Sildenafil is the active element in Viagra, and it is sometimes referred to as “generic Viagra” or just “sildenafil.” The active ingredient in these drugs is the same, and they work in the same way in the body. The dose and cost of these medications are the most important factors to consider while making a decision.

What is Viagra?

Pfizer manufactures and sells sildenafil under the brand name Viagra. Sildenafil citrate is the primary ingredient, and Viagra is available in three doses: 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg. Between 30 minutes and 4 hours before sexual activity, this ED therapy is taken as needed. Though Viagra tablets can start working and help you have an erection in as little as 12 minutes, it takes 30–120 minutes for the medication to reach peak levels in your body (Eardley, 2002). It can stay in your body for up to five hours, but the actual amount of time it works depends on your age, health, and diet.

Although Viagra, also known as “the tiny blue pill,” is the most commonly prescribed ED drug, you’ve probably heard of Cialis (generic name tadalafil) and Levitra (generic name vardenafil). All of these ED medications are classified as phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE-5 inhibitors), which means they all function in the same way. To treat ED, each of these drugs works by relaxing penis muscles and boosting blood flow.

What is generic Viagra?

The term “generic Viagra” refers to a drug that contains the same active component and dosage as Viagra but is not sold under the brand name. These generic medications and Viagra are bioequivalent, which means they work in the body in the same way and generate the same results. The FDA has also approved these medications for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. They only differ from Viagra in two ways: first, these sildenafil tablets may not be manufactured by Pfizer, and second, they are far less expensive.

It’s worth noting that, unlike Viagra, the effects of these generic Viagra don’t involve a spontaneous erection. An erection still requires sexual stimulation. They merely make it simpler to obtain and maintain one.

What is sildenafil?

Sildenafil is the active element in Viagra and “generic Viagra,” but it’s also found in a variety of other drugs. The FDA has cleared it for use in disorders other than ED. Revatio, a drug that treats pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a disorder in which the pressure in the blood arteries that deliver blood from your heart to your lungs is higher than usual, contains sildenafil (Barnett, 2006).

The dose is one significant distinction between Revatio and the FDA-approved sildenafil-based medications for the treatment of ED. Revatio is only available in a single dose of 20 mg. There are three doses of Viagra and generic Viagra: 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg. However, generic Revatio also contains sildenafil as an active component. Generic versions of this PAH drug can be used to treat ED off-label and have a wider range of dose possibilities.

Erectile dysfunction can be treated with a variety of prescription drugs, including Viagra and its generic equivalent. Only 58 percent of participants with ED had ever sought medical care for the illness, according to researchers who looked at 27,000 males from eight different nations for one study. So, while they discovered that 8% of men aged 20–29 and 11% of men aged 30–39 have erectile dysfunction, the total number of men suffering from this widespread ailment may be higher (Rosen, 2004). According to a 2019 study, between 3 and 76.5 percent of males worldwide suffer from erectile dysfunction (Kessler, 2019).

Which one is right for me?

Because they all contain the same active ingredient, Viagra, generic Viagra, and sildenafil work in the same way to treat erectile dysfunction. Low blood pressure, nasal congestion, indigestion, migraines, facial flushing, back pain, and sudden loss of hearing or vision are just a few of the possible adverse effects. They can both cause priapism, which is a long-lasting and painful erection that can last up to four hours. If you’re thinking about taking either, talk to your doctor beforehand because they have similar drug interactions, including nitrates (like nitroglycerin).

The most important factor in deciding between these erectile dysfunction treatments is price. Off-label sildenafil can cost as little as $2 per pill, whereas branded Viagra can cost up to $70 per pill. That is a decision that you, your insurance company, and your budget must make. A healthcare expert can assist you in determining the dose of either drug that is appropriate for you.