In all aspects of life, be careful what you ask for. For some, this motto is especially relevant when taking Viagra, as this medication comes with many risks. If you or a loved one is considering this medication, be sure to review the important points below.
Dangers Of Taking Viagra
Viagra is a medication that eases the symptoms of erectile dysfunction (ED) in men. It was first approved for medical use in 1998 and since then it has been prescribed to over 16 million men worldwide. Unfortunately, not all men will be able to benefit from Viagra as it has some major side effects which you need to be aware of before you start taking it.
Risks Of Taking Viagra
There are several risks that you need to be aware of before you start taking Viagra. Some of these are:
- Increased risk of heart attack – This was one of the risks that put the drug on the map. Several studies have shown that men who take Viagra have an increased risk of heart attack. The exact nature of this link is not fully understood but it could be due to increased blood pressure when taking the drug. In light of this, the experts at U.S. Pharmacopeia have advised men with heart disease not to take Viagra
- Unexplained liver damage – This is another potential side effect of Viagra. Like heart disease, there is no established link between liver damage and Viagra but as with heart disease, it has been linked to certain subgroups of patients. Like many medications, there is a wide range of possible side effects with Viagra and while they are generally rare, they are nevertheless possible. One of the side effects that particularly worries doctors is that it could lead to the development of liver cancer. The experts at U.S. Pharmacopeia have stated however that this is extremely rare and that there is no clear evidence that Viagra causes cancer. They have also advised men with liver problems to avoid taking the drug.
- Sudden death – Some men have died while taking Viagra. The exact cause of these fatalities is unknown but it is believed that they could be a consequence of heart disease or blood pressure issues. The experts at U.S. Pharmacopeia have stated that although there is no proven link between Viagra and sudden death, patients who are already at an increased risk of heart disease or blood pressure issues should be aware of the risks. They have also stated that men who are taking this medication should be monitored by a doctor regularly to ensure that their heart and blood pressure are not affected. They have stated that men who experience these issues should discontinue the use of this drug and report any new or worsening symptoms to their doctors immediately.
How To Take Viagra
Like most medications, the way that you take Viagra will have a significant impact on the way that it works and the way that you experience its effects. There are several different dosing options that you can use if you are prescribed Viagra including:
- Oral – This is the most common way of taking Viagra and it is also the most straightforward. You will need to follow the instructions of your doctor or pharmacist carefully and exactly, otherwise you might not get the desired results from the medication. The recommended starting dose of oral Viagra is 25 mg taken 1 hour before sexual activity. However, you should not exceed a dose of 100 mg as this could cause some unwanted side effects. If you do take too much, you could experience something called “dose-dependent ventricular fibrillation.” This is a serious cardiac condition that can result in sudden death. If you experience this, you should discontinue the use of this medication and report it to your doctor as soon as possible.
- Insertable Ring – This is another alternative delivery method for Viagra and it is a slightly more modern way of taking the medication. The recommended start dose is 60 mg for the insertable ring and it is administered just prior to sexual activity. The advantage of this method is that it does not rely on stimulation of the tongue as with oral Viagra. Instead, it directly accesses the bloodstream and delivers a consistent dose each time it is injected into the penis. The disadvantage of this method is that it requires maintenance injections and regular checks to ensure that it is still working properly and it is not suited for men who are prone to infections.
- Implant – This is the latest and most efficient delivery method for Viagra and it has the advantage of being a long-term solution. It is implanted under the skin near the collarbone and it is then connected to an intravenous line. The recommended starting dose of the implant is 100 mg taken 1 hour before sexual activity and it can be removed and replaced with a new one if necessary. It is a more permanent solution than regular injections and it also offers the advantage of being able to administer the medication as required without having to guess at the size of the dose beforehand.
- Transdermal – This is another way of delivering a consistent dose of Viagra using a controlled release patch attached to the skin. The recommended starting dose is 12.5 mg/h for this treatment method and it is applied to the outer layer of the skin just prior to sexual activity. It works by limiting the amount of time that it takes for the medication to reach the bloodstream. This method has the advantage of being painless and essentially risk-free but it does require some training to ensure that you apply it correctly as it can easily be overlooked if you are not used to applying medications on your skin.
If you or a loved one is thinking about taking this medication, be sure to review the important points below to help you make the right decision.
These medications can be very effective at helping men with ED but it is still a decision that you need to make responsibly and with a full understanding of the risks involved. Even when used correctly and as recommended, these medications are still considered experimental and they are not meant to replace conventional methods of treating ED. If you are already prone to heart disease or have had a cardiac arrest, surgery, or infarction; if you are taking any other medications for heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure; if you are over the age of 60; or if you have any liver problems, you should not take Viagra. If you do decide to go ahead with it anyway, be sure to consult with your doctor regularly to monitor your heart and liver function as well as your blood pressure.