The first medication for use in the problem of erectile dysfunction was Viagra which is claimed to be the only one that it is safe to be taken with other medications. Three other drug companies ICOS, Abbott Laboratories, and Bayer have produced treatments for impotence problems in men as well. Viagra was the first.

Viagra was, according to Pfizer, the original breakthrough treatment for impotence in men. The medication works by relaxing the blood vessels in the penis, this allows blood to flow in, enlarge it and make it hard. Viagra normally takes about 15 minutes to become effective and normally last for up to 4 hours.

It is important to know that most men with erectile dysfunction only experience problems some of the time. For these occasional erection problems Viagra will help. One study has shown that, Viagra helped 87 percent of men with mild-to-moderate erectile dysfunction resulting in better erections against 36 percent of men taking a placebo. No other medication for erectile dysfunction according to Pfizer can make this claim.

Abbot Laboratories manufacture Uprima which is a substance that contains Apomorphine, a drug which is associated with neurological problems. Uprima works by enhancing libido by acting on sensors in the brain to stimulate sexual arousal. Being absorbed under the tongue and absorbed into the bloodstream, Uprima acts very quickly, this can be helpful if the patient has difficulty in swallowing. The product can cause some side effects and does not last as long.

A product of the Bayer organization Levitra works to alleviate impotence in men in a similar way to both Cialis and Viagra. The medication, which is in pill form and comes in three dose sizes, acts in about an hour and sexual stimulation is required. An issue many may have with this medication is that it can take as long as an hour to begin working, unlike Viagra, which is used when it is needed and begins working quickly.

Viagra has been subject to over 130 clinical trials and among 13,000 men. These trials show that taking Viagra is about as safe for your heart as taking a sugar pill.  More than 23 million men worldwide have used Viagra, and over 1 billion doses of Viagra have been prescribed. No other erectile dysfunction therapy has been studied more than Viagra.

As with any medication and before taking Viagra or any drug for impotence; you should consult your doctor and whilst Viagra is a safe drug it still may not be the right drug for you.