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A lot of people are curious about Viagra. Learn all about Viagra before and after taking it.
Taking Viagra for the first time often raises a number of questions. How does Viagra work? What can I expect? How long does Viagra last? What kind of side effects are normal? Which side effects require medical attention? Here are answers to some common questions about the little blue pill.
What is Viagra?
Viagra (sildenafil) is a prescription drug used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) in men. Viagra cannot cure ED or increase sexual desire. Instead, it relaxes the muscles and increases blood flow to induce an erection.
Made by Pfizer, Viagra is a brand name for the generic drug sildenafil citrate. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Viagra in 1998, for the treatment of sexual impotence. By the end of 2005, more than 27 million men worldwide (17 million of them in the United States) had been prescribed sildenafil for the treatment of ED (McMurray, 2007).
Sildenafil can also treat pulmonary arterial hypertension. Viagra is a prescription-only vasodilator. You cannot buy Viagra over the counter in the USA.
How does Viagra work?
Viagra works by relaxing the muscles in the walls of blood vessels to help increase blood flow to the penis, making it easier to get and keep an erection. Viagra is only effective if there is sexual arousal, such as that which occurs during intercourse. When arousal first occurs, Viagra helps increase blood flow to the penis and then works to maintain an erection.
According to the Boston University School of Sexual Medicine, erectile dysfunction affects up to 52% of men between the ages of 40-70, many of whom turn to erectile dysfunction medications to help with their symptoms. Viagra is a type of erectile dysfunction called a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor. PDE5 inhibitors prevent a specific enzyme called phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE5) from working too quickly. If PDE5 works more slowly, then a substance responsible for relaxing muscles and widening blood vessels can do its job.
Viagra will not be as effective for people with certain conditions. You may not get the full benefits of Viagra if you are sick, tired, or drunk. Alcohol can worsen the side effects of viagra and possibly worsen erectile dysfunction.
You should take Viagra on an empty stomach about an hour before sex. It begins to work within 30 to 60 minutes, but an erection requires sexual stimulation.
Some patients experience Viagra’s effects within 20 to 30 minutes of taking the drug, says Amber Williams, Pharm.D., a compounding pharmacist at Family Pharmacy in Sarasota. However, if the dose is taken with a high-fat meal, the maximum response may be delayed by up to 60 minutes. In most patients, the effects of Viagra will last up to two hours. A duration of two hours or less indicates that the appropriate dose was received. If the duration is longer than four hours, you should seek immediate medical attention to avoid harmful effects on the tissues.
How long does Viagra last?
How long Viagra will last depends on many factors. Dosage, age, and general health are just some of the factors that can affect how well Viagra works and lasts for someone. A lower dose of Viagra (recommended for older adults) means that the drug will not last as long.
The average dose of Viagra is 25-100 mg, taken 30 to 60 minutes or up to four hours before sexual activity. For adults over 65, the recommended dose is 25 mg. Many older people have slower metabolisms, which means that a lower dose may last longer for them compared to a younger person taking a small dose.
Take Viagra before sexual activity, as it takes time for Viagra to be absorbed into the bloodstream. It is unlikely that Viagra will help you last longer during intercourse. However, some men – depending on their metabolism – may experience multiple erections while Viagra is in their system. Once Viagra starts working, it usually takes up to four or five hours. If you experience an erection that lasts longer than this (priapism) or is painful, it may be time to seek medical advice.
Viagra won’t necessarily help you recover faster after an orgasm. The recovery time (called the refractory period) varies for each person. Drinking alcohol while taking Viagra can make the drug less effective by reducing blood flow to the penis.
For people with certain medical conditions, Viagra may not last as long. Feelings of anxiety, depression, or nervousness often cause Viagra to not last as long as it is effective. Having a heart problem, heart disease, diabetes, or other nervous system problems can also cause Viagra to not last as long.
Certain medications can interact negatively with Viagra and affect its effectiveness. Medicines that lower blood pressure can interact with Viagra to cause dangerously low blood pressure. Do not take Viagra with any medicine that contains nitrates, which includes street drugs called poppers such as amyl nitrate and butyl nitrate.
