hours
have blood cell problems such as sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, or leukemia

Can Other Medicines Affect CIALIS?

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. CIALIS and other medicines may affect each other. Always check with your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medicines. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take any of the following:*

How Should I Take CIALIS?

Take CIALIS exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes it. Your healthcare provider will prescribe the dose that is right for you. Some men can only take a low dose of CIALIS or may have to take it less often, because of medical conditions or medicines they take.

Do not change your dose or the way you take CIALIS without talking to your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider may lower or raise your dose, depending on how your body reacts to CIALIS and your health condition.

CIALIS may be taken with or without meals.

If you take too much CIALIS, call your healthcare provider or emergency room right away.

There are two ways to take CIALIS:

36-hour CIALIS:

Do not take CIALIS more than one time each day. Take one CIALIS tablet before you expect to have sexual activity. You may be able to have sexual activity at 30 minutes after taking CIALIS and up to 36 hours after taking it. You and your healthcare provider should consider this in deciding when you should take CIALIS before sexual activity. Some form of sexual stimulation is needed for an erection to happen with CIALIS. Your healthcare provider may change your dose of CIALIS depending on how you respond to the medicine, and on your health condition.

OR

CIALIS for daily use:

Do not take CIALIS more than one time each day. Take one CIALIS tablet every day at about the same time of day. You may attempt sexual activity at any time between doses
If you miss a dose, you may take it when you remember but do not take more than one dose per day. Some form of sexual stimulation is needed for an erection to happen with CIALIS. Your healthcare provider may change your dose of CIALIS depending on how you respond to the medicine, and on your health condition.

What Should I Avoid While Taking CIALIS?

What Are The Possible Side Effects Of CIALIS?

(See “What Is The Most Important Information I Should Know About CIALIS?”)
The most common side effects with CIALIS are: headache, indigestion, back pain, muscle aches, flushing, and stuffy or runny nose. These side effects usually go away after a few hours. Men who get back pain and muscle aches usually get it 12 to 24 hours after taking CIALIS. Back pain and muscle aches usually go away within 2 days. Call your healthcare provider if you get any side effect that bothers you or one that does not go away.

Uncommon side effects include:

An erection that won’t go away (priapism). If you get an erection that lasts more than 4 hours, get medical help right away. Priapism must be treated as soon as possible or lasting damage can happen to your penis, including the inability to have erections.

Color vision changes, such as seeing a blue tinge (shade) to objects or having difficulty telling the difference between the colors blue and green.

In rare instances, men taking PDE5 inhibitors (oral erectile dysfunction medicines, including CIALIS) reported a sudden decrease or loss of vision in one or both eyes. It is not possible to determine whether these events are related directly to these medicines, to other factors such as high blood pressure or diabetes, or to a combination of these. If you experience sudden decrease or loss of vision, stop taking PDE5 inhibitors, including CIALIS, and call a healthcare provider right away.

Sudden loss or decrease in hearing, sometimes with ringing in the ears and dizziness, has been rarely reported in people taking PDE5 inhibitors, including CIALIS. It is not possible to determine whether these events are related directly to the PDE5 inhibitors, to other diseases or medications, to other factors, or to a combination of factors. If you experience these symptoms, stop taking CIALIS and contact a healthcare provider right away.

These are not all the possible side effects of CIALIS. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

How Should I Store CIALIS?

General Information About CIALIS:

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for conditions other than those described in patient information leaflets. Do not use CIALIS for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give CIALIS to other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you have. It may harm them.

Levitra

Levitra

LEVITRA is an oral prescription medication for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) in men. It is available in 5-mg, 10-mg, and 20-mg tablets and is taken only when needed. Take LEVITRA no more than once a day.

What LEVITRA does:

Men taking LEVITRA reported having harder erections and greater success at maintaining their erections long enough to have successful sex. A lot of men who took LEVITRA were successful the first time they tried it. It's for the man who needs a little help once in a while and the man who needs more frequent help.


LEVITRA:

LEVITRA is a proven, effective treatment that works for most men. And it has been taken with medications used to treat other common medical conditions (ask your doctor about drug interactions). So why not see your doctor and find out for yourself?

Levitra Safety Information

LEVITRA is a prescription medicine that is used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). Men taking nitrate drugs, often used to control chest pain (also known as angina), should not take LEVITRA. Such combinations could cause blood pressure to drop to an unsafe level.

As with all ED drugs, there is a rare risk of an erection lasting longer than four hours. To avoid long-term injury, seek immediate medical attention. LEVITRA does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases. In rare instances, men taking PDE5 inhibitors (oral erectile dysfunction medicine, including LEVITRA) reported a sudden decrease or loss of vision in one or both eyes, or a sudden loss or decrease in hearing, sometimes with ringing in the ears and dizziness. It is not possible to determine whether these events are related directly to these medicines or to other factors. If you experience any of these symptoms, stop taking PDE5 inhibitors, including LEVITRA, and call a doctor right away.

Discuss your medical conditions, including heart problems, and medications, including alpha blockers prescribed for prostate problems or high blood pressure, with your doctor to ensure LEVITRA is right for you and that you are healthy enough for sexual activity. LEVITRA is not recommended for men with uncontrolled high blood pressure.

Levitra dosing information

The starting dose of LEVITRA is 10 mg taken no more than once per day. Your doctor will decide the dose that is right for you. In patients taking alpha blockers, your doctor may start you on a lower dose of LEVITRA. In patients taking certain medications such as ritonavir, indinavir, saquinavir, atazanavir, ketoconazole, itraconazole, erythromycin and clarithromycin, lower doses of LEVITRA are recommended, and time between doses of LEVITRA may need to be extended.
In clinical trials, the most commonly reported side effects were headache, flushing, and stuffy or runny nose.