Erectile dysfunction treatments: Viagra, Cialis and more

A clear, medically cautious guide to erectile dysfunction and the best-known treatments: how Viagra and Cialis work, how to take them safely, the interactions and health factors that matter, and how to obtain them responsibly — always stressing that diagnosis and treatment belong with a doctor.

Sildenafil began life as a heart drug. Researchers in Kent were testing it for angina in the early 1990s when volunteers reported an unexpected side effect, and the most famous pill for erectile dysfunction was born almost by accident. That story is a good way into this section, because most of what men want to know about ED medicines comes down to the same few things: what the tablet actually does in the body, how long it stays there, what it clashes with, and how to get a genuine supply.

Each article here takes one of those questions and answers it in plain language. Some are about timing: Cialis tends to start within an hour and can last a day and a half, while sildenafil is mostly cleared within a day. Others look at specific situations, such as a course of clarithromycin, a long gym session, reduced kidney function, or a holiday in Bangkok with tablets in your luggage.

None of this is a substitute for being examined. A doctor needs to look at the cause of the problem, which may be circulation, hormones, nerves, medication or stress, and decide whether a tablet is right for you and at what dose.

Start here

New to the subject? Begin with whether Viagra and antibiotics mix. It is a question many men face, and it walks through how a pharmacist weighs one drug against another, which is useful background for every other page in this section.

Where the pills came from and how they behave

From a failed angina trial to a household name, plus the pharmacology that decides when a dose kicks in and when it fades.

Your body, your other medicines

Antibiotics, nitrates, kidney health, workouts after a dose, and the muscles and habits that affect erections in the first place.

Prescriptions, prices and travel

How a prescription is issued, what a genuine supply costs, why shelf products are not the same thing, and what to pack when you fly.

Quick reference

Your questionRead this first
I'm on another prescriptionDrugs that interact with sildenafil
How soon before sex should I take it?When Cialis starts working
Is the cheaper version just as good?Generic tadalafil versus the brand
Which sellers can I trust?Finding a legitimate pharmacy

Frequently asked questions

Can ED usually be fixed?
For most men, yes. Dealing with the underlying cause, changing habits and, when appropriate, a prescribed tablet all play a part.
Can I get Viagra or Cialis without seeing anyone?
No. Both need a prescription, and websites that skip that step are where fake and contaminated tablets turn up.
Why would a doctor check my heart?
Trouble with erections can show up before other signs of narrowed arteries, so it is worth having your blood pressure and cholesterol looked at.