Viagra (Sildenafil)

Drug Name - Viagra (Sildenafil)

Viagra (Sildenafil) is a drug that is administered orally and is indicated for use in men who are suffering from erectile dysfunction (impotence). Viagra is the first prescription drug for the treatment of erectile dysfunction and has proven itself in terms of its excellent safety and efficiency in producing results that begin within half an hour of administration and lasts for duration of around 5 hours.

Indications for Use

Viagra is indicated for use in the treatment of male sexual impotence. It improves upon the person's capacity to get and sustain an erection following stimulation.

Instructions for Use

Viagra is taken in the specified dosage at least an hour prior to having sex. Although the drug works at optimum levels when taken as mentioned above, it can provide good results when taken in the time frame of 30 minutes to 4 hours prior to having sex.

Drug Category and Mechanism of Action

Viagra is a type of phosphodiesterase inhibitor. It performs its action on improving the circulation of blood to the penis thereby improving the ability to get and sustain the erection. It however has no actions on actually inducing the erection.

If You Miss a Dose

Since Viagra is consumed in the anticipation of having sexual activity, the question of missing a dose does not arise.

Storing Instructions

Viagra is best stored in the container in which it was originally packed. The best storage temperature is 25 degrees C (77 degrees F) although it remains viable at temperatures between 15-30 degrees C (59-86 degrees F).

Safety Information

It is essential to avoid consuming Viagra if you are on current medications which are nitrate-based such as Isosorbide (Dilatrate-SR, Sorbitrate, Isordil), Nitroglycerin pills (Nitrostat, Nitro-Bid), Nitroglycerin ointment (Nitrol, Nitro-Bid) or Nitroglycerin patches (Transderm-Nitro, Nitro-Dur). The effect of these above mentioned drugs when combined with Viagra causes dangerous reduction of the level of blood pressure.

If you are suffering from any kind of heart ailments that predispose any sexual activity hazardous, it is best to avoid taking Viagra. Viagra should be used with extreme caution if you have suffered a heart attack, heart irregularities that are potentially life threatening or stroke in the duration of the past 6 months. Viagra should be used with the same degree of caution if you suffer from hypertension, hypotension, unstable angina or heart failure.

Discontinue use of Viagra and seek the advice of a doctor immediately if you suffer from any kind of cardiac symptoms such as chest pain, dizziness or nausea after taking Viagra.

Some conditions like multiple myeloma (a condition that affects the bone marrow),sickle cell anemia or leukemia can produce erections that lasts for a longer duration than normal when Viagra is consumed. If you suffer from any of the above mentioned conditions, use Viagra exercising caution. People with genital problems like Peyronie's disease should use Viagra with caution.

If your erections are lasting longer than 4 hours after consumption of Viagra, it is essential to consult a physician and seek help as it could lead to dangerous problems like impotence or permanent internal damage.

People suffering from stomach ulcers, bleeding disorders or eye problems like retinitis pigmentosa should exercise lot of caution before trying Viagra. The safety of the drug in these people has still not been studied.

Probable Adverse Effects

It is essential to cease usage of Viagra and seek the advice and treatment from a doctor if any of the severe side effects mentioned below are seen.

• Chest Pain or any other heart abnormalities
• Severe difficulty in breathing
• Dizziness that lasts for a very long period of time
• Any swelling of the lower extremities
• Any allergies to the drug that manifests symptoms like swelling of lips, face or tongue, difficulty in breathing, choking, hives, etc
• An erection that lasts for more a duration that exceeds about 4 hours
• Pain due to erection
• Symptoms of Angina, dizziness or nausea.

Some people might experience lesser side effects like the ones described below. Such people can persist on the usage of Viagra but need to seek advice of a physician.

• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Flushing
• Itching
• Milder form of dizziness
• Nasal congestion
• Vision abnormalities like tinting of the vision

There might be other adverse effects too that are not mentioned in the above list. If there are any such side effects it is best to seek the help of your physician.

People in the older age group beyond the age of 65 have a higher possibility of developing adverse side effects after taking Viagra. For this reason, the physician might advise you to take a lower dosage.