Viagra is one of the most popular medications currently on the market. The drug is well-known for treating erectile dysfunction in men, but there are actually several different types of the medication.
Some people may ask, “What is the difference between Viagra and Cialis?” While both are medicines that help men get and keep an erection, they are both prescribed and sold at a cheaper price than Viagra. Cialis is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in treating erectile dysfunction in men, while Viagra is FDA-approved for treating angina pectoris (chest pain) and high blood pressure. Additionally, Viagra is used to treat prostate problems in men and is also available as a pill for women to treat vaginal dryness.
The name Viagra comes from the drug’s original manufacturer, Pfizer. In 1897, the company discovered that a chemical in the plant foxglove could help them create a drug that would help men with their erectile dysfunction issues. The drug was first marketed under the name Foxi, but was later changed to Viagra because the side effects were less noticeable than with the former drug.
Origins
Although Viagra is most well-known for its sildenafil citrate ingredient, chemically known as Sildenafil, the chemical compound was actually first found in 1911 in the foxglove plant, which is where Pfizer’s name comes from.
Before Sildenafil, the only treatment for erectile dysfunction was sexual therapy and counseling. Fortunately, thanks to Viagra, modern medicine now has a prescription medication that helps men get hard erections. However, the drug cannot create an erection on its own and must be taken with a meal to work effectively. In addition, if you are taking any medications that affect the central nervous system, then you must consult with your doctor before taking Viagra.
Active Ingredient
The sildenafil ingredient in Viagra is a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor. This is an enzyme that stops the body from producing the chemical messenger dopamine, which then allows the body’s natural hormone, nitric oxide, to do its job in the sexual response cycle. The PDE5 inhibitors in Viagra work by enhancing the action of nitric oxide in the nerve endings of the penis and in other areas of the body, such as the lungs and the blood vessels.
When dopamine gets in the way of nitric oxide, it can cause problems for men, leading to erectile dysfunction. However, by reducing the amount of dopamine in the body, Sildenafil allows the body to produce more nitric oxide, which then results in an improvement in erectile function. This is why doctors often prescribe this drug to men with erectile dysfunction or low libido issues.
Side Effects
Along with its usefulness in improving erectile function, Viagra is known for some of its side effects. The most common side effect is headache, which many people experience when they first start taking the drug. Additionally, people sometimes complain about stomach aches, drowsiness, or blurred vision, which can all be side effects of taking Viagra. If you experience any other side effects that are not listed here, then you should consult your doctor.
Fortunately, many people report that the side effects of Viagra go away after a while, and most people do not experience any serious side effects. Still, it is important to understand that while Viagra may be a life-changing medication for many men, it is also possible for some people to have negative reactions to the drug. If you are considering trying out Viagra, then it is imperative to do so under the care of a doctor who knows how to treat you. Also, it is essential that you are not allergic to any of the ingredients in the medication, as severe allergic reactions are known to occur.
Overdose
Although Viagra is considered a safe and effective medication, you should still be very careful when taking it. Sometimes, people unknowingly take too much of the medication and then end up in the emergency room due to a severe overdose. An overdose of Viagra can occur if you take more than the recommended dose or if a person mixes it with alcohol or other medications. Because of these risks, it is always better to be safe than sorry, and in some situations, such as addiction or abuse, a medical professional may advise against taking Viagra without proper monitoring.
In these cases, an ambulance should be called, as the patient may need to be transported to the hospital for treatment. Additionally, if you experience any sudden changes in your vision or hearing, then this could be a sign that you are suffering from an overdose and require medical attention.
Interactions
As mentioned above, mixing Viagra with alcohol can cause dangerous side effects and interactions. It is therefore imperative that you do not do so, as this could prove fatal. If you interact with alcohol regularly, then you may be able to experience serious side effects and even have a risk of overdose. Fortunately, there are some safer alternatives to alcohol that you can use to enhance your sexual experience without risking your life or that of others around you.
Some of the medications that interact with Viagra are:
- MAOIs, which are a type of chemical substance that blocks enzymes in the body that break down dopamine. Examples of MAOIs include:
- Methyldopa, also known as Levodopa, an antihypertensive drug that can cause headaches;
- Nortriptyline, an antidepressant that can cause nausea; and
- Rasagiline, a drug used to treat Parkinson’s disease that can cause photosensitivity reaction (skin damage due to sunlight).
It is also important to understand that while some medications may interact with Viagra, this does not always mean that you will experience serious side effects or an overdose if you take them together. Many people take medications for heart disease, blood pressure, and cholesterol that interact with Viagra, and many of them have reported no adverse effects after combining the two.
Storage
Like any other medication that you store at home, Viagra needs to be stored in a cool, dry place away from heat and light. Additionally, it should be kept out of the reach of children and pets, as they may try to help themselves to it if they see it lying around.
Still, since Viagra is considered a safe and effective medication, many people wonder if they should keep taking it even if they feel that their symptoms have gone away. In these situations, it is always better to be safe than sorry, so in some situations, such as when a person feels that their symptoms have gone away but then relapse and experience a recurrence of the symptoms, a doctor may advise against taking Viagra without first trying other medications or therapies. However, in most cases, the withdrawal symptoms from previous medications or therapies will subside once the person stops taking them, allowing for the safe use of Viagra.
Additional Information
In addition to its active ingredient, sildenafil, and its uses and side effects, Viagra is well-known for some of its advertising campaigns and television appearances. One of the first widely-publicized advertising campaigns for the drug was launched in the early 2000s and featured model turned actress Cindy Crawford.
This is because doctors used to prescribe the drug to men with low libido issues or erectile dysfunction, and a large number of people with these issues are in the modeling industry. The drug is also frequently prescribed to people with heart disease or who are taking medications for these conditions.
Still, despite Viagra’s popularity, it is not a perfect drug and has some drawbacks as noted above. For instance, if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in the drug, then you might experience serious side effects. Additionally, while taking the medication, you need to be very careful to avoid an overdose and any negative interactions with other medications or substances, especially alcohol.
Taking too much Viagra will also cause you to suffer from some of its more serious side effects, including: