What You Should Know About Viagra
Viagra (sildenafil citrate) is an oral medication used to treat erectile dysfunction in men. It works by blocking some naturally occurring enzymes, which cause blood vessels to dilate. This improves blood flow to the penis.
It takes about an hour to take effect — but it only helps with an erection if you’re sexually aroused and stimulated. It must be taken on an unfilled stomach as a fatty food can slow down the drug’s absorbtion.
Dosage
There are many medications used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED), but Viagra is unique among them because it works only when you’re sexually aroused. The medication helps with the muscle movements needed to create and sustain an erection by increasing blood flow through the penis, or corpora cavernosa.
It begins to work about an hour after taking the tablet. However, it can take longer or less time depending on what you eat. You typically only take Viagra once a day, and it works best when taken about an hour before sex.
Your doctor will probably start you on 25mg of Viagra, which is the lowest dosage for most people. It’s the lowest dose that has been proven effective in clinical studies. The lower dose may help reduce the risk of side effects, such as visual disturbances and a blue haze. It’s also a safer option if you have health conditions or take drugs that interact with Viagra.
Side effects
Viagra helps men relax blood vessels in the body. This can help heart conditions such as angina pectoris. Angina pectoris is a type chest pain caused by cardiovascular issues.
In some cases, Viagra can cause mild side effects such as headache or a runny or blocked nose. It can also make you feel dizzy or lightheaded. If this happens, lie down or stay seated until you feel better.
Viagra may not be safe for you if you have certain health problems, such as blood cell disorders (such as sickle cell anemia or multiple myeloma), or a history of Peyronie’s disease. It can be dangerous if your nitrate medication, such as nitroglycerin, is prescribed for chest pain or high pressure. Taking the pill with a fatty meal can affect how well it works, and consuming alcohol can decrease how long the effect lasts. Talk to your doctor before you take this medication.
Precautions
Taking Viagra can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure that can make you feel dizzy or faint. This is more likely if you take it with certain drugs used to treat high blood pressure or enlarged prostate, or with alcohol. Speak to your doctor before taking Viagra if you suffer from these conditions.
You should also avoid drinking a lot of alcohol while taking Viagra. Some side effects, such as flushing and headaches, can be made worse by alcohol.
You should not take Viagra if you have a heart condition or a history of stroke, or if you are taking nitrate drugs (such as nitroglycerin or isosorbide dinitrate/mononitrate, used to treat chest pain). Nitrates may block Viagra’s action. This medication can cause a painful and long-lasting erection called priapism. Priapism may damage your penis, resulting in permanent ED.
Other drugs
If a person takes Viagra for a long period of time, it may affect their ability to induce an erection naturally. This can lead to a psychological dependence on Viagra, and a desire for it to be taken even when there isn’t a sexual need. This can also lead to relational problems and distress.
People with certain eye conditions, such as non-arteritic posterior ischemic optic Neuropathy (NAION) and hereditary retinitis Pigmentosa, should not take Viagra because it can cause a sudden loss of sight in one or both of their eyes. It should also be used with caution in people who have low blood pressure because it can decrease blood pressure to an unsafe level.
Other medications such as over-the-counter ibuprofen, alpha-blocker drugs such as Terazosin or doxazosin (used for high blood pressure treatment and benign prostatic hyperplasia), and alpha blocker medication like terazosin and the doxazosin can interact with Viagra. These interactions can lead to a decrease in the effectiveness of the medication or can cause side effects.