Is sildenafil the same as Viagra? Yes the only difference is price

Erectile dysfunction ED affects millions of men around the world.

Luckily, over the past few decades, scientists and researchers have developed a number of therapies that are effective for treating ED.

One of the first and most famous was Viagra. For years, it was really the only pharmacological option. Recently, other pharmaceutical companies have been able to manufacture generic versions of Viagra, called sildenafil.

But does it work? Is sildenafil the same as Viagra? Is it as effective? Is it as safe?

This article seeks to answer all of those questions.

What is sildenafil?

Sildenafil is the name for the generic version of Viagra. Viagra was created and patented by Pfizer in 1998 to treat erectile dysfunction in men. It was approved by Health Canada for sale in Canada in 1999. Eventually, it was also approved as a treatment for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) drug for men and women, marketed under the name Revatio.

Is there a generic form of Viagra? There is now, yes. Under patent law, Pfizer was the only company allowed to produce the product. However, in 2012, the patent was struck down by Canadian courts because it failed to fully disclose how it was made.

When the patent was struck down, other companies were now able to launch competing products. The result was sildenafil citrate or sildenafil a generic version of the brand name Viagra.

Does sildenafil work like Viagra? Yes, like Viagra, sildenafil is typically sold in dosages of 20 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg. The recommended dose depends on a number of factors including the age and general health of the patient. Potential patients must be carefully evaluated by a specialized doctor as Sildenafil and Viagra are both only sold under a prescription in both the US and Canada.

Doctors typically prescribe lower dosages for those who have cardiovascular problems in order to avoid adverse effects. Interaction with other medications, such as nitrates, nitroglycerin, or alpha-blockers, is also avoided.

How does sildenafil work?

Sildenafil is a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor. This puts it in the same category of drugs as tadalafil (generic Cialis), vardenafil (generic Levitra), and avanafil (generic Stendra). This category of ED medications blocks PDE5 enzymes, which inhibit blood flow to the penis. With less of this enzyme, it’s easier for blood to flow into the penis, causing it to expand more easily, and allowing firmer, longer-lasting erections.

How to use sildenafil: Sildenafil is most effective for erectile dysfunction when the tablet is taken orally at least 60 minutes before sexual intercourse. The effects of this ED pill typically last for 4 hours. For best results, it’s best to not eat fatty foods or drink alcohol before taking the medication because these have been found to delay the effect of the drug.

Note that sildenafil, like Viagra, only works in the context of sexual stimulation. The drug will not produce erections without sexual activity.

As with any medication, read the instructions and follow the directions of your medical advisor. Store sildenafil pills at room temperature and away from moisture.

How effective is sildenafil? Research has consistently found that sildenafil is effective for most men. Studies estimate that between 77% and 84% of men with ED can benefit from sildenafil.

That doesn’t mean it’s effective for everyone. Several factors may influence its effectiveness, such as your general state of health, age, diet, and more. If sildenafil doesn’t work for you, contact your prescribing medical professional. They can adjust the dosage or suggest an alternative ED treatment such as tadalafil that could be more effective.

What are the side effects of sildenafil?

Both sildenafil and Viagra can cause side effects. While greater doses are more likely to cause adverse side effects, these can appear at any dose. That’s why it’s important to take sildenafil only under the supervision of a physician or other qualified medical professional.

The potential side effects of sildenafil are:

• Muscle pain in different areas of the body
• Nose bleed
• Congested or runny nose
• Tenderness around the eyes
• Headaches
• Fever
• Indigestion
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
• Unusual weakness or exhaustion
• Blurriness and light sensitivity
• Ringing in the ears
• Confusion
• Difficulty breathing

In case of a more serious adverse event, consult your doctor immediately.

• Dizziness
• Sudden changes in vision
• Loss of vision or hearing loss
• Swollen extremities of the body
• Chest pain or heart attack symptoms
• Convulsion
• Painful erection or an erection that lasts longer than four hours

Is sildenafil 20 mg the same as Viagra?

Yes, sildenafil (or sildenafil citrate) is the generic name of the brand name Viagra marketed by Pfizer.

In Canada, in order to be considered a generic version of a drug, companies must be able to show that their generic version is “pharmaceutically equivalent” to the original, brand name version. That means they must show that the generic medication is bioequivalent to the original, that it has the same medicinal ingredients and the same pharmacological functions.

They must show:

• That the generic version contains the same medical ingredients as the original
• That those medicinal ingredients occur in the same amounts
• That the dosage form is similar to the original

Generic drugs may include different filler ingredients and may look different. But the manufacturers must show that these differences don’t affect the efficacy or safety profile of the drug.

Sildenafil can be sold in Canada because its manufacturers have shown that it has the same effect and safety profile as the original Viagra.

So is sildenafil as good as Viagra?

Yes, sildenafil is functionally the same as Viagra. It is just as good.

Sildenafil vs. Viagra: Which is better?

In our opinion, Sildenafil is better than Viagra.

They have the same effect, but they are vastly different in one characteristic: price.

Viagra is more expensive because it has a brand name attached to it (although, to compete, Pfizer reduced the price of Viagra as soon as generics came on the market).

Sildenafil is much cheaper.

If saving money without losing quality is important to you, try generic sildenafil.

Where can I get sildenafil in Canada?

Sildenafil is one of the most popular ED medications on the market. It’s popular because it works.

So where can you get it?

You can start by getting a prescription. You can do that online right from Essential Clinic. Just start your online visit and get paired with one of our non-judgemental medical professionals. They’ll listen to your symptoms and provide recommendations for treatment options.

If you’re approved, they’ll also give you a prescription for sildenafil on the spot. Then you can buy sildenafil online and we’ll ship it right to your door (in discreet packaging). Simple.

Start your online visit now.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment.