Despite the fact that Viagra has been around for several years, men still have a lot of questions about the drug and its generic equivalent, sildenafil. In truth, the two actually have the same main active ingredient, which is sildenafil citrate.
However, this doesn’t mean that the generic medicine is equal in effectiveness, strength, and safety as the branded one. There are actually several differences between Viagra and generic sildenafil. Continue reading to find out whether the latter is as good as its branded counterpart.
Overview
Used for the treatment of ED or erectile dysfunction, as well as to lower blood pressure for those who have pulmonary arterial hypertension, sildenafil is a prescription drug belonging to the class of medicines known as phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors or PDE5 inhibitors.
What sildenafil does is that it blocks the actions of phosphodiesterase-5 enzymes that break down cGMP or cyclic guanosine monophosphate. This is good for both your erection and blood flow because cGMP is the substance that induces the smooth muscles in your penis and blood vessels to relax.
Relaxation of your penile smooth muscles triggers the dilation of your penile arteries, resulting in improved blood flow to your erectile tissues. This then enables you to have an erection. However, when the concentration of cGMP in your penile tissues is not enough, your erection may end up being weak, or you might not be able to get an erection at all.
Thus, by preventing the breakdown of cGMP, sildenafil makes it possible for you to have enough cGMP in your penile tissues so that you can achieve penile tumescence. This is how Viagra and generic sildenafil help you to achieve a hard-on.
Viagra Vs. Sildenafil
Viagra is basically formulated to treat erectile dysfunction. It is available in three dosages, specifically 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg. Generic sildenafil, on the one hand, is prescribed to treat either erectile dysfunction or pulmonary arterial hypertension, depending on the strength.
For erectile dysfunction, generic sildenafil is also available in 25, 50, as well as 100 milligrams. However, for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension, the strength of generic sildenafil is only 20 mg. Sildenafil for pulmonary arterial hypertension also has a branded equivalent, but its strength is also 20 mg.
In short, if you do get a prescription for sildenafil, you need to check the strength. If the prescription that your doctor gave you is for sildenafil 20 mg only, you will need to check with your doctor if you can use that for boosting your erection.
Ideally, the 20 mg-strength sildenafil is prescribed only for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, but there are also cases wherein doctors prescribe sildenafil 20 mg to be used for erectile dysfunction. However, that’s an off-label usage and sildenafil 20 mg is not approved for treating erectile dysfunction.
What this means is that if you’re taking sildenafil 20 mg, the effects may not be as strong or as effective as compared to when you’re taking Viagra. Thus, it’s possible that you may not experience the same erection quality that you normally get when you’re taking Viagra.
You may be tempted to take multiple tablets of sildenafil 20 mg just to achieve the erection hardness that you want, but that may not be a good idea. Taking sildenafil in excessive dosages may actually result in various adverse effects such as dizziness, headaches, blurry vision, low blood pressure, and even priapism.
Aside from the strength, generic sildenafil and Viagra may also differ in terms of price, how long the effects last, effectiveness, and safety. The safety and effectiveness of generic sildenafil will also depend on the manufacturer.
Erectile Dysfunction Supplements for Daily Use
While sildenafil has been proven to enable men to achieve erections, the drug does not permanently improve your erectile function. In addition, sildenafil, both generic and branded, are not supposed to be taken daily.
Hence, if you want to see permanent improvements in your erectile function, you may want to try herb-based supplements instead. While sildenafil increases the flow of blood to your penis, the effects only last for a few hours.
Herb-based supplements for erectile dysfunction, on the one hand, have longer-lasting effects, especially if you take the supplement every day for a period of several months. This means that you can expect to experience long-term improvements in your erectile function when you take the right kind of herbal erectile dysfunction supplements.
Tongkat Ali, in particular, has been tested through several scientific studies and has been found to be effective in significantly improving erectile function. A 2017 scientific review, for instance, validated that there is convincing scientific evidence backing the use of Tongkat Ali in the treatment of male sexual health disorders including erectile dysfunction.
Aside from enhancing your erectile function, Tongkat Ali has also been found to greatly improve testosterone levels, especially among those who are suffering from stress. Elevated levels of cortisol caused by high stress levels actually result in inhibited testosterone production.
Tongkat Ali, however, helps to improve your stress hormone balance, allowing your testosterone levels to increase. On top of that, Tongkat Ali can also help improve your production of sperm, as well as increase your semen volume and improve your sperm quality.
Studies have shown that Tongkat Ali is indeed beneficial for men who are struggling with fertility issues, especially those who are also suffering from low testosterone levels. Thus, if you want to see vast improvements not only in your erectile function but also your fertility, Tongkat Ali is a good choice for you.
Aside from Tongkat Ali, other herbs that are scientifically proven to help treat erectile dysfunction include Horny Goat Weed, Tribulus terrestris, Ashwagandha, and maca. Horny Goat Weed is known to be rich in icariin, an antioxidant compound that also works in the same way as sildenafil and other PDE5 inhibitors.
If you are low on testosterone, Horny Goat Weed, Tribulus terrestris, and Ashwagandha can help you with your androgen problems. These herbs have been found to help increase testosterone levels, on top of their pro-erectile and pro-fertility effects.
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