What to do if your erectile dysfunction medication does not work

The effect of Viagra and other ED drugs is not always guaranteed

As with any medication, Viagra and other erectile dysfunction medications are not guaranteed to work for everyone.

Your doctor should carefully explain to you how to use them and what you can expect, but even under the best circumstances you may need a series of tests or possibly an adjusted dose or other type of medication to get results.

If you are not able to achieve an erection shortly after starting treatment, do not despair. Make sure you take the medicine exactly as directed in the package insert that came with the tablets, and tell your doctor what happens (or does not happen) when you do. Always consult a doctor if treatment does not work. Studies show an improved response rate after receiving an appropriate dose and instructions for administration. You may need further tests and examinations and possibly alternative treatments.

What is the “success rate” of sildenafil (Viagra)?

Clinical studies show that the following percentages of men responded as follows to the three different doses of Sildenafil:

Percentage of patients who reported improved erections in clinical trials with Sildenafil
Sildenafil 25mg dose 62% reported improved erections
Sildenafil 50mg dose 74% reported improved erections
Sildenafil 100mg dose 82% reported improved erections
The results show that Sildenafil (Viagra, Viagra Connect) is not effective in all men, but the reasons for this can be complex and varied. Read on to find out a few different things you can try to make sure that your medicine is having the desired effect. These points will help you develop a realistic expectation for your treatment.

Adopt the right way of thinking

Above all, try to remember that no medication for erectile dysfunction or impotence is a miracle cure. The PDE5 inhibitors (Sildenafil, Tadalafil, Vardenafil and Avanafil) work by facilitating the blood flow to the penis, but they all require sexual arousal. Your body sends the necessary chemical into the blood vessels of the penis and the drug helps you get an erection.

Without proper arousal, the drug simply will not work. Try to make sure that you receive stimulation that works for you; whether it is visual or by touch, smell or taste, you must feel naturally aroused.

Patient expectations

Psychological factors can make a big difference in terms of treatment and outcome and should not be underestimated (the placebo effect is a good example). The brand, size, shape and colour of a pill can have a psychological influence on the patient’s confidence in the treatment. There is also documented evidence that higher dosage can have a positive psychological effect, but side effects are more likely. Studies also suggest that men’s mood improves after taking sildenafil.

Do not eat before taking Viagra, Levitra or Spedra.

Many men make the mistake of taking Viagra, Levitra or Spedra after a meal. This can interfere with the absorption of the medication so that it has little effect. You should wait at least 2 hours after a meal before taking the tablets so that you can experience their full effect. Avoid eating fatty foods or drinking acidic fruits, especially grapefruit, as they may interfere with their effectiveness.

An exception is Cialis (Tadalafil), which can be taken with food.

If you suffer from ED, sex may require more planning than before. For couples concerned about the loss of spontaneity, a low dose (2.5 mg or 5 mg) of Cialis/Tadalafil taken daily provides continuous treatment and requires less planning.

However, if sex is a nocturnal activity for you, this may not be a big problem. Just take a meal late in the day, take your medication a few hours later, and then simply wait for the required time before planning sex. This leads us to our next point:

Give yourself one hour

It takes a while for the drug to enter your system and reach its maximum effect, and the time varies from

The NHS website also offers good sex tips.

Keep trying

If your medicine does not work the first time or even the first few times, do not lose hope. It is recommended to try the prescribed dose at least 8 times to evaluate its effectiveness. Your doctor can tell you how long you should continue with this initial dose before you consider changing your medication.

Increased dosage or another ED medication

The normal starting dose of Viagra (Sildenafil) is a 50 mg tablet, but if this dose is not effective, it can be increased to a 100 mg tablet. The doses of other ED medications may also be increased. Increasing the dose also increases the potential for side effects.

Conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or cholesterol may affect whether or not you are prescribed the higher dose, but if your ED medication is not working, a higher dose may well be the correct course of action.

However, if your body still does not respond to your treatment, it may be a matter of trying another medicine. Do not believe that another medicine cannot be successful just because it does not work.

Many brands of Sildenafil (generic Viagra) are supplied as evaluated tablets, which means that they can be halved or quartered as needed to save money (e.g.: a halved 100mg tablet gives 2 x 50mg doses). The drug manufacturers do not recommend dividing the tablets, but it is often common practice for nursing staff. If you decide to split tablets, break the tablet only when necessary and keep the remaining part of the tablet in a sealed container or cling film to prevent the tablet from drying out. In general, it is recommended to use the tablet in the correct dosage.

It can be frustrating to find out why you are not getting the results you want, but there is usually a reason for this. So consider the above factors and equip yourself with this knowledge while you talk to your family doctor. There are several things you can do to get the results you want. Just remember that success with ED is not always immediate.