Erectile dysfunction can lower any man's self-esteem and affect his sex life. Here are some of the best ED medications for you. We'll also compare the onset and duration of action of different PDE5 inhibitors. PDE5 (5-phosphodiesterase) is an enzyme produced in the body that causes erectile dysfunction. Here we'll rank brand-name and generic ED medications and show you how to get all kinds of ED medications without a prescription.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for healthy sexual activity, including premature ejaculation or lack of strength [1] .
The prevalence of erectile dysfunction in men of all ages ranges from 10 to 20 percent, rising to 52 percent in those aged 40 to 70 years.
A comprehensive survey of the causes of erectile dysfunction in Japan found that the main factors were as follows : [2]
Erectile dysfunction is divided into four types:
Popular ED drugs such as Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis have the same mechanism of action. Their effects only appear when there is natural sexual arousal or stimulation. When a man is sexually aroused, NO (nitric oxide) is released in the body, and the production of a substance called cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) increases. cGMP dilates the blood vessels in the penis, causing an erection.
ED drugs work by inhibiting the action of an enzyme called PDE55 (phosphodiesterase), which breaks down cGMP in the corpus cavernosum of the penis. Inhibiting PDE5 and stabilizing cGMP enhances the effects of nitric oxide, which relaxes the smooth muscle of the corpus cavernosum and improves blood flow to the penis. As a result, a sustained erection occurs.
An active ingredient is a chemical that gives a drug its therapeutic effect.
Ranking among the best-known medications for creating an erection are three PDE5 inhibitors: sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), and vardenafil (Levitra).
Despite sharing a common mechanism of action, all drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction are characterized by differences in their pharmacology and pharmacokinetics.
Features | Sildenafil (Viagra) | Tadalafil (Cialis) | Vardenafil (Levitra) |
---|---|---|---|
Chemical Formula | C22H30N6O4S | C22H19N3O4 | C23H32N6O4S |
Maximum blood concentration (Cmax/hour) | 0.8 | 2 (0.5-12) | 0.7-0.9 |
Half-life (hours) | 3-5 | 17.5 | 4-5 |
Adsorption to plasma proteins* (%) | 96 | 94 | 91 |
Bioavailability** (%) | 40 | 81 | 14.5 |
* The lower the rate of adsorption to plasma proteins, the more available the drug is to act without interfering with other important body functions.
** The higher the bioavailability, the greater the ability of the drug to reach its site of action.
Original drug drugs are drugs that pharmaceutical companies have discovered and manufactured using new active ingredients (drugs). This type of ED treatment drug is protected by patents, and the manufacturer's synthesis, research, and advertising costs are reflected in the price of the drug. This is because developing a new drug requires huge development costs and a long period of time. This is why original drugs such as Cialis, Viagra, and Levitra are so expensive.
Generic drugs (generic medicines) are made after the patents of original drugs have expired. Therefore, there is no need to start from scratch and the registration process is simplified. Generic drugs for erectile dysfunction treatment are manufactured and developed by pharmaceutical companies without spending money using active ingredients with confirmed effectiveness and safety, so they are cheaper than original new drugs. Generic drugs are manufactured to have the same effect as new drugs, so treatment using generics is cost-effective. The difference is particularly noticeable in long-term treatment.
The name of the original drug is Sirius.
Serious generic drugs: Tadalista, Tadacip, Tastiria, Vidalista (series), Tadalis (series), Tadapox
The brand name of the drug is Viagra.
Generic Viagra: Cenforce (series), Kamagra (series), Fildena, Megalis
The brand name of the drug is Levitra.
Generics of Levitra: Vilitra, Valif
It is difficult to say which medication is the most effective for treating erectile dysfunction.
The effectiveness of treatment will vary depending on your desires, age, sexual activity, etc. See the table below for a comparison of erectile dysfunction medications.
Viagra | Cialis | Levitra | |
---|---|---|---|
Year of production | 1998 | 2003 | 2003 |
Efficacy (%) | 82 | 84.4 | 82 |
Maximum Dose (mg) | 50 | 20 | 20 |
Duration of action | 4 hours – 6 hours | Up to 36 hours | 6 to 8 hours |
Time to onset (min) | 40–60 | 16–30 | 30–40 |
Interaction with alcohol | Not to be used together | Can be used in combination | Can be used in small amounts |
The main side effects vary depending on the drug's action as well as the active ingredients contained in the drug used to treat ED.
Check the table below for differences in symptoms and frequency of side effects between the three main erectile enhancement medications.
Side effects of erectile dysfunction medications | Sildenafil (Viagra) | Tadalafil (Cialis) | Vardenafil (Levitra) |
---|---|---|---|
lower back pain | 0% | 6.5% | 0% |
Muscle pain | 0% | 5.7% | 0% |
Rhinitis | 4.1% | 4.3% | 10% |
Dizziness | 3.9% | 2.3% | 2% |
Vision problems | 1.9% | 0% | 2% |
Stomach upset or pain | 3.2% | 12.3% | 4% |
Flushing | 10.4% | 4.1% | 12% |
headache | 15.0% | 14.5% | 16% |
Your doctor will prescribe the best ED medication for you with minimal side effects. Erectile dysfunction medication should be prescribed based on your medical examination results, lab results, and physical condition. Report any sudden loss of hearing or vision to your healthcare provider immediately. Also, priapism, a condition of an erection lasting more than four hours, is a rare event, but if it does occur, seek emergency medical attention. Be sure to review Viagra's drug interactions and precautions before use.
Cialis, Viagra, and Levitra are all medications that are effective in restoring erections, and are highly safe medications approved by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.
All ED medications have a fairly rapid onset of action, but only Levitra is truly fast-acting, beginning to relieve erectile dysfunction symptoms within 16 minutes of administration, while Cialis has a long therapeutic effect that lasts for 24 to 36 hours.
ED medications prescribed at pharmacies in Japan are medical drugs.
If you would like to privately purchase an ED medication that is not available over the counter, please consult a personal import agent.
It is legal to purchase ED medications that are not available commercially in Japan from overseas pharmacies via mail order and receive them.
Personal imports are a method that can be used to purchase medicines sold overseas in Japan. Our mail order personal import agency service purchases and delivers only high-quality products from major pharmaceutical companies that have passed quality and safety tests from reliable suppliers, so you can rest assured.
In recent years, the number of counterfeit ED drugs has been increasing. Therefore, when importing drugs for personal use over the Internet, it is necessary to choose a reliable personal import agency. Also, when you receive the product, be careful to compare the color of the tablets and the package design with the proven sample.