ED Medication Comparison Tool
Select Medication
Timing Preferences
Medication Details
| Medication | Onset Time | Duration | Price (AU$) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ManForce | 30-60 min | 4-5 hrs | 5.00-7.50 |
| Viagra | 30-60 min | 4-5 hrs | 6.00-8.00 |
| Cialis | 1-2 hrs | Up to 36 hrs | 7.00-10.00 |
| Levitra | 25-60 min | 4-6 hrs | 6.50-9.00 |
| Stendra | 15-30 min (high dose) | 6-12 hrs | 9.00-12.00 |
| Generic Sildenafil | 30-60 min | 4-5 hrs | 2.00-4.00 |
Quick Summary
- ManForce is a branded sildenafil tablet marketed mainly in Australia.
- Viagra, Cialis, Levitra and Stendra are the most common alternatives, each with its own onset and duration profile.
- Generic sildenafil offers the same active ingredient at a lower cost.
- Key decision factors: timing, sideâeffects, health conditions and price.
- Always check for contraindications such as nitrate medication or serious heart disease.
ManForce is a brand of sildenafil citrate sold in 25mg, 50mg and 100mg tablets. It is regulated by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and prescribed for men with erectile dysfunction (ED). The brand emphasizes a "fastâacting" claim, with typical onset within 30-60minutes and effectiveness lasting up to 4hours.
Viagra is the original sildenafil citrate product launched by Pfizer in 1998. It shares the same active ingredient as ManForce but is marketed globally under its own name. Standard doses are 25mg, 50mg and 100mg, with similar onset (30-60minutes) and duration (4-5hours).
Cialis contains tadalafil, a different PDE5 inhibitor discovered in the early 2000s. Doses range from 2.5mg to 20mg, offering a slower onset (1-2hours) but a much longer window of effect-up to 36hours, earning the nickname "the weekend pill".
Levitra is a brand of vardenafil. It comes in 5mg, 10mg and 20mg tablets. Onset is typically 25-60minutes, and duration lasts about 4-6hours, placing it between sildenafil and tadalafil in performance.
Stendra (avanafil) is the newest FDAâapproved PDE5 inhibitor (2012). Doses are 50mg, 100mg, and 200mg, with a rapid onset of 15minutes for the higher dose and a duration of 6-12hours.
Generic Sildenafil refers to any nonâbranded tablet containing sildenafil citrate. It is typically 20mg, 50mg or 100mg and matches the efficacy and safety profile of brand versions at a fraction of the price.
PDE5 inhibitors are a class of drugs that block the enzyme phosphodiesteraseâ5, allowing cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) to accumulate in the corpora cavernosa and facilitate blood flow for an erection.
How Sildenafil Works
When sexual stimulation occurs, nitric oxide releases in penile tissue, converting guanylate to cGMP. cGMP relaxes smooth muscle, letting blood fill the corpora cavernosa. PDE5 enzymes normally break down cGMP, ending the erection. Sildenafil, as a PDE5 inhibitor, stalls that breakdown, prolonging the erection. This mechanism is shared across all PDE5 drugs, but each molecule differs in binding affinity, halfâlife, and sideâeffect profile.
Main Alternatives to ManForce
The market offers five primary alternatives, each with distinct attributes:
- Viagra - same active ingredient, widely recognized, price varies by brand.
- Cialis - longer duration, useful for spontaneous activity.
- Levitra - slightly faster onset for some users, similar cost to Viagra.
- Stendra - quickest onset at higher dose, premium price.
- Generic Sildenafil - costâeffective, identical efficacy.
SideâEffect and Safety Snapshot
All PDE5 inhibitors share common sideâeffects: headache, flushing, nasal congestion, dyspepsia. Differences arise primarily from dosage timing and individual metabolism. Notably:
- Cardiovascular risk: Men with unstable angina, recent myocardial infarction, or severe heart failure should avoid PDE5 inhibitors.
- Nitrate interaction: Coâadministration with nitrates (e.g., nitroglycerin) can cause dangerous hypotension. This rule applies to every product listed.
- Alcohol: Moderate drinking (up to one drink) is generally safe, but heavy intake can impair efficacy and increase dizziness.
Comparison Table
| Product | Active Ingredient | Typical Onset | Duration | FDA/TGA Status | Price (AU$) per Tablet* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ManForce | Sildenafil 25/50/100mg | 30â60min | 4â5hrs | TGAâapproved | 5.00â7.50 |
| Viagra | Sildenafil 25/50/100mg | 30â60min | 4â5hrs | FDA/TGA | 6.00â8.00 |
| Cialis | Tadalafil 2.5/5/10/20mg | 1â2hrs | Up to 36hrs | FDA/TGA | 7.00â10.00 |
| Levitra | Vardenafil 5/10/20mg | 25â60min | 4â6hrs | FDA/TGA | 6.50â9.00 |
| Stendra | Avanafil 50/100/200mg | 15â30min (high dose) | 6â12hrs | FDA/TGA | 9.00â12.00 |
| Generic Sildenafil | Sildenafil 20/50/100mg | 30â60min | 4â5hrs | Approved (varies) | 2.00â4.00 |
*Prices are approximate retail values in Australian dollars as of 2025 and may vary by pharmacy.
How to Choose the Right Option
Picking a medication isnât just about price. Consider these decision points:
- Timing of sexual activity: If you need spontaneity, Cialis or Stendra may suit you better because of the longer window.
- Duration of effect: For a single evening plan, sildenafilâbased products (ManForce, Viagra, Generic) are sufficient.
- Health profile: Men on nitrate therapy must avoid all PDE5 inhibitors. Those with mild hypertension can usually use any approved dose.
- Cost sensitivity: Generic sildenafil offers the most budgetâfriendly route without sacrificing efficacy.
- Sideâeffect tolerance: Some users report fewer visual disturbances with tadalafil, while others find avanafilâs headache rate lower.
Practical Tips for Safe Use
- Take the tablet with a full glass of water, preferably on an empty stomach for faster onset.
- Avoid highâfat meals within two hours of dosing; they can delay absorption especially for sildenafil.
- Start with the lowest effective dose (e.g., 25mg for ManForce) and titrate upward under a doctorâs guidance.
- Keep a short note of timing and any sideâeffects to discuss at followâup appointments.
Related Concepts and Next Steps
Understanding the broader landscape helps you talk confidently with your clinician. Related topics include:
- Lifestyle modifications: Exercise, weight management, and smoking cessation improve natural erectile function and can reduce the needed dose.
- Psychosexual counseling: Performance anxiety is a common contributor to ED; therapy can complement medication.
- Other ED treatments: Vacuum erection devices, penile implants, and intraâurethral alprostadil for men who cannot take oral PDE5 inhibitors.
After reviewing this guide, you might explore "How to talk to your GP about ED" or "Understanding dosage adjustments for older adults" as logical next reads.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ManForce the same as Viagra?
Yes. Both contain sildenafil citrate as the active ingredient. The main differences lie in branding, packaging, and price points set by the manufacturers.
Can I take ManForce with a daily lowâdose aspirin?
Lowâdose aspirin (75â100mg) is generally safe with sildenafil because it does not cause the severe bloodâpressure drop seen with nitrates. However, always confirm with your doctor, especially if you are on other bloodâthinners.
How does Cialis differ in onset compared to ManForce?
Cialis (tadalafil) usually takes 1â2hours to work, slower than ManForceâs 30â60minutes. The tradeâoff is a much longer duration-up to 36hours-so you donât need to time the dose as precisely.
Is there any advantage to choosing Stendra over ManForce?
Stendra (avanafil) can start working in as little as 15minutes at the 200mg dose, which is faster than ManForce. It also tends to cause fewer visual disturbances. The downside is a higher price and limited availability in some Australian pharmacies.
What should I do if I miss a dose?
Sildenafilâbased tablets like ManForce are taken only when sexual activity is anticipated. If you skip a planned dose, simply wait for the next opportunity. Do not doubleâdose to âcatch up,â as this raises the risk of sideâeffects.
Can I use ManForce if I have mild hypertension?
Mild, wellâcontrolled hypertension is not a contraindication for sildenafil. Your doctor may monitor blood pressure after the first dose to ensure thereâs no significant drop.
16 Comments
Hey everyone đ, I just finished reading the ManForce vs ED alternatives guide and wow, thereâs a lot to unpack! First off, itâs great that the article breaks down onset times and duration for each medication, because timing is everything when spontaneity is on the menu. The price comparison for Australian dollars is super helpful, especially for those of us hunting for the best bangâforâbuck deal. I also love the quick tip about taking the pill on an empty stomach for faster absorption â thatâs a game changer for anyone whoâs rushed in the morning. The sideâeffect section is thorough, reminding us that headaches and flushing are common across the board, which is good to know before you pop a pill. The safety warnings about nitrates are spotâon; nobody wants a dangerous drop in blood pressure. I appreciate the mention of lifestyle tweaks like exercise and weight loss â it shows the guide isnât just about meds but overall health. The table with active ingredients and FDA/TGA status is clear and makes it easy to compare at a glance. For those with mild hypertension, the reassurance that sildenafil is generally safe is comforting. The section on Cialisâs âweekend pillâ nickname really highlights how different the experiences can be. I also found the FAQ handy; the answer about aspirin was something I was curious about. The note on avanafilâs faster onset at higher doses is useful for people who value quick results. The practical tips like drinking a full glass of water and avoiding highâfat meals are simple but effective. Overall, the guide feels balanced, not pushing any brand, which is refreshing in a market full of marketing hype. Thanks for the comprehensive rundown, and happy (safe) nights to all! đ
Sildenafil works fast, cheap, good
If youâre deciding between ManForce and other PDE5 inhibitors, consider three main factors: health conditions, timing needs, and budget. For men with controlled hypertension, any of the sildenafilâbased options (ManForce, Viagra, generic) are usually safe, but always doubleâcheck with your doctor if youâre on other meds. If spontaneity matters, Stendraâs 15âminute onset can be a winner, though it costs more. Cialis shines when you want a long window without timing the dose precisely. And if price is the biggest driver, generic sildenafil offers the same efficacy at a fraction of the cost. Keep a simple log of when you take the pill and any side effects; it helps your clinician fineâtune the dose.
