Lifestyle factors such as smoking, excessive alcohol, and lack of exercise can also contribute.
Do ED Medications Have Side Effects?
Vacuum erectile devices (VEDs) pull blood into the penis for an erection. a plastic tube to put around your penis an elastic ring that helps you to keep an erection You may need to practice with or adjust your VED. Sometimes, VEDs can make your penis feel cold or numb. Your penis could look purple or bruised. Bruises are usually painless and will disappear in a few days.
Heart health and erectile dysfunction
VEDs may weaken ejaculation but this doesn’t affect the pleasure of climax or orgasm. Most people with ED do not need surgery. If you have tried all other options and your ED does not improve, you and your health care professional may consider surgery to implant a device—called a prosthesis—to make the penis erect, either using a pump in the scrotum or a rod that you can control on your own repair arteries to increase blood flow to the penis, a procedure that works best for younger men Your health care professional will describe the benefits and possible side effects of surgery. ED medicines that you take by mouth, through an injection, or as a suppository can have side effects, including erections that last longer than 4 hours, known as priapism vision or hearing loss after taking oral ED medicines Call your health care professional right away if you develop these problems. Lifestyle delayed ejaculation pills factors can often lead to ED or make its symptoms worse.
Main Classes of ED Drugs
Sometimes, changing a daily habit could help prevent or improve your ED. If you smoke cigarettes, one of the best things you can do for your ED and your overall health is to quit smoking. Smoking cigarettes is linked to heart and blood vessel disease, which can lead to ED. Eating well helps to maintain erectile function. Consider working with a registered dietitian, if possible, to create an eating plan for your individual needs. Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may include: Yohimbine, extracted from African tree bark, has long been used as an aphrodisiac. It works by blocking receptors in the brain linked to libido and erection. Studies show it improves erectile function, but works best when combined with other treatments. The medications listed below are related to or used in the treatment of this condition. The following products are considered to be alternative treatments or natural remedies for Erectile Dysfunction. Their efficacy may not have been scientifically tested to the same degree as the drugs listed in the table above.
| Product | Dosage | Quantity + Bonus | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kamagra | 100mg | 60 + 4 Pills | 201.34€ 191.75€ | |
| Viagra Oral Jelly | 100mg | 10 Sachets | 46.36€ 44.15€ | |
| Cialis Generic | 5mg | 10 Pills | 29.39€ 27.99€ | |
| Levitra Generic | 40mg | 270 + 10 Pills | 561.89€ 535.13€ | |
| Cialis Generic | 5mg | 270 + 10 Pills | 205.81€ 196.01€ | |
| Kamagra Oral Jelly | 100mg | 63 + 7 Sachets | 224.18€ 213.50€ | |
| Kamagra Soft Tabs | 100 mg | 120 + 6 Pills | 311.78€ 296.93€ | |
| Priligy Generic Dapoxetine | 60mg | 10 Pills | 47.63€ 45.36€ | |
| Cialis Generic | 2.5mg | 120 + 6 Pills | 128.93€ 122.79€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 25mg | 60 + 4 Pills | 71.99€ 68.56€ | |
| Cialis Generic | 60mg | 30 + 2 Pills | 85.33€ 81.27€ | |
| Levitra Generic | 40mg | 180 + 10 Pills | 405.06€ 385.77€ | |
| Kamagra Polo | 100mg | 20 Pills | 83.56€ 79.58€ | |
| Cialis Professional | 20mg | 60 + 2 Pills | 183.83€ 175.08€ |
However, there may be historical, cultural or anecdotal evidence linking their use to the treatment of Erectile Dysfunction. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Brand names
You can find a registered dietitian online through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics or through your health care professional. A dietitian can create a custom meal plan for you. A healthy weight can improve testosterone levels and self-esteem, which may help prevent ED. Maintaining a healthy weight can also prevent diabetes and high blood pressure, which can cause ED. Physical activity increases blood flow through your body, including the penis, and can help keep you at a healthy weight.
The mental side of sex
The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition, recommends at least 150 minutes, or 2 hours and 30 minutes, of moderate-intensity physical activity, such as brisk walking, each week.2 Taking care of your mental and emotional health can help prevent ED. If you feel stressed, try relaxation techniques and other activities that might soothe you. A simple way to relax is deep breathing, which you can do anywhere. You can help prevent ED by avoiding recreational and illicit drugs and limiting how much alcohol you drink. Some drugs can prevent arousal or other sensations that are important for getting and keeping an erection.
Side effects of Erectile Dysfunction Drugs
Sometimes, illicit drugs and too much alcohol may mask other mental health, emotional, or physical factors that cause ED. This content is provided as a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), part of the National Institutes of Health. NIDDK translates and disseminates research findings to increase knowledge and understanding about health and disease among patients, health professionals, and the public. Content produced by NIDDK is carefully reviewed by NIDDK scientists and other experts. Other names: ED; Erection Problems; Impotence; Sexual Dysfunction, Male Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, Senior Medical Editor, B. Over the counter ED meds include traditional natural medicines such as Yohimbe and Korean Ginseng, with a long history of effectiveness. While these options are still recommended today, ever since the advent of PDE5 Inhibitor ED medications such as Vardenafil (Viagra), Sildenafil (Levitra), and Tadalafil (Cialis), they have become the first line ED treatment, no matter the cause. PDE5 inhibitors increase the blood flow into the penis and reduce blood flow out of the penis, and are highly effective for most men.
- Age-related ED: Natural decline in erectile function is common with aging.
- Diabetes management: Tight glycemic control can help prevent or improve ED.
