Viagra has been all the rage for the past few years. The popular drug was first marketed for medical purposes in the 1990s and gained widespread popularity after being featured in several popular media vehicles (i.e. the Simpsons, Friends, and Scrubs). The pill has proven popular with both men and women, with the active ingredients in Viagra being sildenafil and tadalafil (as above), which are now also available over the counter.
Even outside of its medical uses, people are still curious about the drug. Specifically, many men are keen to try out Viagra for the first time and are seeking the latest information on the matter. If you’re among this audience, then you might be interested in trying out this popular drug for the first time or are at least curious about it. In this article, we’ll explore the basics of Viagra and how it works.
What Is Viagra?
Viagra is a drug made up of sildenafil and tadalafil, which were originally developed as a treatment for erectile dysfunction. Although the main purpose of the medication is to treat ED, Viagra has numerous other uses, including the treatment of pulmonary hypertension, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and heart disease. It is also useful in preventing or lowering blood pressure.
The active ingredients in Viagra were originally extracted from the fungus Penicillium (i.e. it was cultivated from fungus-infected bark). Both substances are inhibitors of PDE-5, a type of protein that regulates how easily blood vessels can dilate, thus allowing more blood flow into the penis. This, in turn, allows for deeper penetration by a man’s erection and allows for more intense orgasms. Viagra is available in a variety of forms, including tablets, liquids, and gels. The medication is generally well-tolerated by patients with occasional side effects, including headaches, upset stomach, and facial flushing.
How Does Viagra Work?
Viagra exerts its effect by increasing blood flow to the penis, thus causing the erection. Once the penis is erect, the patient will experience greater pleasure during sex and, perhaps, an increased ability to ejaculate (i.e. greater volume or pressure).
Blood vessels in the penis are normally constricted (i.e. they don’t dilate very much or at all), which helps maintain an erection. However, when Viagra is introduced into the body, the blood vessels in the penis dilate, allowing for increased blood flow and the promotion of an erection.
This is why Viagra is sometimes referred to as a “sugar pill” or “sexual enhancing pill”: it has the effect of “unlocking the penis”, so to speak. Whether or not this is an accurate assessment, the point is that it promotes blood flow and an erection in some patients. When this happens, it can lead to greater pleasure during sex and, perhaps, an ability to ejaculate more easily. This is why some people with ED prefer to take Viagra, as they feel it helps them to “relax and enjoy sex more”.
The main caveat here is that this drug has not been approved by the FDA for the treatment of ED or any other purpose, so it is not known exactly how much (if any) efficacy it might have for those uses. In light of this, it would be unwise to consider Viagra as some sort of panacea for sexual dysfunction – though it might help some patients, it is certainly not a replacement for other forms of treatment. Nevertheless, as with many medications, the jury is still out on whether or not it is effective for the treatment of ED or any other condition.
Are There Any Side Effects From Taking Viagra?
As with many medications, there are potential side effects associated with taking Viagra. The side effects can range from mild to severe and depend on multiple factors, including the patient’s health and the dose used. Some of the more common side effects include headaches, upset stomach, and facial flushing (i.e. the medication may cause the patient’s cheeks to flush red).
On the plus side, taking Viagra may also help relieve some of the symptoms of cardiovascular disease. However, it is not known whether or not these benefits outweigh the side effects, so it is important to weigh the potential risks versus the possible rewards when considering this option for treatment. Overall, though, most patients experience minimal to no side effects from taking this medication.
In terms of dosing, the recommended starting dose for Viagra is 25 mg. It is typically taken once per day in the morning with food – with or without water – though some patients may require a different schedule (e.g. twice daily or once every other day). If the medication is used to treat ED, it is usually recommended to begin with a low dose and gradually increase the dose as needed. However, it is equally important to remember that everyone’s body is different and what may work for one patient may not work for another.
When Should You Not Take Viagra?
There are several people and instances where Viagra should not be taken. It is often advisable to avoid using this medication if the patient is:
- taking nitrates (i.e. nitroglycerin) or any other drugs that cause blood vessels to dilate (e.g. aminophylline, an ergotamine derivative, or molsidomine);
- currently taking or recently quit taking any medication that interacts with the drugs in Viagra (e.g. rifampicin, which interacts with the sildenafil in Viagra, or bosentan, which interacts with the tadalafil in Viagra);
- if the patient has suffered a recent MI (myocardial infarction) or is at risk for developing heart disease;
- if the patient has had a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) in the past (3 months); or
- if the patient is severely allergic to any component of Viagra (e.g. sulfites in the case of penicillium-based medications).
Symptoms of these medical conditions can sometimes be mistaken for those of ED, so it is important to be aware of which ones you should seek medical help for and which ones you can safely manage at home. If you’re unsure whether or not to use this medication, then it’s usually a good idea to consult with your doctor or pharmacist – or at least read the available information online.