What can you expect when you use ED medication? The short answer here is: a good time. But what does that entail? Let’s dive in. Mina Rizk, R.Ph. MPharm, a licensed pharmacist in Ontario and British Columbia Canada goes over everything you need to know about ED medication, including how it works, whether its safe, and which type is the most effective for you in this blog post.
What Types of ED Medication Are Available?
There are many erectile dysfunction (ED) medications available on the market. For simplicity, let’s focus on the products Rocky offers: Viagra (Sildenafil) and Cialis (Tadalafil). These medications are part of a family called Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors, which allows your erections to last longer.
The diagram below will explain their mechanism of action but let’s explore what these medications actually mean for your sex life.
ED medication explained
FAQs About Erectile Dysfunction (ED) Medication
Are Erectile Dysfunction Medications Safe?
All medications go through extensive clinical trials and quality checks before getting approved by the FDA and Health Canada. Erectile dysfunction medications are no different, so they are generally considered safe.
The clinical safety and efficacy of Viagra and Cialis is well established which is why they are an excellent treatment option for most men. However, they may not be suitable with certain medical conditions and may sometimes only be used with caution.
For these reasons, men with pre-existing medical conditions may be subject to adverse reactions; some of these conditions are listed here:
- Heart conditions or blood vessel disease
- Sickle Cell Anemia
- Leukemia
- Multiple Myeloma
- Any injury or deformity of the penis
- Low blood pressure or angina
- History of stroke or heart attack
- Liver or kidney problems
- Bleeding conditions that cause ulcers
- Any eye condition causing loss of vision
What Are the Most Common Side Effects?
In general, ED treatment is well tolerated. However if side effects occur, they are usually mild and temporary. Side effects can include headaches, flushed skin, a runny nose and upset stomach. ED medications can also lower blood pressure so let your doctor and pharmacist know if you are on any other blood pressure lowering medication.
Serious side effects such as priapism (a prolonged erection lasting more than 4 hours after stimulation has ended) which can result in permanent damage to your penis if not treated immediately, as well as sudden loss of vision or hearing, can also occur in rare cases.
How Long Do Viagra and Cialis Take to Work and Last?
Viagra usually starts working within 30 to 60 minutes and can last 2 to 4 hours, while Cialis can start working in as little as 30 minutes but may take up to 2 hours and can last 36 hours (this is why it’s often called “the weekend pill”). This can also vary from person to person.
Who Should Not Take/Be Careful When Taking ED Medication?
Men taking nitrates (for chest pain), those with severe heart or liver problems should avoid these medications. Always consult a healthcare provider.
What Are the Benefits of ED Medication?
According to Harvard Health studies, Viagra or Sildenafil and Cialis or Tadalafil both help men with arousal and maintaining erections. This is done by inhibiting PDE-5, and increasing the supply of cGMP, which for many men will allow erections to develop.
What Is the Most Effective Type?
While both Viagra and Cialis are equally effective, there are a few differences, which can be seen in this chart:
| ED MEDICATION | Viagra (Sildenafil) | Cialis (Tadalafil) |
| ON-SET OF ACTION | ~15-30 minutes | ~30-60 minutes |
| DURATION OF ACTION | ~12 hours | ~36 hours |
| DOES FOOD AFFECT ABSORPTION? | Yes *high fat meals delay absorption | No |
| CAN IT BE USED DAILY? | No | Yes *at a lower dose |
So the real question here should be: What is the most effective erectile dysfunction medication for me? The answer to that question tends to depend on how quickly and how long you want your erection to last.
There’s no “one size fits all”, so it should be a decision you come to in harmony with your prescriber. An important thing to consider regardless of which option you choose is to take your ED medication 30-60 minutes prior to intercourse for the best results and to not exceed the number of daily tablets prescribed for you by your doctor.
On that note, happy playing.
Sources:
- Bella AJ, Lee JC, Carrier S, Bénard F, Brock GB. 2015 CUA Practice guidelines for erectile dysfunction. Can Urol Assoc J. 2015 Jan-Feb;9(1-2):23-9. doi: 10.5489/cuaj.2699. PMID: 25737750; PMCID: PMC4336024.
- Tsertsvadze A, Fink HA, Yazdi F, MacDonald R, Bella AJ, Ansari MT, Garritty C, Soares-Weiser K, Daniel R, Sampson M, Fox S, Moher D, Wilt TJ. Oral phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors and hormonal treatments for erectile dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Ann Intern Med. 2009 Nov 3;151(9):650-61. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-151-9-200911030-00150. PMID: 19884626.
