What is Viagra?
Viagra relaxes muscles in the blood vessels' walls and boosts blood flow to specific body regions.
Viagra is a medication used to treat the problem of erectile dysfunction (impotence) for men. Another sildenafil brand is Revatio, which can be used for treating pulmonary artery hypertension and improving the exercise capacity of women and men. This page has specific information about Viagra but not Revatio.
Avoid taking Viagra when you are also taking Revatio unless your physician recommends it.
Warnings
Certain medications can trigger unwanted or hazardous effects when combined with Viagra. Discuss with your doctor the medicines you are taking, including Riociguat (Adempas) and Nitrates.
Don't consume Viagra when taking nitrate medication to treat chest discomforts or other heart conditions, such as nitroglycerin dinitrate or mononitrate isosorbide, and some recreational drugs, like "poppers." When you take sildenafil in conjunction with a nitrate drug could result in an abrupt and significant drop the blood pressure.
Consult your physician or seek urgent medical attention if your erection hurts or lasts more than four hours. An extended erection (priapism) could cause damage to the penis.
Stop taking Viagra and seek medical attention if you experience a sudden loss of vision.
Before you Take this Drug
It is not recommended to use Viagra If you have an allergy to sildenafil or
- If you're taking other medicines to treat hypertension in the pulmonary artery, like Riociguat (Adempas).
- If you are taking Nitrates.
Don't use Viagra when taking nitrate medication to treat chest or heart issues. This includes nitroglycerin and isosorbide dinitrate, as well as isosorbide mononitrate. Nitrates also occur in recreational drugs, like amyl nitrate and Nitrite ("poppers"). Sildenafil taken with a nitrate medication can cause a drastic and sudden drop in blood pressure.
To be sure Viagra is suitable for you, ask your doctor if you've previously had:
- Heart rhythm issues or coronary artery diseases;
- A heart attack, stroke, or congestive heart condition;
- Low or high blood pressure
- Kidney or liver disease;
- A blood cell disorder such as sickle-cell anemia, leukemia, or multiple myeloma;
- A bleeding disorder like hemophilia
- A stomach ulcer;
- Retinitis pigmentosa (an acquired condition that affects the eyes);
- A physical defect that affects the penis (such as Peyronie's Disease) .
- If you've been told not to engage in sexual relations because of health concerns.
Viagra may decrease blood flow into the optic nerve in the eye, which can cause an abrupt loss of vision. This has happened to the case of a small percentage of those taking sildenafil. The majority of them had diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, excessive cholesterol, or existing eye conditions and were smokers or were more than the age of 50. It's unclear if sildenafil may be the primary reason behind the loss of vision.
Viagra isn't expected to harm a baby who is not yet born. Consult your physician if you are expecting or planning to be pregnant.
It is unclear if sildenafil is absorbed into breast milk or if it is harmful to nursing babies. Consult your physician if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Avoid giving this medication to anyone younger than 18 without a medical recommendation.
How to Take Viagra?
Use Viagra precisely as prescribed to you. Follow the instructions on the prescription label. Don't take this medication in greater or lesser quantities or for a longer time than prescribed.
Viagra is typically taken when needed and 30 minutes to one hour before sexual activity. It can be taken up to 4 hours before sexual activities. Don't use Viagra more than one time per day.
Viagra can assist you in having an erection whenever sexual stimulation takes place. The erection won't happen simply through taking the pill. Follow the instructions of your doctor.
If during sexual activity, you feel nauseous or dizzy or feel numbness, pain, or tingling sensations in your chest, arms, jaw, or neck, call your doctor immediately. You may have a severe adverse effect from sildenafil.
Place in a cool, dry place free of heat and moisture.
What Happens If I Miss a Dose?
Because Viagra is prescribed as needed, and it is not risky to take a dose you don't need.
What Happens If I Overdose?
For medical emergencies, seek emergency medical attention or contact for help at the Poison Helpline at 1-800-222-1222.
Avoid this
Consuming alcohol while taking this medication may cause unwanted side consequences.
Grapefruit and grapefruit juices may react with sildenafil and cause adverse negative side effects. Beware of using grapefruit juice while taking sildenafil.
Do not take any other medication to treat impotence, like yohimbine or alprostadil, without consulting your physician.
Side Effects of Viagra
Take immediate medical attention if you notice symptoms of an allergy reaction Viagra: hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of your lips, face, and tongue.
Do not take Viagra and seek emergency medical attention if you suffer from:
- Heart attack symptoms: chest pressure or pain, pain expanding into your shoulder or jaw, nausea, sweating, and vomiting;
- Vision changes or sudden vision loss; or
- The erection can be painful or last for more than 4 hours (a prolonged erection could cause damage to the penis).
See your doctor right away If you suffer from the following:
- Hearing loss, or a sudden loss of hearing;
- Irregular heartbeats;
- Swelling in your ankles, hands, or feet;
- Breathlessness;
- Seizure (convulsions); or
- A feeling of lightheadedness, as if you're going to faint.
The most common Viagra side effects could include the following:
- Flushing (warmth redness, warmth, or tingly sensation);
- Headache, dizziness;
- Unusual perception (blurred vision, shifts of color)
- Nasal congestion, nasal bleeding;
- Sleep problems (insomnia);
- Muscle pain, back pain; or
- An upset stomach.
This is a partial list of all side effects. Others could happen. Consult your physician to seek medical advice on the effects. You may report any adverse reactions to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Interaction with Other Drugs
Do not use Viagra along with other similar medications, like avanafil (Stendra) and tadalafil (Cialis), or Vardenafil (Levitra). Discuss with your doctor the other medications you are taking for erectile dysfunction.
Inform your doctor about all the medicines you are currently taking and all you are about to start or stop taking, in particular:
- Medicines used to manage high blood pressure prostate disorder
- Is an antibiotic such as clarithromycin, erythromycin, or telithromycin
- Antifungal medicine - ketoconazole or itraconazole; or
- Treatment for the symptoms of HIV/AIDS - atazanavir and indinavir, ritonavir, Saquinavir
- Nitrates;
- Medicines that treat pulmonary arterial hypertension.
This list needs to be completed. Other medications can be incompatible with sildenafil, such as prescription and over-the-counterover-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. There are only some interactions mentioned in this drug guide.
