
What is Viagra (Sildenafil)?
How is Viagra Used?
Viagra is typically taken 30 to 60 minutes prior to sexual activity in order to allow a patient to successfully have an erection. However, Viagra is not a substitute for the mental and physical stimulation required to achieve an erection in the first place. It may be used once per day.
Storage
Viagra should be stored at room temperature and away from moisture and direct light. It should not be stored in the bathroom.
Keep this medication out of the reach of pets and children at all times.
When this medication is no longer needed or has expired, patients should contact their local waste disposal company or pharmacy to ensure proper disposal. Viagra should never be poured down a drain or flushed via a toilet for disposal.
Uses
Viagra is prescribed for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.
Under other brand names, sildenafil may also be used for the treatment of the following:
- heart disease
- pulmonary heart disease
- pulmonary hypertension
- pulmonary impairment
- thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension
- vascular disease
How Does Viagra Work?
This medication belongs to a class of drugs known as PAH, PDE-5 Inhibitors, or Phosphodiesterase-5 Enzyme Inhibitors. PAH PDE-5 (phosphodiesterase-5) inhibitors function by relaxing the smooth muscles of a patient’s pulmonary arteries. This allows them to dilate, making these medications ideal for reducing a person’s blood pressure levels.
Viagra falls into this category yet works by improving blood flow to a patient’s penis instead. Sildenafil under the name of Revatio is used for improving pulmonary arterial hypertension by comparison.
Viagra assists patients in maintaining an erection, but it does not cure erectile dysfunction nor provide the desire required to stimulate an erection by itself.
Dosage
Viagra is available in three different dosages options:
- 25 mg
- 50 mg
- 100 mg
The most commonly prescribed dosage is 50 mg, and the medication may be taken as needed within 30 to 60 minutes before engaging in sexual activity.
Viagra may also be taken any time between 30 minutes to 4 hours before engaging in sexual activity. Eating a high-fat meal before taking Viagra may cause the medication to take longer to begin working. However, it may be taken either with or without food with no significant differences between the two.
It is not recommended to exceed the maximum dose of 100 mg of Viagra one time a day. However, a patient’s preexisting medical conditions, as well as their weight, may determine the effectiveness as well as the speed at which the medication begins working.
Patients should take this medication exactly as prescribed by their doctor and not exceed their prescribed dosage. If patients take a higher dose or multiple doses of a lower dose, they are advised to contact their doctor for further medical advice due to the potential cardiovascular health risks.
Overdose
If a patient taking overdosed on Viagra and experiences significant symptoms such as difficulty breathing or passing out, they should call 911 immediately. If the symptoms are less severe but still present, it is recommended that they contact their local Poison Control Center or doctor for further advice.
Symptoms of overdosing on Viagra may include fainting, dizziness, or a prolonged or painful erection.
Side Effects
Viagra is capable of producing undesired side effects in some individuals, particularly those with certain preexisting health conditions.
The most common side effects of taking Viagra are as follows:
- abnormal vision
- back pain
- diarrhea
- difficulty sleeping
- difficulty differentiating between the colors green and blue
- dizziness
- flushing of the skin
- headache
- heartburn
- light sensitivity
- muscle pain
- nose bleeds
- numbness in the feet, legs, hands, or arms
- runny nose
- seeing a blue tinge present when looking around
- stuffy nose
- tingling in the hands, feet, arms, or legs
- upset stomach
Some of the following side effects may occur while taking Viagra. If you experience any of these serious side effects, contact your doctor immediately:
- convulsions
- cough with foamy mucus
- breathing difficulties (extreme shortness)
- feeling as if you’re about to pass out
- irregular heartbeat
- ringing in the ears
- seizure
- swelling in the feet, ankles, or hands
- sudden hearing loss
Please seek emergency medical assistance if you experience any of the following additional side effects:
- painful or prolonged erection (more than 4 hours — this can cause permanent damage)
- sudden vision loss or significant vision changes
- symptoms of a heart attack
- nausea
- sweating
- pain spreading to your shoulder or jaw
- chest pain
- chest pressure
These may result in permanent physical damage or worse.
The information above does not list all possible side effects. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you experience any side effects that are not listed. You or your doctor may report side effects to the FDA by calling 1-800-FDA-1088.
Warnings & Precautions
If you are taking Revatio, do not take Viagra without explicit instruction from your physician.
Additionally, there are some other associated health concerns for patients taking Viagra. Please discuss any questions or concerns you may have with your doctor before beginning treatment with Viagra.
Food Interactions
Viagra should not be taken with any foods or products containing grapefruit, as this may result in undesired side effects occurring. Additionally, side effects may be caused or amplified when using this medication while consuming alcohol. Both of these should be avoided while taking Viagra.
