Which is better: Viagra, Cialis, Levitra or Stendra? And how to determine which is better? The debate does not stop and everyone bends his own line. There are many products in the world that are similar in quality, Coca Cola and Pepsi Cola, Mercedes and BMW, but each brand finds its consumer.
So, Viagra, Cialis, Stendra and Levitra have a general purpose, but there are some nuances. Based on his experience and feelings, a man determines what is best for him to use to increase potency. It is good that there is a choice. It is always possible to choose the best product in terms of characteristics.
All of these drugs have a common goal in common – they are designed to help men achieve an erection, provide support and hardness to the penis.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common condition in aging men and significantly affects their quality of life and interpersonal relationships. The prevalence and incidence of ED is associated with aging, lifestyle factors, and comorbid cardiovascular disease.
Concerns about the male condition have existed for centuries. A large number of herbs and potions have been used to treat sexual disorders. Recent significant advances in the understanding of erectile physiology and pathophysiology have led to the development of affordable pharmacotherapeutic procedures.
Sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil (Levitra), tadalafil (Cialis), and avanafil (Stendra) are oral medications. Their purpose is to eliminate erectile dysfunction.
The human body produces a natural chemical called nitric oxide. Tablets help enhance its action, thereby relaxing the muscles of the penis. As a result of this effect, blood flow increases, which provokes an erection in response to sexual games.
Viagra vs. Cialis vs. Levitra vs. Stendra
Four competitors – Stendra, Viagra, Cialis and Levitra – cause a similar secondary effect on the body. Sometimes it is only a slight discomfort, and sometimes, in case of an overdose, they can cause serious harm to health. Often this is:
- headache;
- face flushing;
- nasal congestion;
- diarrhea;
- backache;
- temporary violation of color vision.
Headaches and blue vision are one thing, heart problems are another. The drugs are safe for heart health, but all men with cardiovascular disease must take special precautions, and some cannot use them under any circumstances.
The problem lies in their effect on the arteries. All arteries, not just the penis, produce nitric oxide, so any artery can dilate in response to Viagra, Levitra, or Cialis, causing a temporary drop in blood pressure of 5-8 mmHg, even in healthy men.
Although ED drugs work in a similar way, each oral drug has a slightly different chemical structure. These minor differences affect how they work, for example, on the speed and duration of exposure. They also have slightly different possible side effects.
Sildenafil (Viagra)
Viagra (Sildenafil) is available in the form of blue tablets. Keep in mind that Viagra should be avoided if you are currently taking medication for heart or chest pain. Taking sildenafil in combination with a nitrate drug can lead to serious problems with your blood pressure.
The drug is most effective when taken on an empty stomach an hour before sex. If you have eaten fatty foods, it may take longer to achieve the effect. Viagra often becomes an effective “lifesaver” for increasing sexual libido. For men who have problems maintaining an erection, one tablet is enough for a successful sexual relationship. Moreover, it does not have many side effects.
As a rule, Viagra starts working after 30 minutes. For optimal results, users are advised to take the tablet one hour before sexual activity. Its effect can last for four to five hours or more if you have mild to moderate erectile dysfunction.
The most common side effects of Viagra are headaches, temporary blurred vision, muscle pain, nausea, dizziness, indigestion and hot flashes.
Let’s be honest, they sound pretty bad but are rarely reported. Very rare side effects include:
- vision problems;
- hearing loss;
- priapism – an erection that lasts several hours and is likely to cause permanent damage to the penis (if not treated immediately).
Viagra is the most popular remedy for men suffering from erectile dysfunction. However, alcohol is one of the reasons why you may experience erectile dysfunction symptoms in the first place. While alcohol can help you overcome anxiety on the one hand, it can negatively impact your sexual function on the other.
Drinking alcohol reduces the amount of blood that remains in the penis, making it harder to get an erection. If you decide to buy Viagra because of erection problems, you should avoid drinking alcohol.
In addition, alcohol and Viagra (and similar products such as Cialis and Levitra) may interact. Viagra lowers blood pressure, just like alcohol.
If your blood pressure becomes too low, you may experience dizziness, fainting, headache, or palpitations. These side effects are not only potentially dangerous, but it certainly does not improve your sexual performance.
Vardenafil (Levitra)
Levitra is an oral medicatino which contains the active substance vardenafil. It is usually given to patients whose arteries that carry blood to the penis are too narrow. Levitra will increase blood flow to the penis, mimicking Cialis and Viagra.
This tablet is taken 25 to 60 minutes before sexual intercourse. The effect of Levitra can last up to 5 hours. The tablet cannot be taken more than once in 24 hours. Levitra usually dissolves on the tongue rather than being swallowed whole.
The remedy is most effective if taken an hour before sex. Levitra can be taken with or without food, just like Cialis. However, high-fat foods may interfere with the rapid absorption of the drug.
Concomitant use with alcohol is not recommended, as it may reduce the chances of a good erection. It is also important to remember that this drug will not work if the man is not sexually aroused. Contrary to popular myths, Levitra does not increase your sex drive, but only helps you enjoy sex.
Levitra will not cause an erection without sexual stimulation. The effect lasts for four hours, which means you will be more receptive to sexual stimulation during that time.
Vardenafil is effective for four to five hours or more if you have mild to moderate erectile dysfunction. A new form of the drug that dissolves on the tongue may work faster than tablets you swallow.
Taking Levitra does not mean that the erection will be permanent. If you experience an erection that lasts for several hours, you should contact your doctor immediately.
Tadalafil (Cialis)
Cialis is the brand name for the medication tadalafil, it is used to treat ED and reduce pulmonary arterial hypertension. After treatment of hypertension, the blood supply to the penis improves in patients.
Like Viagra, Cialis is taken in tablet form. However, Cialis can be taken before or after meals, as an empty or full stomach does not affect the effect. This drug should be taken more than once every 24 hours.
Patients who want to use Cialis often expect it to produce an erection. The fact is that this drug does not work without sexual arousal. A man must first wake up before experiencing an erection.
This medicine is taken with or without food about one to two hours before sex. The duration of the effect is up to 36 hours. Cialis can be taken in a small dose daily or in a larger dose as needed.
The action of Cialis lasts longer. Viagra and Levitra last approximately 4-5 hours, Cialis – 36. If you take Cialis on a Friday evening, you can achieve healthy erections almost until Sunday afternoon.
Cialis is often used by spouses, they tend to plan regular sex life. The wide-open window of opportunity of the drug helps to be always prepared for marital pleasures.
Avanafil (Stendra)
Avanafil is a relatively new pharmacology product. It is designed to eliminate sexual problems in men. The agent also refers to PDE-5 inhibitors. Avanafil is mainly sold under the name Stendra, but there is a generic version of avanafil. Their pharmacological formula is the same, which means that the effect is identical.
This medicine is taken with or without food 30 minutes before sex, depending on the dose. This lasts up to 6 hours.
Which drug is better: Stendra, Viagra, Cialis and Levitra?
Because Stendra, Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra are equally effective, the choice is based on your preferences, including cost, ease of use, duration of action, and side effects. There are generic versions of sildenafil, verdenafil, and tadalafil.
Over 23 million men have used Viagra since its initial approval in 1998. Sales of Revatio (as part of Sildenafil, a potent selective inhibitor of cGMP-specific PDE-5.), manufactured by Pfizer, Inc., exceeded $338 million in 2012.
In 2014, Cialis manufacturer Lilly Bio-Medicines claimed that over 45 million people took Cialis. So in 2013, sales of the drug worldwide amounted to 2.2 billion dollars, and Viagra – 1.9 billion.
When Oral Drugs Might Not Be Safe
Before using medications to treat erectile dysfunction, check with your doctor. Impotence medications are not at all safe, especially if you:
- are taking nitrate medications to relieve chest pain (for angina pectoris), for example, nitroglycerin;
- have low blood pressure or uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertensive);
- have severe liver disease;
- have kidney disease requiring dialysis.
Side effects of Stendra, Viagra, Cialis and Levitra
Most men who take medication for erectile dysfunction do not worry about the side effects. However, they may experience:
- headache;
- diarrhea;
- visual problems: blue tints and plumes, sensitivity to light or cloudiness;
- stuffy nose or runny nose;
- backache.
Rarely, men reported serious side effects:
- loss of hearing or vision. In rare cases, hearing loss or vision loss occurs after taking one of these drugs. However, it is not clear whether the vision or hearing loss was due to medication or an underlying medical condition. If you experience problems after taking ED medication, contact the doctor immediately.
- priapism (a long-lasting erection that does not go away on its own). This rare condition can be painful and requires medical attention to avoid damaging your penis. If an erection lasts about four hours, this is a reason to call emergency help.
Which is more effective: Viagra, Cialis, Levitra or Stendra?
In general, Cialis wins.
These pills have many advantages and no outright disadvantages. It works for up to 36 hours (the closest competitor is Levitra – it lasts 6 hours). Moreover, Cialis it potent and has good safety indicators. What else is needed? The only disadvantage is the high cost of the original brand-name Cialis.
But you can still save money by buying high-quality generics that contain the same active ingredient – tadalafil. Viagra has many cheaper generics, too:
- Suhagra
- Malegra
- Cenforce
- Eriacta
- Eregra
- Kamagra Gold
- Caverta
- Penegra
- Fildena
- P-Force, etc.
When selecting the best ED drug, the doctor first of all takes into account the psychological and somatic status of the patient, as well as the presence of concomitant diseases. Only a doctor is able to prescribe drug that is most suitable for the patient.
For the patient, non-medical factors come to the fore, such as:
- how fast the medicine works;
- how long the desired effect lasts;
- whether it is possible to take the medication simultaneously with food or alcohol;
- how often you can take the drug;
- side effects;
- price.