All these pills are basically the same sugarâcoated placebo wrapped in fancy branding; the market thrives on hype, not science.
I think itâs useful to see the sideâeffect list laid out so clearly, it helps set realistic expectations.
America should stick to homeâgrown meds and stop buying foreign brands like ManForce â we have enough great options locally.
Wow this is so obvious đ
Permit me to elucidate the pharmacodynamic distinctions that render each agent uniquely suited to disparate clinical scenarios. Sildenafil, the cornerstone of ManForce and Viagra, exhibits a rapid onset yet a relatively brief halfâlife, rendering it optimal for planned encounters. Tadalafil, the active constituent of Cialis, boasts a protracted halfâlife, granting a 36âhour therapeutic window that some affectionately dub the "weekend pill." Vardenafil (Levitra) and avanafil (Stendra) occupy intermediate niches, with Stendra offering the quickest onset at high doses. The cost differential, as illustrated in the comparative table, is largely a function of brand versus generic manufacturing and market exclusivity. Moreover, clinicians must vigilantly assess contraindications, notably concomitant nitrate therapy, to avert catastrophic hypotension. Ultimately, individualized therapy hinges on a synthesis of pharmacokinetics, patient lifestyle, and economic considerations.
Yeah, but who even reads that fancy jargon? Just take whatever works and stop overthinking it.
From a holistic perspective, the guide excels in providing a comprehensive overview; however, one might argue that the emphasis on cost could be further contextualized, given the variability in insurance coverage across regions; additionally, the brief mention of lifestyle modifications-such as regular aerobic exercise, dietary adjustments, and smoking cessation-deserves amplification, as these factors synergistically enhance endothelial function, thereby potentially reducing reliance on pharmacotherapy; finally, the inclusion of patient anecdotes would imbue the data with relatable nuance, fostering greater engagement among readers.
Good point, lifestyle matters a lot
Ah, the eternal dance of modern medicine and marketing-here we are, dissecting a table of pills as if we were scholars at a symposium, when in reality, most of us are just trying to avoid that awkward moment in the bedroom. The guide does a decent job of laying out the onset times, but letâs be honest: the 15âminute claim for Stendra sounds like a magicianâs trick, and most of us arenât going to time our foreplay with a stopwatch. The price rows are eyeâopening, especially when you see generic sildenafil sitting at a fraction of the cost; itâs a reminder that the pharmaceutical industry loves to slap a premium on a name brand for the sake of branding. The safety warnings about nitrates are crucial, yet theyâre buried beneath a sea of marketing speak-perhaps they should be shouted from the rooftops. Iâm also amused by the âweekend pillâ moniker for Cialis; itâs catchy, but it also trivializes the serious cardiovascular considerations that some users must heed. The lifestyle tips-drink water, avoid fatty meals-are common sense, but itâs nice to see them reiterated; after all, a pill is only as good as the body that absorbs it. In the end, the guide feels like a wellâintentioned attempt to educate, though I suspect many will skim past the nuanced sections and just pick the cheapest option. Nevertheless, kudos for the thoroughness; if youâre the type who reads the fine print, youâll find it useful. For the rest of us, itâs a polite reminder that while pills can help, theyâre not a magic wand-communication, health, and a bit of patience still matter. And if youâre still confused, maybe schedule a chat with your GP; theyâll cut through the hype and help you find the right fit. Bottom line: knowledge is power, but itâs also an invitation to be an informed consumer in a market that loves to sell you dreams in a tablet.
đ Oh wow, thanks for the epic saga-so basically pick a pill, donât forget to eat a salad, and maybe the universe will align for a smooth night. Got it.
i think this compairison is basic and all the data is super copy paste from pharma bros it looks like the same info repeated over and over dont trust any of it
Not convinced.
Itâs morally reprehensible to promote any medication without first addressing the underlying health disparities that drive men to rely on ED drugs; society must prioritize preventive care over quick fixes.