Men's Health

Drug Name

Viagra (Sildenafil)

Drug Uses

Viagra's primary indication is treating men's impotence. It increases body's ability to sustain a satisfactory erection to complete intercourse.

How to take

Viagra pills dosage for erectile dysfunction is 25 mg to 100 mg taken not more than once per day between 30 minutes and up to 4 hours prior to sexual intercourse. Do not take Viagra more than once per day.

Drug Class and Mechanism

Viagra is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor. It works by helping the blood flow into a penis to achieve and maintain an erection.

Missed Dose

Viagra is used by necessity, so that you dont have to follow prescribed schedule.

Storage

Store Viagra in its original container. Keep up this medication at room temperature away from dampness, heat and light (between 59 and 86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C)). Store these pills out of the handling radius of children and away from pets.

Warnings/Precautions

Do not use Viagra in case if you are also taking in a nitrate drug for chest pain or heart issues, including nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur, Nitro-Bid, Minitran, Deponit, Transderm-Nitro), isosorbide dinitrate (Dilatrate-SR, Isordil, Sorbitrate), and isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO, Monoket), or recreational drugs such as amyl nitrate or nitrite ("poppers").

Consult your doctor, before taking Viagra, about all other medications you use for erectile dysfunction, or if you are taking any of the following medications:

• bosentan (Tracleer);
• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
• cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB);
• an antibiotic such as erythromycin (E-Mycin, Eryc, Ery-Tab) or clarithromycin (Biaxin);
• doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin (Minipress), Terazosin (Hytrin);
• HIV medicines such as amprenavir (Agenerase), tipranavir (Aptivus), darunavir (Prezista), efavirenz (Sustiva), nevirapine (Viramune), indinavir (Crixivan), saquinavir (Invirase, Fortovase), lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), ritonavir (Norvir), atazanavir (Reyataz), or nelfinavir (Viracept);
• an antifungal medication such as itraconazole (Sporanox) or ketoconazole (Nizoral);
• carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenobarbital (Luminal), or phenytoin (Dilantin); or
• rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane) or rifabutin (Mycobutin).

Your doctor should be told about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. Which includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not begin using a new medicament not telling your doctor.

If you have heart problems serious enough to make sexual activity dangerous for you health, you should shun using Viagra. Use it precautionary if you've had a heart attack, stroke, or life-threatening heart irregularities within the past 6 months. Be identically cautious if you have severe high or low blood pressure, heart failure, or unstable angina.

If you take Viagra and develop cardiac symptoms (for example, dizziness, nausea, and chest pain) during sexual activity, do not continue. Don’t wait to anticipate your doctor about the problem.

If you have a state that might result in long-lasting erections, such as sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma (a disease of the bone marrow), or leukemia, use Viagra with caution. Also use cautiously if you have a genital problem or deformity such as Peyronie's disease. Seek cure immediately in case an erection lasts more than 4 hours. Permanent damage and impotence could result.

If you have a bleeding disorder, a stomach ulcer, or the inherited eye condition known as retinitis pigmentosa, use Viagra with caution. Its safety under these circumstances has not yet been studied.

Possible Side Effects

If you face any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Viagra and seek emergency medical attention or notify your doctor as soon as possible:

• sudden vision loss;
• ringing in your ears, or sudden hearing loss;
• chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;
• irregular heartbeat;
• swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet;
• shortness of breath;
• vision changes;
• feeling light-headed, fainting; or
• penis erection that is painful or lasts 4 hours or longer.

Less significant side effects may include:

• warmth or redness in your face, neck, or chest;
• stuffy nose;
• headache;
• upset stomach; or
• back pain.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Ask your doctor if you experience any unusual or bothersome side effect.

More Information

If you are over 65 years of age, your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of this medication, as you are most likely to have Viagra side effects.