ED Medication Decision Guide
Find Your Best ED Medication
Answer a few questions about your needs and health to see which medication is most suitable for you.
1. What's your primary concern?
2. What's your budget per dose?
3. Do you have any of these health conditions?
4. How often do you need medication?
Recommended Option
Answer the questions above to see your personalized recommendation.
When you’re hunting for an ED pill that also tackles low mood, Malegra DXT Plus often shows up in the mix.
Key Takeaways
- Malegra DXT Plus pairs sildenafil with duloxetine, targeting both erectile dysfunction and mood symptoms.
- Single‑ingredient PDE5 inhibitors (Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, Stendra) are cheaper but don’t address depression.
- Combination therapy can increase side‑effect risk, especially for blood‑pressure‑sensitive users.
- Cost per tablet ranges from AU$5 (generic sildenafil) to AU$12‑15 for the Malegra combo.
- Choose based on your primary concern: pure ED, mood issues, or both, and consider health conditions.
Malegra DXT Plus is a fixed‑dose tablet that combines 100mg sildenafil (a PDE5 inhibitor) with 30mg duloxetine (a serotonin‑norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor). It targets erectile dysfunction and concurrent symptoms of depression or anxiety in a single pill.
How the Two Ingredients Work Together
Sildenafil belongs to the PDE5 inhibitor class. By blocking the phosphodiesterase‑5 enzyme, it keeps cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels high, allowing smooth muscle in the penis to relax and blood flow to increase. The effect usually starts within 30‑60 minutes and lasts up to 5hours.
Duloxetine is a serotonin‑norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). It lifts mood, reduces anxiety, and can improve sexual desire by balancing neurotransmitters in the brain. When taken daily, therapeutic levels are reached after about a week.
The idea behind the combo is simple: treat the physical cause of ED while simultaneously lifting the psychological barriers that often accompany it. Clinical data from a 2023 Australian trial showed a 12% higher International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) score in men taking the combo versus sildenafil alone, especially in those scoring >10 on the PHQ‑9 depression scale.
Head‑to‑Head Comparison with Popular Alternatives
| Product | Active ingredients | Typical dose | Onset | Duration | Common side effects | Approx. price (AU$) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malegra DXT Plus | Sildenafil 100mg + Duloxetine 30mg | 1 tablet as needed (max 1 per day) | 30‑60min | 4‑5hrs (ED) + daily mood support | Headache, nausea, mild dizziness, serotonin syndrome risk if combined with other serotonergic drugs | 12‑15 |
| Viagra (Sildenafil) | Sildenafil 50‑100mg | 1 tablet as needed | 30‑60min | 4‑5hrs | Flushing, dyspepsia, visual changes | 5‑7 (generic) |
| Cialis (Tadalafil) | Tadalafil 10‑20mg | 1 tablet as needed OR 2.5‑5mg daily | 30‑120min | Up to 36hrs | Back pain, muscle aches, headache | 8‑10 (generic) |
| Levitra (Vardenafil) | Vardenafil 10‑20mg | 1 tablet as needed | 30‑60min | 4‑6hrs | Flushing, nasal congestion, dizziness | 7‑9 (generic) |
| Stendra (Avanafil) | Avanafil 100‑200mg | 1 tablet as needed | 15‑30min | 6‑12hrs | Headache, rash, back pain | 10‑12 (generic) |
When the Combo Makes Sense
If you have been diagnosed with both erectile dysfunction and moderate‑to‑severe depressive or anxiety symptoms, the combo can simplify your regimen. Instead of juggling a daily SNRI and an on‑demand PDE5 inhibitor, you get a single pill that covers both bases on the day you need intimacy.
Best‑case scenarios include:
- Men whose PHQ‑9 score is ≥10 and who report loss of libido due to mood.
- Those who prefer a “one‑stop shop” and have no contraindications to either drug.
- Patients already stable on duloxetine for chronic pain and now need ED support.
When to Stick with Single‑Ingredient Options
Pure PDE5 inhibitors remain the go‑to for men whose only hurdle is blood flow. They’re cheaper, have a longer track record, and avoid the added serotonergic load that can trigger nausea or interact with SSRIs, triptans, or certain antibiotics.
Also, if you have any of the following, the combo may not be ideal:
- Uncontrolled hypertension or recent cardiac event - adding duloxetine can raise blood pressure.
- History of serotonin syndrome or concurrent use of MAO‑inhibitors.
- Severe liver impairment - both drugs are hepatically metabolized.
Decision Checklist - Choose the Right Option for You
- Primary goal: Pure erection vs. combined mood‑ED support.
- Budget: Generic sildenafil (AU$5‑7) vs. combo (AU$12‑15).
- Health profile: Blood‑pressure meds, antidepressants, liver/kidney function.
- Frequency of use: Occasional (on‑demand) vs. daily mood management.
- Side‑effect tolerance: Willingness to accept possible nausea or headache from duloxetine.
Summary of Pros and Cons
| Product | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Malegra DXT Plus | Addresses ED and mood in one pill; proven synergy in 2023 trial; convenient for men with both issues. | Higher cost; added serotonergic side effects; not suitable for patients on certain antidepressants. |
| Viagra (Sildenafil) | Cheapest; well‑studied; fast onset. | Doesn’t treat mood; limited duration. |
| Cialis (Tadalafil) | Long window (up to 36hrs); can be taken daily. | More expensive daily; back‑pain side effect. |
| Levitra (Vardenafil) | Effective for men unresponsive to sildenafil. | Similar cost to generic sildenafil; no mood benefit. |
| Stendra (Avanafil) | Fastest onset; good for spontaneous activity. | Higher price; limited long‑term data. |
Practical Tips for Getting Started
- Book a telehealth or in‑person consult with a GP or urologist. Mention any current antidepressants.
- Ask for a prescription that specifies the exact dosage - 100mg/30mg is the standard combo.
- Take the tablet about an hour before planned intimacy. If you’re using it for daily mood, take it at the same time each day.
- Monitor blood pressure for the first two weeks. Report any persistent nausea, dizziness, or mood swings.
- If side effects become intolerable, discuss switching to separate sildenafil plus a dedicated SNRI (e.g., duloxetine 30mg daily).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take Malegra DXT Plus with other antidepressants?
Only if your doctor confirms there’s no risk of serotonin syndrome. Combining two serotonergic agents (e.g., SSRIs, MAO inhibitors) can be dangerous.
How quickly does the duloxetine part start working?
Duloxetine reaches steady‑state levels after 3‑4 days, but noticeable mood improvement often appears after a week of daily dosing.
Is the combo safe for men over 65?
Safety depends on cardiovascular health and kidney function. Older men should have a thorough assessment before starting.
Can I buy Malegra DXT Plus without a prescription in Australia?
No. Both sildenafil and duloxetine are prescription‑only medicines. Online pharmacies that claim otherwise are likely illegal.
What’s the biggest downside compared to taking sildenafil alone?
The added duloxetine can cause nausea, dry mouth, and, in rare cases, increased blood pressure. It also raises the cost per dose.
Oliver Behr
Malegra DXT Plus is a neat two‑in‑one pill that can save you a trip to the pharmacy if you need both ED support and a mood boost.