Until the late 1990s, there were no truly effective oral medications for erectile dysfunction —
the inability to achieve or sustain an adequate erection for sexual activity. The useful drugs that
were available had to be injected into the penis or inserted into the urethra.
Treatment of erectile dysfunction is much easier now, thanks to a class of drugs called phosphodiesterase-5
(PDE-5) inhibitors. The medications — sildenafil (Viagra),
vardenafil (Levitra) and tadalafil
(Cialis) — all
improve erectile function in the same basic way, but they differ in how quickly they take effect and how long
their effects last.
PDE-5 inhibitors do not automatically trigger erections. Sexual stimulation also is needed to start the whole
process. The medications enable a more complete response to sexual stimulation./p>
Many clinical trials have shown that PDE-5 inhibitors improve erectile function regardless of the underlying
cause or causes. Viagra,
Levitra and
Cialis increase the number and quality of erections and sexual experiences
in men with erectile dysfunction due to arteriosclerosis, diabetes, spinal cord injury, depression or the
aftereffects of prostate cancer surgery.
The drugs have slightly different chemical compositions that affect how quickly they work and wear off.
Several factors may affect your choice of medication, including how well your body responds to one drug over
another and how long you want the effects of each dose to last. Talk to your doctor about your options and
personal preferences to help decide which one of these medications might work for you.
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