- Hypertension management: Controlling high blood pressure improves vascular health.
- Statin medications: Used for cholesterol, may improve endothelial function and ED.
- Metformin: A diabetes drug that may have a positive effect on erectile function.
- The impact of recreational drugs: Cocaine, marijuana, and opioids can cause ED.
- Anabolic steroid abuse: Can shut down natural testosterone production, causing ED.
- Performance anxiety: A common psychological cause of situational ED.
- Sensate focus exercises: A therapy technique to reduce anxiety and increase intimacy.
- Dilators for ED: Used in physical therapy to address pelvic floor muscle tension.
Most patients will generally achieve an erection with any of these prescribed drugs, but patients may prefer one type of PDE5 over another.
| Country | Generic Version (USD) | Brand Name (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | 10-20 per pill | 20-50 per pill | Insurance coverage may vary |
| UK | 5-15 per pill | 15-40 per pill | Prescriptions required |
| India | 1-5 per pill | 3-10 per pill | Widely available at low cost |
| Australia | 10-25 per pill | 25-60 per pill | Prescription necessary |
With the release of avanafil, there are currently four available ED medications. An ED specialist’s recommendation will depend on patient-specific considerations and preferences. Alprostadil is another drug used to treat erectile dysfunction. Classified as a vasodilator Alprostadil works by relaxing the muscles and blood vessels in the penis. Alprostadil does not cure erectile dysfunction or increase sexual desire; instead, it is used to keep enough blood in the penis so that an erection can occur.
- Onset of action: How quickly a drug starts to work after administration.
- Duration of action: How long the drug's effects are expected to last.
- Half-life: The time it takes for the drug's concentration to reduce by half.
- Bioavailability: The proportion of the drug that enters circulation when introduced.
- Peak plasma time: The time it takes to reach the maximum concentration in the blood.
- Metabolism: How the drug is broken down, primarily by liver enzymes like CYP3A4.
- Excretion: How the drug is eliminated from the body, usually via urine or feces.
- Storage conditions: Most ED medications are stored at room temperature away from light.
- expiration date: The date after which the drug should not be used.
- Proper disposal: How to safely discard unused or expired medications.
Clinical trials have shown that topical alprostadil cream increases erectile function, and has also proven to be more effective for the treatment of arterial and neurologic causes of ED. Alprostadil injections and suppositories can also be used to treat certain types of erectile dysfunction and are also sometimes used in combination with other tests to diagnose erectile dysfunction.
How oral medicines differ
Your health care professional may review any medicines you are taking to see if a medicine you need for another health condition is causing ED. They may suggest taking a different dose of medicine or switching to another medicine. Do not stop taking any medicines on your own. Talk with your health care professional first. Health care professionals may also prescribe other types of medicines for your ED.
ED drugs and interaction with Nitroglycerin
Phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors are oral medicines that improve blood flow to the penis. These medicines may help you get and keep an erection. If you have ED and low testosterone, health care professionals may prescribe testosterone with PDE5 inhibitors. You may be given testosterone as an oral medicine, a patch, or a gel. Injectable medicines and suppositories can enhance erections.
By Mode of Administration
An injectable medicine causes a quick, automatic erection by increasing blood flow to the penis. Some people with ED prefer a suppository, a solid piece of medicine that you insert into the urethra. Your health care professional will teach you how to give yourself an injection or insert a suppository. Some people say certain alternative medicines help their ED symptoms. For safety reasons, talk with your health care professional before using dietary supplements, such as vitamin or mineral supplements, or any complementary or alternative medicines or medical practices. The criteria for judging the effectiveness of any one ED medication choice is its efficacy, side effects, duration of action, daily use, and overall satisfaction. An ED medication should be easy to take, have predictable effects within a predictable timeframe, and minimal side effects.
Make sure you take the right drug for you.
Pharm. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a consistent inability to achieve or sustain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse, commonly known as impotence. ED can have physical or psychological causes, or a combination of both. Common physical causes include heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and hormonal imbalances. Psychological causes include stress, anxiety, and depression. Patients should have the option to choose a medication that works immediately and then wears off, or take a medication that may be slightly delayed in its effects but remains effective for hours. In recent years, the definition for the effectiveness of ED meds has changed to include medications that could be taken every day instead of only when needed.
Signs and symptoms
Sign up for our Health Essentials emails for expert guidance on nutrition, fitness, sleep, skin care and more. Learn more about the Health Library and our editorial process. Cleveland Clinic’s health articles are based on evidence-backed information and review by medical professionals to ensure accuracy, reliability and up-to-date clinical standards. What Is Erectile Dysfunction ( Updated 6/2018. Erectile Dysfunction (Impotence) ( Updated 8/26/2020.
FYI on ED
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (U.S.) Definition & Facts for Erectile Dysfunction ( Updated 7/2017. At Cleveland Clinic, we offer specialty care that’s focused on you. Health care professionals treat the underlying cause of erectile dysfunction (ED) when possible. Sometimes, the exact cause of ED is not known. Health care professionals will then focus on improving sexual function.
By Distribution Channel
Choosing an ED treatment is a personal decision. If you have a partner, you may want to talk together about treatments that work for you as a couple. Your health care professional may suggest lifestyle changes to help improve your ED symptoms, including Health care professionals may suggest counseling if mental health or emotional issues are affecting your ED. Counselors can help you lower anxiety and stress about sex. Your counselor may ask you to bring your partner to sessions for more support. The ED medication must be cost effective for the patient, and the prescriber must be familiar with the limits of each ED medication.