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What are ED Medications and How Do They Work?

August 27, 2020
4 mins

Medications for erectile dysfunction are designed to help men get and maintain an erection. They're incredibly effective, and the most popular ED meds have been used for more than 20 years by millions of men globally.

ED medications became popular in the 90s. During this time, around 40% of men under the age of 60 were affected by ED. Viagra® (sildenafil) was the first FDA (Federal Drug Administration) approved ED medication. Originally tested as a treatment for high blood pressure, researchers quickly realized it had some unexpected effects on erectile function within 30-60 minutes of taking the drug. 

Pfizer fast-tracked its development and the medication became known as the little blue pill. With Viagra®'s success, additional ED medication options like Cialis® (tadalafil) and Levitra® (vardenafil).

Over 20 years later, all three medications – which work by the same mechanism of action – are available as generic ED meds and have been used successfully and safely by tens of millions of men to achieve and maintain stronger erections.

While it can be hard to discuss, ED is not a health condition that men should feel ashamed of.

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How Do ED Meds Work?

The most popular ED meds Viagra® (sildenafil), Cialis® (tadalafil), and Levitra® (vardenafil) are all PDE5 (Phosphodiesterase 5) inhibitors. PDE5 inhibitors help to relax blood vessels and increase penile blood flow to help men to maintain an erection.

In the penis, the chemical nitric oxide (NO) plays a major role in erections. During sexual stimulation, the chemical helps to create cGMP (cyclic guanosine monophosphate), one of the primary molecules that causes vasodilation (wider blood vessels) and increases penile blood flow.

The molecule cGMP normally gets broken down in the body (and penis) by the enzyme PDE5. By inhibiting PDE 5, sildenafil and its sister molecules allow cGMP to do its work faster and longer, making it easier for an erection to last longer.

What's neat about most of these drugs is they work well for a few hours. For most men, they do require some sexual stimulation before reaching an erection. Once you take an ED medication, the window for having sex and reaching an erection is typically within the first three hours. 

How Do I Take ED Meds?

Most of these medications are taken by mouth 30 minutes to a few hours before sexual intimacy. Cialis® is also available in a lower dose that you can take once daily to be ready for anything. Tabs that dissolve under your tongue are also available for some of these medications.

Doses can vary, but 50 mg Viagra® tablets are the most popular and most often prescribed. Viagra is also available in 25 and 100 mg (milligrams) tablets, and generic sildenafil comes in a variety of doses as well.

How Often Should I Take ED Meds?

ED meds can be taken as needed, but none of these popular products suggest taking them more than once daily.  Be sure to reach out to a healthcare provider if you experience any side effects while taking an ED medication. They may suggest adjusting your dosage or provide you with alternate treatment options for treating your ED.

How Rex MD Can Help

Rex MD provides access to some of the most popular and effective ED medications at affordable prices. Our telemedicine platform connects you with a Rex MD physician who can prescribe your medication and ship it to your home. Get started today with finding the ED medication that works best for you.

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