Before you begin any kind of treatment, you need to know the results you can expect from it. Unfortunately, the side effects of many medications are vastly under-reported in clinical trials. This is partly because the researchers who conducted the trials are often more interested in discovering how effective the medication is than in documenting the risks it carries.
Viagra is one of the most popular and well-known medications in the world. The active ingredient in the drug is Sildenafil. Sildenafil is a prescription medication that allows men who suffer from erectile dysfunction (impotence) to have an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse. The medication also increases relaxation in the blood vessels of the penis, which improves blood flow into the organ and enhances the pleasure of sexual relations.
How Effective Is It?
While the side effects of Viagra are relatively minor, the medication has a very high rate of effectiveness. One clinical trial found that out of the 100 men who participated in the trial, 45% experienced some relief of their erectile dysfunction symptoms after taking the drug for just 12 weeks. Another large trial also found that 37% of the patients who were administered Sildenafil reported some improvement in their impotence over a 12-week period.
Based on these results, it’s clear that Sildenafil is a very effective drug when it comes to treating erectile dysfunction. However, it’s not a panacea. Like all medications, it has its limitations. Namely, the drug is only effective for as long as you take it. Sildenafil does not provide any kind of long-term relief for patients who have been administered the medication. As a result, patients who want to maintain an erection must continue taking the drug even if they are feeling healthy. This could potentially lead to some serious side effects over time.
What Are The Side Effects?
When taken at recommended doses, Sildenafil has some very mild side effects. The most common symptom is headache, which occurs in about 1 out of 10 patients. Other common side effects include heartburn, nasal congestion, and diarrhea. These symptoms tend to be mild and last for only for a short period of time after you take the drug.
The most serious side effect of Sildenafil is a rare but potentially life-threatening reaction called angioedema. This is when the body’s largest artery (the aorta) becomes swollen because of an overproduction of a hormone (histamine) in the blood vessels. The swollen aorta can cause the patient serious throat, lip, and tongue swelling, as well as difficulty breathing. In some cases, the patient may require an emergency tracheotomy (insertion of a tube in the throat) to clear the blockage. Luckily, this is a very rare side effect of Sildenafil and occurs in only about 1 in 100,000 patients.
In conclusion, while Viagra is an effective medication, it is not without risks. Patients who take the medication should understand these risks before beginning treatment. The majority of the side effects associated with the drug are mild and transient, but serious complications are rare. Still, it’s important to be aware that even though Sildenafil is a relatively safe medication, you are still taking a drug, which albeit effective, has some negative health implications. In light of this, you must weigh the pros and cons of medication before deciding whether or not to take it.