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By: Michael Connelly
So you have decided that you are going to buy a PDE-5 inhibitor to
treat your erectile dysfunction problem, but you are not sure which one
would be right for you. The three that you have to choose from are
Viagra (sildenafil, Pfizer), Cialis (tadalafil, Lilly/ICOS) and Levitra
(vardenafil, Bayer). These three drugs are the only drugs approved by
the FDA to treat erectile dysfunction. All three work in the same way
to preserve high levels of the substance cGMP (cyclic guanosine
monophosphate) that is produced when a man is sexually aroused. As long
as there are high levels of cGMP an ample amount of blood flows to the
penis and an erection can be sustained. PDE-5 (phosphodiesterase-5) is
the enzyme that is responsible for breaking down cGMP, so the idea is
to inhibit the introduction of this enzyme when an erection is desired.
This can be accomplished with all three of the aforementioned products.
However, there are some differences that exist between them that should
be considered before you make your purchase.
Clinical Comparisons?
There has never been a head-to-head clinical comparison of these three
drugs, and this is due mainly to the fact that Cialis and Levitra are
still relative newcomers to the world of PDE-5 inhibitors. Viagra on
the other hand has been on the market for many years, and there have
been over 30 million men treated with this drug and thousands of
peer-reviewed articles written. Although there has never been an
officially recognized comparison with these three drugs together, all
three have been studied separately, and the results of these studies
have yielded almost identical findings.
Similarities
First, let’s talk about the similarities in these three drugs. The
efficacy is approximately 70% with all three. Most men have successful
results. Most importantly, they all appear to be safe as long as they
are taken while following the proper instructions and guidelines. There
are certain similar precautions that should be taken before using any
of these drugs.
1. Tell your Doctor:
•About any allergies to medications.
•About any prescription or non-prescription drugs that you are currently taking, as well as any dietary or herbal supplements.
•About any surgeries you are planning to have in the future.
•About any nitroglycerin or long-acting nitrate you are taking for
chest pains (may cause dangerously low blood pressure when taken with a
PDE-5 inhibitor).
•About any alpha-blockers you are taking for prostate or blood pressure
problems (may cause dangerously low blood pressure when taken with a
PDE-5 inhibitor).
2. Read the instructions on the label carefully and follow them exactly as instructed.
3. Do not take any of these drugs more than once a day.
4. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain anything you do not understand.
Side Effects
The side effects that are associated with Viagra, Cialis and Levitra
are pretty much the same. The following side-effects can occur with
some men, but they are not common:
•Headache
•Upset stomach
•Flushing (a warm feeling)
•Nasal congestion
•Changes in vision
•Back pain (mostly with Cialis)
Most of the time these side effects are mild, but if severe forms occur it is recommended that you contact your doctor.
If any of the following symptoms occur after taking one of these PDE-5
inhibitor drugs it is recommended that you seek emergency treatment at
a hospital:
•Severe rash
•An erection that is painful
•A prolonged erection that lasts more than 4 hours.
•A fainting incident
•Any kind of chest pain
•Burning or itching while urinating
Which One Is "Super Viagra"?
While the differences between these three drugs are subtle, there is
one major difference that sets Cialis apart from Viagra and Levitra.
The effects of Viagra last about four hours. Levitra lasts about five
hours. However, the effects of Cialis on the other hand can last
anywhere from 17-36 hours, which is the reason why it is often called
“super Viagra” or the “weekender” erection drug. A man can take one
10mg pill on Friday and still be experiencing the effects on Sunday.
This however does not mean that he will have an erection for the entire
weekend. Cialis requires a man to be sexually stimulated to take
effect, so an erection will only be obtained when he is thinking about
sex. This is also the case with Viagra and Levitra.
There is one other difference that sets Cialis apart from Viagra and
Levitra, and it is in the absorption rate. Viagra and Levitra absorb
fairly rapidly in the blood stream. It takes between 30-120 minutes for
these drugs to take effect. The absorption rate of Cialis is much
faster, at about 15-30 minutes. While the absorption rate of Cialis is
faster than the other two drugs, they are all highly protein bound
drugs (96%). In plain terms this means that they will absorb faster
when taken with a high protein meal. If you take them with a meal that
has a high fat content, the absorption rate will be reduced.
One side effect that has been reported to occur with Viagra users that
does not occur with the other two drugs is a tendency to experience a
slight change in vision that causes the user to see things with a
slightly bluish tint or hue. This effect goes away once the drug is out
of the system.
So What's The Final Conclusion?
Viagra, Cialis and Levitra are the best thing that ever happened to any
man who is experiencing erectile dysfunction. They are safe, and they
are the only PDE-5 inhibitors that are approved by the FDA. The
benefits far outweigh the detrimental effects of using one of these
drugs. The side effects are usually minimal and mild with most men. As
long as these drugs are taken as prescribed following all of the
instructions and guidelines closely, there are very minimal negative
effects.
© 2005 copyright. Michael P. Connelly
Michael P. Connelly is an Author, Artist and award-winning Filmmaker
who writes on a variety of topics that effect people in their every day
lives.
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Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com
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