Erectile dysfunction medications

PDE5 inhibitors such as sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil (Levitra), and tadalafil (Cialis) are oral prescription medications. Since 2018, sildenafil has been available over-the-counter in the UK. Additionally, a cream containing alprostadil combined with the permeation enhancer DDAIP has been approved in Canada as a first-line treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED).

Some medications combine PDE5 inhibitors.

Penile injections, on the other hand, involve medications like papaverine, phentolamine, or prostaglandin E1 (also known as alprostadil). An alternative to injections is an alprostadil suppository, which can be inserted into the urethra. This method often induces an erection within 10 minutes, lasting up to an hour.

It's important to note that ED treatments may lead to a potential side effect called priapism.