VIAGRA ( Sildenafil Citrate )

What is Viagra ?

VIAGRA is a brand name for Sildenafil as citrate. It became the first oral drug available to the public for the treatment of erectile dysfunction after being approved by both the World Health Organization ( WHO ) and The Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) in 1998. The revolutionary drug is a blue film-coated tablet in the shape of a rounded-diamond and was developed by Pfizer, the largest pharmaceutical company in the world. Based on its success rate with helping millions of men overcome common erection problems, Viagra has now become a medicine as well-known as Aspirin and Paracetamol.

How does Viagra work ?

The active compound found in VIAGRA is Sildenafil, Sildenafil works by inhibiting the enzyme phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE 5) which is responsible for the degradation of blood flowing into the penis and causes erectile dysfunction.

Will Viagra work for all patients ?

Viagra itself will not induce an erection, its main purpose is to help a man already sexually aroused sustain and maintain an erection long enough to have satisfactory sex. Men who suffer poor blood flow and in some cases nerve damage will benefit from Viagra.

Warnings and precautions about taking Viagra

VIAGRA should NOT be taken under the following conditions :

  • If you are taking nitric oxide donors, medicines containing organic nitrites and nitrates or any other form of nitroglycerin( always read the labels of all medicines you are currently taking ).
  • If you have ever had an allergic reaction from VIAGRA before. Allergic reactions can be a rash, itching, a swollen face, swollen lips or shortness of breath.
  • If you suffer from a severe heart or liver problem.
  • If you have recently had a stroke or a heart attack, or if you have low blood pressure.
  • If you suffer from rare inherited eye diseases ( for example retinitis pigmentosa ).
  • If you are taking any other erectile dysfunction treatments ( for example Cialis ( Tadalafil ) and Levitra ( Vardenafil ) ).
  • If you are under the age of 18.
  • If you are female.

Take special care with VIAGRA under the following conditions :

  • If you have sickle cell anemia ( an abnormality of red blood cells ), Leukemia ( cancer of blood cells ), multiple myeloma ( cancer of bone marrow ) or any disease or deformity of your penis. These conditions may require special care when taking medicines for erectile dysfunction.
  • If you have problems with your heart. Your doctor should in that case carefully check whether your heart could take the additional strain if having sex.
  • If you currently have a stomach ulcer, or a bleeding disorder ( for example hemophilia ).
  • If you are elderly or over 65 years of age, The doctor may decide that your first dose of VIAGRA should be adjusted.
  • If you suffer from kidney or liver problems. The doctor may decide that your dose should be different.

How should I take Viagra, what are the indications and dosages ?

VIAGRA is available in 25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg tablets. For the first time user it is recommended to start with a 50 mg dose, pending on the effectiveness and toleration to the individual the dose can be adjusted to a maximum recommended 100 mg or decreased to 25 mg. Begin by swallowing the tablet whole with some water anywhere from 4 hours to within 30 minutes before sexual activity. Do not exceed the maximum recommended dose frequency of 1 tablet per 24 hours.

What are the side effects and interactions of Viagra

Most treatment medicines come with side effects and VIAGRA is no exception. Depending entirely on the individual the most frequent reported effects that might be experienced are headaches and facial flushings. Less frequently reported effects that may be anticipated include dizziness, indigestion, stuffy nose and effects on eyesight including colour tinge to vision, increased brightness of light or blurred vision.

There have also been infrequent reports of some undesirable hypersensitive reactions such as vomiting, allergic reactions, skin rash, bloodshot eyes, eye pain, rapid heartbeat and nosebleeds. Some patients have experiened prolonged and sometimes painful erections that last more than 4 hours, in cases such as these a doctor should be consulted immediately.

The most serious of cases reported have included heart attack, stroke, irregular heart beats and death but they are very rare and the majority of those men had underlying heart problems to begin with before taking VIAGRA.

Read the official Viagra package leaflet