Viagra became a powerhouse of a brand by promising to power up the sex life of couples across the globe. Viagra has become synonymous with helping men to get and keep an erection and has become a hot topic of conversation, there are even jokes about it:
What’s the difference between the first honeymoon and the second?
First honeymoon, Niagara. Second honeymoon, Viagra!
Let’s not for one moment, think of erectile dysfunction as a laughing matter. But, like all well-known brands, Viagra does draw attention.
Why did Viagra become such a hit?
Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects a huge number of men and where there is a problem, there’s a need for a solution. Viagra (or the little blue pill as it’s commonly known) is a brand name for a drug known as sildenafil.
Sildenafil was not initially formulated as a treatment for ED. It was developed by a company called Pfizer as a treatment for high blood pressure and angina. The usual clinical trials were carried out and medical experts noted that sildenafil had the ability to induce an erection.
Pfizer put two and two together: many men had a problem getting an erection, and here they had a potential product to offer. Not wanting to waste a big opportunity, Pfizer went to the FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) to gain approval for this new wonder drug. The company branded it as Viagra and in 1998 the little blue pill became the first phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor approved by the FDA to treat ED. Similar approvals were granted by medicine regulators around the world.
Other branded ED medication
While Viagra bagged the title of the first oral treatment for ED to be approved by the FDA, plenty of other branded ED medications have since been brought to market. These include brands such as Spedra, Levitra, and Cialis.
Which branded drug produces the best results?
The treatments all work in generally the same way, but there are a few subtle differences. Viagra takes around 30 minutes to work and the effects will last for around 4 hours. Levitra takes about 30 minutes to get things going and is effective for up to 12 hours. Spedra takes effect more quickly. It can start to work in as little as 15 minutes and the effects last longer, usually around 4 hours or more. All perfectly useful if you want to take a pill and experience an afternoon or evening of passion. But what if you want the effects to last longer? How about taking an ED pill and then being able to enjoy a whole weekend of sexual exploits? In that case, Cialis may be the ED drug for you, as it can invoke up to 36 hours of potential love-making – hence its nickname “the weekend pill”.
Different variants of PDE5 inhibitors have slightly different side effects, and men should try different types multiple times to see which is most suitable.
Are generic ED treatments as effective?
Generic or unbranded ED medications work in as exactly the same way as the big brand names. You just might not recognise them as easily. There’s sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), avanafil (Spedra), and vardenafil (Levitra, now discontinued).
Well-known brands carry a lot of purchasing power, consumers become familiar with branded products, but unbranded versions (generic) are cheaper and work just as well.
Viagra vs Cialis
Something for the weekend, sir? Cialis was brought to market in 2003 to compete with Pfizer’s big brand Viagra. While the effects of Viagra last around 4 hours, Cialis can invoke an erection as needed for up to 36 hours. Cialis is also available in low-dose daily form (2.5mg and 5mg) to provide continuous ED treatment.
Cialis vs generic Cialis
On one hand, you have branded Cialis, on the other you have its active ingredient – Tadalafil (the unbranded or generic version of Cialis). Tadalafil was initially formulated to combat urinary issues, but was soon recognised for its ability to increase blood flow to the penis, causing an erection. The difference between the two? Well, they both do exactly the same job, but generic Cialis is far cheaper.
Viagra vs generic Cialis.
Let’s put this into perspective. We have to give a huge round of applause to Viagra for being first past the post and providing relief to sexually frustrated couples everywhere. But being first to market doesn’t guarantee your place at the top forever. There’s a new kid on the block and that’s generic Cialis (Tadalafil).
Viagra and generic Cialis have their similarities, both are PDE5 inhibitors used for the treatment of ED and are only effective when a man is sexually aroused. We see the difference when we compare how long each drug remains effective and look at the price tag. Viagra can produce results for around 4 hours, generic Cialis lasts for 36 hours. Viagra is a branded drug; generic Cialis is not. Choose generic Cialis and you are paying less for much more fun.