Generic Viagra and Cialis have helped millions of men with erectile dysfunction to achieve firmer erections and improved sexual experiences. Still, not everyone can afford these prescription medications. Many people don’t realize that generic medications have the same active ingredients and provide the same benefits as their brand-name versions.
What is Erectile dysfunction Medicine ?
There are four oral FDA-approved medications to treat erectile dysfunction: sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), vardenafil (Levitra), and avanafil (Stendra).All of these are phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors. They work by blocking the enzyme PDE5, which results in an increase in another molecule (cyclic guanosine monophosphate, or cGMP) that causes muscles to relax.
Diffrence Between Generic and brand Name medicine
Generic and brand-name medications are bioequivalent to one another, meaning they are equally safe and effective. They have the same active ingredients in identical amounts and provide the same health benefits for the people who take them.
The only difference is their inactive ingredients and cost. Brand-name medications like Viagra and Cialis tend to be more expensive than their generic counterparts.
What is Generic viagra ?
– Generic Viagra — also known as sildenafil — is a generic, non-branded treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED). Generic Viagra comes in the form of an oral tablet, in varying strengths (25mg, 50mg and 100mg). Both Viagra and generic Viagra contain exactly the same active ingredient- sildenafil citrate.
Generic Viagra is a cheaper alternative to the branded version — while still being just as effective. Generic Viagra is one of the most recommended drug to treat erectile dysfunction.
The Origin of Generic viagra :
Generic Viagra (Sildenafil) has been available since 1998, when it was approved by the FDA under the product name Viagra as a medication for erectile dysfunction. Interestingly, sildenafil was originally discovered while chemists at Pfizer were searching for a treatment for high blood pressure.
Pfizer patented sildenafil in 1996. Two years later, in March of 1998, the new medication, now called Viagra, received approval from the FDA and went on sale as a prescription medication used to treat erectile dysfunction.
As the first oral medication for erectile dysfunction, Viagra became incredibly popular. Its blue color and diamond shape earned it the nickname of the “little blue pill” and large-scale TV ad campaigns made it a medication that just about everyone knew about.
Pfizer’s patent on Viagra expired in 2012 for countries outside the US, allowing other brands to produce and market their own generic Viagra medications containing sildenafil.
Although Pfizer challenged the expired patent in the United States, sildenafil has since become widely available as a generic medication and can be manufactured and marketed by a range of different companies.
Branded Viagra vs Generic
Viagra and generic sildenafil work by increasing the level of blood flow to your penis, making it easier for you to get an erection. Sildenafil, which is the active ingredient in both medications, belongs to a class of drugs called phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, or PDE5 inhibitors.
As a PDE5 inhibitor, sildenafil works by relaxing the muscle tissue that’s found inside the walls of your blood vessels, resulting in improved blood flow throughout many parts of your body.
Contrary to popular belief, drugs like Viagra and generic sildenafil won’t cause you to randomly get hard on their own.
Instead, these medications work by making it easier to get an erection if you experience sexual stimulation.
Viagra Dosages
Generic Viagra are available in tablet form in three different dosing strengths. (Revatio’s generic sildenafil, however, is also available as an oral suspension or injection to treat PAH).
Viagra and generic sildenafil: 25 milligrams (mg), 50 mg, and 100 mg tablets
Revatio and generic sildenafil: 20 mg tablet, 10 mg/mL solution or suspension, also available as an injection
• Viagra dosage for adults :
Viagra is taken as needed for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.Standard Viagra dosage for adults: 25–100 mg taken by mouth 30 minutes to four hours before anticipated sexual activity
• Viagra dosage for children :
Viagra is not approved for use in children younger than 18 years of age. However, Revatio’s generic sildenafil is sometimes used off-label to treat pulmonary hypertension in children as young as newborns.
• Generic Viagra dosage restrictions :
Generic Viagra may not be an appropriate medication for everyone depending on existing medical conditions or other prescription drugs being taken.
Men with risk factors for non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a condition in which blood flow to the optic nerve stops, are at a greater risk for vision loss.
These men should carefully discuss with a healthcare provider the pros and cons of taking Generic Viagra. While not directly related to the drug or its side effects, some men may not be right for Viagra because sexual activity puts them at risk for stroke or heart attack.
In general, men with heart disease, heart failure, heart problems, high blood pressure, or who have experienced a recent heart attack should talk to a healthcare provider about the risks of sexual activity before taking Generic Viagra.
How to take viagra ?
Viagra is taken by mouth as a tablet usually one hour before anticipated sexual activity.
