In 1998, Viagra was first put on the market, and it caused the same sexual revolution as a contraceptive pill back in the day. Over 100 million men around the world suffer from some degree of erectile dysfunction, and this little blue pill gives them an opportunity to enjoy sex regardless of occasional failures in bed. However, it should be taken into account that despite pushy advertising that has turned Viagra into a magical wand, this medicine, like any other drug, has its indications and contradictions. Available only on prescription, Viagra is assigned by your physician after thorough medical examination and testing.
Erectile Dysfunction Causes
Erectile dysfunction or ED is a disorder that restricts blood flow to the penis and blocks getting an erection. Despite the wide-spread belief, age alone doesn’t put you in a risk group, but blood pressure issues, extra weight, high cholesterol, alcohol or drug addiction, and smoking can lead to malfunctions in bed.
Certain injuries and medical conditions, like penis deformity, for example, Peyronie’s disease, or Parkinson’s disease, as well as psychological issues like depression, stress, and anxiety, can also cause loss of libido. Erection failures may be a result of other treatment, such as administration of antidepressants, antihistamines, blood pressure pharmaceuticals and antipsychotics. Anyway, only your doctor can determine what causes ED in your particular case after the necessary tests are done, and prescribe you the appropriate treatment plan.
Who Should/Shouldn’t Take Generic Viagra
This medicine causes a man to have an erection long enough to have sex. It is not an aphrodisiac, though, meaning it won’t work as intended unless you’re sexually aroused. According to some research, when taken during three years and more, Viagra can treat symptomatic impotence and improve the quality of potency. It doesn’t cause dependency, and you can obtain an erection on your own after your ED treatment is over.
» If you aren’t allergic to any components of Generic Viagra and aren’t currently undergoing any other treatment, including anti-impotence drugs, nitrate drugs, anti-cancer medications, diuretics, central nervous system depressants, guanylate cyclase stimulators, HIV protease inhibitors, alpha-blockers, or certain synthetic hormones, you can take Viagra according to a prescribed plan.
However, the following conditions may require a specially adjusted dose or administration under medical supervision:
- History of heart disorders
- Pigmentary retinopathy
- Blood flow problems
- Heart surgery within the last 4 months
- Narrowing of the aortic heart valve
- Liver dysfunction
- Irregular heart rhythm
- Renal impairment
- Peyronie’s disease or another penis deformity
- Multiple myeloma
- Leukemia
- Stomach ulcer
- Sickle cell anemia
- Insufficiency of the autonomic nervous system
Dosage Information
As a rule, a patient is prescribed a 50 mg dose orally one hour before intercourse, with or without food, but Viagra may be taken 30 minutes to four hours before sex as well. Its effect typically disperses within four hours after sexual activity, but if your erection lasts longer, consult your doctor, as it may cause penis damage. The maximum dosing frequency shouldn’t exceed one time per day. Based on toleration, effectiveness, the overall health condition of both partners, and a number of other factors, the dose may be increased to 100 mg. Nothing happens if you miss a dose, as Generic Viagra is used when needed and doesn’t require regular administration.
However, if you overdose and take more than prescribed, you may experience the following side effects:
- Chest pain
- Nausea
- Headache
- Upset stomach
- Sweating
- Shortness of breath
- Sudden vision loss
- Sudden hearing loss
- Swelling in your hands or feet
If any of the above occurs, stop taking Generic Viagra immediately and contact your doctor for a consultation. Some physicians also don’t recommend taking Viagra with grapefruit and grapefruit juice, as this fruit may cause unwanted side effects when interacting with sildenafil.
Specific Adjustment
There are situations when certain dosage adjustments are to be made. If Viagra is prescribed following alpha-blocker therapy, the dose should be decreased to 25 mg. When this drug is co-administered with ritonavir, patients take 25 mg dose before sexual activity, and the recommended maximum shouldn’t exceed 25 mg within 48 hours due to concomitant administration increasing the level of sildenafil in blood.
» A starting dose of 25 mg is prescribed to patients treated with CYP3A4 inhibitors or erythromycin so as to avoid increase of its plasma levels. This is also the case for 65+ men and patients who suffer from cirrhosis or severe renal impairment, as Viagra pills can cause high plasma levels of sildenafil.
