Commonly Used Oral Medications For Erectile Dysfunction

Medication options:

  • Viagra
    • Available in 25mg, 50mg, and 100mg tablets
      • Average cost per pill ~$70
    • Take 1 hour prior to sexual activity on an empty stomach, may be effective for up to 4-5 hours
  • Sildenafil (generic Viagra)
    • Available in 20mg and 100mg tablets
      • Cost per pill through Dayton Physicians Pharmacy $0.50-1.00/pill
        • **If taking the 20mg tablets you can take 1-5 tablets as need prior to sexual activity with NO subsequent doses on the same day.**
    • Take 1 hour prior to sexual activity on an empty stomach, may be effective for up to 4-5 hours
  • Cialis
    • Available in 5mg, 10mg, and 20mg tablets
      • Average cost per pill ~$15-75 (cost varies depending on dosage).
        • Take at least 1 hour prior to sexual activity, may be effective for up to 36 hours.
          • The 5mg tablets can be taken on a daily basis, if approved by your healthcare provider.
  • Tadalafil (generic Cialis)
    • Available in 5mg, 10mg, and 20mg tablets
      • Cost per pill through Dayton Physicians Pharmacy ~$2/pill
        • Take at least 1 hour prior to sexual activity, may be effective for up to 36 hours.
          • The 5mg tablets can be taken on a daily basis, if approved by your healthcare provider.

Common side effects:

  • Headache
  • Flushing of the face/skin
  • Ringing of the ears
  • Upset stomach
  • Heartburn
  • Runny nose

Serious side effects:

  • Hearing loss, often one sided and temporary.
  • Dangerously low blood pressure.
  • Stroke or heart attack.
  • An erection that last greater than 4 hours.
    • This requires a trip to the emergency room for further evaluation/treatment.

**If you develop any serious side effects, please discontinue the use of the medication immediately and contact your healthcare provider for further evaluation.***

Important safety information:

  • You should no longer use any of the above medication if you use/have been prescribed any form of a nitrate (such as nitroglycerin). This combination could cause a deadly drop in your blood pressure.
    • If you develop chest pain within 48hrs of taking any of the above listed medication, you MUST tell your healthcare provider, prior to any form of medical treatment.
  • Please be sure to talk with your healthcare provider about any cardiac conditions prior to starting medication for erectile dysfunction.

Additional medical management options- should be discussed with your healthcare provider.
Please do not hesitate to contact our office with questions or concerns.
937-293-1622

Reference: Khera M. (2020). Treatment of male sexual dysfunction. In P.J. Synder & M.P. O’Leary (Eds.), UpToDate. Retrieved
March 23, 2020. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/treatment-of-male-sexual-dysfunction?search=Viagra&source=search_result&selectedTitle=2~148&usage_type=default&display_rank=1#H23