Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest
There are a number of drugs available for the treatment of impotence. They can be taken by mouth, injected into the side of the penis, or inserted into the male urethra. Impotence drugs should only be taken as prescribed by a physician. It is important to understand who can take these drugs safely and who should avoid them.
Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra are the brand names of some commonly prescribed oral impotence drugs. They all act by relaxing the smooth muscles in the penis, thereby increasing blood flow into the penis during sexual stimulation. While Viagra has been used the longest and has the most safety data available, all three drugs are safe and comparable in efficacy. Cialis has the longest duration of action, up to 48 hours, and has been nicknamed the weekender. These drugs should never be taken with nitrates, a group of drugs used to treat heart disease, as drug interactions can result in a dangerous drop in blood pressure. There are a number of conditions in which taking any of these drugs is contraindicated. Some common side effects such as headaches, flushing, diarrhea, and a stuffy nose may be experienced with any of these drugs. Labels for all three drugs are currently being modified to add nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy, a condition in which blood flow to the optic nerve is blocked resulting in vision loss as a rare side effect.
Alprostadil (Caverject), papaverine (Pavabid), and phentolamine (Regitine) can be injected into the side of the penis with a tiny needle. These drugs act by increasing blood flow into the penis, and their dosage can be varied depending on how long they are required to act. The MUSE, or medicated urethral system for erections, involves the application of a small pellet containing alprostadil into the tip of the urethra.
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