Viagra is one of the most well-known branded drug products advertised on television and in magazines. Its fame has reached such a level that Google search interest for ‘Viagra’ reached its highest ever in the month of April 2019.
The original form of Viagra was developed in the 1950s as a treatment for angina. It is a member of the sildenafil family of medications, which includes the brand name drugs Viagra and Levitra. Sildenafil and its cousin, tadalafil, are both known as potent inhibitors of an enzyme called PDE5, which regulates the breakdown of cGMP in the body. When PDE5 is inhibited, nitric oxide is allowed to remain in the blood vessel long enough for its effects to be felt by the brain. When blood rushes to the area of the brain responsible for erectile function, the nerves there respond by producing an erection.
The Rise In Popularity
The effectiveness of sildenafil as a treatment for angina pectoris led to the development of a variety of other products which contain it, including tablets, liquids, and gels. All of these products are designed to be ingested as an oral dosage form.
Viagra was first approved for sale in the U.S. in 2002 and in the U.K. in 1998. It is currently available for purchase online throughout the world. In the U.S., a typical dose of Viagra is 50 mg. However, the recommended starting dosage for men is usually 25 mg, and in some instances it can be as low as 12.5 mg.
How It Works
As the name would suggest, Viagra works by increasing blood flow to the penis. The exact mechanism through which it does this is not entirely known. However, in animals it has been shown to open up blood vessels within the penis which had previously been closed due to lack of sufficient blood flow. This allows more blood to reach the penis, which in turn results in an erection that can be either maintained or reversed simply by applying pressure to the area of the penis.
Men who take Viagra will often report having larger, more sustained erections than they would had they not taken the medication. In rare instances, men have experienced a sudden loss of erection while taking Viagra, which in most cases was temporary and resolved itself once the drug was stopped. However, in some instances this has not been the case, and in these situations, more invasive treatments may be required to remedy the situation. As with any medication or supplement, the effects of Viagra can vary from person to person. It is not a harmless product, and in rare circumstances it can cause significant side effects, particularly in older people. In these instances, patients should seek medical assistance as soon as possible.
The Importance Of Research
In some instances, people are allergic to sildenafil, and in these cases, they can experience a number of unpleasant side effects, including skin rash, hives, and in rare cases, an anaphylactic reaction which requires emergency medical attention.
Fortunately, newer generations of sildenafil are more often tolerated by people who are allergic to it, and the side effects are generally less severe. However, it is still recommended that patients who are allergic to sildenafil avoid its use. In these instances, alternative treatments may be necessary.
The Legal Status Of Viagra
Like other medications, Viagra is a legal product which has been approved by the FDA and is sold over the counter in most countries. However, it is still considered to be an investigational drug in some parts of the world, such as Australia and Japan. This means that it has not been approved by the FDA for sale as a medical treatment, and instead it is prescribed only when other medications have failed to produce the desired results.
In most countries, including the U.S., Viagra is available through a variety of different pharmacies and online retailers with a prescription. Its approval for sale as a medical treatment in the U.S. is said to have revolutionized the treatment of ED, and its invention and subsequent marketing changed the face of angina treatment forever.
Consequently, if you’re interested in this medication or have questions about its use, you should consult with your doctor to ensure it is safe for you to take and to learn more effective ways of using it.
Should you experience any side effects while using Viagra, you should seek medical help right away. In most cases this will be a simple matter of stopping the medication and continuing with your normal treatment. However, in some situations this can be more complicated, and in these instances, you may need to consult with a specialist.