Viagra Substitute

A new chapter was opened in the medical history when scientists working at Pfizer research institute discovered that sildenafil citrate could be a remedy for erectile dysfunction. The drug was branded Viagra and two decades later; it is still making significant sales. Pfizer was credited several honors for having come up with a solution to a problem that was bothering many men worldwide. The UK company claimed a patent on the use of sildenafil citrate for erectile dysfunction and this locked out many other manufacturers who wanted to borrow the idea from Pfizer. However, as expected, not all nations honored the patent and in some, the patent has expired, so the other makers have been allowed to produce their own generic Viagra. Here are some of the drugs that you will find on the market being sold as Viagra substitutes.

Kamagra

Kamagra is one of the widely used substitutes of Viagra. The drug is a product of the Indian company Eli Lilly, and it contains 100mg of sildenafil per tablet. The Kamagra pills have an onset of action of about thirty minutes and the effect it triggers lasts between four to six hours. Kamagra acts by causing the relaxation of smooth muscles of the penile blood vessels thus allowing more blood to flow to the area and enhancing sexual arousal. Besides the hard erection, Kamagra also causes prolonged sex time and short transition periods in between orgasms.

The drug has been proven to be effective in men with erectile dysfunction and impotence. The accelerated rush of blood that Kamagra causes as its main effect is similar to that of the brand name Viagra. Another reason why the drug is loved by many is that it can be purchased without a prescription.

For the consumers who might not love the Kamagra pills, there is an alternative formulation − the Kamagra jelly. The jelly is taken orally, and it comes in different taste combinations. The jelly is absorbed rapidly. Therefore, it has a somewhat shorter duration of action but starts working way sooner than regular Viagra or Kamagra tablets.

Kamagra is recommended for use in people aged between 18 and 62. The manufacturer warns against overdose which has been experienced mostly with the jelly formulation. The oral jelly can also be accidentally taken by kids so it should be kept away from underage children. In the case of any diseases or conditions arising in the course of the Kamagra therapy, the drug should be stopped immediately and medical attention sought.

Currently, one tablet of 100mg Kamagra goes for $0.90

Other Sildenafil Citrate Brands

Apart from Kamagra, we also take a look at other generic forms of Viagra.

Eriacta

Like the brand name Viagra, this generic form contains sildenafil citrate as the active ingredient. Its effect is based on inhibition of a phosphodiesterase enzyme which degrades cGMP, the compound that is needed for the relaxation of the smooth muscles of the penile vessel walls. The result is an increased blood flow to the penis, causing an erection.

Eriacta is one of the most advanced erectile dysfunction medications, and it is recommended that the drug is taken on prescription-only basis. This is because Eriacta can cause some unpleasant reactions if it is not taken appropriately. In case you have any allergies, you should inform your doctor so that he makes an informed decision before prescribing the drug.

Some of the reactions that can be experienced when using Eriacta are flushing, vision problems, diarrhea and irregular heartbeat. If these symptoms persist, you should seek help from a physician quickly enough. Often, you will be required to take no more than one Eriacta pill per day. However, the doctor can even prescribe a half a tablet per day if they think your condition is of moderate severity.

A tablet of Eriacta sells for about $1.5.

Filagra

Filagra is a dynamic erectile dysfunction drug that is manufactured by Ajanta Pharma, an Indian company. It is a famous ED medication that is used by both men and women. Filagra is meant to enhance feelings and sensations during sex as well as improve the overall quality of sex by causing more intense orgasms. Men and women alike can take this medication as long as they are over 18 years of age.

Filagra’s effect is felt after about 30 minutes of ingestion, and that may last for up to 6 hours in women but in men, the drug tends to have a longer half-life of up to about 12 hours. It is well tolerated if taken in small doses but when high doses are continuously taken, the action weakens over time.

Filagra comes in the form of tablets. It can be found in 25mg, 50mg, and 10mg strengths. Unlike many think, taking two pills of Filagra at a single instance does not necessarily increase the effect caused by the drug. You can purchase this drug with or without a prescription. The average price of a single pill is $0.99.

Some of the side effects that have been noted with the use of Filagra include headache and nausea. There might also be instances of increased sensitivity to light, nasal congestion and urinary tract infections. The tablets are not recommended for use in people who have cardiovascular conditions. Therefore, you have to go for a medical evaluation before taking the medication.

