Is Viagra Losing Its Staying Power?

Viagra is being knocked out of the spotlight by the new pills on the block, Levitra and Cialis. Before the new erectile power pills moved in, Viagra was leaving many men flaccid. The pharmaceutical company, Pfizer, was raking $1.24 billion in sales. Apparently, Pfizer is not happy with its new neighbors.

Conversely, patients are unhappy with Viagra. A recent study indicated that 47% of men taking Viagra discontinued treatment when interviewed 18 to 21 months after initiation. Forty-six percent were unhappy with the drug’s performance. Another 27% of the patients complained about cost issues. The adverse effects were a deterrent to eight percent.

According to Urologist, Sidney Radomski at Toronto Western Hospital, “Viagra, Cialis and Levitra work in a similar fashion.” Levitra and Cialis are stiff competition for Viagra. However, representative, Sophia McCann, of Pfizer Canada, Inc says that market research shows that most men are satisfied with Viagra. "Pfizer will be substantially and irreparably harmed" if the rival drugs.

Clinical trials have compared Viagra to Cialis. Viagra only works for four or five hours. On the other hand, Cialis (Tadalafil) lasts up to 36 hours. That’s why it has been dubbed “Le Weekender" by its European users. “A man can take it on a Saturday morning and know it will be effective for a good part, if not all, of the weekend. What this does is allow men to have more flexibility and spontaneity . . . in their sexual relations," states Loren Grossman, vice-president of research and development for Eli Lilly Canada Inc. Another benefit of Cialis is that it can be taken with a rich fatty meal.

Viagra’s other challenger is Levitra. GlaxoSmithKline and Bayer HealthCare have collaborated the production and development of the erectile dysfunction pill. All of the male sexual dysfunction pills block the action of phosphodiesterase type 5, a naturally occurring enzyme that can interfere with getting and maintaining erections. Unlike Viagra that is best taken on an empty stomach, Levitra is effective after a low-fat meal. Alike, Viagra, Cialis and Levitra should not be used by men taking nitrate-based heart medications.

Cialis and Levitra are nothing more than effective Viagra alternatives. Contingent upon a patient’s medical condition and lifestyle, either prescription can be used to enhance sexual responsiveness. Although Viagra is being knocked out of the spotlight, it has not lost its staying power.