Viagra is one of the most popular ED (erectile dysfunction) medications in the world. It was originally approved for use in 1998 and is currently available in a variety of forms, including tablets, soft gels, and liquid solutions. While it’s known for being able to effectively treat erectile dysfunction, it also has many other uses – from curing impotence to improving one’s sex life. But what exactly is Viagra’s role in helping men achieve stronger erections and better sex? Let’s take a look:
How Does Viagra Work?
Viagra is a sildenafilcitrate drug and thus a member of the group of medications known as PDE5 (phosphodiesterase type 5) inhibitors. These medications alter the behavior of muscle tissues in the penis (corpus cavernosum), causing them to relax, resulting in increased blood flow into the penis and eventual erections. More specifically, sildenafil and other PDE5 inhibitors work by increasing the level of cGMP (cyclic guanosine monophosphate) in the corpus cavernosum. This, in turn, triggers a chain reaction that effectively relaxes and expands the muscles in the penis, allowing for greater blood flow and, thus, firmer erections.
The Different Forms Of Viagra
As mentioned above, Viagra is a medication used to treat erectile dysfunction due to its activity as a PDE5 inhibitor. However, it also has applications in other areas, such as improving one’s sex life. This is largely due to Viagra’s ability to enhance sexual desire and pleasure as well as increase one’s ability to achieve an erection. To this end, Viagra is often prescribed to men who have undergone sexual trauma or who suffer from low libido. In these cases, the medication can help to restore sexual desire and interest as well as increase the likelihood of successful intercourse. In fact, according to the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), approximately 90% of men with erectile dysfunction – whether it’s caused by medication or sexual trauma – experience an improvement in their sex life after being prescribed Viagra. As a result of this, the agency approved the drug for “the treatment of sex disorders and sexual dysfunction, including but not limited to, low libido, erectile dysfunction, and premature ejaculation.”
How Long Does It Take For Viagra To Work?
The effect of Viagra on the body is not immediate. That is, it takes some time for the drug to actually work its magic. Once you’ve taken it, you’ll need to wait 30 to 60 minutes for the medication to take effect. So if you’re looking for an instant “fix,” you might not get one with Viagra.
When Should You Take Viagra?
There are various guidelines that your doctor may give you for taking Viagra, but for the most part, you should take it at least 30 minutes before having sexual intercourse or engaging in any sexual activity that is likely to cause you discomfort. It’s also advisable to take the medication on an empty stomach, as this can help to ensure that the drug will reach its maximum potential effect.
What Forms Does Viagra Come In?
While Viagra has been shown to effectively improve erectile dysfunction, it has also been discovered to work well in different forms. This is because the drug is more effective when administered orally or sublingually, as opposed to being taken intravenously. That being said, the drug can be given orally in the form of a tablet or swallowed as a liquid. If you’re looking to increase the likelihood of achieving an erection, you might choose to take Viagra sublingually, under the tongue, as this is the most effective and the least invasive of the three methods. Sublingual administration allows the drug to bypass the digestive system and directly interact with the tissues in the penis. In fact, recent studies have shown that the medication can be up to 4 times more effective when given under the tongue versus orally or intravenously.
What Are The Side Effects Of Viagra?
The most common side effect of Viagra is headaches. These can be severe, particularly in the first few hours after taking the medication, as well as occur in about 10% of men who take the drug. In approximately 2% of cases, severe stomach pain or nausea is experienced. Further, in rare instances, a man experiences a severe allergic reaction, resulting in skin rashes and even anaphylaxis (anaphylactic shock), after taking Viagra. The most effective way to avoid these side effects is to consult your doctor before taking the drug and be sure that you’re not allergic to sildenafil or any of its components. If you’re taking medications for other conditions, such as high blood pressure or heart problems, then you should discuss the possibility of drug interactions with your doctor before starting treatment with Viagra. Some of the less common side effects of the medication include blurred vision, dizziness, anxiety, light-headedness, and tachycardia (an abnormally fast heartbeat). Like most medications, Viagra can have adverse effects that are more likely to be seen in some people than in others. For instance, if you have liver problems, then you might experience more severe side effects from the drug than someone without liver problems. Lastly, due to its vasodilatory effect (blood vessel dilation), Viagra can increase the risk of developing high blood pressure, especially in people with hypertension or diabetes. If you have these medical conditions, then you should discuss this possibility with your doctor before starting treatment with the drug.
With the exception of these few side effects, most men experience temporary relief from symptoms of erectile dysfunction after taking Viagra. The most common adverse reactions reported by men who have taken the drug include nasal congestion, dizziness, diarrhea, and headaches. Like other medications, the effect of Viagra wears off with continued use, and the need for refilling or an adjustment to the medication increases the risk of overdose.
Who Should Avoid Taking Viagra?
Certain groups of people should avoid taking Viagra. These include men who are currently taking nitrates (e.g., nitroglycerin, isosorbide mononitrate) or any other medication that dilates the blood vessels, men with severe hepatic impairment, and men who are allergic to sildenafil or any of its components. It’s also advisable to avoid taking the medication if you’re taking certain drugs that affect the central nervous system (CNS) or if you have a severe heart condition. If any of these conditions apply to you, then you should consult your doctor before starting treatment with Viagra.
When Should You Not Take Viagra?
Although there are various guidelines that your doctor may give you for taking Viagra, you should not take the medication if you’re in the following situations:
- You’re already having sexual intercourse
- You’re being treated for a sexual dysfunction with another medication (e.g., antidepressants, testosterone)
- You’ve just eaten
- You’re about to have surgery
- You’re a breast-feeding mother
- You’re going to an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
- You have a prosthetic heart valve
- You have severe hepatic impairment
- You’re allergic to sildenafil or any of its components
If you’re in one of the situations listed above, then you should consult your doctor before starting treatment with Viagra. In some cases, you may not be able to take the drug and in others, the need for adjusting the dose or for a refill increases the risk of overdose.
In order to get the most from your prescription medication, including Viagra, you need to understand what to expect. As a general rule, you should consult your doctor or pharmacist for help in understanding how medications work, how to take them, and what the possible side effects are. For more information, you can also visit the FDA’s (Food and Drug Administration) drug Web site at FDA.gov or consult any reputable books on the subject.