Antifungal and antiviral medications can increase the amount of Viagra in the bloodstream, which can lead to toxicity. Talking with your healthcare provider is the best way to determine if Viagra will cause drug interactions.
How do you know if you need Viagra?
Knowing when to talk to a doctor about taking Viagra can be tricky. Erectile dysfunction does not necessarily mean you should take Viagra. Viagra will not cure erectile dysfunction. Therefore, it is important to consider possible underlying causes of impotence.
Some men may be unable to get or maintain an erection for psychological reasons. If you don’t have the desire to have sex with your partner, this could be causing your ED. Talk to a counselor individually or see a therapist with your sexual partner to work through underlying psychological issues.
The best way to find out if you will benefit from taking an erectile dysfunction drug like Viagra is to consult your doctor. They can do a physical exam and rule out medical conditions that may be causing ED. Some of these health conditions include diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure.
If you have no underlying psychological or health problems and have trouble getting and maintaining an erection that is difficult enough for sex, you may benefit from taking Viagra.
Once you talk to a healthcare provider, he or she can give you a prescription for Viagra.
If you are unable to contact your doctor, there are other options available. Sildenafil is available online through certified telemedicine sites that connect you with licensed doctors, Dr. Williams says. These doctors will conduct an online visit and review your current health status to determine if sildenafil is an option for you. If you are a good candidate, your prescription can be easily shipped to you.
But be careful where you buy it: Although Viagra is available online, it is one of the most counterfeited drugs in the world. Some counterfeit pills contain printer ink, antibiotics, and even amphetamines. Get a valid prescription and buy Viagra from a US-based pharmacy. accredited by Verified Internet Pharmacy Practices Sites to avoid counterfeit Viagra.
There are other prescription drugs besides Viagra that treat erectile dysfunction. If you’re not getting the results you want, it may be time to talk to your healthcare provider about other treatment options.
Cialis (tadalafil) and Levitra (vardenafil) also treat ED. The active ingredient in generic Viagra, sildenafil citrate, is also included in the drug Revatio. Revatio (sildenafil) treats pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a condition where the blood pressure in the lungs is too high.
Why do men have erectile dysfunction?
Many factors can contribute to impotence ( erectile dysfunction ). Lifestyle choices, such as excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, illegal drug use, and even obesity, and stress, can have an impact on erections. Erectile dysfunction can also be a symptom of invisible health problems such as arteriosclerosis, heart problems, diabetes, and others.
Men who suffer from erectile dysfunction should inform their doctors, who will evaluate them, perhaps run some tests, and give them the appropriate advice.
Does it work every time?
As with any treatment, there are times when Viagra/Sildenafil does not work and may not improve or treat the cause of erectile dysfunction. For satisfactory erections, the following are required:
- Adequate blood supply
- Sexual arousal
- Healthy nervous system
If erectile dysfunction is the result of an injury or surgery to the spine, the nerves may have been damaged. In this case, Viagra/Sildenafil may help a little but other measures such as injections or hardening aid may be required.
Other cases of erectile dysfunction may require specialist treatment in addition to tablets. Some men, whose erectile dysfunction is due to psychological factors, may require the help of a psychoanalyst.
You should always inform your doctor.
Taking Viagra/sildenafil for the first time
Usually, the first dose of Viagra is a 50mg tablet. If the tablet of this strength is too effective the following doses may be reduced to 25mg tablets. If a 50mg tablet is not effective, or the duration of action is less than 4 hours, the dose can be increased to a 100mg tablet.
The treatment trial should be repeated several times before deciding whether Viagra/Sildenafil is working and before requiring a change in dosage or a change to another Erectile Dysfunction medication. Viagra/Sildenafil is likely to be appropriate if taken in situations where sexual arousal is expected within an hour or two of taking the tablet. Sexual stimulation is required for the treatment to work. Without it, the benefits will not be there and the effect of the tablet will diminish after about 4 hours.
Recreational abuse
Viagra/sildenafil is sometimes used for recreational rather than therapeutic purposes. If Viagra/Sildenafil is taken in this way, and in particular in combination with non-prescription drugs, there is a high risk of side effects, some of which can be very serious.
What are the side effects of Viagra?
