ED Medication in Metairie & New Orleans
Sildenafil and tadalafil, prescribed only after an in-person physician evaluation at our Metairie clinic. Your ED consultation is free.
How ED medication works
The most widely used ED medicines are a group called PDE5 inhibitors. When you are aroused, your body releases signals that relax the blood vessels in the penis so blood can flow in. PDE5 inhibitors help keep that process going. They don't create desire and they don't cause an erection on their own; they make it easier for your body to respond.
For many men, an oral medicine is the simplest place to start. It is one part of the ED treatment we offer at Aspire, alongside ED injections and Soundwave Therapy, and your physician will explain how it compares with the others for you.
Sildenafil
The same active ingredient as Viagra. Usually taken as needed, about an hour before sex, and works for several hours. A heavy, fatty meal can slow it down.
Tadalafil
The same active ingredient as Cialis. Lasts much longer, up to about a day and a half, so timing matters less. It can also be prescribed as a low daily dose.
Your physician sets the medicine, dose and timing for you. Never take more than prescribed, and don't combine ED medicines unless your physician has told you to.
Getting the most from ED pills
A lot of men decide ED pills "don't work" after one or two tries, when the real problem is how they were taken. A few practical points your physician will go over:
- Give it time to start working. Sildenafil works best on an empty stomach or after a light meal.
- You still need arousal and stimulation. The pill helps your body respond; it doesn't do it for you.
- Try it on more than one occasion before judging it. Nerves the first time are common.
- Go easy on alcohol, which can make erections harder on its own.
- If it still isn't working, tell us. A different dose, a different medicine or a different treatment may suit you better.
Why we see you in person first
ED pills are simple to take, but they aren't right for everyone. ED can also be an early sign of a problem with blood vessels, blood pressure, cholesterol or blood sugar, and it is worth knowing that before you start treating the symptom.
At your consultation, a physician goes over your symptoms, your health history and every medicine and supplement you take, checks your blood pressure, and asks about your heart health. If anything needs a closer look, we will tell you and, where needed, point you to your primary care doctor or a specialist.
Who ED medication suits
Oral medication is often a good first step for men with mild to moderate ED, including ED linked to blood flow, diabetes or stress, provided their heart health allows it. It suits men who are happy to take a tablet and plan around its timing. Men who can't take PDE5 inhibitors, or who find they don't work well enough, usually have other options such as ED injections or Soundwave Therapy.
Don't take ED pills if:
- You take any nitrate medicine for chest pain, such as nitroglycerin tablets, spray or patches, or isosorbide. Combined with ED pills, nitrates can cause a sudden, dangerous drop in blood pressure.
- You use recreational "poppers" (amyl or butyl nitrite), which carry the same risk.
- You take riociguat for pulmonary hypertension.
- A doctor has told you that sexual activity isn't safe for your heart, or you have had a recent heart attack or stroke.
Tell your physician if you have or take:
- Alpha-blockers for blood pressure or an enlarged prostate, such as tamsulosin or doxazosin
- Low blood pressure, heart rhythm problems or heart failure
- Serious kidney or liver disease
- Certain antibiotics, antifungals and HIV medicines that change how ED pills are broken down
Get urgent medical help for an erection that lasts more than four hours, sudden loss of vision or hearing, or chest pain during sex. If you are ever given nitroglycerin in an emergency, tell the medical team when you last took an ED pill.
What to expect
- 01
A free, private consultation
Book online or call. You meet a physician one-to-one at our Metairie clinic, and there is no obligation to start treatment.
- 02
Evaluation and safety check
We review your symptoms, health history and medicines, check your blood pressure and talk about your heart health.
- 03
Your prescription and instructions
If medication suits you, your physician explains which medicine, how and when to take it, what side effects to watch for and what it costs.
- 04
Follow-up
We check in on how it is working. Adjusting the dose, the timing or the medicine is common, and combining approaches is an option if needed.
Your ED consultation is free. The cost of medication depends on the medicine and the dose, and we tell you before anything is prescribed. Financing is available through Cherry, PatientFi and HFA, subject to approval.
ED medication questions
Yes. We only prescribe after an in-person evaluation with a physician at our Metairie clinic. That visit is where we check your heart health, blood pressure and current medicines so we know a prescription is safe for you.
Neither is better for everyone. Sildenafil is shorter acting and taken before sex. Tadalafil lasts longer and can be taken daily. Your physician will talk through which fits your routine and your health, and can switch you if the first choice doesn't suit you.
No. They make it easier for blood to flow into the penis, but you still need to be aroused. If you have taken them and nothing happens, bring that up at your follow-up. The dose, timing or medicine may need changing.
Headache, flushing, a stuffy nose, indigestion and, with tadalafil, back or muscle aches are the most common. They are usually mild and short-lived. An erection lasting more than four hours, or any sudden change in vision or hearing, needs urgent medical care.
You still have options. ED injections work directly on the blood vessels in the penis, and Soundwave Therapy is another approach some men consider. Your physician will explain what makes sense for you.
Your ED consultation is free. The cost of medication depends on the medicine and dose, and we explain it before you fill anything. Financing is available through Cherry, PatientFi and HFA, subject to approval.
Learn more about ED Treatment
Talk to a physician about ED medication
A free, confidential consultation at 3445 N Causeway Blvd Ste 900, Metairie, LA 70002.