Caverta

Caverta is a drug that is used in men with erectile dysfunction. It is manufactured by Sun Pharmaceutical Industries. Caverta is a common oral medication for impotence and its indication is regardless of the duration of the impotence or the age of the affected.

The active ingredient in Caverta, just like in all abovementioned meds, is sildenafil citrate. The tablets contain 25mg, 50mg or 100mg of sildenafil citrate depending on the strength and a tablet goes for about $1.3. It is advisable to take Caverta tablets with a lot of water about half an hour before sexual activity. The effects of Caverta last about 4 hours. A diet full of fats can prolong the duration of action of the drug but can also delay the onset of effect, so if you’re taking Caverta after a hearty meal, let more than 30 minutes pass before getting down to business.

Caverta does not just bring about an erection after being ingested. Similarly to the way it works with other sildenafil-based medication, there has to be sexual stimulation of the person taking it. Caverta should be taken in low doses (50mg) by people who have liver and kidney problems and those with high blood pressure.

The side effects of Caverta are usually very mild; they include headache, flushing, upset stomach and impaired color perception. The eyes can be more sensitive to light, or you might have a problem distinguishing between blue and green. What is important to remember though is the following: if you have an erection that lasts for longer than 5 hours, then you need to seek medical attention lest you suffer permanent damage to your penis.

Suhagra

Suhagra is an oral drug that is manufactured by Cipla Ltd. The drug contains sildenafil citrate as the active ingredient, and it acts in the same manner as many other oral ED meds including the brand name Viagra. Suhagra facilitates filling of the penis with blood during sexual stimulation because it helps keep cGMP active by inhibiting the enzyme that degrades it. The result is a very firm penis, and the erection lasts for a long time.

The effect of Suhagra is usually felt 30 minutes after taking the tablets orally. The medication is not the longest lasting one out there but still its effect is likely to persist for at least 4 hours. It has been established that a high fat diet can cause delayed onset of action.

Suhagra pills come in various dosages – namely, 25mg, 50mg and 100mg. The dosage is supposed to be determined by a physician or a pharmacist and it definitely shouldn’t exceed one pill per day. Additionally, the medication is contraindicated in men who have problems with their prostrate and those who have any cardiovascular conditions. You should also inform your doctor of any other medications that you might be taking because, for instance, Suhagra worsens the hypotensive effects that are caused by nitric acid analogs. Even if you have erectile dysfunction but you have been advised not to have sex because of an underlying cardiovascular condition, you should not take Suhagra.

Some of the side effects that are associated with the use of Suhagra include headache, facial flushing, diarrhea, dizziness and flu-like symptoms. Typically, these signs fade away in a short time but if they persist for a long time, use of the drug should be stopped, and medical attention sought immediately. The most severe effects ever reported include stroke, irregular heartbeat, and erections lasting longer than 5 hours (priapism), which can possibly result in permanent damage to the penis.

Like many other drugs, Suhagra should be kept away from the reach of children. The drug should also be kept at a temperature of 30 degrees Celsius or less.

The Suhagra tablets are sold for a price of $0.49 per tablet.

Silagra

Silagra is another product of Cipla Pharmaceuticals that has been proven to be effective in averting sexual dysfunction in men who cannot get a hard erection. When it comes to the mechanism of action, Silagra is no different from other sildenafil-based medications – its effect will only be felt if the patient is sexually aroused. That means that the erection does not come simply because you took the drug.

Silagra 100mg takes effect in about 30 minutes after ingestion and its effects last for about 4 hours. The tablet should only be taken before sex but not as some regular dosage medication.

Silagra tablets can cause some side effects although generally, the drug is rather friendly to the body. The mild effects that Silagra can produce include flushing, nasal congestion, headache, indigestion, diarrhea, and rash. Rarely, more severe effects can be experienced such as irregular heartbeats, blurring of vision, fainting and epistaxis.

Men with liver and kidney problems and those with low blood pressure should not take Silagra because it can end up being downright dangerous. Those on nitric acid analogs should also avoid taking Silagra.

The drug should be stored in a cool, dry place at temperatures of below 30 degrees Celsius.

Zenegra

Zenegra is an FDA-approved medication for erectile dysfunction that has been used by men from many parts of the world. The drug has been effective as a remedy for erectile dysfunction, and it also helps to prolong the duration of an erection in men who cannot stay stiff for long. It has been ranked among the best ED medications.

