Erectile Dysfunction Gummies: Do They Really Work?

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Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common condition, and there’s no shortage of products claiming to help treat and cure it. At the top of the list are clinically proven prescription medications called phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors, which can help treat ED. These medications have been around for over 25 years, and they have a long-standing record of success and safety. 

Newer forms of these medications are now available as ED gummies. But do these versions work as well as the pill forms? And are they safe? Here’s what to know about ED gummies.

What are erectile dysfunction gummies?

ED gummies are chewable products that claim to treat symptoms of ED. 

There are a number of different ED gummies on the market. Some of these ED gummies contain natural supplements like:

• CBD

• Ginseng 

• L-arginine 

We won’t cover these types of gummies in this article. But if you do decide to try them: Experts recommend that you proceed with caution. These products haven’t been evaluated by the FDA to see if they work. They’re also not evaluated for safety.

In this article, we’ll be focusing on ED gummies that contain tadalafil (Cialis). Tadalafil is a PDE5 inhibitor that was FDA approved to treat ED in 2003. 

Tadalafil is available in many forms. It’s available as a:

• Pill

• Chewable tablet

• Liquid

• Gummy

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Erectile dysfunction (ED) pills: Check out this high-level overview of oral ED medications and what makes each one different.

• Can ED be cured? Some cases of ED are reversible. Here’s a list of curable causes of ED and common treatment options.

• Is your medication causing ED? Learn more about which medications can lead to ED.

All forms are available by prescription only. Only the pill, chewable tablet, and liquid forms have been evaluated and approved by the FDA. 

Compounded medications for erectile dysfunction

Tadalafil gummies are a compounded medication. Compounded medications don’t require the same kind of FDA approval and testing as other prescription medications do. So, it’s not always clear if compounded medications are safe and effective. (More below on compounded medications and safety tips when using them.)

You also can’t find most compounded medications in regular pharmacies. Tadalafil gummies are only made by compounding pharmacies. So getting tadalafil gummies isn’t as easy as asking your prescriber for a prescription. You’ll have to find a compounding pharmacy that makes them and ask your prescriber to send it there. 

Some online companies offer Tadalafil gummy prescriptions and send them directly to a partner compounding pharmacy. This makes it easier for you to get the gummy form of the medication. 

How do ED gummies work?

Tadalafil works by increasing blood flow to the penis. This makes it easier to achieve and maintain an erection. 

Tadalafil works longer than other ED medications. It starts acting within 30 minutes, but it can take up to 2 hours to take effect. Its effects can last up to 36 hours. For that reason, some people take a smaller dose of tadalafil each day. 

One study found that people who took tadalafil daily had less anxiety about sex. The participants also felt more confident knowing that the medication made them ready for sex any time. 

Tadalafil gummies should work the same way as other forms of tadalafil. But since these gummies aren’t regulated by the FDA, it’s impossible to say they work just as well as other forms of tadalafil.

How do you take ED gummies?

You can take tadalafil as needed before sexual activity or as a daily medication. You can take it with or without food.

Tadalafil often comes in standard doses, including: 

• 2.5 mg

• 5 mg

• 10 mg

• 20 mg

Compounded tadalafil gummies may come in different doses. In general, people take lower doses for daily use and higher doses for as needed use. 

Your healthcare team will help you figure out which dose may be best for you.

Do ED gummies work as well as Viagra?

There haven’t been any direct studies comparing tadalafil gummies to Viagra (sildenafil). Tadalafil gummies aren’t FDA approved. So it’s not clear if they work as well as other forms of tadalafil.

Tadalafil and sildenafil tablets work equally well. 

So which tablet medication should you take? That depends on your lifestyle situation. The table below presents a side-by-side comparison.

Are erectile dysfunction gummies safe?

ED gummies containing tadalafil haven't been approved by the FDA. And since they're compounded medications, they haven't been tested for safety and effectiveness the same way as other prescription medications. 

Safety tips when taking compounded medications

Always work with a reputable compounding pharmacy. This is the best way to know that your product is as safe and effective as possible. Check to see if your compounding pharmacy is accredited by organizations like the: 

• Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board (PCAB) 

• National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) 

You can also check to see if the pharmacy has a Joint Commission Medication Compounding Certificate, which means it has met certain safety standards. Compounding pharmacies are also monitored by their state’s pharmacy board. You can check with the state board to see if the pharmacy is following all standards. 

Other options for tadalafil for erectile dysfunction

If the idea of compounded medications makes you nervous, keep in mind that there are other options available. Tadalafil is available as a liquid and chewable tablet as well as a regular pill. These versions are FDA approved and available at retail pharmacies. 

And programs like GoodRx for ED offer convenient, low-cost access to FDA-approved versions of tadalafil, delivered to your home.

Do erectile dysfunction gummies cause side effects?

Tadalafil ED gummies can cause side effects. The most common side effects are:

• Headache

• Back pain

• Flushing

• Heartburn and indigestion

• Nasal congestion

• Muscle pain

These side effects are often temporary and last a few hours or days. Many people no longer experience these issues after 1 to 4 weeks as they adjust to the medication.

Other rare side effects include:

• Erections lasting longer than 4 hours

• Hearing loss

• Vision changes

You should also avoid certain medications when taking tadalafil because they cause serious side effects. Don’t take tadalafil if you’re taking nitrates like nitroglycerin. Combining these medications can lead to very low blood pressure, which is dangerous for your health. 

Contact your healthcare team right away if you experience any side effects after taking any ED medication. 

Can you take ED gummies with other ED medication?

No, experts don’t recommend taking tadalafil ED gummies with other ED medications. Combining ED medications can cause dangerously low blood pressure and an increased risk for other side effects.

If tadalafil gummies don’t appear to be helping your ED, check with your healthcare team before trying other medications, even supplements.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Brian Clista, MD

Dr. Clista is a board-certified pediatrician who works in private practice in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He previously served as a National Health Service Corporation Scholar in the inner city of Pittsburgh for 11 years.

Edited by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

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