Prozyte vs. Viagra for Erectile Dysfunction: 6 Differences to Consider

If you’re dealing with erectile dysfunction (ED), you’re not alone. Millions of men experience this condition, and there are a variety of solutions available.

Viagra (sildenafil) is a well-known ED treatment that’s been around since the 1990s. But it requires a prescription from a healthcare professional. So some people may turn to an over-the-counter (OTC) option first. Prozyte is a dietary supplement that’s marketed as a “male potency formula” to support stronger erections. But how do these two ED treatments compare? 

Below, we’ll cover six differences between Prozyte versus Viagra to help you make an informed choice.

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1. Prozyte is an OTC supplement, while Viagra is an FDA-approved medication

One of the main differences between Prozyte and Viagra is that Prozyte is an OTC dietary supplement, while Viagra is an FDA-approved prescription medication.

Prescription medications are highly regulated by the FDA. This means they’re required to go through extensive testing before they’re available to the public. FDA approval means that Viagra is proven to work for ED and has clear dosage and safety information.

Prozyte, on the other hand, is not a medication — it’s a dietary supplement. So, it isn’t approved for ED or any other medical use. Supplements aren’t regulated by the FDA and aren’t required to prove that they’re safe or effective for their intended use.

This doesn’t mean that all dietary supplements are “bad.” Many supplements can help improve or maintain overall health by providing nutrients your body needs to function properly. It just means there’s no way to guarantee that they’re effective. And there’s also a higher risk when it comes to safety since they’re not held to the same standards as prescription medications.

2. Viagra and Prozyte contain different ingredients

Viagra and Prozyte contain different ingredients. This means they work in different ways to help with ED.

Sildenafil is the active ingredient in Viagra. It’s a phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitor that works by relaxing the muscle of the penis to increase blood flow. This makes it easier to get and sustain an erection. 

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Prozyte contains a blend of herbal ingredients along with zinc and niacin. Here’s a closer look at each ingredient:

• Horny goat weed: Horny goat weed is an herb that’s been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries as an aphrodisiac (a substance that increases sexual desire and performance). Animal studies show that icariin, an active ingredient in horny goat weed, may work like a PDE5 inhibitor. But human studies aren’t available to back this up.

• Tribulus terrestris: This is another herb that’s long been part of Traditional Chinese Medicine. There’s some evidence it improves sexual function in men living with mild-to-moderate ED. But other studies show no effect, so the results are mixed. We don’t know exactly how tribulus terrestris works, but it seems to help increase blood flow to the penis. It may also increase testosterone levels, but there’s less evidence of this in studies.

• Maca root: Maca is a mustard plant traditionally believed to boost libido and enhance fertility. There’s some evidence that maca may help with ED, but the existing studies are of poor quality and show mixed results. 

• L-arginine: L-arginine is an amino acid that can help widen blood vessels and increase blood flow. A clinical review found that L-arginine supplements can help improve mild-to-moderate ED. But the effective doses (1,500 mg to 5,000 mg) are higher than the amount included in Prozyte supplements.

• Tongkat ali: Also known as Eurycoma longifolia, this herb is thought to boost testosterone and improve male sexual health. In a review of 11 studies, seven of them linked tongkat ali to improved sexual health, including better erections. But the other four studies didn’t show any improvements.

• Oat straw: Oat straw is the green top of the oat plant. It’s thought to be an aphrodisiac with the ability to improve mood and energy levels. But there’s no solid evidence that it can help with ED. 

• Ginger: People have used ginger for centuries as a treatment for stomach issues and other ailments. Studies show it may also help with sexual arousal. Animal and lab-based studies show that ginger may increase testosterone levels and blood flow, which are key components of a healthy erection. But it hasn’t been studied for ED in humans on its own.

• Sarsaparilla: Also called Smilax officinalis, this herb is believed to boost testosterone levels. But there’s little clinical evidence to support this.

• Niacin: Also called vitamin B3, niacin helps your body make energy. One study shows it may help with moderate to severe ED along with high cholesterol. But the dose used in the study (up to 1,500 mg daily) was much higher than the amount in Prozyte (46 mg per serving).

• Zinc: Zinc plays a role in making testosterone. And low zinc levels have been associated with a higher risk for ED. But there isn’t much evidence that taking extra zinc can help with ED or sexual function. And too much zinc can be harmful to your health. 

While many of the ingredients in Prozyte have been studied individually, there’s no evidence that the combination is effective for ED. And the herbal ingredients are listed as a “proprietary blend,” so it isn’t clear how much of each ingredient is in each dose.

3. Prozyte is a daily supplement, while you only take Viagra when needed

Another key difference between Prozyte and Viagra is how you take them.

Viagra is an on-demand treatment for ED. You take it about an hour before sexual activity. The recommended dose ranges from 25 mg to 100 mg, with a maximum of 1 dose per day.  

Prozyte, on the other hand, is not an as-needed medication. Instead, you need to take it on a regular daily basis. The recommended dosage, according to the product label, is 2 capsules per day.

Viagra usually starts working within 30 minutes to 2 hours after you take it. In contrast, you may need to take Prozyte for several weeks to notice any effects, according to the manufacturer. 

4. Viagra and Prozyte have different side effects to consider

Viagra and Prozyte may also cause different side effects.

Viagra side effects include:

• Headache

• Flushing

• Upset stomach

• Stuffy nose

• Low blood pressure

While rare, Viagra can also cause serious side effects, including vision problems and prolonged erections (priapism).

Researchers don’t know as much about the possible side effects of Prozyte. The product label doesn’t describe any risks or warnings. But there is research on the side effects of the individual ingredients in Prozyte, and they include:

• Upset stomach

• Nausea

• Skin rash

• Headache

• Flushing

• Dizziness

• Diarrhea

• Low blood pressure

• Irritability

• Mood swings

• Anxiety

• Seeing or hearing things that aren’t there (hallucinations)

• Addictive behaviors

• Liver and kidney problems

Since supplements aren’t regulated, there’s also the possibility of side effects caused by contaminants or ingredients not listed on Prozyte’s label. The FDA has issued many warnings about sexual enhancement products in regard to these risks.

5. Prozyte and Viagra can interact with different medications

Viagra and Prozyte can both interact with medications. However, interactions are more clearly defined for Viagra.

Viagra interactions include:

• Nitrates, such as nitroglycerin (NitroStat)

• Alpha blockers, such as tamsulosin (Flomax)

• Blood pressure medications

• Grapefruit juice

• Alcohol

The ingredients in Prozyte may interact with:

• Blood thinner medications

• Blood pressure medications

• Diabetes medications

• Statins

• Medications broken down by the liver

But as with side effects, there isn’t enough research on Prozyte interactions. So we don’t know for sure if it’s safe to take with any other medications. 

6. You shouldn’t take Prozyte and Viagra at the same time

It’s not a good idea to take Prozyte and Viagra together. An animal study suggests that horny goat weed, one of the ingredients in Prozyte, could make Viagra less effective. In addition, combining both products may increase the risk of priapism and other side effects, such as dizziness, headache, or a drop in blood pressure.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Patricia Weiser, PharmD

Patricia has 16 years of pharmacist experience. She previously held positions as a community pharmacist, pharmacy manager, and hospital pharmacist.

Edited by:

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Kentucky and is licensed in New York and Massachusetts.

Reviewed by:

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP, is a board-certified ambulatory care clinical pharmacist. In his early career, he provided direct patient care in a variety of settings, including hospital and community pharmacies, and in a primary care clinic as a clinical pharmacist.

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