Viagra or Sildenafil: Are They the Same? Is One Better Than the Other?

Sildenafil got its start in the pharmaceutical world as a medication designed to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension and angina pectoris. Researchers soon discovered that it also served to promote a man’s ability to achieve and maintain an erect penis. It was then in 1988 that Viagra became approved by the FDA for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

Viagra and Sildenafil are the same, but there are some individuals who believe that there is a higher level of efficacy with the branded version, Viagra. As mentioned, however, Sildenafil as the generic equivalent of Viagra has been tested and determined to be as effective as branded Viagra for treating ED. You of course have the option of starting with generic Sildenafil and then moving on to branded Viagra if you feel there’s the possibility of a better response.

Would Viagra 100mg or Sildenafil 100mg be Good Starting Dosage?

Either Viagra 100mg or Sildenafil 100mg is not what your physician will prescribe as a starting dose. This is based on the fact that for most men a 50mg dose of either medication is sufficient for promoting a good response. In fact, the 100mg dosage is actually the highest recommended dosage of these medications.

Generally speaking, your physician will only prescribe Viagra 100mg or Sildenafil 100mg if you have shown to be getting an insufficient response to the 50mg dose. There are usually outlying health factors at the root of the problem when the 50mg dose is insufficient, and your physician may advise you to try to address them while at the same time possibly moving you up to 100mg.

Precautions Related to Taking Viagra or Sildenafil

Both Viagra and Sildenafil are categorized as PDE-5 inhibitor medications, and there are precautions you should take when using these types of medications. If you are taking any other medications that contain nitrates, you must share this information with your physician before receiving a prescription for Viagra or Sildenafil. This is because taking both can lower your blood pressure to dangerous levels. Another precaution related to use of Viagra or Sildenafil is if you are taking alpha-blocker medications like Cardura and Flomax, among others, for hypertension.