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Viagra vs Levitra vs Cialis - Efficiency Study

June 2006 - International Journal of Impotence Research –

The comparison of efficiency for the available erectile dysfunction treatments has always been of the highest interest for patients, looking for the best option, and for doctors, searching for the reliable and proved information. Till now, there was quite a large number of studies, focused on estimating the efficiency of separate PDE-5 inhibitors (Viagra, Levitra or Cialis). However, there is no much information on the study that would compare all the three medications and show the rates of their efficiency within one evaluating process.

According to the publication in the International Journal of Impotence Research, the effort to fill this gap was recently made in the University Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany. A group of scientists completed a meta-analytic study, the main goal of which was to estimate the improvements of erectile dysfunction (ED), ensured by three available PDE-5 inhibitors: sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), and vardenafil (Levitra).

The study was based on the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) to evaluate the efficiency of medications in improving erectile function. Scientists compared the improvements rates, provided by the highest fixed dosages of the said medications.

The researchers used the data from all available studies, focused on efficiency of ED medications as well as information from drug manufacturers and American Food and Drug Administration. To receive reliable results, the researchers reviewed all the studies to pick only those with the maximum homogeneity. The final results of the comparative analysis were based on the three studies, evaluating the efficiency of Viagra, eight studies, focused on Cialis efficiency, and three studies, estimating the potential of Levitra in fighting the erectile dysfunction.

The final results were received after analyzing data from patient questionnaires (International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)), when each of the drugs was granted with the certain number of points. The higher the points are, the more effective medication is.

So, the result of efficiency estimation for sildenafil was 9.65 points, tadalafil - 8.52 points, and vardenafil - 7.50 points. That means that Viagra showed the highest rate of efficiency, followed by Cialis. Levitra showed the lowest rate. The researchers admit that all the medications showed high efficiency in fighting erectile dysfunction and there is no significant difference between Viagra and Cialis, while the efficiency of Levitra is a bit lower in comparison to the other medications. In the meantime the scientists say that the results of their research should be treated with caution, since additional comparative trials are necessary.

It is interesting to note, that the information on drugs effectiveness, given on the official web-sites of Viagra, Cialis and Levitra, differs from the results of the study. Viagra is said to be effective in 85% of patients with ED. The site of Levitra gives the same rate of vardenafil effectiveness (85%). The web-site of tadalafil emphasizes the longest period of action (36 hours) for Cialis in comparison to the other available options without mentioning its actual effectiveness. According to the initial efficacy study, Cialis was effective for 81% of patients.

So, it is not easy to compare the effectiveness of erectile dysfunction medications, taking into account only the data, provided by manufacturers. Consequently, the above described research may be of great help as a source on independent and comparative information for all the patients, evaluating advantages/disadvantages of all available ED pills.

Nick

External resources
http://www.nature.com/ijir/journal/v18/n3/full/3901395a.html
http://www.levitra.com/clinicalproof.html
http://www.viagramd.com/efficacy.asp
http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=117779