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Home » Erectile Dysfunction » Viagra Info
Viagra
Brand Name: Viagra
Generic Name: Sildenafil
Manufacturer: Pfizer
What is Viagra used for?
Viagra is used to treat impotence in men. Viagra increases the body's ability to achieve and maintain an erection during sexual stimulation. Viagra does not protect you from getting sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.
Men who are currently using medicines that contain nitrates, such as nitroglycerin should not use Viagra because taken together they can lower the blood pressure too much. Viagra should not be used by women or children.
What is Viagra ?
Viagra is the first FDA approved oral treatment for male Impotence/ Sexual Dysfunction/ Erectile Dysfunction (ED). Viagra is an oral medication taken 1-2 hours before sexual activity to achieve an erection satisfactory for intercourse. High fat meals slow the absorption of Viagra.
Can Viagra help you?
If you are one of the approximately 20 to 30 million men in the United States affected by ED Viagra may help you. ED is not an inevitable consequence of aging. Causes of ED can be medical, surgical, or psychological factors. Medical problems include alcohol or substance abuse, arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), diabetes, hormonal imbalances, kidney disease, neurological diseases and injuries, or pelvic fractures. Some medications also cause sexual dysfunction as a side effect. These drugs include those used for high blood pressure and depression, ask your pharmacist for more information about the side effects of your current medications. In some patients a surgical procedure may have contributed to their problem of erectile dysfunction. Patients who have had a radical prostatectomy, or certain colon and blood vessel surgery frequently experience loss of sexual function. Psychological causes may include marital or emotional problems. Less than 7% of the 1 in 10 men with ED seek help due to the embarassment of having sexual problems. If left untreated, ED can affect self esteem, relationships and cause depression
What are the side effects?
Only 9% of participants experienced mild to moderate side effects, including:
- Dyspepsia (upset stomach)
Nasal Congestion
Flushing
Headaches
Transient visual disturbance (blue haze)
There were no incidents of priapism, a prolonged erection that is painful and tender.
Viagra should not be prescribed if an individual is taking Nitroglycerin or other Nitrates. This includes individuals that take nitrates occasionally.
To achieve an erection the brain produces a chemical (cyclic GMP) that relaxes specific muscles and allows the blood to flow into the penis. After orgasm, another chemical, (Phosphodiesterase) is produced to remove cyclic GMP, so blood can flow out of the penis. Viagra is a Phosphodiesterase Type (5 PDE-5) Inhibitor that, increases the time cyclic GMP is available to achieve or maintain an erection for sexual activities.
Viagra is not for individuals without ED. It is not an aphrodisiac, therefore it will not increase or enhance sexual desire. In normal men, it does not have any effect. More is not better.
Additional Information on Viagra
Viagra is available only by prescription and can be obtained by one of the physicians at The Virginia Urology Center during an office appointment. The information on this web site was obtained from Pfizer Inc., for more detailed information refer to the package insert at Pfizer web site: Viagra
Why is this medication prescribed?
Sildenafil is used to treat impotence in men. Sildenafil increases the body's ability to achieve and maintain an erection during sexual stimulation.
This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
How should this medicine be used?
Sildenafil comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It should be taken as needed about 1 hour before sexual activity. However, sildenafil can be taken anytime from 4 hours to 30 minutes before sexual activity. Sildenafil should not be taken more than once a day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take sildenafil exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking sildenafil,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to sildenafil or any other drugs.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially amlodipine (Norvasc) or other medications for high blood pressure, cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB), erythromycin, HIV protease inhibitors such as ritonavir (Norvir) and saquinavir (Invirase), isosorbide (Imdur, Ismo, Isordil, and others), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), nitroglycerin (Nitro-Bid, Nitrostat, and others), other medications to treat impotence, phenobarbital, rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane),and vitamins.
tell your doctor if you have or have ever had a bleeding disorder; heart, kidney, or liver disease; a heart attack; irregular heartbeats; angina; a stroke; high or low blood pressure; sickle cell anemia; multiple myeloma; leukemia; conditions affecting the shape of the penis (e.g., angulation, cavernosal fibrosa, or Peyronie's disease); or a condition known as retinitis pigmentosa.
if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you take sildenafil.
tell your doctor if you use amyl nitrate, amyl nitrite, or butyl nitrate.
What side effects can this medication cause?
Although side effects from sildenafil are not common, they can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- headache
upset stomach
diarrhea
dizziness or lightheadedness
flushing (feeling of warmth)
nasal congestion (stuffiness)
changes in vision
breast enlargement
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
- rash
painful erection
prolonged erection (longer than 4 hours)
fainting
chest pain
itching or burning during urination
What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
In case of emergency/overdose
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
What other information should I know?Keep all appointments with your doctor. Sildenafil is not effective in preventing the spread of AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
Buy Viagra, Sildenafil
More info on Viagra and Sildenafil
Viagra Wikipedia
Viagra Drugs.com
Sildenafil Wikipedia
Sildenafil MedlinePlus
Sildenafil Drugs.com
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