1) Take this medicine as directed. A healthcare provider will give instructions on how much viagra to take.
2) Generic Viagra to take and when to take it.
3) Do not use more than directed. A healthcare provider can change the dose if needed.
4) This medicine includes a medication guide or patient information. Read this information and follow the instructions and warnings. A doctor, pharmacist, or healthcare provider can answer any questions.
5)Take Viagra approximately one hour before engaging in sexual activity, but the tablet can be taken anywhere from 30 minutes to four hours before engaging in sexual activity.
6) Viagra can be taken with or without food. If taken with a high-fat meal, the medicine may take longer to take effect.
7) Sexual stimulation is required for this medicine to work.
8) Do not take more than one dose a day.
9) Do not use other erectile dysfunction medications or over-the-counter erectile remedies such as nitrites (“poppers”) when taking Viagra.
10)Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature (68–77 F).
How long does it takes to viagra work ?
Viagra should take effect in 30 to 60 minutes. Sexual stimulation is required for generic Viagra to be effective as an erectile dysfunction medication.
Although Viagra can be taken with or without food, Generic Viagra takes longer to show effects if it is taken with a high-fat meal. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice should be avoided.
Grapefruit contains a substance that will block the body’s metabolism of sildenafil, raising the risk and severity of side effects.
Risk factor and side effects of taking viagra
Like any medication, there are side effects associated with the use of viagra (sildenafil) .
Side effects are more likely to occur in people who have difficulty processing viagra (sildenafil) and in people who take viagra (sildenafil) at higher doses. The side effects most commonly associated with Viagra (sildenafil) are:
• Headache
• Heartburn
• Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• Numbness, burning, or tingling in the arms, hands, feet, or legs
• Diarrhea
• Facial flushing (feeling of warmth)
• Nosebleeds
• Nasal congestion
• Muscle aches
• Sensitivity to light
– The most serious side effects of Viagra include:
• Cardiovascular events such as chest pain (i.e., angina), heart attack, and arrhythmias (i.e., irregular heartbeats)
• Severe bleeding (hemorrhage) in the brain, lungs, or eyes
• Vision loss
• Hearing loss
• Painful or prolonged erections (i.e., priapism)
• Seizures
• Low blood pressure
• Low blood cell counts
• Severe allergic reactions
• Priapism (prolonged erection)
Cost of Generic viagra
Choosing between these medications comes mostly down to cost, and is a question for you and your insurance provider, and depends on your budget. A healthcare professional can help you figure out which dose of either medication is right for you.
Cost of Viagra vs. Generic Viagra (Sildenafil) :
| PROVIDER | AVERAGE COST OF VIAGRA FOR 25 MG | AVERAGE COST OF GENERIC VIAGRA (SILDENAFIL) FOR 25 MG |
| Rite Aid | $97 | $64 |
| Walgreens | $99 | $36 |
| Kroger Pharmacy | $98 | $66 |
| Costco | $118 | $34 |
| Safeway | $86 | $340 |
| Target (CVS) | $79 | $41 |
| Walmart | $107 | $30 |
FAQ
1) Is Viagra safe to consume?
– Generic Viagra is safe if a healthcare provider prescribes the treatment. Every medication comes with its own set of risks.
So before taking any medication the most important thing is to get a proper suggestion and prescription from a Speciality Doctor.
2) What is the age limit of taking generic viagra?
– It is suggested to take generic viagra from age 18 to over that too with proper prescription.
3) Does generic Viagra work properly?
– Yes, generic viagra works well to treat erectile dysfunction helping users to achieve and maintain an erection successful.
4) How many dosage of generic viagra are available?
– Generic Viagra tablets comes in with three different strengths – 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg.
5) How long does generic Viagra work for?
– Generic Viagra lasts for around 4 hours on average . The length of the time that the medicine works for may vary depending on the dosage you have took.
6) Can i buy viagra over the counter?
– Unfortunately generic viagra is not available over the counter from local pharmacy. Generic Viagra without a prescription is available in many forms online.
7) Does generic viagra work on old people?
– Generic Viagra effectively works on the people of age 70 and also older than that.
8) Does generic Viagra work as well as name brand?
– Generic Viagra, or sildenafil citrate, works the same as Viagra, but at a lower cost. It may look different, but it’s still an effective treatment for Erectile Dysfunction.
• CONCLUSION :
In short, there is not much difference between Viagra and Generic Viagra just it differentiate in cost.
Although they are very effective for the people having Erectile Dysfunction but it should always be consumed by taking suggestion on an expert Doctor as it also has its own side effects and some people are not made for it.