Viagra

Key Features:

Effective Timing: Viagra typically becomes effective within one hour of ingestion.

Duration of Effectiveness: The effects of Viagra can last for up to 4 hours, though this duration can vary from person to person.

Sourced from UK Registered Pharmacies: Ensuring authenticity and safety of the medication.

Dosage Options: Viagra offers flexibility with dosages available in 25mg, 50mg, and 100mg.

Mechanism of Action: Viagra contains Sildenafil Citrate, a Phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor, which works by relaxing the blood vessels in the penis to allow increased blood flow during sexual arousal, aiding in achieving an erection.

Safety Profile: Viagra is generally well-tolerated by most men. The common side effects are usually mild and temporary.

What is Viagra?

Viagra is a medication that has been a cornerstone in the treatment of erectile dysfunction in adult men. It contains the same active ingredient as Viagra Connect, Sildenafil Citrate, and functions by enhancing blood flow to the penis, a critical factor in achieving an erection. Since its introduction in 1998, Viagra has required a prescription, which ensures that a healthcare provider can assess each patient’s health and medical history to determine if Viagra is a safe and appropriate treatment option.

Summary:

Condition Treated: Specifically prescribed for Erectile Dysfunction.

Class of Drug: Classified as a Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitor.

Active Ingredient:The active ingredient in Viagra is Sildenafil.

Available Strengths: Offered in three strengths: 25mg, 50mg, and 100mg.

Possible Side Effects: Users may experience side effects such as headaches, facial flushing, indigestion, nasal congestion, and dizziness. These are typically mild and temporary. For a comprehensive list of side effects, please refer to the patient information leaflet.

How Viagra Works:

Viagra, with its active ingredient Sildenafil Citrate, is an effective medication for treating erectile dysfunction. It operates by relaxing the blood vessels in the penis, thus enhancing blood flow. This increased blood flow is necessary to achieve and maintain an erection when sexually stimulated. It’s important to remember that Viagra facilitates an erection only in the presence of sexual arousal and does not increase sexual desire.

Patient Information Leaflet:

For more detailed information on this prescription medicine, please refer to the Viagra patient information leaflet.

How to Use Viagra:

Viagra should be taken orally, about one hour before engaging in sexual activity. It’s crucial to adhere to the prescribed dosage and not exceed one tablet per day. While Viagra can be taken with or without food, consuming it alongside a high-fat meal might delay its effectiveness. It’s also important to avoid grapefruit or grapefruit juice, as they can affect how the medication works. Excessive alcohol consumption may also reduce the ability to achieve an erection. Remember, sexual stimulation is necessary for Viagra to be effective. If you experience any discomfort such as dizziness, nausea, or chest pain during sexual activity, it’s important to seek immediate medical attention. Store the medication at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.

Safety and Precautions:

Before taking Viagra, it’s crucial to be aware of certain health and medication-related precautions. Viagra should not be used if you don’t have erectile dysfunction, are taking nitrates for chest pain or heart failure, use recreational drugs like “poppers,” or are on medications like riociguat for lung hypertension, ritonavir for HIV treatment, or if you have severe heart or liver problems, low blood pressure, a history of severe vision loss, a deformed penis, or if you’re a woman or under 18. It’s also important to avoid Viagra if you’re allergic to sildenafil or any of its ingredients.

Consult your doctor before using Viagra if you have cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or if sexual activity is advised against due to heart problems. Those with heart valve issues, cardiomyopathy, arrhythmia, or controlled high blood pressure should also seek medical advice. Additionally, discuss with your doctor if you’ve had priapism, stomach ulcers, bleeding disorders, liver disease, or severe kidney problems.

Inform your pharmacist or doctor about any other medications you’re taking, as some can interact with Viagra, leading to side effects. This includes certain fungal infection treatments, antibiotics like erythromycin, heartburn medications like cimetidine, and alpha-blockers for urinary problems or high blood pressure. Avoid combining Viagra with other erectile dysfunction treatments.

Always have a health check-up within the first six months of starting Viagra to ensure no serious health conditions are causing erectile dysfunction. If you experience any sudden visual defects, stop taking Viagra and contact your doctor immediately.

Common Side Effects:

While taking Viagra, some individuals may experience side effects, although not everyone does. Most side effects are mild to moderate and short-lived. However, immediate medical attention is required for serious side effects such as chest pains (especially during or after sexual activity), prolonged and painful erections lasting over 4 hours, sudden vision loss, allergic reactions (including difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat), severe skin reactions like Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, and seizures.

Common side effects, affecting up to 1 in 10 people, include headaches, nausea, indigestion, stuffy nose, dizziness, facial flushing, and vision changes like blurring or a color tinge. Uncommon side effects, affecting up to 1 in 100 people, may include vomiting, abdominal pain, acid reflux, skin rash, fatigue, eye irritation, rapid heartbeat, and blood pressure changes. Rare side effects, affecting up to 1 in 1,000 people, can include fainting, nosebleeds, hearing loss, and heart-related issues like stroke or heart attack. For a more comprehensive list of side effects, please refer to the patient information leaflet.

If you experience any side effects, it’s important to report them to your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse. You can also report them directly via the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme. Reporting helps gather more information on the safety of Viagra.

When Should Viagra Not Be Used:

When considering Viagra for erectile dysfunction, it’s essential to be aware of its interactions with other medications. Avoid using Viagra if you’re taking nitrates for chest pain or heart failure, or recreational drugs known as “poppers” (nitric oxide donors), as these can cause a significant drop in blood pressure. Similarly, avoid it if you’re on riociguat for lung hypertension or ritonavir for HIV treatment, due to the same risk of a dangerous fall in blood pressure.

Consult your doctor or pharmacist before using Viagra if you’re taking medications for fungal infections (like itraconazole or ketoconazole), antibiotics such as erythromycin, or heartburn treatments like cimetidine, as these can increase Viagra’s concentration in the body, potentially leading to side effects. The combination of Viagra with other erectile dysfunction treatments is not recommended due to unknown safety and efficacy. Caution is also advised if you’re on alpha-blockers for urinary problems or high blood pressure, or medicines containing sacubitril/valsartan for heart failure, as these can cause symptoms like dizziness and fainting due to low blood pressure.

Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting Viagra to ensure it is safe and suitable for your specific health condition and medication regimen.