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April 2006
Viagra: The Next GenerationThere are new options for men with erectile dysfunction—but consult your doctor firstFirst there was Viagra. Then came Levitra, and now Cialis is available as a third option for men with erectile dysfunction. How do you know which is right for you?All three drugs treat the inability to achieve or maintain an erection. They work by relaxing smooth muscle tissue in the penis to allow better blood flow, says Victor Otero, M.D., family physician at Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network. “I’ve prescribed these drugs for men even into their 80s with good results,” he says. “And if one drug doesn’t work, another may.” “The three drugs cost about the same, and they all can cause side effects such as headache, muscle aches, indigestion and generalized pain,” says Michelle Karam, registered phar-macist at Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network. “The main difference,” Otero says, “is that the potential for an erection is 24 to 36 hours with Cialis compared to four hours with Viagra and Levitra.” Though safe and effective, these drugs should never be taken without talking to the doctor first. “Erectile dysfunction can have a variety of causes, including liver or thyroid disease,” Otero says. “It’s important to rule out a physical cause first.” Once you’ve done that, be aware that not every man is a candidate for Viagra and its newer cousins. “For example, if you take nitrates (Nitrostat, Isordil, Imdur) for a heart condition, you should avoid them because the combination causes blood pressure to drop suddenly,” Karam says. Use the drugs with caution if at all, she adds, if you have certain liver or kidney problems, low blood pressure, a past stroke, or if you take an alpha blocker for high blood pressure or benign prostate disease. Otero advises against using the drugs simply to improve the quality or duration of an erection—they’re designed to treat erectile problems. In fact, they may be covered by insurance if your doctor considers them medically necessary.
Want to Know More about erectile dysfunction and who should (and shouldn’t) take the new drugs? Call 610-402-CARE or click here. This page last updated 2/12/08 04:08 PM
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