Which drug for erectile dysfunction?

Then, we scored each service to narrow down our list even further.

Strategy	Dosage (mg)	Timing Before Activity	Additional Tips
Standard Dose	50-100	30-60 minutes	Take on an empty stomach for quicker onset
High-Strength Dose	150-200	15-30 minutes	Use only if prescribed and tolerated
Split Dosing	50 + 50	30 minutes apart	May prolong effectiveness
Taking With Food	50-100	60-120 minutes	Food delays absorption, adjust timing

Optum Perks is owned by RVO Health.

The numan take

As with other PDE-5 inhibitors, be careful taking Cialis if you’re: taking alpha-blockers for high blood pressure taking medications that can interact with tadalafil, including antibiotics or antifungal medications There is no generic version, so it’s a little more expensive. A typical dose of avanafil is about 50–100 mg, and it takes about 45 minutes to start working. Avanafil also carries similar risks of side effects and interactions as other PDE-5 inhibitors. “Many people often assume medications like Sildenafil or Tadalafil cause an immediate, automatic erection. However, they still require sexual stimulation to work.

Key takeaway

In reality, timing varies, and factors like food or alcohol can affect how fast they work.” Discover top tips to get the most out of Tadalafil (Cialis). Quotes represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice. Here’s how much each ED pill costs for both brand-name and generic versions: Sildenafil: Brand-name Viagra typically sells for $50 or more per dose. Vardenafil: Brand-name Levitra costs about $40 for a typical dose. FDA-approved ED pills are considered safe for people to take if they don’t have any conditions or take medications that interact with the ingredients in the pills. While these pills are safe, they may cause some side effects, including: Seek immediate medical attention if you have any serious side effects, such as: allergic reaction that makes it hard to breathe (anaphylaxis) an erection for longer than 4 hours (priapism) throwing up for more than a day If you can’t or don’t want to take medication for ED, there are some other options you can try: Lifestyle changes: Lifestyle changes like stopping smoking, limiting alcohol intake, lowering stress, and following a healthy diet can all have a positive impact on ED.

Product	Dosage	Quantity + Bonus	Price
Viagra Super Active	100mg	360 + 30 Pills	470.93€ 448.50€	Buy
Viagra Generic	50mg	20 Pills	40.52€ 38.59€	Buy
Viagra Generic	200mg	90 + 6 Pills	170.79€ 162.66€	Buy
Viagra Soft Tabs	100mg	90 + 6 Pills	205.31€ 195.53€	Buy
Viagra Professional	100mg	60 + 2 Pills	146.74€ 139.75€	Buy
Viagra Professional	100mg	360 + 6 Pills	527.09€ 501.99€	Buy
Viagra Generic	25mg	30 + 4 Pills	47.97€ 45.69€	Buy
Viagra Generic	50mg	120 + 6 Pills	129.64€ 123.47€	Buy
Viagra Super Active	100mg	270 + 30 Pills	390.61€ 372.01€	Buy
Viagra Professional	100mg	120 + 4 Pills	262.83€ 250.31€	Buy

Implants: An inflatable or flexible rod can be surgically implanted in your penis. You can then use the rod to get and maintain an erection.

What’s the typical Viagra (sildenafil) dosage?

These companies collect and make discounts available for a wide variety of medications, including ED pills. You can often save hundreds of dollars on regular prescriptions of PDE-5 inhibitors using these coupons. Our Medical Standards and Insights team has carefully researched and vetted over 11,000 products and services. We evaluate services for consistency with standards of care and best practices, and we look into each brand’s reputation before sharing products and services on Healthline. To choose the services on this page, we considered all the ED treatment services that passed our vetting process. Penis pumps: These devices go over your penis and use a pump to cause your penis to fill with blood. Once erect, you place a band around the base of dapoxetine viagra your penis to keep your erection. There’s some evidence that natural supplements may work for ED, but research shows mixed results: Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA): A 2018 research reviewsuggests that lowered DHEA in your body reduces your ability to get an erection, which is why DHEA supplements are recommended to treat ED. But a 2020 literature review concluded that research doesn’t agree on whether it actually works. L-arginine: Research suggests that L-arginine can help improve the effectiveness of Cialis,Viagra, andYohimbine. Ginseng: A 2021 study showed that combining ginseng and vitamin E could help treat ED, but another review from the same yearfound only a very small effect. More recently, a 2024 trial found that ginseng combined with Tribulus terrestris and L-arginine improved sexual function in men with ED, particularly in non-diabetics. Keep in mind that just because supplements may be available over the counter doesn’t mean they’re safe to take. Additionally, some supplements can negatively interact with prescription medications. It’s important to talk with a doctor before adding any supplements to your routine.

Liver Dose Adjustments

Sildenafil citrate- sildenafil tablet, film coated [package insert]. All FDA-approved erectile dysfunction (ED) pills (sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, and avanafil) are generally safe and effective when taken as prescribed. Sildenafil (Viagra) may start working within 30 to 60 minutes and last for 4 to 6 hours; tadalafil (Cialis) may start working in about 30 minutes and remain effective for up to 36 hours. The most effective ED medication varies from person to person and is based on a variety of factors. No one pill is considered the most effective in all use cases.

Effective treatments, trusted by over 500,000 men

The best option for you will depend on your needs and what other medications you’re taking. Read on to learn more about the FDA-approved ED pills available and how they compare in their effectiveness. PDE-5 inhibitors widen blood vessels in your penis so that blood flows more easily into the spongy tissues that help you get an erection. These medications also help break down the protein cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) so that you can keep your erection longer. Viagra usually starts working 30–60 minutes after taking a 50-milligram (mg) dose. Most of the FDA-approved PDE-5 inhibitors are effective if you take them at the right doses and at the right time.

