Viagra alternatives range from medical options like Cialis and Levitra to natural methods like acupuncture and even therapy. We break them all down here.
When you think of erectile dysfunction (ED), you probably think of Viagra. That’s because Viagra was the first oral brand-name pill to treat ED. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Viagra can be very effective in treating ED, but it’s not your only option. For example, if the cost of Viagra is outside of your budget, the generic version of Viagra called sildenafil is available at a significantly lower price.
If you’d like to avoid taking a medication altogether, you may want to try other options. There are effective doctor-approved alternatives to Viagra.
Continue reading to learn about other ED drugs as well as some alternative methods of treating ED.
Although Viagra is considered the most common prescription medication for ED, quite a few alternative ED pills are available on the market. However, because of each medication’s unique chemical makeup, your body may react differently to each of them. It may take a little trial and error to determine which one works best for you.
However, taking oral medications is not enough to provide an erection. These medications are designed to work alongside physical or emotional sexual stimulation to prompt an erection.
Other prescription medications used to treat ED include:
Tadalafil (Cialis)
Cialis is an oral tablet that starts to work about 30 minutes after you take it. It can improve erectile function for up to 36 hours. The starting daily dose range is 2.5 to 5 milligrams (mg) but can go as high as 20 mg in some cases.
You take it as prescribed and as needed before sexual activity, but you should never take it more than once daily. You can take Cialis with or without food.
There’s also a once-daily version. These 2.5-mg tablets must be taken at the same time every day, but it will mean that you will not need to take a pill before a sexual encounter.
Hims Tadalafil
Roman Tadalafil
Vardenafil (Levitra)
Vardenafil is a generic medication and is the primary ingredient in the brand-name ED pills Levitra and Staxyn. Take vardenafil about 1 hour before sexual activity. The starting dose is usually 10 mg. Do not take it more than once daily. You can take these oral tablets with or without food.
Bluechew Vardenafil
Vardenafil (Staxyn)
Staxyn is different from the other ED drugs because you do not swallow it with water. Instead, you place the tablet on your tongue and allow it to dissolve. Do this about 1 hour before sexual activity.
Do not crush or split the tablet. You can take it with or without meals, but you cannot take it with liquids. The tablets contain 10 mg of medication. Do not take Staxyn more than once per day.
Bluechew Vardenafil
Hims Hard Mints
Avanafil (Stendra)
Stendra comes in 50-, 100-, and 200-mg tablets. You take it about 15 to 30 minutes before sexual activity, but you should never take it more than once daily. You can take it with or without food.
Hims Stendra
Sesame Care Avanafil Prescription ED Medication
Before taking any ED medication, tell your doctor about any preexisting health conditions you have. Also, discuss any other drugs or supplements you’re currently taking. Some ED medications can interact with other medications and cause serious side effects.
Do not take ED medications if you:
- take nitrates, which are usually prescribed for chest pain, or angina
- have low blood pressure, or hypotension
Additionally, your doctor may advise against taking ED medications if you:
- take certain other medications that may interact with the ED medication
- have high blood pressure, or hypertension, that is not well managed
- have liver disease
- are on dialysis due to kidney disease
The most common side effects of ED drugs are temporary. They include:
- headache
- indigestion or upset stomach
- back pain
- muscle aches
- flushing
- nausea
- rashes
- stuffy or runny nose
Although it’s uncommon, some ED drugs can cause a painful erection that will not go away. This is known as priapism. If an erection lasts too long, it can damage your penis. If your erection
Other uncommon symptoms of ED medication are changes to hearing and vision, including color vision.
If you take medication for other health conditions, you may not be able to take oral medication for ED.
Although a few natural remedies and lifestyle changes may work to relieve your symptoms, more research is needed to determine their effectiveness. Many products claim to cure ED, but there isn’t always enough research to back up those claims.
Whatever alternatives you’re considering choosing, it’s best to discuss them with your doctor before using them. A doctor can help you decide whether this is a safe and suitable option for you and whether it meets your needs.
L-arginine
L-arginine is an amino acid. One small 2022 study found that taking a high dose of L-arginine over 3 months could lead to improvement in ED symptoms among people experiencing mild to moderate vasculogenic ED, or inadequate blood flow to the tissue in the penis.
L-arginine may also be effective when combined with ED treatments. A different 2022 study indicated that 2,500 mg of L-arginine and 5 mg of tadalafil together could extend the benefits and increase the effectiveness of low intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy to treat ED.
However, L-arginine can affect your blood pressure, so it’s important to talk with your doctor before adding L-arginine as a supplement to help make sure it doesn’t cause additional side effects or negative interactions with other medications you may be taking.
Learn more about L-arginine supplements and erectile dysfunction.
