ED medication : When to contact a doctor
Individuals should keep regular contact with their doctor if they experience prolonged ED as there may be an underlying health condition that needs exploration.
After taking ED pills, a person may experience side effects such as headaches, indigestion, dizziness, or a stuffy nose. These are common and usually subside over time.
However, a person should consult their doctor if these side effects become severe or persistent.
Although rare, ED medications can also cause more serious side effects, including:
- chest pain
- vision problems
- hearing loss
- seizures
- skin reactions, including itchy, red, or swollen skin
- priapism, a painful erection lasting more than 4 hours
If someone experiences any of these side effects, they should discontinue using the drug immediately and seek medical advice.
Symptoms, such as wheezing, tightness in the chest or throat, difficulty breathing, and swelling of the mouth, throat, lips, or tongue, also have associations with anaphylaxis — a life threatening allergic reaction.
If a person notices any symptoms of anaphylaxis, they should call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Some people should not take ED medications, or should take them with caution. Some examples include:
- Those avoiding sexual activity: Individuals with recommendations from a healthcare professional to avoid sexual activity due to health problems should not take any ED drugs.
- Grapefruit: A person should also not take PDE5 inhibitors with grapefruit or grapefruit juice as it may affect how the drugs work.
- History of adverse reactions: People who previously experienced sudden hearing loss or vision problems should not use the drugs. If someone new to ED drugs experiences these symptoms, they should discontinue use and seek immediate medical attention.
ED medications may also interact with other drugs, including:
- nitrates
- certain blood pressure medications
- alpha-blockers
- guanylate cyclase stimulators
- certain antifungal medications and antibiotics
Additionally, individuals taking HIV protease inhibitors, such as ritonavir (Norvir), should not take avanafil. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also advises that people with liver or kidney problems do not take avanafil.
Those who experience an erection lasting more than
Herbal supplements
A person should be cautious when looking at herbal supplements that claim to help with ED. This is because there is very little research to prove their effectiveness, and the FDA has not given approval to these products.
Specifically, the
Here are some common questions about ED and its medications.
What causes ED?
ED can develop due to several mental or emotional issues,
There are also many physical causes of ED, such as heart disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and high blood pressure or cholesterol levels. Smoking tobacco, consuming high amounts of alcohol, and taking certain medications could also contribute to the condition.
How do you know whether ED is physical or mental?
A doctor or healthcare professional can determine whether a person’s ED is due to physical or mental health factors by collecting information about their medical and sexual history. They may also conduct a physical exam.
Healthcare professionals may also recommend an overnight erection test, which involves placing a device around the penis overnight to
A person may also undergo an intracavernosal test. During this test, doctors inject a small amount of medication into the base of the penis to cause an erection. Imaging techniques, such as an ultrasound, can also help determine whether there are any problems with blood flow.
How much do pills for ED cost?
To get a pill for ED, a person needs a prescription from a doctor or an online telehealth service. Once the prescription is ready, the cost will depend on whether an individual’s insurance plan covers all or some of the costs.
Typically, generic versions of ED pills, such as sildenafil, cost significantly less than the name-brand versions, such as Viagra.
How effective are ED medications?
Each of the medications in this article is effective in treating ED. However, according to
It is important to note that for any of these medications to work, a person requires sexual stimulation.
Which ED medication is best?
The type of ED medication a person should take depends on their individual needs. Each medication type may have different side effects, dosage requirements, and times for them to work properly.
Individuals should consider these factors before trying these medications.
Which ED drug is safest?
All four of the main ED pills mentioned in this article are safe for most people to use. A person must ensure their medication is doctor-prescribed and comes from a legitimate source.
Is it safe to combine ED treatments?
Health experts recommend against combining ED medications unless a doctor advises otherwise.
If one medication for ED is not working, a person should consult their doctor to determine whether alternative treatment options may work better or if other underlying factors may contribute to ED.
What is the most popular ED pill?
The most commonly prescribed erectile dysfunction medications are sildenafil (Viagra) and tadalafil (Cialis).
Can you get ED medications over the counter?
No. Most ED medications require a prescription from a doctor.
Several medications can treat ED, and many drugs — including those above — work by blocking the PDE5 enzyme, increasing blood flow to the penis.
The best choice of ED medication will depend on various factors. For example, people who have regular sex may prefer taking tadalafil, which is available as a daily pill. Meanwhile, others may prefer medications they can take just before having sex, such as sildenafil, avanafil, or vardenafil.
However, it is important for a person to consult a doctor before taking ED medication and only use it as directed to help prevent adverse side effects.