• Sildenafil is the active ingredient in many potent Viagra pills.
• The strongest Viagra pills often contain higher doses of sildenafil, up to 100mg.
• Prescription-strength Viagra is tailored for maximum effectiveness.
• Some brands offer "super potent" Viagra with enhanced formulations.
• Typically, 100mg Viagra pills are considered the strongest available legally.
• Higher doses may increase effectiveness but also amplify side effects.
• Always consult a doctor before choosing the strongest Viagra dose.
• Enhanced Viagra formulations may include additional active ingredients.
• Dosage strength varies depending on individual tolerance and health.
• 100mg Viagra pills are usually recommended for experienced users.

But Viagra is sometimes considered the most effective ED treatment because it’s been used for many years and has a lot of research supporting its effectiveness. Cialis and Viagra are usually considered equally effective. But Cialis tends to work for a longer period than Viagra, lasting up to 36 hours. ED pills are generally considered safe, though mild side effects can occur. More serious side effects may occur if you take the pills with other medications that can interact with the ingredients or have certain underlying health conditions. PDE-5 inhibitors have been prescribed for ED since Viagra was first FDA-approved in 1998. Vardenafil (Levitra) is typically considered to have the fewest possible side effects compared with other FDA-approved PDE-5 inhibitors.

Comparing Drug Interactions

It can then last for about 4–6 hours before the effects start to wear off. Don’t take Viagra if you’re taking any of the following medications: Talk with a doctor before taking Viagra if you have any of the following conditions: penis abnormalities, such as Peyronie’s disease blood cell problems, such as sickle cell anemia eye conditions like non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy allergic reactions to any PDE-5 inhibitors Vardenafil (Levitra) is another PDE-5 inhibitor that helps increase blood flow into your penis so that you can get an erection and keep it longer. It’s also sometimes prescribed to treat pulmonary hypertension. A 10-mg dose of vardenafil starts working after about 60 minutes. It also tends to last a little longer than sildenafil—up to 7 hours per dose.

4 Commonly Used ED Medications

Be careful taking Levitra if you’re drinking alcohol or grapefruit juice, which can increase your risk of side effects like experiencing dizziness, losing consciousness, or having too much Levitra in your bloodstream. Avoid taking Levitra if you have any of the following conditions: Tadalafil (Cialis) is also a PDE-5 inhibitor. In addition to improving blood flow, PDE-5 inhibitors help improve the way that your body uses nitric oxide (NO) to relax blood vessels involved in that blood flow. Tadalafil can also treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or enlarged prostate, by relaxing smooth muscles in the prostate. A 10-mg dose of tadalafil takes about 30 minutes to start viagra packaging working, and it can keep working for up to 36 hours. Taking certain other medications or having certain health conditions can make a difference in how likely you are to experience side effects from ED pills.

• The "best" strength of Viagra depends on individual response.
• Over-the-counter products claiming to be "strongest Viagra" lack regulation.
• The strongest Viagra may cause priapism if misused.
• Extra strength Viagra options are often marketed online illegally.
• Proper dosage can prevent dependence on the strongest pills.
• Consult a healthcare provider to determine the safest strongest dose.
• The effectiveness of the strongest Viagra can vary with health status.
• The strongest Viagra is often best used with a healthy lifestyle.
• Viagra's strength is enhanced when taken correctly and with patience.
• Always follow medical advice for maximum safety with strong Viagra doses.

Some treatments for ED can help permanently cure the condition, especially if the cause is related to your mental health or to an underlying condition like diabetes or heart disease that can be treated. Taking ED pills regularly before having sex can also reduce or eliminate ED. Most of the FDA-approved ED pills are effective for most people who take them.

Usual Adult Dose for Erectile Dysfunction

There’s currently no generic version of avanafil available. ED pills can only be purchased with a prescription from a licensed healthcare professional. You can either visit a doctor’s office or use a number of telemedicine companies that partner with doctors to prescribe ED pills online. You don’t always need to pay full price for PDE-5 inhibitors. Check out discount and coupon programs from companies like Optum Perks, which is a sister site of Healthline. However, depending on dosage, other medications you’re taking, and conditions that may increase your risk of side effects, you might experience different levels of effectiveness. Talk with a doctor before you decide to take PDE-5 inhibitors for ED. When you get aroused, your body produces a molecule called cGMP which helps to stimulate an erection by increasing blood flow to the penis.1 All content on this page has been medically reviewed by: Hassan Thwaini, Clinical Pharmacist and Copywriter, Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) on 30 March, 2026. Viagra Connect was the first erectile dysfunction (ED) treatment available in the UK without a prescription.

Are there tablets for women's erectile dysfunction?

So it’s best to check the expiration date and replace it if it’s expired. Sildenafil works by relaxing blood vessels, which can lower blood pressure slightly. For most healthy people, this effect is mild. But for people living with certain heart conditions or those taking nitrates, it can cause serious problems, such as dangerously low blood pressure (hypotension). If you have a heart condition, talk to your healthcare team before taking sildenafil.

Starting Sildenafil: Recommended First-Time Dosage

The typical Viagra (sildenafil) dosage for ED ranges from 25 mg to 100 mg once daily as needed. You can take it between 30 minutes to 4 hours before sex, and it usually works within an hour. People over age 65 may need to start with a lower Viagra dose. This is also the case if you have severe kidney problems, liver problems, or if you’re taking interacting medications. Your prescriber will help you figure out the best Viagra dosage for you.