ED or erectile dysfunction is a medical condition of not being able to achieve or keep an erection that is necessary for sexual intercourse. This condition is often caused by some underlying health problem.

The Urology Care Foundation estimates that erectile dysfunction affects more than 30 million men in the United States. For many of these patients, treatment with different drugs may resolve their erectile dysfunction.

American Integrative Pharmacy (AIP) is an advanced integrative pharmacy offering safe and innovative compounding solutions to patients in Los Angeles, Long Beach, Torrance, South Bay, Orange County, and various Southern California locations. Stemming from this, it provides services such as online prescription refills for delivery across the United States.

The Basics of Erectile Dysfunction Drugs

A wide variety of drugs are used to treat this medical condition. Each drug works in a different way, but they will all result in an improvement of sexual activity by stimulating the flow of blood to the penis.

Most of the commonly prescribed ED medications belong to a group known as phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. These drugs block some enzyme activity that leads to ED.

It’s crucial to inform your doctor about all your health issues and the medications you are taking. This information will help your doctor in deciding the drug that is suitable for you.

Avanafil (Stendra)

This is an oral medication and a PDE5 inhibitor. It should be taken about fifteen minutes prior to having sex. You should not take it more than once per day.

You should not take any PDE5 inhibitors if you are also taking nitrates for the treatment of your heart disease. Some examples of nitrates are isosorbide mononitrate (Monoket) and nitroglycerin (Nitrostat). Using nitrates with avanafil may lead to extremely low blood pressure and at times even death.

Some of the milder side effects of this medication are:

• Headache
• Warming, flushing, or the reddening of your face
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Pain in the back
• Sore throat

Sildenafil (Viagra)

This is another PDE5 inhibitor. Viagra is only available as an oral tablet. You should take it only once per day, approximately thirty minutes to an hour before sex.

The more common side effects of this drug include:

• Flushing
• headache
• Stuffy or Runny nose
• Upset stomach
• Back pain
• Aches in muscle
• Changes in vision such as changes in how some colors look and blurry vision

Tadalafil

Also known as Cialis, it is an oral drug that improves the flow of blood all through your body. This PDE5 inhibitor should be taken thirty minutes before sex, and not more than once each day. It may work for up to thirty six hours.

Potential side effects of this medication are: 

• Pain in the limbs 
• Headache
• Back Pain
• Flushing
• Stuffy or runny nose
• Back pain
• Stomach upset

Vardenafil

Vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn) is an oral drug and a PDE5 inhibitor. You are required to take it sixty minutes before sex. This drug can be taken once per day as prescribed by your doctor.

Possible side effects of this drug include:

• Dizziness 
• Headache
• Stuffy or runny nose
• Flushing
• Upset stomach
• Back pain

Prior to taking ED Medications 

Not everyone with erectile dysfunction will be required to take medications. If you think you have this medical condition, schedule an appointment with primary care doctor. They will conduct your physical exam and ask for certain lab tests, as well as a thorough medical and psychosocial history.

They may also refer you to a mental health professional, who will be able to assist you to manage your performance anxiety or relationship issues related to your ED.

AIP, led by Dr. Neema Yazdanpanah, provides compounding pharmacy solutions, including online prescription refills, to patients in Long Beach, Torrance, Los Angeles, South Bay, Orange County, Southern California areas, and nationwide. 

For more information on compound pharmacy medications available or to make an online prescription purchase, please click here or call Toll Free 1-855-247-7948.

American Integrative Pharmacy is located in Lomita, CA serving residents in and around Orange County, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Torrance and surrounding areas. Online prescription sales are available across the US.