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 an hour for the drug to work, but it will only help you if you are sexually aroused. It also needs to be taken on an empty stomach, as a fatty meal can delay the drug’s absorption.
Dosage
Viagra is a unique medication that only works when you are sexually aroused. The medication increases blood flow in the corpora cavernosa, which helps to increase the muscle movements required to create and maintain an erection.
It starts working about an hour after you take the tablet, but it can take less time or longer depending on how much you eat and whether you’re eating fatty foods. Viagra is usually taken once a day and works best about an hour prior to sex.
Your doctor will probably start you on 25mg of Viagra, which is the lowest dosage for most people. It’s also the lowest dosage that’s been proven to be effective in clinical trials. The lower dose may help reduce the risk of side effects, such as visual disturbances and a blue haze. You can also choose this option if you suffer from health conditions or are taking drugs that interact negatively with Viagra.
Side effects
Viagra helps men relax blood vessels in the body. This can help with heart conditions like angina pectoris, a type of chest pain caused by cardiovascular problems.
In some cases, Viagra may cause mild side effects like headaches or a blocked or runny nose. You may also 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 also be dangerous if you take nitrate medications such as nitroglycerin for chest pain or high blood pressure. The pill’s effectiveness can be affected by consuming a fatty food, and alcohol can reduce the duration of the effect. Talk to your doctor before you take this medication.
Precautions
Viagra can cause a sudden fall in blood pressure, which can make you feel nauseous or dizzy. 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.
Avoid drinking alcohol when 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 can damage your penis and lead to 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 cause relationship 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 be used with caution by people who have low pressure, as it can cause blood pressure to drop to unsafe levels.
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 decrease the effectiveness of the drug or cause side effects.