Side effects – why PDE5-Is may not be for you

Let's get the easy part out of the way first! I am referring to 5-phosphodiesterase inhibitors otherwise known as PDE5-Is.

Still doesn't help?

Perhaps it will mean something when I refer to them under their more familiar names:

Marketing name Pharmaceutical name Company

Viagra Sildenafil Pfizer

Cialis Tadalafil Eli Lilly

Levitra/Vivanza Vardenafil Bayer/GSK


I am sure that even if you have never once taken either of the above you undoubtedly have heard of them from a friend, or from Hollywood or from emails in your inbox!

However, they are not necessarily the panacea you are looking for, especially if you have heart problems. I strongly advise everyone to read the warnings on the three principal medications. This is particularly the case if you have or intend to acquire them from non-regular sources i.e. not from your usual doctor/physician.