Medical information
Medical information and safety
Nothing on this site is medical advice. This page collects the standard safety information that applies to the class of medicines our comparisons discuss, so it is in one place.
Read this before you order anything. Every treatment we compare requires a prescription. A licensed provider must review your health information and decide whether treatment is appropriate for you. If you have chest pain, have had a recent heart attack or stroke, or have not seen a doctor in years, see a doctor first.
Who should not use ED medication
- Men who take nitrates, nitrites or riociguat. The combination can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure.
- Men whose doctor has told them to avoid PDE5 inhibitors because of a heart condition, a recent cardiac event, uncontrolled high or low blood pressure, or liver or kidney problems.
- Anyone who has not told the prescriber about every medication they take, including alpha-blockers, antifungals such as ketoconazole, and HIV medicines. Grapefruit juice can also interact with these drugs.
Common side effects
The most commonly reported are headache, flushing, nasal congestion, mild indigestion, dizziness, and back or muscle discomfort. Formats that dissolve or are chewed in the mouth can irritate the mouth. Most reactions are mild and temporary.
When to get help
- Seek emergency care for an erection that lasts more than four hours.
- Stop and call a doctor for sudden vision loss, a sudden decrease in hearing, or chest pain.
- Dizziness and a drop in blood pressure can affect driving. Learn how a medicine affects you before you get behind the wheel.
Compounded medicines
Some treatments we compare are prepared by compounding pharmacies. Compounded medicines are not approved by the FDA, and the FDA does not review them for safety, effectiveness or quality. A compounded treatment is legal when a licensed provider prescribes it and a licensed pharmacy prepares it. Ask which pharmacy prepares your treatment and what testing it runs.
Onset, duration and results
Any onset time or duration quoted in our articles is the provider's own stated figure. It describes how a format is designed to be absorbed, not how well a treatment will work for you. Individual response varies, and no outcome is guaranteed.
What this site is not
Mens Health Desk is not a pharmacy, a clinic, a telehealth provider or a medical practice. We do not diagnose, prescribe or treat, and we do not collect health information. Never share a prescription or take a dose prescribed for someone else. If you have questions about your own health, talk to your own doctor, who knows your history and can review your medications with you.