Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.
Testosterone gel
Sildenafil (Viagra)
Testosterone gel
Sildenafil (Viagra)
Summary of Testosterone vs. Viagra
Summary for Testosterone replacement
Prescription only
Testosterone gel is used to treat low testosterone in adult males. It's convenient to use because you only have to apply it to your skin once a day. But compared to other forms of testosterone, there's a higher risk of exposing others to the medication through skin-to-skin contact.
Summary for PDE-5 inhibitor
Prescription only
Sildenafil (Viagra) is taken by mouth to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). You take it only as needed, typically about an hour before sexual activity (but you can take it anywhere between 30 minutes to 4 hours before sex). Don't take sildenafil (Viagra) more than once a day because doing so can put you at higher risk for serious side effects, such as vision loss or low blood pressure. It's available as a lower-cost generic.