Everything You Need to Know About Viagra
Erectile dysfunction is affecting many men all around the globe. It is a medical condition in which a man is unable to maintain an erection. To overcome this condition, an effective drug known as Viagra is used among men of different ages.
About 50% of men aged 40-70 years old are affected by this dysfunction. If you have heard about this drug Viagra, there would be many questions popping in your mind regarding its usage, side effects, advantages, and disadvantages.
So, if you are unaware of this drug, you need to go through this article thoroughly. This article briefly explains the composition, use, benefits, side effects, and everything you need to know about Viagra.
What is Viagra?
To treat erectile dysfunction in men, a common drug is used nowadays, known as Viagra. A drug known as sildenafil is used in Viagra. Sildenafil belongs to a class of drug which is commonly known as phosphodiesterase type five.
A sildenafil drug increases blood flow in many parts of the human body, which increases the blood flow to the human penis. This helps the man a lot in erection enhancing the sexual experience for men. This drug also harms the human body and functions.
Viagra is a little blue-colored pill, and it is swallowed directly through the mouth. It is available in every medical store all around the globe due to its excess usage among men. It comes in different strengths starting from 25 mg and up to 100 mg. So, men who want to treat their erectile dysfunction use Viagra regularly to enhance their sexual experience.
Why Is Viagra So Popular?
In 1998, a chemical compound called Sildenafil was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. It was discovered to treat cardiovascular disorders. Sildenafil in the form of Viagra is purposed to expand the blood vessels' walls by relaxing the muscles in target areas of the body. The target area for Viagra is the genitals. Therefore, taking this medicine increases blood flow in the penis, allowing the user to get and maintain an erection.
The discovery of sildenafil leads to the discovery of Viagra; as we have mentioned above that 50% of men between the age of 40-70 have erectile dysfunctions. This medical condition is caused when the blood flow in many parts of the human body, including the penis, is reduced. As Viagra was known for increasing the blood flow to the penis and treating erectile dysfunction in men, it became popular among men.
After the discovery of Viagra, almost 40,000 prescriptions were written in just a few weeks, and its annual sales increased rapidly. It surpassed 1 billion dollars in annual sales in just a year and became the fastest drug to surpass this mark. Some men between the ages of 18 and 35 have also been known to use Viagra to maintain an erection. The medicine is known for increasing sexual pleasure and endurance in men.
Drug Description
Viagra is the commercial name of citrate salt of Sildenafil which belongs to the class of drug commonly known as phosphodiesterase type 5. This drug is also a selective inhibitor of cGMP or cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate.
The chemical composition is 1- {{3-(6, 7-dihydro-1-methyl-7-oxo-3-propyl-1H-pyrazolo[4,3d] pyrimidin-5-yl0-4-ethoxyphenyl] sulfonyl]-4-methyl piperazine citrate. Sildenafil citrate is a white crystalline powder that has a solubility of 3.5 mg/mL in water. It has a molecular weight of 666.7. 25mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg of sildenafil are used in the blue-diamond-shaped tablet called Viagra.
Including sildenafil, there are also many other ingredients used in the tablet. These inactive ingredients include Microcrystalline cellulose, Croscarmellose sodium, Hypromellose, Lactose, Magnesium stearate, Titanium dioxide FC & C, Blue 2 aluminum lake.
Uses of Viagra
Viagra is used to treat erectile dysfunction and enhances the sexual experience of men. The blood flow to the penis is increased by the sildenafil drug used in Viagra, which helps a man get an erection.
Unfortunately, it has many side effects, and it will not help protect against sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis B, etc. However, Sildenafil can be used to treat an array of non-sexual issues and is proved effective because of its smaller number and less severe side effects. Viagra can treat some non-sexual disorders, which are given below:
- Pulmonary Hypertension:> Sildenafil is sold under the brand name Revatio for treating the abnormal yet serious high pressure in blood vessels leading to the lungs. However, in case Revatio is unavailable, you can use viagra to help relieve the symptoms.
- Mountain Sickness: You can use viagra or Revatio to increase blood flow in regions at higher altitudes.
