Viagra Helps Treat the Following Conditions:

Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

Also known as impotence, ED manifests in a lack of ability to gain an erection or keep it firm enough to perform sexual activity. While occasional erectile dysfunction may be caused by factors such as stress – and affects a large population of men – frequently experiencing difficulties should be addressed with the help of a physician.

Viagra Active Ingredient

Generic Viagra Alternative: Sildenafil-Citrate

Viagra contains the active ingredient sildenafil which helps improve blood flow to the penis.

General Drug Information

What is Viagra and What Is It Used For?

Viagra is prescribed to treat male sexual function problems like impotence and erectile dysfunction. In combination with sexual stimulation, it increases blood flow to the penis, helping a man achieve and sustain an erection.

Viagra does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases like HIV, hepatitis B, gonorrhea, or syphilis. It is important to use reliable protection methods during sexual activity.

Usage and Application

Viagra should be taken exactly as prescribed by a patient’s doctor. Dosage depends on the patient’s condition, response to treatment, and other medications they may be taking. Before the start of treatment, patients should discuss all other prescription medications, herbs, and supplements they are taking with their doctor.

Patients with erectile dysfunction are usually directed to take the medication as needed. Patients should take Viagra at least 30 minutes – but no more than four hours – before sexual activity. Taking the medication an hour prior to sexual activity has been found to be the most effective.

A high-fat meal may delay Viagra’s effect.

Do not take Viagra more than once a day.

Considerations Before Taking Viagra

Before starting treatment, patients need to discuss the possibility of allergic reactions to sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra.

It is also vital to discuss the patient’s medical history, especially a history of stroke, heart attack, life-threatening irregular heartbeat throughout the past six months, and chest pain or heart failure. Additional health problems include kidney and liver disease, high or low blood pressure, and severe dehydration.

Patients also need to discuss with their doctor a history of conditions like penis angulation, fibrosis, Peyronie's disease, and problems with painful and prolonged erections.

Patients should also mention pre-existing conditions like sickle cell anemia, leukemia, and multiple myeloma, which may increase the risk of developing prolonged, painful erections.

Those with eye problems such as retinitis pigmentosa and a condition known as NAION – which involves damage to the optic nerve – should also alert their doctor before the start of treatment.

Viagra may cause blurred vision and dizziness. Patients should not drive, use machinery, or perform other tasks requiring clear vision and alertness until the effects of this medication are known. Alcoholic beverages should be limited. Patients using marijuana should discuss this with their doctor.

Patients preparing for surgery or certain dental procedures should inform their physician about all medicines, supplements, and herbal products they are taking.

Viagra is only approved for use by men and has not been approved for use by women or children. Women contemplating the need to use Viagra should discuss the risk and benefits of this drug with their doctor. Pregnant women should only use Viagra if deemed necessary by their physician. It is not known whether Viagra passes into breast milk.

Delayed and Omitted Doses

Not applicable as Viagra is to be used on an as-needed basis.

Other Medications and Viagra

Drug interactions may change the way Viagra and its generic alternatives work, increasing the risk of side effects. Before starting treatment, patients need to discuss the full list of medications and supplements they are taking with their doctor. Patients should not change their dose or stop taking this medication unless their physician advises them to do so.

Some medications like riociguat (which is used to treat pulmonary hypertension) can affect how Viagra works.

When used with nitrates, Viagra may seriously lower blood pressure, leading to dizziness, fainting, and – in some rare cases – heart attack or stroke. This drug should not be used together with medicines for chronic chest pain.

Examples include nitrates like nitroglycerin and isosorbide, and recreational drugs containing amyl nitrate, amyl nitrite, and butyl nitrite (often called "poppers")

Viagra may also significantly lower blood pressure in patients who are already taking alpha-blocker medications (like Cardura and Flomax) to treat enlarged prostate or high blood pressure. If blood pressure drops too low, there is a risk of dizziness and fainting. Patients may initially be prescribed a lower dose of Viagra to reduce the risk of low blood pressure.

Some medications, like the antibiotic Fifampin, can affect the removal of Viagra from the body, thus affecting how it works.

This is also the case for antifungals like ketoconazole and itraconazole, as well as some medications for HIV like saquinavir and ritonavir. The list also includes boceprevir and telaprevir (prescribed for hepatitis C), and macrolide antibiotics like clarithromycin and erythromycin.

Viagra should not be taken with other products containing sildenafil, nor similar medications used for erectile dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension, like tadalafil and vardenafil.

Adverse Reactions

Many patients are able to use Viagra safely without serious negative side effects.

Some patients may experience negative side effects like headache, upset stomach, flushing, or dizziness. When rising from a sitting or lying position, patients should get up slowly to reduce the risk of dizziness.

It is also possible to experience increased sensitivity to light, blurred vision, or trouble telling blue and green colors apart.

Patients with heart problems should remember that sexual activity may put extra strain on the heart. It is important to seek immediate medical help if any of the following symptoms are felt during sexual activity: severe dizziness, nausea, fainting, and pain in the chest, jaw, or left arm.

In rare cases, patients may experience sudden decreased vision in one or both eyes due to a condition known as NAION. This could lead to permanent blindness. Patients need to immediately stop taking Viagra and seek medical help in the event of such symptoms.

Men with high cholesterol and blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes have a greater risk of developing NAION. Smokers and people over 50 face higher risk of developing this problem as well. Eye problems such as crowded disk raises risk.

In rare cases, side effects may include sudden decrease or loss of hearing, ringing in the ears, or dizziness. Additionally, some patients may experience painful or prolonged erections, which last more than four hours. The medication should be stopped right away in the presence of the above symptoms and medical intervention should be sought.

Serious allergic reactions to Viagra are rare, yet patients should be aware of allergic symptoms such as rash, itching and swelling, severe dizziness, and trouble breathing.

How to Store Viagra

Viagra should be stored at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep away from children and pets.

Unwanted medication should be disposed of properly and should not be poured into drains or flushed down the toilet. Patients should consult a pharmacist or their local waste disposal company to find out more about safe disposal methods.