Horbäach L-Arginine 4,000 mg
Now Sports L-Arginine Powder
Red ginseng
Red ginseng is an herbal supplement. A 2008 systemic review of seven studies found that red ginseng may be effective in treating ED. Researchers cautioned that more high quality studies are needed to better determine the potential benefits and risks of this supplement.
If you’re considering trying ginseng, speak with your doctor about dosing first. Side effects may include headaches, sleep problems, and gastrointestinal problems.
Tell your doctor if you’re taking other medications because they can interact with the supplement and lead to harmful side effects. Ginseng may lower blood sugar levels, so use it with caution especially if you take medication for diabetes.
Nature's Bounty Ginseng Complex
Pure Encapsulations Panax Ginseng
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an ancient healing practice used for various conditions. Although it’s been suggested that acupuncture can treat ED, there’s little evidence regarding its effectiveness.
A 2016 systemic review failed to prove that acupuncture alone was effective in treating ED. The authors did note the small sample size and poor quality of the studies involved. More research is needed.
If you’re considering acupuncture, search for a qualified and certified practitioner.
Check out melatonin as a treatment for erectile dysfunction.
There are several options to treat erectile dysfunction aside from oral medications like Cialis, including:
- erectile dysfunction pump, which can be a penis or vacuum pump
- penile injections
- surgery for an inflatable penile prosthesis
- sex therapy for emotional, psychological, and relationship issues related to ED
- suppositories, such as alprostadil
ED may be a symptom of an underlying medical condition, so it’s important to talk with your doctor. It’s also helpful to tell your doctor about any other symptoms you may be experiencing. They can help you determine whether your ED is isolated or related to something else. Treating the underlying condition may resolve the problem.
Other tips to keep in mind while treating ED:
- Always take ED medications exactly as directed. Talk with your doctor before making any adjustments to your dose and report any troubling side effects.
- Do not mix treatments without your doctor’s supervision. Taking an oral medication while using a natural remedy may cause harmful side effects.
- Natural does not always mean safe, as herbal or other dietary supplements can interact with medications. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before adding a new supplement and be sure to report any side effects.
Aside from drugs and herbal remedies, certain lifestyle factors can contribute to ED. Whatever treatment you choose, it may help if you also consider:
- avoiding or limiting alcohol use
- quitting smoking if you smoke.
- maintaining a moderate weight
- getting sufficient quality sleep every night
- engaging in regular physical activity, such as exercising, including aerobic exercise
- trying pelvic floor exercises, as a small
2005 study concluded that pelvic floor exercises should be a first-line ED treatment
Consider making an appointment with a doctor or another healthcare professional if you’re frequently:
- concerned about the overall firmness of your erection
- unable to get or maintain an erection
- stressed or concerned about your sexual performance
These could be symptoms of ED.
Many people have looked into natural treatments for ED instead of prescription medications like Viagra and Cialis. There are many herbs and supplements, but often there is no substantial evidence or clinical studies to support their claims for effectively treating ED.
In fact, some of the supplements that promise improved sexual performance or increased stamina lack FDA approval, meaning the ingredients and their proportions aren’t always clearly described or listed on the packaging.
This is why it can be difficult to say which natural treatment option is the best — a particular over-the-counter ED treatment might be effective for one person but could cause severe side effects in someone else.
It’s always a good idea to talk with a doctor about your ED symptoms. If you’re interested in more natural remedies, it’s always helpful to ask their advice on what options might be right for you.
Yes, if you are considering erectile dysfunction medications similar to Viagra — such as Cialis, generic Viagra, and generic Cialis — it will require a doctor’s prescription. These PDE5 inhibitors affect blood flow to and from the penis, and in rare cases, they can cause some side effects that a doctor needs to evaluate.
Online companies Hims and Roman offer Viagra alternatives. The online platforms can connect you with licensed doctors in your state, removing the need to meet with a healthcare professional in person.
Yes, in almost all cases a generic Viagra alternative will be cheaper than brand-name Viagra. These generic medications use the same primary ingredient — sildenafil — that’s used in Viagra, but because Pfizer does not manufacture them, other drugmakers can create and offer them at a lower price.
Currently, there are no over-the-counter pills that are as effective as Viagra that don’t require a prescription.
While you may see a number of pills or supplements that promise improved sexual performance and stamina, these products generally have little evidence to support their claims. Also, they likely will not treat the underlying causes of your ED.
We have discussed some OTC alternatives on this page that may help ease your ED symptoms, but you probably will not experience the same overall improvements that you would with a prescription ED medication.
If you’ve reviewed the suggestions we’ve made and you’re still having erection issues, it may be best to contact your doctor.
Other methods to treat ED include blood vessel surgery, vacuum pumps, and penile implants. If the problem persists, talk with your doctor about these and other alternatives.
Keep reading about effective over-the-counter treatments for erectile dysfunction.
