What is Viagra?

Viagra is a drug produced for erectile dysfunction prevention and treatment. It was one of the first medications created for cardiovascular disorders treatment. It is now very widely applied as erectile dysfunction treatment. The chemical formula is C22H30N6O4S. The generic name is Sildenafil. It performs its functions by suppressing cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase enzyme type-5 (PDE5), which is responsible for cyclic guanosine monophosphate or cGMP degradation. The cGMP is responsible for blood flow regulation in penile vessels... Find more information

Generics

Generic Viagra was produced by pharmaceutical specialists group that performed at Sandwich, Kent, research establishment in England. It was initially studied for the utilization of angina pectoris (ischaemic heart disease symptoms) and hypertension, otherwise known as high blood pressure. It was registered in 1996 and was approved by FDA for use in erectile dysfunction on March 27, 1998. Hence, this created it the first oral treatment to be approved in the United States for erectile dysfunction treatment and was later on offered for sale.

Dosage

Viagra should be taken severely according to your doctor’s recommendation and prescription model. It should usually be taken only in case of requirement, generally 30-40 minutes before sexual intercourse. The dosage should not exceed one pill per day. The essential recommended dosage is 50 mg pill, taken orally, once a day 1 hour prior to sexual intercourse. The maintenance dosage is 25 to 100 mg pill, taken orally, once a day with doctor’s recommendations.

Overdose

Overdose symptoms are a long-lasting erection (priapism), nausea, chest pain and irregular heartbeat. If priapism is not disappeared within 24 hours penis may become permanently injured, leading to complications to reach future erections.

Side Effects

Viagra as any other medication has its side effects. The most common are:

• chest pain;
• visual impairment;
• priapism;
• running nose or nasal congestion;
• hearing loss;
• heartbeat dysfunction;
• edema;
• breathing difficulties;
• headache;
• dizziness;
• sleep problems;
• back pain;
• muscle pain;
• digestive tract disorders.

Consult your doctor if you have symptoms of an allergic reaction to sildenafil: hives; dyspnea; face, lips, tongue, or throat swelling. The side effects' percentage is too small (only 2%).

Contraindications

Use of nitrates (for example, nitroglycerine, isosorbide): sildenafil may increase hypotensive effects of nitrates. The main contraindications are:

• hypersensitivity to any drug components;
• cardiac disorders;
• hypotension or hypertension;
• renal or hepatic dysfunction;
• sickle cell anemia;
• leukemia;
• stomach ulcer;
• penile deformations.

Interactions

Viagra is prohibited to be taken with nitrates; alpha-blockers; amlodipine; ritonavir And other CYP3A4 inhibitors and with alcohol. All these medical substances mentioned above have sufficient impact on its efficiency. The result of taking together Viagra and listed above medications is unpredictable. Do not apply this ED drug with similar remedies such as avanafil (Stendra), tadalafil (Cialis) or vardenafil (Levitra). Inform your doctor about other remedies you apply for erectile dysfunction treatment. Inform your doctor about current medications you've taken or stopped to take, especially:

• antibiotics such as clarithromycin, erythromycin, or telithromycin;
• antifungal medications such as ketoconazole or itraconazole;
• remedies applied at HIV/AIDS, such as atazanavir, indinavir, ritonavir, or saquinavir; or drugs to treat high blood pressure or a prostate disorder.

This list is no way complete... Read detailed description of interactions

Viagra and Alcohol

Viagra and alcohol are two substances which should be taken together with great caution. Unbridled alcohol intake in combination with sildenafil may lead to severe ramifications. There is a list of side effects of varying severity. It is better to consult the doctor about the point of Viagra interaction with alcohol... Read more