Stendra Vs. Viagra: Which Is More Effective? – Introduction
Erectile dysfunction is a condition that affects millions of men around the world. Erectile dysfunction simply results in not being able to get or maintain a strong enough erection to be sexually active. Fortunately, several drugs for ED are available to treat it, including the oral medications Stendra and Viagra. The two medications are proven to be effective against ED, so the next question one would naturally ask is which one is better at treatment? In this article, we compare Stendra and Viagra to determine which is better for ED.
Mechanism of Action
Before describing the effects of Stendra and Viagra, let us understand how the drugs function. Stendra (also marketed as avanafil) is one of a class of drugs known as phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. It works by boosting the circulation to the penis, thus causing and keeping an erection. Viagra, or sildenafil, however, works in a similar way. It also acts by promoting blood flow to the penis, but does so by blocking the enzyme PDE5, which in turn makes the blood vessels expand, producing an erection.
Effectiveness
Stendra (Avanafil) and Viagra (Sildenafil) are both phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors that promote increased blood supply to the penis, thus generating and maintaining an erection. Both medications work for ED, but they have distinct start- and finish-times.
Stendra starts working more quickly than Viagra, and the majority of men report feeling better within 15 minutes of taking it. By comparison, Viagra will take 30-60 minutes to kick in. This timing disparity may benefit men who like to administer the drug closer to sexual activity.
Efficacy varies between the two drugs as well. Stendra works for 4-6 hours compared to 6-8 hours of Viagra, meaning that the time it takes to work is much shorter. But for the majority of men this difference might not be clinically significant, since the duration of sex is usually shorter than the duration of action of the drug.
On a general level, both drugs have been found to be extremely effective in ED. Several clinical studies have shown that Stendra works for 77% of men, and Viagra works for 84% of men. But please note that not everyone will respond to these drugs in the same way and that what works one way might not work another.
Speed of Onset
A significant distinction between Stendra and Viagra is its speed of absorption. Stendra has a faster response time than Viagra. It works within 15 minutes of taking the drug, whereas Viagra takes up to an hour. This is because Stendra has a shorter half-life, which means it remains in the body longer and does its work quicker. Conversely, Viagra lasts up to 6 hours.
Side Effects
Common Side Effects
In both cases, the very serious adverse effects of Stendra and Viagra include headaches, flushing, and congestion of the nose. Yet these side effects are far from being identical in these two medications.
Stendra, the generic drug version of avanafil, has a much smaller side-effect profile than Viagra. During clinical trials, around 8 per cent of men taking Stendra suffered from headaches. That’s much less than the case with Viagra, where about 19% of Viagra’s users suffered from headaches.
Visual Disturbances
Perhaps the biggest difference between the two medications lies in the impact each makes on the eyes of their patients. Blindness and blue vision are the most common ocular side effects reported with sildenafil (or Viagra). Both of these disorders are related to its blocking of a specific enzyme in the retina known as phosphodiesterase type 6. This retinal enzyme plays a role in light processing and so contributes to these conditional visual impairments.
Stendra, by contrast, is much more selective for PDE5 and less selective for PDE6. This makes it less likely to result in visual loss as an undesirable side-effect and, accordingly, preferable to men who are fearful of vision loss during or after treatment.
Interaction of Alcohol
It is also vital to keep in mind the interactions between alcohol and ED drugs. Viagra amplifies the hypotensive effects of alcohol, which can induce dizziness, fainting and lightheadedness. This can put men at risk, particularly frequent or heavy drinkers.
Conversely, Stendra does not encounter negative interactions with alcohol. Such an attribute could make Stendra ideal in circumstances where men might also wish to indulge in social boozing without increasing the chances of severe side effects.
Dosage and Cost
Stendra and Viagra come in various strengths and the recommended dosage will vary based on how the person responds. Stendra comes in 50, 100 and 200 mg pills, and Viagra comes in 25, 50 and 100 mg tablets. The two medications are administered based on need, and the recommended maximum daily dosage is once a day. Stendra usually costs more than Viagra. Prices vary depending on the dosage, but generally Stendra is 4 times more expensive than Viagra.
Conclusion: Stendra Vs. Viagra: Which Is More Effective?
In sum, Stendra and Viagra are effective at combating ED to an extremely high degree. But the former is newer than the latter and has less research and clinical trials to prove its efficacy. Stendra accelerates the initial reaction time and should have fewer side effects. If a patient decides to try Stendra, then it is up to him whether or not he wants it. It’s important, however, to consult a medical professional to decide which medication is the right one for him to take to cure ED. He’ll also have to follow the dosage and report it to a physician if he notices anything wrong with it.