Zenegra acts just like Viagra. It causes the smooth muscles of the blood vessels to relax and thus allows more blood to flow to the penis when a man is sexually excited.

The ED drug can only be taken under a doctor’s prescription because it alone or its combination with other drugs can potentially cause undesirable effects. Usually available in the form of 50mg and 100g tablets, Zenegra is not a permanent cure for erectile dysfunction and therefore, it should not be taken as a daily drug but only when one wants to have sex. It is recommended that the drug is taken with water only and never should the tablets be crushed.

Some of the common side effects that may be experienced by a patient taking Zenegra include blurred vision, stomach upset, dizziness, muscle pain and joint pain. These side effects usually disappear with time and they need no treatment. However, if there are some more serious adverse reactions being observed, such as seizures, chest pains, hives and irregular heartbeat, then medical attention should be sought immediately.

Vigora

Vigora is yet another sildenafil-based med that is used for treating erectile dysfunction. The drug is particularly important for treating ED in people with diabetes although other men can also use the drug to improve their sex life. Vigora’s effect is due to its ability to increase the flow of blood to the penis as the result of sexual excitement.

Though many people are eligible to use Vigora, the drug can have bad effects on those who are currently taking nitrate-based drugs like the kind that are used in treatment of angina pectoris and other conditions that are associated with vasodilation. Before starting to take Vigora, it's highly recommended that you talk to the doctor and tell him everything about any medications that you might be on. You should also open up on cases of past heart diseases, liver and kidney issues, sickle cell anemia and hemophilia.

Vigora comes in the form of 25mg, 50mg, and 100mg tablets. The dosage is to be determined by the doctor. The initial dosage can later be lowered or increased according to the response that has been experienced. The effects of Vigora will start manifesting about 30 minutes after ingestion, therefore, the tablet should be taken about an hour before sexual activity. Once the onset of action occurs, the effects will last for about 4 hours.

A pack of 20 pills of Vigora is sold for about $44 – but, naturally, the prices may differ significantly from one online pharmacy to another.

Avana

Avana is an erectile dysfunction medication that comes in the form of tablets, each containing 100mg of avanafil. Almost identical to sildenafil, avanafil is a phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE 5) inhibitor, which causes the blood vessels to vasodilate and allow in more blood when a man is sexually aroused. Avana is metabolized very fast in the body compared to the other ED meds which are sildenafil-based.

Avana tablets should be taken orally, with or without food – even if fatty, meals simply do not affect its absorption. It should be noted, however, that the medication does not just cause erection by its mere presence in the patient’s system; there has to be sexual stimulation.

Some of the common side effects that accompany the ingestion of Avana include headaches, dizziness, symptoms similar to those of flu and flushing. However, in the case of priapism or changes in vision and hearing, medical attention should be sought without any delays.

Grapefruits or grapefruit juice should not be taken together with Avana tablets because a harmful reaction can occur leading to a sudden drop in blood pressure.

Herb Viagra

Erectile dysfunction is a problem that men have faced since time immemorial, therefore there have always been attempts to find a solution. Long before the age of contemporary drugs, herbal medicine was mostly used for medical conditions and ED was not spared. Different cultures have their own herbal medications for erectile dysfunction including some bizarre ones like taking the soup prepared with shark fins.

We cannot deny that herbal medicine is still being used as a means of treatment and some of the herbal therapies cost even more than the conventional medicine. What is commonly referred to as ‘Herbal Viagra’ has also been on the market for quite a long time already. The term herb Viagra is used to refer to any medication that is of herbal origin and treats erectile dysfunction. Because Viagra dominated the market as an ED drug for long, people have resorted to using the term more often. Although Viagra is a name for sildenafil citrate, herbal Viagra medications do not necessarily contain the compound. However, many of the herbal medicines have also been found to contain sildenafil although in smaller amounts. Many of the herbal Viagra is sold online, and it has been reported that a significant percentage of the meds being advertised online as generic Viagra are herbal ED medications.

Some herbal Viagra meds are effective, but others might have no effect apart from the relatively bad adverse ones. The big problem is that the herbal Viagra alternatives have not been tested nor licensed. They might not be very safe. If only some studies could be carried out on some of the herbal medications, we could probably stumble upon another way to deal with erectile dysfunction. At the moment, nevertheless, sildenafil remains the most commonly used substance in the treatment of erectile dysfunction.