- Raynaud’s Phenomenon: Pills such as Viagra and Levitra help treat abnormal spasms in the small arteries. These arteries supply blood to the toes and fingers, making them pale and painful.
How does it work?
During sexual stimulations, nitric oxide is released in the corpus cavernosum. Guanylate cyclase enzyme is activated by nitric oxide that increases cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). This allows smooth muscle relaxation and the inflow of blood. Corpus cavernosum is not directly affected by the sildenafil drug. It inhibits the phosphodiesterase type 5 to enhance nitric oxide's effect to increase the flow of blood.
Viagra’s composition is such that it works to enhance the action of cyclic GMP. When cGMP is released in the penis as a response to sexual stimulation, a persona achieves an erection. cGMP dilates the smooth muscle in the penile tissue while increasing the blood flow in the corpus cavernosum, which allows the user to get an erection.
Another thing Viagra does in helping with erectile dysfunction is blocking PDE5 from breaking down the cGMP. This increases the ability of the user to maintain an erection for a longer period. When it enters the body, it is highly absorbed normally within 30 to 120 minutes. But its absorption is decreased when it is taken with a high-fat meal.
A survey observed that some people started to experience the effects of Viagra after half an hour of its use. On the other hand, some people who took it with a high-fat meal experienced the effects after a bit longer. They experienced the effect after almost an hour.
Normally, people experience the effect of Viagra for up to two hours. This time period indicates that the proper dose of Viagra was taken that lasted it affects up to two hours. But if the duration increases up to four hours, then it is not good news. This may cause damage to the tissues, which will hurt the human body. Thus, it is recommended to seek out medical attention if the duration increases up to four hours.
Dosage and Administration
Viagra is made to be administered orally. Your doctor will prescribe you the right pill strength according to your requirement. It is recommended not to take Viagra without a doctor's prescription since the dosage is affected by factors such as:
- Your age
- The reason why you’re taking it
The major use of Viagra is to treat erectile dysfunction. For males between the ages of 18 and 65, doctors usually recommend a dosage of 50mg. However, adults over the age of 65 should not take a dosage of more than 25mg. The 100mg pill is not very frequently used due to its strength but can be used in extreme blood flow problems.
It would help if you took viagra in the exact amount prescribed by the doctor since anything more or less than that will cause issues.
You should administer Viagra 30 minutes to an hour before sexual activity. However, you can take it up to four hours before sexual activity in some cases. The pill doesn't cause an erection, just about increased blood flow. Users will feel their penis erecting only with sexual stimulation.
The drug should not be administered more than once a day. Anything more than that can increase the chances of side effects such as nausea, dizziness, and muscle pain. The side effects will harm the human body. To keep yourself safe from the side effects, it is recommended to use Viagra only with a doctor's prescription.
Side Effects of Viagra
Any medicine will have its side effects if it is not taken properly or taken without a doctor's prescription. It would be best if you always asked the doctor before using any medicine. Otherwise, it will harm the human body. If the medicine is not suitable for you, then you should avoid using it. You should not take Viagra if you are allergic to sildenafil.
On the other hand, if you take nitrates or another form of sildenafil, it will be best to stay away from virga. Otherwise, it will harm your body. It is crucial to avoid Sildenafil with nitrates. Taking nitrates with Sildenafil can cause a drastic decrease in blood pressure, cause heart issues, shortness of breath, and other dangerous symptoms.
It is best to keep away from Sildenafil if you take medicines for heart problems and chest pain. Such medicines include isosorbide dinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate, and nitroglycerin. Some recreation drugs also include nitrates. Therefore, you should be wary of what goes inside your body before orally administrating Viagra. If you use alcohol, grapefruit juice, or any medicine like yohimbine, you should not use Viagra at all.
Mild Side Effects
So, to avoid the side effects of Viagra, you should carefully use it with the prescription of your doctor. Some mild side effects of Viagra are given below:
- Insomnia
- Blurred vision
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle pain
- Upset stomach
- Back pain
It is important to remember that some side effects such as muscle pain, irregular heartbeat, and blurred vision could affect sexual activities. Therefore, you must check if you're feeling the same side effects frequently, and you must measure the severity of each side effect.
