What Is Viagra®?
Viagra® is a pill used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence) in men.
It can help many men who have erectile dysfunction get and keep an erection
when they become sexually excited (stimulated). You will not get an erection
just by taking this medicine. Viagra® helps a man with erectile dysfunction
get an erection only when he is sexually excited.
What is Viagra's success rate?
According to an AP article released 10/27/97, Viagra achieved a success
rate of 80%.
What if Viagra doesn't work for me?
If Viagra doesn't give you the results and duration you want, you might
consider consulting with a urologist about some of the other popular treatments
for male erectile dysfunction.
Is Viagra sold over the counter, or does it require a prescription?
Viagra requires a prescription from a doctor. It will not be sold over-the-counter.
How To Take Viagra®
Take Viagra® about one hour before you plan to have sex. Beginning in
about 30 minutes and for up to 4 hours, Viagra® can help you get an erection
if you are sexually excited. If you take Viagra® after a high-fat meal
(such as a cheeseburger and french fries), the medicine may take a little
longer to start working. Viagra® can help you get an erection when you
are sexually excited. You will not get an erection just by taking the pill.
How Sex Affects the Body
When a man is sexually excited, the penis rapidly fills with more blood
than usual. The penis then expands and hardens. This is called an erection.
After the man is done having sex, this extra blood flows out of the penis
back into the body. The erection goes away. If an erection lasts for a long
time (more than 6 hours), it can permanently damage your penis. You should
call a doctor immediately if you ever have a prolonged erection that lasts
more than 4 hours. Some conditions and medicines interfere with this natural
erection process. The penis cannot fill with enough blood. The man cannot
have an erection. This is called erectile dysfunction if it becomes a frequent
problem. During sex, your heart works harder. Therefore sexual activity may
not be advisable for people who have heart problems. Before you start any
treatment for erectile dysfunction, ask your doctor if your heart is healthy
enough to handle the extra strain of having sex. If you have chest pains,
dizziness or nausea during sex, stop having sex and immediately tell your
doctor you have had this problem.
How Viagra® Works
Viagra® enables many men with erectile dysfunction to respond to sexual
stimulation. When a man is sexually excited, Viagra® helps the penis
fill with enough blood to cause an erection. After sex is over, the erection
goes away.
Viagra® Is Not for Everyone
As noted above, ask your
doctor if your heart is healthy enough for sexual activity. If you take any
medicines that contain nitrates - either regularly
or as needed - you should never take Viagra®. If you take Viagra® with
any nitrate medicine or recreational drug containing nitrates, your blood
pressure could suddenly drop to an unsafe level. You could get dizzy, faint,
or even have a heart attack or stroke. Nitrates are found in many prescription
medicines that are used to treat angina (chest pain due to heart disease)
such as: nitroglycerin (sprays, ointments, skin patches or pastes, and tablets
that are swallowed or dissolved in the mouth) isosorbide mononitrate and
isosorbide dinitrate (tablets that are swallowed, chewed, or dissolved in
the mouth) Nitrates are also found in recreational drugs such as amyl nitrate
or nitrite ("poppers"). If you are not sure if any of your medicines
contain nitrates, or if you do not understand what nitrates are, ask your
doctor or pharmacist. Viagra® is only for patients with erectile dysfunction.
Viagra® is not for newborns, children, or women. Do not let anyone else
take your Viagra®. Viagra® must be used only under a doctor's supervision.
What Viagra® Does Not Do
Viagra® does not cure erectile dysfunction. It is a treatment for erectile
dysfunction. Viagra® does not protect you or your partner from getting
sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV-the virus that causes AIDS.
Viagra® is not a hormone or an aphrodisiac.
What To Tell Your Doctor Before You Begin Viagra®
Only
your doctor can decide if Viagra® is right for you. Viagra® can
cause mild, temporary lowering of your blood pressure. You will need to have
a thorough medical exam to diagnose your erectile dysfunction and to find
out if you can safely take Viagra® alone or with your other medicines.
Your doctor should determine if your heart is healthy enough to handle the
extra strain of having sex. Be sure to tell your doctor if you: have ever
had any heart problems (e.g., angina, chest pain, heart failure, irregular
heart beats, or heart attack) have ever had a stroke have low or high blood
pressure have a rare inherited eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa have
ever had any kidney problems have ever had any liver problems have ever had
any blood problems, including sickle cell anemia or leukemia are allergic
to sildenafil or any of the other ingredients of Viagra® tablets have
a deformed penis, Peyronie's disease, or ever had an erection that lasted
more than 4 hours have stomach ulcers or any types of bleeding problems are
taking any other medicines
Possible Side Effects
Like all medicines, Viagra® can cause some side effects. These effects
are usually mild to moderate and usually don't last longer than a few hours.
Some of these side effects are more likely to occur with higher doses. The
most common side effects of Viagra® are headache, flushing of the face,
and upset stomach. Less common side effects that may occur are temporary
changes in color vision (such as trouble telling the difference between blue
and green objects or having a blue color tinge to them), eyes being more
sensitive to light, or blurred vision.
Viagra® and Other Medicines
Some medicines can change
the way Viagra® works. Tell your doctor about
any medicines you are taking. Do not start or stop taking any medicines before
checking with your doctor or pharmacist. This includes prescription and nonprescription
medicines or remedies. Remember, Viagra® should never be used with medicines
that contain nitrates If you are taking a protease inhibitor, your dose may
be adjusted (please see paragraph below) Viagra® should not be used with
any other medical treatments that cause erections. These treatments include
pills, medicines that are injected or inserted into the penis, implants or
vacuum pumps.
Finding the Right Dose for You
Viagra® comes in different
doses (25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg). If you do not get the results you expect,
talk with your doctor. You and your doctor
can determine the dose that works best for you.
Do not take more Viagra® than your doctor prescribes.
If
you think you need a larger dose of Viagra®, check with your doctor.
Viagra® should not be taken more than once a day. If you are older than
age 65, or have serious liver or kidney problems, your doctor may start you
at the lowest dose (25 mg) of Viagra®. If you are taking protease inhibitors,
such as for the treatment of HIV, your doctor may recommend a 25 mg dose
and may limit you to a maximum single dose of 25mg of Viagra® in a
48 hour period.
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