What is the difference between Sildenafil and Viagra?

Sildenafil is a drug, that inhibits the enzyme providing degradation of an element that regulates the blood flow in the penis. It’s both sold as a Viagra and in form of a generic drug. Generic medicaments are the analogues of brand-name products but don’t carry the brand name. Sildenafil also comes in the name of Revatio. It’s mostly used for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension.

Sildenafil citrate was first generated in 1989 by British scientists A. Wood and P. Dunn. In 1998 FDA approved it as a cure for erectile disorders. At first pharmaceutical company, Pfizer had a patent for manufacturing Sildenafil. They had called it Viagra. In 2013 their patent ended so other companies obtained the right to make medicaments, using Sildenafil. That’s how the generic drug appeared.

Viagra pills are blue and have a shape of a diamond. That was also patented by Pfizer. Generic Sildenafil is either white or blue, depending on the company of manufacturing. They both come in 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg tablets. But Sildenafil is way cheaper, because of the competitions between its fabricators. Buying Viagra, you’re paying half of the price for the brand.

Above-mentioned drugs have the exact same amount of active ingredient, mostly because of high medicament requirements. It’s mandatory, that both brand pills and its generic version should have the same amount of Sildenafil. Thus, they have the same efficiency level, which is about 70%. Although, in the United States, in particular, if the doctor prescribed you Viagra, there is no way for you to buy Sildenafil. You can only ask for it in prescribing process.

Both of the drugs should be taken 50-60 minutes before sexual activity on an empty stomach. Also, you shouldn’t mix it with alcohol, because it can decrease its effect. A proper amount of dosage works for 4-6 hours. Neither Viagra nor Sildenafil doesn’t increase libido. They only start working after sexual stimulation.

Contradictions and side effects are similar as well. You should not take these drugs in cases of recent heart attacks or strokes, liver diseases or if you use any kind of nitrates. As a side effect, you may experience headaches, sleeplessness, diarrhea, flushing. They are not very common and usually disappear within few hours.

It’s a common belief that these drugs cure erectile disorders, but they only help with the symptoms. The real reasons can be both physical or psychological and can only be cured with the help of specialist.