Sudden Vision Loss
Some patients taking Viagra have experienced a sudden loss of vision due to the decreased flow of blood to the optic nerve. This side effect is most common in those who have a history of high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease, or certain eye conditions that were present before beginning the medication. Individuals who were above the age of 50 years old or who were smokers have also been shown to be more likely to experience sudden vision loss when taking this medication.
Hearing Loss
PDE-5 inhibitors have been linked to patients experiencing tinnitus and dizziness, as well as a sudden decrease in hearing capabilities and even a sudden loss of hearing abilities. Individuals who experience this sudden hearing loss should contact their doctor immediately or seek out other medical care, such as calling 911 or visiting their closest emergency room.
Underage Use
Viagra should never be given to any individuals below the age of 18 years without specific medical advice to do so. It has not been determined to be safe or effective for anyone falling into this age range. Viagra should be kept out of the reach of children and teens at all times.
Use Alongside Similar Medications
There have been no studies on the efficacy and safety of using Viagra alongside similar PAH medications or PDE-5 inhibitors. There is believed to be a risk of blood pressure dropping even lower when hypothetically using these types of medications in conjunction with each other. It is currently recommended not to combine Viagra with medications that are similar in function.
Nitrates
Patients should not take Viagra if they are also using any nitrate medications for the treatment of heart troubles or chest pain. Mixing these two medications can cause a sudden and significant decrease in a patient’s blood pressure and result in symptoms of dizziness, fainting, dehydration, blurred vision, and fainting. If you have mixed these medications and are experiencing symptoms of severe low blood pressure, contact your doctor. Some of the nitrate medications that may interact with Viagra include isosorbide mononitrate, isosorbide dinitrate, nitroglycerin, and the recreational drugs amyl nitrate or amyl nitrite (otherwise known as “poppers”).
Preexisting Cardiovascular Conditions
For individuals who have been advised to avoid or limit sexual activity due to the risk of complications associated with preexisting heart conditions and cardiovascular disease, there is an increased risk of cardiac complications during such activities with or without Viagra. If a patient is at an increased risk of a cardiac event taking place during sexual intercourse, the risks should be discussed with a doctor before beginning treatment with Viagra.
Priapism and Prolonged Erections
Priapism refers to painful erections that persist for over 6 hours, with prolonged erections simply referring to those that last between 4 to 6 hours in duration. Individuals with certain health conditions are more likely to experience such side effects, such as patients who have leukemia, multiple myeloma, or sickle cell anemia. Additionally, individuals with penile deformities are also at an increased risk for prolonged erections. Some of the deformities that are known to coincide with priapism attributed to Viagra include Peyronie’s disease, cavernosal fibrosis, and angulation. For erections that last longer than four hours, patients are recommended to seek immediate medical attention to avoid a permanent loss of potency as well as possible tissue damage in the penis.
Additional Medical Conditions
If you have any of the following medical conditions, exercise caution when taking Viagra and discuss your medical history with your doctor before beginning this medication:
- arrhythmia
- aortic stenosis
- bleeding conditions
- blood cell disorders
- blood circulation issues
- blindness (in both eyes or just one)
- coronary artery disease
- heart attack
- hypertension (resting)
- hypotension (resting)
- idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis
- kidney disease
- leukemia
- liver disease
- multiple myeloma
- penile deformity
- Peyronie’s disease
- pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD)
- retinis pigmentosa
- sickle cell anemia
- stomach ulcer
- stroke
You should also discuss with your doctor if you have been instructed at any point and for any reason not to have sexual intercourse due to health reasons.
Drug Interactions
Speak to your doctor about any medications or herbal supplements you are currently taking before beginning treatment with Viagra. Discuss any concerns you may have with your doctor or a trusted pharmacist.
Drugs and Substances That Increase the Risk of Viagra Side Effects
The following medications and substances are known to interact with Viagra and may increase your chances of experiencing adverse side effects associated with taking Viagra:
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Substances That May Make Viagra Less Effective
When taken with the following, Viagra may be less effective and not work as well:
- high-fat meals
- grapefruit or any products containing grapefruit
Alternative Medications
For patients who are unable to take Viagra, experiencing significant adverse side effects, or are unable to afford the medication, alternative medications may be used to treat some of the associated conditions for which this medication is commonly prescribed:
- Cialis (tadalafil)
- Levitra (vardenafil)
- Staxyn (vardenafil)
- Stendra (avanafil)
Each of these medications has its own specific time range for efficacy as well as limitations on how often it may be taken. Please consult with your doctor if you have any questions about these alternative medications as compared to the common experience one may have when taking Viagra.
Frequently Asked Questions
Disclaimer
Pharma Giant provides medical information to help you better understand medications and medical conditions.This content is for informational use only and does not replace advice from a licensed medical practitioner. Consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting or changing any medication. All our partners follow strict safety standards set by their country’s health authorities to make sure you receive safe and high-quality medications.






