How to Use Sex Tablets Safely and Effectively

The most common side effects are headaches, upset stomach, nasal congestion, muscle pain, and facial flushing. But most of these are relatively mild and go away after a few hours. ED drugs can make blood pressure temporarily drop, so never use them if you also take medications that contain nitrates.

Other uses for this medicine

This won’t necessarily affect you, but it may be a problem if you also take a blood pressure medication. A sudden drop in blood pressure can make you feel dizzy, fall, black out, or even cause more serious cardiac issues. All PDE5 inhibitors can lower your blood pressure. Nitrate medications, such as nitroglycerin (Nitrostat), can have dangerous interactions with PDE5 inhibitors. Nitrate medications are commonly given to people with heart conditions like angina or high blood pressure.

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If you take a nitrate medication, you should never take ED medications at the same time. There are ways to save on ED medications: Save with GoodRx: GoodRx can help you save significantly on the average retail price of the generic versions of ED meds. Generic sildenafil at certain pharmacies is as low as $11.70 for 30 tablets with a free GoodRx discount. You can find the same quantity of generic tadalafil and vardenafil for as low as $10.80 and $79.13, respectively. Exclusive GoodRx savings are also available for brand-name Viagra. (Nitrates found in food don't pose a problem.) You also need to be careful if you take any other drugs that lower blood pressure.

Product	Dosage	Quantity + Bonus	Price
Cialis Generic	10mg	60 + 6 Pills	105.81€ 100.77€	Buy
Kamagra	100mg	20 Pills	86.09€ 81.99€	Buy
Kamagra 100 mg	100 mg	20 Pills	86.09€ 81.99€	Buy
Kamagra Polo	100mg	272 + 12 Pills	622.94€ 593.28€	Buy
Viagra Generic	25mg	270 + 8 Pills	184.26€ 175.49€	Buy
Kamagra Polo	100mg	60 + 4 Pills	189.39€ 180.37€	Buy
Levitra Generic	10mg	360 + 10 Pills	407.94€ 388.51€	Buy
Levitra Generic	40mg	10 Pills	41.37€ 39.40€	Buy
Cialis Generic	10mg	30 + 4 Pills	63.32€ 60.30€	Buy
Cialis Super Active	20mg	120 + 16 Pills	382.15€ 363.95€	Buy
Kamagra	100mg	12 Pills	55.64€ 52.99€	Buy
Viagra Super Active	100mg	20 + 4 Pills	48.05€ 45.76€	Buy
Viagra Professional	100mg	30 Pills	88.92€ 84.69€	Buy
Kamagra Polo	100 mg	84 + 4 Pills	244.49€ 232.85€	Buy

For example, alpha blockers - such as tamsulosin (Flomax) and alfuzosin (Uroxatral), which are used to treat symptoms of an enlarged prostate, lower blood pressure in some men. Make sure to take them at least four hours apart from an ED drug.

Ingredient	Type	Function	Typical Dosage (mg)
Sildenafil	PDE5 Inhibitor	Enhances blood flow to the penis	50-100
Tadalafil	PDE5 Inhibitor	Long-lasting erection support	10-20
Vardenafil	PDE5 Inhibitor	Rapid onset action	10-20
Yohimbine	Alkaloid	Increases blood circulation	5-15
L-Arginine	Amino Acid	Boosts nitric oxide production	300-600

It's important to realize that ED drugs don't increase sexual desire, and you have to be ready and sexually stimulated for them to work.

When oral medications might not be safe

Erectile dysfunction (ED) drugs are more readily available than ever before, and in general, men have gotten past any stigma about needing them. Yet many men still creams for erectile dysfunction approach ED drugs the wrong way. Men feel their sex life is not good and see an ED drug as an easy, quick-fix solution. But more times than not, there are underlying issues at play that a pill can't help. While men might have other sexual issues, such as low libido, premature ejaculation, and the inability to achieve orgasm, ED pertains explicitly to not being able to get or maintain an erection.

The best place to get medications for ED

ED drugs address only that issue, by improving blood flow into the penis and keeping the blood in place to maintain an erection. There are four ED drugs currently available: sildenafil (Viagra), avanafil (Stendra), tadalafil (Cialis), and vardenafil (Levitra). At least one ED drug works in about 70% of men, but results vary among individuals. Men who have nerves or arteries damaged by prostate surgery, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease often do not respond as strongly to ED drugs. Finding out is often a trial-and-error approach. The drugs won't work well if you are mentally or emotionally not ready for sex. You can't just take a pill, pay some bills or wash the dishes, and then go to the bedroom and think you'll be ready to go. When your mind is not there, you are not going to want sex, and no ED drug can fix that problem. Before trying an ED drug, it's best to step back and analyze your sex life and when your ED occurs. Does it happen all the time or just vardenafil 10 mg tablet in certain situations? Is it with only one partner or different ones? Does it ever happen when you masturbate? Are the problems associated with stress or alcohol? Asking yourself these types of questions can help identify if your ED may be more psychological than physical.

Recommended reading

Many doctors first prescribe Viagra because it has been around the longest and has a high success rate. If one drug doesn't work after a predetermined period, your doctor may increase the dosage or prescribe one of the others. Sometimes, you have to try all of them before knowing whether ED drugs work for you. An ED drug kicks in within 15 minutes to an hour after you take it and can last anywhere from four to five hours up to 24 hours or longer depending on the drug. (See "ED drugs: How soon and how long?") It's best not to take the pill with food or soon after a meal, which can block absorption. You might benefit from sex therapy with your partner, or you may need treatment for a specific condition that affects your desire and sexual arousal, like post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, or anxiety. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, blue 100 pill should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. Sildenafil (Viagra) is used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence; inability to get or keep an erection) in men. Sildenafil (Liqrev, Revatio) is used to improve the ability to exercise in adults (Liqrev, Revatio) and children 1 year of age and older (Revatio) with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH; high blood pressure in the vessels carrying blood to the lungs, causing shortness of breath, dizziness, and tiredness). Sildenafil is in a class of medications called phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors.

