Erectile Dysfunction Drugs And What To Expect While Taking
ED Meds like Sildenafil (generic Viagra), and Tadalafil (Generic Cialis), are some of the most widely used Erectile Dysfunction drugs available today. Menz Direct wants to ensure that all of our members have the right information when it comes to their ED treatment and Erectile Dysfunction drugs used.
They’re also some of the most understood, with a vast number of medical studies on how the side effects, the average onset of action, half-life, and other factors that affect how Erectile Dysfunction drugs affects men who take them.
Below, is what you should expect from Erectile Dysfunction drugs and how long you should expect to wait before the ED Meds takes effect on the side effects you could experience as a result of the medicine.
This article is for informational purposes only. It would be best if you talked to your primary care physician before starting an ED treatment program.
How Long Does it Take for Erectile Dysfunction Meds to Take Effect?
Almost all ED drugs take 30 to 60 minutes to start working.
Sildenafil takes roughly one hour to start working. It should be ingested 60 minutes in advance when you plan to have sex. A typical dosage of Sildenafil will begin to produce a noticeable result between 30 and 60 minutes after taking the medication.
Tadalafil takes between 30 and 60 minutes to start working. However, it can begin to produce evident effects in as little as 15 minutes if you take a high dose of the medication, especially if taken on an empty stomach.
Sildenafil and Tadalafil Erectile Dysfunction drugs listed above approved with or without food. If you eat a large meal with high-fat content before taking Sildenafil or Tadalafil, it could postpone the amount of time required for the ED meds to start working.
Because of this, most ED drug companies endorse taking Sildenafil or Tadalafil with a glass of water on a relatively empty stomach (or after a normal-sized meal).
As always, if your doctor provides a specific recommendation for when to take your medication, it’s essential to follow their advice. See our article Important Information about Sildenafil
How Long Does the Medication Last?
Below, we’ve listed both the how long and duration of action for Erectile Dysfunction drugs:
- Sildenafil (generic Viagra), has a half-life of four hours and remains active in the body as an effective erectile dysfunction treatment for three to five hours after taking ED meds. After five hours have passed, Sildenafil usually won’t provide any noticeable benefits. See our article on Dosage Guide for Sildenafil (Generic Viagra). Also, be sure to read the Important Safety Information on Sildenafil (Generic Viagra)
- Tadalafil (Generic Cialis), has a 17 1/2 hour half-life and remains active in the body as an effective erectile dysfunction treatment for up to 36 hours after the medication ingested. Tadalafil effects last such an extended amount of time has earned it a reputation as a “weekend pill” for treating ED.
A drug’s half-life is the amount of time it takes for the concentration of the medication in your body to fall to half of its peak. For example, a 50 mg dose of Sildenafil (generic Viagra) will be reduced to the potency of around 25 mg after one half-life has passed.
The half-life of Erectile Dysfunction drugs reflects how much time it will remain active in the system. Typically, ED meds still provide some effects after one half-life. They gradually become less active as they’re eliminated from the body and excreted.
After two to three half-lives have passed, the ED meds will be completely ineffective and won’t provide any noticeable effects.
As you can see, Tadalafil is currently on the market by far the longest-lasting of the two Erectile Dysfunction drugs. Because of this, Tadalafil is usually the preferred option for men who want to treat ED for several days at once without needing to take several tablets of their ED meds. Often, men take Tadalafil (generic Cialis) daily as long as the physician prescribes it for daily use. Shorter-acting ED pills, such as Sildenafil, are generally preferred for concomitant use.
7 Common Side Effects of ED Pills
Because most ED meds work the same way, they generally have the same side effects. Side effects of Erectile Dysfunction drugs typically occur while the ED meds is active in the body. In some cases, the side effects of ED meds can last for slightly longer than the drug itself. This means that if you’re prone to the side effects of Erectile Dysfunction drugs, you might notice them lasting for longer such as Tadalafil, which has a very long half-life.
Commonly reported side effects of Erectile Dysfunction Medications
- Headaches are a common side effect with all ED pills. Problems are most commonly caused by increased nitric oxide levels, which can increase blood flow and result in a brief headache.
- Dizziness can also occur, which is also a result of increased nitric oxide levels in the body. Vertigo from ED medication is typically not severe. Still, it can lead to discomfort and passing out in people with underlying health conditions.
- Muscle aches may also occur as a result of the increase in blood flow caused by all widely available ED medications.
- Nasal congestion or a stuffy nose can typically occur when ED medications are at peak concentration and reverse as the drugs are metabolized and excreted.
- Facial flush from ED Medication can range from mild facial redness to bright red skin that looks like a rash. Like other side effects, this usually subsides as the levels of the medication in your system drop.
- Vision problems, including temporary blurry vision and blue-tinted vision.
- Digestive issues can vary from diarrhea to heartburn and bloating. These are typically are temporary and can be made worse by consuming alcohol, caffeine, carbonated drinks, and dairy foods.
Some of the side effects above, such as headaches and dizziness, are particularly important to pay attention to if you have cardiovascular health conditions for further information on Sildenafil MedlinePlus.gov. And for more details on Tadalafil (Generic Cialis), click here for the in-depth information from MedlinePlus.gov.
All of the Erectile Dysfunction medications currently available can cause a mild reduction in your blood pressure levels. Blood pressure reduction can occur to both Erectile Dysfunction medication effects on smooth muscle tissue. This reduction is often not noticeable and does not cause any dangerous side effects in healthy men.
However, if you use nitrates or certain other medications to treat hypertension, the reduction in blood pressure caused by Erectile Dysfunction medications can be dangerous. If you use any nitrates, you must not use Sildenafil or Tadalafil or other similar drugs.
The Cost of ED Medications
The cost of treating erectile dysfunction pills using commonly prescribed medications like Sildenafil, Tadalafil, can vary depending on a variety of factors.
The first factor is the dosage you take. Many Erectile Dysfunction medications come in a range of doses, meaning that effective treatment varies from person to person. Your primary care physician can help find the dosage amount What dosage amount should you take.
The second consideration is the specific medication you use. Sildenafil and Tadalafil are different medications available at different prices.
The third thing to understand is the amount of medication you use. If you use ED medication every day, the cost can quickly add up; if you take it once or twice per week, the total price per year will be far lower.
The article above from Menz Direct is informational purposes only and not intended to replace medical advice. The information is not a substitute for and should for professional medical advice. Men need to speak with a doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment.