ED Medications: What Works, What Doesn't, and How to Choose

When it comes to ED medications, oral treatments designed to help men achieve and maintain an erection by improving blood flow to the penis. Also known as erectile dysfunction drugs, they’re not magic pills—they’re tools that work best when matched to your health, lifestyle, and goals. Millions use them every year, but not everyone knows how they differ or why one might be better than another for their situation.

The most common sildenafil, the active ingredient in Vigora and Viagra, used to treat erectile dysfunction by relaxing blood vessels in the penis kicks in about 30 to 60 minutes after taking it and lasts 4 to 5 hours. It’s often the cheapest option and works fine for many, but if you eat a heavy meal first, it might take longer to kick in. Then there’s Cialis, a brand name for tadalafil, an ED medication with a longer duration of action, sometimes called the "weekend pill". It can last up to 36 hours, which means less timing pressure and more spontaneity. If you’re someone who prefers not to plan sex around a pill, this might be the one. Viagra, the original brand of sildenafil, often used as a reference point for comparing ED treatments is well-known, but it’s just one version of sildenafil—many generics work the same way at a fraction of the cost.

What you don’t see on the box matters just as much. These meds don’t work if you’re not sexually aroused. They don’t fix low testosterone. And if you’re on nitrates for heart issues, taking them can be dangerous—seriously dangerous. Some people try them and feel nothing, not because they’re broken, but because the root cause isn’t blood flow—it could be nerves, hormones, or even sleep apnea. That’s why knowing your options helps you ask the right questions. You might need a different dose, a different drug, or even to look beyond pills entirely.

Below, you’ll find real comparisons between Vigora, Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, and other options. No fluff. Just clear breakdowns of onset time, how long they last, what they cost, and what side effects you’re actually likely to feel. Some posts dig into how food, alcohol, or other meds affect them. Others show you what works when the first one didn’t. This isn’t about marketing—it’s about what works in real life, for real people.