Cost may limit your alternatives, even though there are some differences among erectile dysfunction treatments.
What distinguishes the various erectile dysfunction medications? Only 10% of men between the ages of 40 and 70 claim they are entirely unable to achieve an erection, even though over half of them suffer from some form of erectile dysfunction (ED). About 70% of healthy men get an erection firm enough to initiate a sexual encounter when using an ED medication.
It matters which of the four erectile dysfunction drugs you use. “Yes, there can be differences,” says Dr. Louis Liou, head urologist at Harvard-affiliated Cambridge Health Alliance in Boston. “For new patients, I have them try different ones to see what works best.”
Sildenafil (Viagra) is often the first drug prescribed by your doctor. Its side effects, interactions with food and other medications, and duration of use are all well-established.
However, health insurance regulations may be a more significant obstacle to selecting the best ED medication than biochemistry. Many insurance companies have a cap on how many prescription drugs you can get in a given month. A single medicine may have a very high out-of-pocket cost after you reach your limit. “The cost is the main obstacle in my practice,” Dr. Liou said. You will need to consult your physician to receive the medication you require at a cost you can afford.
Which drugs are available to treat erectile dysfunction?
Along with Viagra, other ED drugs that are marketed in the US include vardenafil (Levitra), tadalafil (Cialis), and avanafil (Stendra). Each of them improves the blood flow to the penis. The drugs can produce an erection powerful enough to initiate and complete a sexual encounter when used in conjunction with sexual stimulation. Another option is to administer Staxyn, a fast-dissolving form of Levitra sublingually.
One ED drug, Cialis, has FDA approval for daily usage at 2.5 or 5 mg dosages. In addition to helping with erections on demand, this may also help with urinary problems like difficulty peeing that are brought on by an enlarged prostate.
The cost of drugs for erectile dysfunction
The cost of ED pharmaceutical therapy may vary greatly depending on your health plan coverage level, prescription co-pays, and pharmacy rates. Even if your private insurance covers it, you might only be able to get four doses per month. The following steps can help you control your spending:
Compare prices because they differ at pharmacies. Numerous internet tools make it easy to compare rates.
Talk to your doctor about pill splitting, which is the practice of dividing larger-than-needed pills.
Look at manufacturer discounts. These allow you to obtain a specific quantity of medications that are not covered by your insurance.
How effective are ED medications?
About 70% of men who use ED medications get an erection firm enough for sexual activity. However, the outcomes differ significantly from person to person. ED medications won’t work as well on a guy whose arteries or nerves have been harmed by diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or prostate surgery. According to Dr. Liou, “some men in whom none of these drugs work.”
When do ED drugs start to show results?
The effects of the medicine typically last between 15 and 60 minutes. Both Viagra and Levitra have impaired absorption after meals, rendering them useless. However, neither Cialis nor Stendra interact with food in this way. The onset time determines the speed at which you can have sex. The closest “on-demand” erectile dysfunction drugs are Cialis and Stendra; using the others requires more planning.
What is the duration of ED medication?
The rate at which the body breaks down ED drugs varies. For Cialis at larger dosages, the duration of action might range from four hours to more than a day. Each dosage must be sufficient to cover the erection and climax phases of the sexual cycle.