• Tadalafil is often preferred for daily use due to longer duration.
• Sildenafil and vardenafil require more precise timing around meals.
• Side effects are usually mild but may include flushing and upset stomach.
• Do not share tablets with others to avoid misuse and health risks.
• Erectile dysfunction can be an early sign of heart disease.
• Consult a healthcare professional if tablets have no effect.
• Avoid grapefruit juice when taking certain ED medications.
• Some medications may lose effectiveness over time; check with a doctor.

Sildenafil treats erectile dysfunction by increasing blood flow to the penis during sexual stimulation. This increased blood flow can cause an erection.

Step	Process Description	Effect
1	Inhibit PDE5 enzyme in smooth muscle cells	Increases cGMP levels
2	Elevated cGMP promotes relaxation of penile arteries	Enhances blood influx
3	Increased blood flow results in erection	Achieves and maintains erection

Sildenafil treats PAH by relaxing the blood vessels in the lungs to allow blood to flow easily. If you are taking sildenafil to treat erectile dysfunction, you should know that it does not cure erectile dysfunction or increase sexual desire. Sildenafil does not prevent pregnancy or the spread of sexually transmitted diseases such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Sildenafil comes as a tablet and suspension (liquid) to take by mouth. If you are taking sildenafil to treat erectile dysfunction, follow your doctor's directions and the guidelines in this paragraph. Take sildenafil as needed before sexual activity. The best time to take sildenafil is about 1 hour before sexual activity, but you can take the medication any time from 4 hours to 30 minutes before sexual activity. Sildenafil usually should not be taken more than once every 24 hours.

How and when to take the medications

Speak with a healthcare professional about potential side effects and whether these medications would be safe for you to take. Phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors are a class of medications used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). The available PDE5 inhibitors include sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), vardenafil (previously sold as Levitra and Staxyn), and avanafil (Stendra). Currently, one PDE5 inhibitor isn’t considered the best for ED. The best ED medication for you depends on many factors such as how often you plan to use it, potential side effects, and how much they cost.

Watch out for side effects

Plus, many people alternate between ED medications, depending on their individual needs. Talk to a healthcare professional about which ED med would be the best choice for you. Effect of high-fat breakfast and moderate-fat evening meal on the pharmacokinetics of vardenafil, an oral phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Comparing vardenafil and sildenafil in the treatment of men with erectile dysfunction and risk factors for cardiovascular disease: A randomized, double‐blind, pooled crossover study. Oral phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors and hormonal treatments for erectile dysfunction: A systematic review and meta-analysis. If you have certain health conditions or are taking certain medications, your doctor may tell you to take sildenafil less often. You can take sildenafil with or without food. However, if you take sildenafil with a high-fat meal, it will take longer for the medication to start to work.

Can I Use Insurance?

Save with GoodRx: GoodRx can help you save significantly on the average retail price of the generic versions of ED meds. Save with GoodRx for ED: Get generic Viagra delivered directly to your door starting at $18 per month. Generic Cialis starts at $21 per month. Save with a copay savings card: If you’re eligible, you could save up to 50% off brand-name Viagra for up to 12 months using a manufacturer savings card. In general, ED medications work by relaxing smooth muscles and blood vessels in the penis.

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This improves blood flow, which allows for an erection to last longer. Herbal products and dietary supplements that claim to be alternatives for ED aren’t regulated by the FDA. So it’s hard to determine which is best or if they’re even safe and effective. If you’re experiencing ED symptoms, it’s a good idea to speak with a healthcare professional about your treatment options. Like all medications, ED medications also carry a risk of side effects. If you are taking sildenafil to treat PAH, you will probably take sildenafil three times a day with or without food. Take sildenafil at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Shake the liquid well for 10 seconds before each use to mix the medication evenly.

Medication	Success Rate (%)	Average Onset (minutes)	Duration (hours)
Sildenafil	70	30-60	4-6
Tadalafil	75	30	Up to 36
Vardenafil	68	25-60	4-5
Avanafil	80	15-30	6-12

Use the oral syringe provided with your medication to measure and take your dose. Follow the manufacturer's directions to use and clean the oral syringe.

• Many men find tablets effective in restoring erectile function.
• Psychological support can enhance the success of medication.
• Beware of counterfeit medications which can be dangerous.
• Always obtain these tablets through licensed pharmacies.
• Combining ED tablets with other treatments can improve outcomes.
• ED tablets are not aphrodisiacs and do not increase libido.
• Regular checkups help monitor underlying health conditions.
• Overuse or misuse can lead to persistent side effects or dependence.

Do not mix the liquid with other medications or add anything to flavor the medication. If you are taking sildenafil for erectile dysfunction, your doctor will probably start you on an average dose of sildenafil and increase or decrease your dose depending on your response to the medication. Tell your doctor if sildenafil is not working well or if you are experiencing side effects.

• Erectile dysfunction can be caused by chronic health issues like diabetes.
• Psychological counseling can help if ED has mental origins.
• Lifestyle changes like quitting smoking improve tablet results.
• Some tablets might have food interactions, especially high-fat meals.
• Effectiveness can vary based on age and overall health.
• Regular exercise boosts cardiovascular health and erectile function.
• A balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables supports blood flow.
• Report any adverse reactions to your healthcare provider.

If you are taking sildenafil for PAH, you should know that sildenafil controls PAH but does not cure it. Continue to take sildenafil even if you feel well. Do not stop taking sildenafil without talking to your doctor.