Sildenafil vs. Viagra: Is there a difference?
Is there a difference between Viagra vs. Sildenafil for Erectile Dysfunction treatment? The popularity of Viagra, the Erectile Dysfunction Medication created by Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer in 1998, is without question impressive. Viagra’s popularity with Men started immediately with its initial release and continues today because it works. If you’re tired of overpaying for Viagra, then read on and learn about Sildenafil, the little known, but effective generic for Viagra.
What is the Difference Between Viagra and Sildenafil?
No. Viagra is the brand name used by Pfizer to market its particular version of Sildenafil. No chemical difference exists between Sildenafil and Pfizer’s branded Viagra tablets. The main difference is that the cost of Viagra is substantially higher than the generic alternative Sildenafil.
“Viagra is the brand name for a medicine known as sildenafil, which has been proven to be effective for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.” (Drugs.com)
The respected medical content website Drugs.com released a medically reviewed article pulling the curtain back on the difference between Viagra and Sildenafil. It dispelled any confusion between Viagra and Sildenafil with the quote above but also pointed out that “Sildenafil is therapeutically equivalent to the branded medicine Viagra.” The primary difference is the cost, and that cost difference is substantial, with Viagra being significantly more costly than Sildenafil.
“Viagra is the brand name for a medicine known as sildenafil, which has been proven to be effective for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.” (Drugs.com)
The respected medical content website Drugs.com released a medically reviewed article pulling the curtain back on the difference between Viagra and Sildenafil (Link here). It dispelled any confusion between Viagra and Sildenafil with the quote above but also pointed out that “Sildenafil is therapeutically equivalent to the branded medicine Viagra.” The primary difference is the cost, and that cost difference is substantial, with Viagra being significantly more costly than Sildenafil. In addition to this article, check out Sildenafil Dosage Guide for more information.
“Sildenafil is therapeutically equivalent to the branded medicine Viagra.” (Drugs.com)
Sildenafil is a cost-effective alternative to the high-cost Pfizer branded medication, Viagra. Sildenafil and Viagra medications might have different names but the active ingredient for both is the same. Sildenafil is the generic version of Viagra. This allows men to purchase the same ED medication found in Viagra at a much lower price.
How long has Sildenafil Been Approved for ED?
Pfizer patented Sildenafil in 1996 two years before the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approved it for sale. “FDA approves Sildenafil in 1998.”
However, Pfizer, as the inventor and patent holder for Sildenafil, was allowed by law to be the sole manufacturer and distributor from 1998-2012. Instead of calling it Sildenafil, they chose to market their new ED treatment under the name “Viagra.” Thus, it is common for men who have been taking Viagra for years to not have heard about Sildenafil.
The National Institute of Health (NIH) reports that since the Sildenafil approval and launch in April 1998 that “Sildenafil has received regulatory approval in over 110 countries. Over 45 million prescriptions have been issued to over 15 million patients…with over 500 million tablets of Sildenafil distributed worldwide”.
Over 60 clinical trials have been done on Sildenafil since it was first created. Results of these trials clearly show Sildenafil for ED is not only safe but extremely effective for men achieving an erection when they are sexually stimulated. One clinical trial study of 315 Men from five different countries titled “A Dose-Escalation Study to Access the Efficacy and Safety of Sildenafil Citrate in Men With Erectile Dysfunction.”
This comprehensive study had a randomized selection of 156 men treated with Sildenafil for ED. In comparison, another 156 men received a placebo. Of note, for the 156 men taking Sildenafil, “After 12 weeks and 26 weeks of treatment, 82% and 79% of patients receiving sildenafil reported improved erections”. The study concluded that “Sildenafil is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for men with erectile dysfunction…”
“…82% and 79% of patients receiving sildenafil reported improved erections.”
Another extensive study on Sildenafil comprised the results of twenty-seven trials consisting of a total of 6,656 men in the study. The results of this study, released in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), titled “Sildenafil for Male Erectile Dysfunction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” The findings of this more extensive study were similar to those of the one above and noted that “sildenafil significantly improved erectile function in all evaluated subgroups.”
For those not familiar with Sildenafil (generic Viagra), rest assured, Sildenafil is a well-established, tested medication that has changed the lives of the millions of men who have struggled with Erectile Dysfunction. Not only is Sildenafil essentially identical to Viagra, since both medications have the same main ingredient, but Sildenafil is far less costly than Viagra. Men that have been looking for a cost-effective way to treat their ED need to look no further than the cost-saving options on Menz Direct. Also, see our article The Most Common Erectile Dysfunction Treatment Medications for more information
The article above from Menz Direct is for informational purposes only and not intended to replace medical advice. The information is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Men need to speak with a doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment.