How does Levitra compare with Viagra and Cialis?
Before we get into comparing Levitra against other FDA approved ED pills such as Viagra and Cialis, we need to cover the basics about these medications. They are very similar to each other and they are all developed for the same purpose- to help men suffering from ED.
ED, or erectile dysfunction is a condition that affects a number of men (approximately 30 million in the USA) and that is characterized by the inability to achieve an erection that will last for enough time to finish the sex act. There are different variations of this condition and they differ in severity and the causes. However, this inability to achieve erection is the main symptom of this condition. There are many reasons for this happening, but the underlying mechanism of the condition is always the same. Namely, the blood flow into the penis is inhibited by the lack of a chemical called cGMP which is responsible for the dilation and relaxation of the blood vessels that lead the blood into the penis, or more precisely the sponge-like tissue known as corpus cavernosum.
The chemical which is responsible for the inhibition of cGMP is an enzyme known as PDE5. The FDA approved medications; all three of them work in the pretty much the same fashion. Namely, they inhibit this enzyme, the PDE5 and thus lead to proper functioning of cGMP, which subsequently leads to achieving erections. This is where these ED pills are very similar, almost the same and why they all belong to the same class of drugs, the so called PDE5 inhibitors.
However, there are slight differences between these medications. Being the first one developed, Viagra is now pretty much the least successful ED medication on the market. First of all, it takes too long for Viagra to take effect and the effects of this medication last the shortest. Cialis, on the other hand lasts for a long, long time and the effects are sometimes felt in as little as 15 minutes. Levitra is the golden middle, it takes effect quicker than Viagra and it lasts longer than Viagra, but shorter than Cialis. Some would say that this is a clue that Cialis is the best, but this also means that Cialis is more likely to cause side effects and that those side effects are going to last longer.
Another big advantage of Levitra over the other two medications is that it does not only work as an ED pill. Namely, Levitra also helps patients suffering from premature ejaculation. As we all know, this issue can be as hindering to a satisfying sex life as much as ED. Well, Levitra was designed in such a way that it also increases the average time between penetration and ejaculation manifold, which is not a small thing. In fact, this makes Levitra the best among the three ED pills.