An allergic reaction to Viagra is extremely rare. However, if you notice any allergic reaction such as itching, swelling, and rash, you should seek medical attention right away. The above-mentioned side effects are not too severe, but they harm the human body.
Severe Side Effect
Despite having mild side effects, Viagra also has severe and very serious side effects that can affect the human body very badly. Some of the major side effects of taking Viagra include:
- Dizziness
- Flushing
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Chest pressure or pain
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Pain spreading through shoulder or jaw
- A painful and extremely long-lasting erection
- Cough and uncomfortable mucus
- Shortness of breath
- Heading variations
- Irregular heartbeat
- Swollen ankles, hands, or feet
- Lightheadedness
- Convulsions
It would help if you took all the side effects listed above very seriously. In case you experience them frequently or on a severe magnitude, you must inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long will it take for Viagra to work?
Viagra usually starts to work within an hour. If you took it with a high-fat meal, you would experience its effect after a couple of hours. You can take viagra with or without a meal.
What happens if Viagra doesn’t work?
You rarely take a dose of Viagra, and it doesn't work. It usually happens if then dos are not taken properly. It will be best if you take the dose of Viagra according to the prescription of your doctor. You should only take viagra one time a day.
More than one time can harm the human body. It has been observed that four out of five men keep erections hard enough for sex who take doses of 50 mg and 10 mg. If Viagra doesn't work, you should consider your doctor immediately. He may ask you to switch to higher doses. Moreover, it has been observed that Viagra becomes effective after a couple of tries as you become more comfortable.
Is Viagra Safe to Use?
Yes, if Viagra is taken according to your doctor's prescriptions, then most probably it is safe to use. Viagra has many side effects, but if you have taken it properly with your doctor's prescription, it will not have any negative effect.
Unfortunately, if you have been facing other medical conditions such as heart diseases, it will be best to avoid taking it. Therefore, you should only take Viagra if your doctor permits you.
Does Viagra work the first time?
For some people, Viagra may show its effects for the first time after use. But it has also been noticed that some people are unable to experience the effects of Viagra after the first-time usage. They need to take a few more doses to experience its effect.
Is Viagra Effective for women?
Viagra works by increasing the blood flow in the genitals. Therefore, if it can enhance sexual pleasure for men, it should do the same for women. While this statement is logically correct, the practical effects are completely different.
Viagra is not recommended to be used for women. The drug can interfere with a woman's hormones, especially if they're menstruating, breastfeeding, or are pregnant.
How to use Viagra?
For the best results, first of all, you have to consult your doctor. Without a doctor's prescription, you should never take Viagra. Commonly it is swallowed directly through the mouth. A recommended dose for adults aging from 19 to 60 years, 50 mg dose is enough.
But if it doesn't work, you may take a high dose with your doctor's prescription to avoid its side effects. You should take it one hour before the sexual activity. Always keep in mind that it only works when a person is sexually aroused. Otherwise, it will not work. Moreover, it is recommended to take it with a lighter meal for fast results. The absorption of Viagra is reduced when you take it with a high-fat meal.
You should also avoid drinking alcohol after taking Viagra to avoid side effects. If you take the dose properly, you experience the effects after almost 30 minutes.
Other erectile dysfunction medicines such as Stendra might take as little as 15-30 minutes to show effects. Moreover, medicines such as Cialis can show effects for up to 36 hours. However, most erectile dysfunction medications have a similar time frame as Viagra.
Final Remarks
To conclude, we can say that Viagra is one of the widely used drugs right now all around the globe. An increase in medical disorders like erectile dysfunction has made it a popular drug within two decades.
Besides having some advantages, it has many disadvantages as well. Moreover, its side effects can harm the human body. By reading all the information on Viagra mentioned above, you might be aware of its positives and negatives by now.
For health and safety purposes, you should never use it without your doctor's prescriptions, and you should be aware of all the positive and negative sides of this drug. I hope this article provided you with the best information you were looking for and has increased your knowledge about Viagra.