Difference between Vardenafil vs Viagra Explained
Phosphodiesterase inhibitors like Avanafil, Sildenafil, Vardenafil, Viagra, etc; are quite popular choice among the medical practitioners when it comes to treating sexual conditions of erectile dysfunction in men. Millions of men have already used these medications and are satisfied with the outcomes. Yet not all men are biologically suitable to consume all of these medications. Hence a proper medical consultation or diagnosis is required to finalize the right medication for any patient.
What is Vardenafil?
Vardenafil is a phosphodiesterase (PDE-5) inhibitor, that is used to cure erectile dysfunction by increasing the blood flow towards the penile area by relaxing the muscles in penile blood vessels. However, a sexual stimuli is required in order to induce the erection.
What is Viagra?
Viagra is a popular branded medication name, having the salt of sildenafil citrate; used for treating erectile dysfunction in men, that is invented and marketed by Pfizer.
Key Differences between Vardenafil vs Viagra Explained
The most important and foremost difference between Vardenafil and Viagra is that both are two completely different items, although used for the same purpose, i,e curing erectile dysfunction in men.
On one hand, Vardenafil is a major pharmaceutical salt that act as active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) or basic component in various pharmaceutical drugs, whether generic or branded.
On the other hand, Viagra happens to be a branded drug that is composed of the salt of Sildenafil Citrate.
Parameters | Vardenafil | Viagra |
| Erection Duration | 8 hours | 4 hours |
| Mechanism of Action | Being a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor, it works by blocking the PDE5 enzyme, and boosts nitric oxide. This action encourages the muscles in the penis to relax, which eventually allows blood to flow freely, and offers an erection when sexually stimulated. | Being a PDE5 inhibitor, it widens the blood vessels in order to allow more flow of blood, eventually bringing relaxation to the blood vessels. Blood flow is pushed towards the penile area, eventually achieving and maintaining a proper erection. |
| Dosage strengths available | 10mg, 20mg, 40mg, 60mg | 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, 150mg, 200mg, |
| Timing of Consumption | 25 to 60 minutes before sex prior sex | 30–60 minutes prior to the sexual act |
| Dissolution duration | 30 minutes | 20 to 30 minutes (however, having a high fat content meal might affect this duration) |
| Side effects | Headache, Flushing (reddening of the face, ears, neck and trunk), Dizziness, Back pain, Nausea, Nasal congestion (stuffy nose), Dyspepsia, Sinus inflammation, Flu-like symptoms, Increased creatine level in blood. | Prolonged and painful erections, flushing or reddening, dizziness, heart problems, gastrointestinal problems, seizures or convulsions, blurred vision or changes in colour vision, muscle pains. |
| Storage temp. | 15° to 30°C | 20–25°C |
Which one is better: Vardenafil or Viagra?
Vardenafil is much ahead of Viagra when it comes to longer erection duration. However, different bodies react to different pharmaceutical ingredients in much varied ways. Hence a detailed medical diagnosis is required in order to understand one’s suitability for a particular drug.
Other Drug Interactions – Vardenafil vs Viagra
Both of these are phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors, and have similar interactions with other drugs. Hence the following drugs should be avoided while receiving a treatment involving either of these two drugs:
- Various forms of nitrates, such as isosorbide mononitrate (Monoket) and nitroglycerin (Nitrostat)
- certain blood pressure drugs, such as calcium channel blockers
- alpha-blockers, which can treat high blood pressure or an enlarged prostate
- certain pulmonary hypertension drugs, such as riociguat (Adempas)
- protease inhibitors, a class of HIV medications
- antifungal drugs, such as ketoconazole and itraconazole (Onmel, Sporanox)
- antibacterial drugs, such as clarithromycin (Biaxin)
FAQs about the Difference between Vardenafil and Viagra
Which one is stronger: Vardenafil or Viagra?
Vardenafil is capable of offering a much longer erection duration than Viagra. Vardenafil is more selective than sildenafil and tadalafil to PDE5, which again means a lower dose is needed with potentially less side effects.
Do Vardenafil and Viagra work the same?
Both of the medicines belong to the same class of drug, i.,e PDE5 inhibitor and has the same kind of mechanism of work for the same set of purpose; although both are different chemical compounds and have different interactions with other drugs.
Is Viagra addictive?
Currently, there is no scientific evidence that vardenafil, viagra or any other medications used to treat erectile dysfunction are physically addictive.
Which one is safer: Vardenafil or Viagra?
Both of these are FDA approved medications to eradicate erectile dysfunction from men. Moreover, by now, various patients across the globe have already tried either of them, and have experienced positive results. Hence both are safe as pharmaceutical drugs. Yet, neither of them should be taken without medical consultation otherwise they might inflict side effects.
Can Viagra be taken as OTC or doctor consultation required?
Most of the medications for erectile dysfunction, including viagra, are strong prescribed medications that can cause serious side effects if consumed without a thorough medical consultation. Hence a detailed diagnosis is advised before finalising either of these two pharmaceutical drugs to cure erectile dysfunction.