As of today, erectile dysfunction (ED) is one of the most common health problems among men, especially older ones, and, more to the point, its prevalence keeps on increasing year after year. According to specialists, ED in its moderate form affects about 10% of men per decade of life – 40% of men above 40 years old, 50% of men above 50 years old and so forth. Certainly, the prevalence of the complete form of erectile dysfunction is much lower: it affects about 5% of men in their forties and about 15% of men in their seventies.
No doubt, like most other common health problems, ED is successfully treated nowadays. It is well-known that there are dozens of effective ED pills in the market. However, when men notice that they regularly experience certain ED symptoms, in most cases they turn to their doctors and ask to prescribe Sildenafil. Why Sildenafil? This ED medication entered the market more than 20 years ago, and, consequently, it is familiar to everybody. Still, there is a good selection of other ED pills that are equally effective and provide extra benefits. Speaking about Sildenafil, one of the closest alternatives is Vardenafil. And for many patients this product is a more preferable choice, compared to Sildenafil.
The Short Overview
Levitra is the medication containing Vardenafil as an active ingredient and applied for treating erectile dysfunction, i.e. the condition, when a man cannot get or maintain an erection that is strong enough to have a sexual intercourse. Similar to Sildenafil, Vardenafil belongs to PDE5 inhibitors and provides a temporary increase in a blood flow in a penis, which helps to make an erection firmer and longer. Levitra does not cause accidental erections and starts working only after a man gets sexually aroused. This drug is used before a sexual intercourse only, there is no need to use it on a daily basis, that will not help you get rid of erectile dysfunction.
Besides, similar to most other ED medicines, Vardenafil is available in both brand and generic forms. In other words, if you want to cut drug expenses, you can buy the copy of original drug, which is produced by a different manufacturer, but contains the same active ingredient and, consequently, provides the identical therapeutic effects.
In fact, the only significant difference between brand and generic version is the price: by switching to generic pills, you can reduce your expenses by several times! And that reduction does not involve quality or safety risks. For information, in the USA, which, no doubt, is the country with one of the best healthcare systems in the world, doctors prescribe generic medicines instead of brand ones in about 90% of cases! That fact proves: generis are surely worth trying.
Vardenafil vs. Sildenafil
As it has been mentioned before, these two products are very similar. Both of them treat erectile dysfunction by enhancing a blood flow in a penis, start working in about an hour after an intake, provide a temporary effect lasting several hours, cause no erection without sexual stimulation and should be taken only on those days, when you plan to have sex.
Still, there is a range of differences, which you should take into account discussing the use of these drugs with your doctor:
- Vardenafil is more potent than Sildenafil. For treating ED patients usually take from 50mg to 100mg of Sildenafil, while the recommended dosage of Levitra varies from 5 to 20 mg.
- The effect of Vardenafil is slightly longer. In general, Sildenafil works for 3–6 hours, and the effect of Vardenafil lasts for up to 7 hours. The difference is not so dramatic, but for some patients it may be significant. Sure, those figures may differ, depending on the individual characteristics of the organism.
- Certain side effects are less frequent for Levitra. The list of potential side effects is almost identical for both medications. But, according to studies, the risk of headaches, flushes, indigestion and certain other adverse side effects is lower for generic Levitra. Consequently, one can say that Vardenafil is safer than Sildenafil.
- The effect of generic Levitra is less affected by food. Both Vardenafil and Sildenafil can be mixed with food. But, for Sildenafil to work properly, it is highly advisable to use it on an empty stomach. Meanwhile, generic Levitra can be taken both with and without food. Still, specialists recommend avoiding fatty food, since it may slow down the absorption of the medication. As for alcohol, it is highly advisable to refrain from mixing it with any ED medications at all. So, if you plan to have a romantic date with a dinner, Vardenafil is a better choice.
- Vardenafil is a more preferable choice for male suffering from both diabetes and ED. Such patients frequently experience difficulties with finding a suitable ED medication, but Vardenafil has proven to be effective for them.
Certainly, you should never choose or use any ED medications at your own discretion, since that may put your health at risk. Such products can cause serious side effects and drug interactions and should be taken on the doctor’s recommendation only.
Where to Buy Vardenafil?
In fact, you can buy it at a local pharmacy like any other prescription medication. But, to get an additional discount, it is advisable to order it online. The main point is to find a reliable online pharmacy with a large assortment, reasonable prices and international delivery services.
To sum up, if you experience problems with getting and maintaining a proper erection, there is no need to keep suffering and waiting for the problem to resolve on its own. Make an appointment with your doctor and discuss the use of special ED medications. And be sure to ask about generic alternatives to avoid unnecessary overpayments.