As with any drug, there is always the possibility of side effects. The following list of side effects is not complete. Talk to a healthcare provider to determine if Viagra is the right drug for you. Here is a list of some of the more common Viagra side effects you may experience:
- Rinse off
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Pain in the back
- A runny or stuffy nose
- Indigestion
Although rare, Viagra can sometimes cause serious side effects. If you experience the following effects, stop taking Viagra and contact your doctor immediately.
- Sudden loss of vision or hearing
- An erection that is painful and lasts more than four hours
- Breast pain after taking Viagra when starting sexual activity
In extreme cases, Viagra has caused heart attacks in people with pre-existing heart conditions.
Drinking too much alcohol while taking Viagra can significantly increase the risk of any of the side effects listed above. Talk to a healthcare provider for a comprehensive list of Viagra side effects and learn more about whether taking Viagra is right for you.
When not to take Viagra
Men should not take Viagra without first being evaluated by their doctor when the following apply:
- Low or high pressure
- Allergies or reactions to previous treatments for erectile dysfunction
- Recent heart attack or when suffering from angina (pain in the heart after exertion) or any form of heart disease
- History of stroke or mini-stroke (transient ischemic attack)
- History of vision problems due to circulatory problems
- Family history of rare degenerative eye disease
- Severe kidney (renal) or liver disease
- Peyronie’s disease – thinning or deformity of the penis
- Leukemia, multiple myeloma, or sickle cell disease
- Bleeding disorders (such as hemophilia)
- Active stomach ulcers (peptic or gastric ulcer)
All men with erectile dysfunction should inform their doctor about it.
Denial of responsibility
If you have any medical questions or concerns, please contact your doctor. Health Guide articles are backed by peer-reviewed research and information from medical companies and government agencies. However, they are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Frequenlty Asked Questions
Viagra is a brand name for the drug sildenafil and is used to treat erectile dysfunction in men.
Viagra works by increasing blood flow to the penis which helps men to have an erection sufficient for sex.
Usually no, men find that the same dose is just as effective even after years. The body does not get used to the treatment.
Erectile dysfunction is a developmental condition, increasing with age, however unless there is an underlying medical transition the same dose should have the same results.
The main difference is the name. Viagra is a brand name for sildenafil. Medically they are the same, they have the same active ingredient, the medical name of which is sildenafil. Both come in packs of 4 and 8 tablets and in strengths of 25mg, 50mg, and 100mg.
Sildenafil is usually cheaper because it is produced by many competing pharmaceutical companies. The Viagra brand product is produced only by Pfizer.
The main difference is their duration of action: Viagra works for about 4 hours, Levitra for about 12 hours and Cialis for about 36 hours.
Each of these drugs works in the same way, changing the blood flow to the penis.
Some men believe that one works better than the other although most believe that they are all equally effective, but with different durations.
Men can choose which pill to use depending on how long they want to be sexually active. An erection will occur as long as there is sexual stimulation. Without it the treatment remains inactive.
Viagra tablets are scored and can be broken in two. This way of using the treatment can be beneficial as the cost of the tablets is not proportional to the total of active ingredients. A 100mg tablet usually does not cost twice as much as a 50mg tablet. If you find that one 50mg tablet is effective, then half a 100mg tablet will be just as effective as two 25mg tablets. It is the totality of the active ingredients that matters. The 25mg tablets (the smallest available dose) should not be cut in half.
Most men start with a 50mg tablet, although most men over 65 would start with the smallest possible 25mg tablet. It is a good idea to try the same dose at least 4 times before deciding to increase the strength of the tablet. The maximum dose of one treatment is 100mg and should not be repeated within 24 hours.
No. Common treatments for erectile dysfunction (Cialis, Viagra, and Levitra) work the same way. Using more than one at the same time will not make the treatment more effective, and there may be risks of overdose and unwanted side effects. Leave a gap of 24 hours (36 hours for Cialis) if you want to change treatment medicine.
It is recommended that you drink no alcohol or only a minimal amount, no more than one or two drinks. Alcohol increases the symptoms of erectile dysfunction. There is no direct chemical reaction between Viagra and alcohol, however the risk of side effects such as a drop in blood pressure or fainting will increase when Viagra is used after heavy alcohol consumption. Also the treatment may be ineffective.
