To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and site usage information with other information we have about you. Your doctor or other health care professional can recommend one for you based on these factors, other health conditions you have and any other medicines you take. The FDA has published warnings against over-the-counter OTC sexual enhancement products , citing hidden active ingredients that may be harmful. This medicine also works best when you take it an hour before sex on an empty stomach. These products are especially dangerous for anyone who takes nitrates. When oral medications might not be safe Check with your health care team before you take any medicine for erectile dysfunction. That said, some studies have shown that ED creams may be an effective treatment option in the future, particularly when they contain the ingredient alprostadil.Oral medicines for ED usually work well and cause few side effects. The four main medicines taken by mouth for erectile dysfunction are: Avanafil (Stendra). Sildenafil . Treatments for erectile dysfunction are effective and evolving. Traditional oral medications can help, and drugs that you apply directly to the skin are being developed. Traditional ED treatment consists of taking oral phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. However, these medications, such as Viagra, are not safe for all patients struggling with .