In 1998, Viagra was introduced, and men discovered that diminished sexual function was no longer something they just had to live with. Although Viagra doesn't rev up sexual desire, it does help the body to maintain erections when taken anytime between 30 minutes and four hours before it's needed. Now, as you undoubtedly know from the barrage of television and print advertising, there are newer prescription medication that have challenged Viagra. These drugs, Levitra and Cialis, last longer than Viagra. Cialis can be effective for up to three days. The side effects of Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis are similar and include headache, flushing, and runny nose. There may also be a subtle change of vision, causing objects to appear blue. This is the source of many jokes about these drugs, but in a small percentage of the population this effect can develop into a serious eye problem.

Occasionally, these drugs can also cause priapism, a condition in which an erection lasts for four or more hours. Again, this is a side effect that many people laugh about, but it's painful, even dangerous condition that must be treated immediately. Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis also interact with prescription drugs, including nitrates(nitroglycerine), taken for heart disease, and alpha-blockers(Cardura, Minipress, and Hytrin), which are used to lower blood pressure. And of cause, with a cost of several dollars per dose, another of these drugs' side effects is damage to your bank account. With so many perils surrounding convertional drugs, many men would prefer a safer lower-cost alternative.