What Works Like Viagra: Alternatives and Substitutes
How to replace Viagra with other drugs, natural substitutes and foods? All you need to know about risks and precautions of Viagra equivalents.
Viagra is the most popular medication for erectile dysfunction, a common medical problem. But it is not the only treatment option on the market. There are different pills that are as good as Viagra, and there are also herbal alternatives that may be just as effective, all of which are available in the USA. In this article, we’ll compare alternatives to Viagra, so you can decide which is best.
What Is Viagra?
Before we can discuss alternatives to Viagra, it is necessary to understand what Viagra is. Viagra is the original single-dose erectile dysfunction medication—the first one to be created. More information about Viagra history. It is the brand name of the drug sildenafil citrate. Sildenafil works by helping the smooth muscles in the penis relax so a man can achieve an erection. Brand Viagra is the same drug as the generic version, sildenafil citrate. They contain the same compound and work the same way. There are also other forms of erectile dysfunction drugs that have different chemical compositions but work the same way.
What Works Like Viagra?
There are two categories of Viagra alternatives: other medications and herbal alternatives, or natural substitutes. Medications can be purchased from a pharmacy with a prescription from a doctor, or they can be purchased online at SildenafilViagra Store. Herbal alternatives can be purchased over the counter at a pharmacy, or they can also be purchased online. We will discuss drug alternatives before we move into herbal remedies.
Drug Alternatives
There are two other main erectile dysfunction drugs besides Viagra: Cialis and Levitra. Cialis is the brand name of the generic drug Tadalafil while Levitra is the brand name of the generic drug Vardenafil. All three of these drugs come in the form of oral tablets, and they can all be taken as needed. All three are not available over the counter (OTC), but they can be purchased online from India. All three are cheap and legal to purchase online from websites such as sildenafilviagra.com. Let’s take a look at each alternative in more detail.
Is Cialis Tadalafil The Same as Viagra?
What is better: Cialis or Viagra? The truth is that these drugs are actually more similar than they are different. Even though they contain different chemical compounds, both Cialis and Viagra work the same way: they allow the smooth muscles of the penis to relax so a man can achieve an erection. The main difference is that Cialis, or Tadalafil, was designed to be a longer-lasting medication than Viagra. Viagra will completely exit a man’s body within about five hours, while Cialis will stay in the body for 18 to 36 hours. This makes Cialis a popular choice because of its recreational benefits. After you take Cialis, you can wait up to 36 hours before initiating sexual activity. But after you take Viagra, you cannot wait more than 5 hours. The other main difference between Cialis and Viagra is that Cialis requires a lower dose than Viagra. A 10 mg Cialis pill is roughly equivalent to a 50 mg Viagra pill, in terms of effectiveness. Because Cialis requires a lower dose, it may cause fewer side effects. But this may depend on the individual. Both drugs are completely safe at their approved dosages, so the higher dosage for Viagra does not necessarily matter. Additionally, the higher dose of Viagra is available for the same price as the lower dose of Cialis online. In terms of effectiveness, Cialis and Viagra are about equal. Some men may find that one works better than the other, but this all depends on the individual. There is no way to predict which one will be more effective before you try them.
Is Levitra Vardenafil Good As Viagra?
Now, let’s turn to Levitra, or Vardenafil. Levitra has a different chemical composition from Viagra or Cialis, but it still works the same way as the other two drugs. It allows the smooth muscles in the penis to relax, allowing more blood flow in. Levitra typically lasts about 8 hours—longer than Viagra but not nearly as long as Cialis. Levitra is comparable to Cialis and Viagra in terms of effectiveness. Levitra requires a much lower dose than Viagra: only 10 mg. Because it is a more potent drug, Levitra may be more effective at treating erectile dysfunction than Viagra. But this, again, depends on the individual. How long different ED medications last?
Medication | Viagra | Cialis | Levitra |
Hours | 4-5 | 17-36 |
8-9 |
Other Meds
A lesser known drug alternative to Viagra is Stendra, also known by its generic name, Avanafil. Stendra works the same way that Viagra, Cialis and Levitra do. The main difference is that Stendra is more quickly absorbed into the body, so it starts working faster. Men who take Stendra can usually have sex within 15 minutes, whereas the other three medications mean waiting for 30-45 minutes. Stendra has about the same rate of effectiveness as Viagra, Cialis and Levitra, and carries a similar risk of side effects. Another less well-known ED drug is Aphrodyne. Aphrodyne has actually been around since the 1930s, but it fell out of favor when Viagra was developed. Aphrodyne contains yohimbine hydrochloride, a modified version of yohimbe bark extract, which we will come back to later. Aphrodyne works by dilating the blood vessels, increasing blood flow to the genitals. Aphrodyne has to be taken three times a day, and it will take several weeks for the medication to start working. This option is not as popular as drugs like Viagra, which work immediately.
Natural Substitutes
If you would prefer to try a herbal remedy rather than a drug for erectile dysfunction, there are many products available.
