FDA pharmacologic class
PDE5 inhibitors
4 medicines are in FDA's class of phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (PDE5 inhibitors): tadalafil (Cialis), sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil and avanafil; 1 combination product also contains one. 4 of the 5 are listed from generic labelers (FDA NDC Directory, October 8, 2026). The lowest pharmacy cost is sildenafil 100 mg tablet at $0.132 per tablet (NADAC).
Which medicines are pde5 inhibitors?
| Medicine | Brand names | Generic labelers (all forms) | Pharmacy cost | Boxed warning | Shortage | Recalls since 2012 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tadalafil | Cialis, Tadliq, Adcirca | 49 labelers | $0.167 per tablet 20 mg tablet | No | No current entry | 12 |
| Sildenafil | Viagra, Vybrique, Revatio | 60 labelers | $0.132 per tablet 100 mg tablet | No | No current entry | 2 |
| Vardenafil | none listed | 11 labelers | $2.79 per tablet 20 mg tablet | No | No current entry | 1 |
| Avanafil | none listed | 1 labeler | $50.00 per tablet 200 mg tablet | No | No current entry | 0 |
| Macitentan and tadalafil | Opsynvi | none listed | n/a | Yes | No current entry | 0 |
Source: FDA Established Pharmacologic Class (NDC Directory, openFDA); CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026; FDA shortages and recalls (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What do pharmacies pay?
Each medicine's most widely listed form, per unit, in the NADAC survey: what pharmacies paid, not what a patient pays; strengths differ, so compare like with like.
Source: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) survey, October 7, 2026: what retail pharmacies paid per unit; not a counter price