Sildenafil
Tablet, as needed
Usually taken about an hour before sex, and works for several hours. A high-fat meal can slow how quickly it takes effect.
DailyMed · Viagra prescribing information (opens in a new tab)SEXUAL WELLNESS · ED
Let’s talk aboutthe good part.
The conversation can get personal. We can handle it. Bring your questions about erections, desire, and confidence, and explore FDA-approved options with a licensed clinician.
- Format
- Oral tablet
- What to expect
- As needed or daily
- FDA status
- FDA-approved
YOUR OPTIONS
What a clinician
may discuss.
Sildenafil and tadalafil belong to a class of medicines called PDE5 inhibitors. They increase blood flow to the penis in response to sexual arousal. They don’t create desire on their own.
Tadalafil
Tablet, as needed or daily
Can work for up to 36 hours when taken as needed. A lower daily dose is also approved, which takes the planning out of it.
DailyMed · Cialis prescribing information (opens in a new tab)Options shown are for education. A licensed clinician decides whether any treatment, dose, or form is appropriate for you.
WHO IT MAY SUIT
Is it
your type?
A clinician makes the call. These are good signs it’s worth a conversation.
- You have trouble getting or keeping an erection firm enough for sex.
- You’re in good enough health to be sexually active.
- You’d rather start the conversation online.
HOW IT WORKS
No waiting room.
No rush.
Start when it suits you. A licensed clinician takes it from there.
- 01
Tell us about you.
Answer questions online about your health history, your goals, and what you’ve been noticing. You can be candid.
- 02
A clinician takes a look.
A licensed clinician in your state reviews your answers, may follow up or ask for lab work, and decides whether a treatment is appropriate.
- 03
Your prescription, delivered.
If you’re prescribed a treatment, a licensed pharmacy fills it and ships it to you.
- 04
Care that keeps going.
Message your care team with questions, check in on how it’s going, and adjust your plan over time.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
What to know
before you start.
Not a complete list. Your clinician and pharmacist will go over the full information for anything you’re prescribed.
Not for you if
- You take nitrates for chest pain, such as nitroglycerin, or use “poppers” (amyl nitrite).
- You take riociguat (Adempas®) for pulmonary hypertension.
- You’ve had a serious allergic reaction to sildenafil or tadalafil.
Talk it through first if
- You have heart disease, or have been told sex isn’t safe for your heart.
- You take alpha-blockers or other blood pressure medicines.
- You take HIV medicines such as ritonavir, or certain antifungals or antibiotics.
- You’ve had a heart attack, stroke, or irregular heartbeat.
- You have kidney or liver disease, or an eye condition such as retinitis pigmentosa.
Side effects to know
- Headache
- Flushing
- Indigestion
- Stuffy nose
- Back or muscle aches, with tadalafil
- Changes in color vision, with sildenafil
When to get help
Get medical help right away for an erection lasting more than 4 hours, sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes, sudden hearing loss, or chest pain during sex.
Worth knowing
Erectile dysfunction can be an early sign of heart disease, diabetes, or hormone changes. That’s part of why a clinician reviews your health before prescribing.
LET’S TALK ABOUT IT
A few things
you may be wondering.
They work the same way. The main difference is timing: sildenafil is usually taken about an hour before sex and lasts several hours, while tadalafil can last up to 36 hours or be taken daily at a lower dose. Your clinician can help you choose.
Not always. These medicines work in response to arousal, and their effect can depend on your health, the dose, timing, food, and alcohol. If the first prescription isn’t right, your clinician can talk about adjusting it.
It can. Blood vessels, nerves, hormones, mood, medications, and relationships all play a part. Erectile dysfunction is sometimes an early sign of heart disease or diabetes, so it’s worth taking seriously.
Drinking heavily can make erections harder to get and, with these medicines, can raise the chance of dizziness, headache, or a drop in blood pressure. Keep it moderate, and ask your clinician about your situation.
SOURCES
Treatment information is based on FDA resources and official drug labels, last reviewed October 2026. Educational information, not individualized medical advice.
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SEXUAL WELLNESS · ED