Ginseng
Multiple studies have found that Korean red ginseng yields real results as an ED treatment. One study used a sample of 45 men who suffered from ED. Half were given 900 mg of Korean red ginseng 3 times a day, and the other half were given a placebo. After 8 weeks, the men who took the ginseng reported more improvements in their ED than the men who took the placebo. It should be noted that this study, as well as other studies on red ginseng as an ED treatment, involved a small sample size, so more research is needed to determine conclusively whether red ginseng is an effective ED treatment. The FDA has not approved red ginseng for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. That being said, Korean red ginseng is a safe herbal supplement that carries few risks and many benefits, including increased energy and lower stress levels. The most common side effect is trouble sleeping. Overall, Korean red ginseng is worth a try if you have ED and want a natural remedy. Keep in mind that if you do choose to take ginseng for ED, you may not see results right away. You may have to take the supplement for a few weeks before it has an effect.
Horny Goat Weed
Horny goat weed is another herbal supplement that has been used to treat erectile dysfunction. According to legend, the plant was named by a goat herder who noticed that his flock became sexually aroused after eating it. Horny goat weed has not been tested in humans as a treatment for ED. However, it has been tested in rats. Researchers found that when male rats ate purified horny goat weed, their erectile function improved. There was also a study that isolated the active ingredient in horny goat weed, icariin, and found that it could inhibit the PDE5 enzyme. This is the enzyme that prevents men from getting erections—the same enzyme that is affected by Viagra, Cialis and Levitra. Side effects of horny goat weed are usually minor. They include nosebleeds, elevated heart rate and dizziness. As with ginseng, horny goat weed may not make your ED go away immediately. You will probably have to take it for about one month before you see results.
Yohimbe
Yohimbe bark is the main ingredient that is used to make yohimbine hydrochloride, or Aphrodyne, the medication discussed earlier. Yohimbe bark has long been used in western Africa to increase sex drive and to improve overall health. Taking a yohimbe supplement may eliminate your ED, but taking the herbal supplement is not the same as taking the medication, and it is not guaranteed to produce the same result. The main problem with yohimbe bark supplements is that you cannot be certain how much yohimbine they actually contain because supplements are not regulated by the FDA. When FDA researchers analyzed over-the-counter yohimbe extracts, they found that the amount of yohimbine they contained was low.
Arginine
L-arginine is frequently marketed as a supplement that can treat ED. L-arginine is an amino acid that gets converted into nitric oxide inside the body. Nitric oxide is essential for achieving an erection because it helps the blood vessels relax, allowing more blood to flow in. Many studies have been done on L-arginine’s effectiveness as an ED treatment, and they show that this supplement does not work on its own. However, it can work in combination with other medications or supplements. For example, one study found that the combination of L-arginine and yohimbine was an effective treatment for mild to moderate ED. Another study found that L-arginine coupled with a herbal supplement called pycnogenol can treat ED in men between the ages of 25 and 45. Pycnogenol comes from the bark of the Pinus pinaster tree.
Vitamins
It is possible that deficiencies in certain vitamins and minerals could cause ED, and that taking supplements of those vitamins or minerals could cure the problem. For example, one study found that men with ED also had low vitamin D levels. This does not necessarily mean that vitamin D deficiency causes ED, but it does indicate that there could be a connection. Another potential cause of ED is zinc deficiency. Multiple studies with human subjects have confirmed that zinc deficiency leads to low testosterone levels. And one study done on rats concluded that a daily zinc supplement can improve sexual function. Vitamin D and zinc supplements can both be purchased over the counter at any drug store.
Natural Viagra in Food
Here is a list of foods that may help alleviate erectile dysfunction:
- Pumpkin seeds are high in zinc, which was discussed earlier as a supplement that may help ED. Pumpkin seeds are also high in L-arginine, which was also covered in the herbal remedy section.
- Nuts are also high in zinc as well as L-arginine.
- Watermelon has high levels of the amino acid citrulline. When consumed, citrulline is turned into L-arginine.
- Pomegranate may help in two ways. It boosts levels of nitric oxide, which is necessary for men to achieve an erection, and it increases testosterone levels.
Other Viagra Replacements
There is evidence to suggest that certain lifestyle changes can eliminate erectile dysfunction without the need for medicine. For example, one study found that there was a strong correlation between the number of cigarettes a man smoked and the severity of his ED. That same study found that when men stopped smoking, most of them experienced a decrease in their ED symptoms. Many studies have found that changes in diet can also alleviate ED.
Diet is important for men’s health. One study tested a Mediterranean diet (a diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, fruit, nuts, legumes and olive oil) on men who suffered from both metabolic disorder and ED. The researchers found that the Mediterranean diet significantly improved erectile function. Another study found that a diet rich in flavanoids (which are found in high quantities in blueberries, citrus fruits, and other plants) significantly decreased men’s symptoms of ED. This mean, that products, rich in flavanoids can be good replacement of erectile dysfunction drugs. It is also well-known that men who are overweight or obese have an increased risk of developing erectile dysfunction. Maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly in order to maintain a healthy weight could, therefore, reduce ED.
Is Natural Viagra Dangerous?
The herbal supplements and vitamins discussed in this article are not dangerous when taken according to their recommended doses. And there is nothing dangerous about eating more foods rich in zinc or L-arginine, or eating a healthier diet in general.