Medic-ED

ED Medications

Active ingredients in ED medications

What are the active ingredients in ED medications?

The common erectile-dysfunction medications are built around a small set of active ingredients, chiefly sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil. This page explains what those ingredients are and how their effects differ, as background for a conversation with a clinician. It is educational information only and does not sell, price, or supply any product.

Heads up: medic-ed.com is an independent education resource. It is not a pharmacy and sells nothing. Always talk to a licensed clinician before starting, stopping, or buying any medication.

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The common ED medications belong to a class called PDE5 inhibitors. Their active ingredients, sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil, relax blood-vessel walls so more blood flows into the penis when you are aroused. They differ mainly in how fast they act and how long they last. They require arousal to work, are prescription-only, and can be dangerous with nitrate heart medications.

Medic-ED is an independent education resource, not a pharmacy or a medical provider. We do not sell, prescribe, or supply any medication, and nothing here is medical advice. The information on this site is general and may not apply to your situation. Always consult a licensed clinician before starting, stopping, or buying any treatment.