Viagra is a pill that’s often given to men with erectile dysfunction, or impotence. It’s also the most popular drug to treat this condition. The medication helps to expand blood vessels, improving blood flow to the penis and resulting in a better erection. Its effectiveness can be easily measured by the length of time that it takes for the user to experience an erection, which is typically 4 to 6 hours for most men. While this may be an acceptable time period for some, others may prefer longer or quicker-acting medications.
The problem is that not all men experience the same results from taking Viagra. Some people may need more than one dose to achieve an erection, while others might not experience any effect at all from the medication. This article will outline some of the issues that you need to consider before you start taking Viagra.
The Route Of Administration
The recommended route of administration for Viagra is oral. This means that you should take the pill in the morning with food, or immediately following sex, if you’re taking it for sexual enhancement purposes. Taking it on an empty stomach can result in decreased effectiveness. However, you should not crush, chew, or break the tablet, as this might cause choking or blockage of the digestive system.
Duration Of Effect
Like all other medications, Viagra has an effective and a longer-lasting (the latter term is commonly known as the “half-life”) stage. The medication has a relatively short half-life of 4 to 6 hours. This is the amount of time that it takes for the drug to start providing effective results. After this point, the effect gradually declines until it reaches a nadir, or minimum level, at which time you’ll need to take another dose to achieve the same level of effect.
Amount Of Drug Needed
Taking into account the half-life time of the drug, the amount needed to produce the desired effect in a patient will vary. For example, if you’re attempting to obtain an erection that lasts longer than 4 hours, you’ll need to take a higher dose than if you’re trying to achieve an erection that lasts for just 4 hours. To put this in perspective, one commonly used form of Viagra contains the same amount of active ingredient as 10 regular tablets. To get the same effect as that of one regular tablet, you’ll need to take two tablets.
Side Effects
One of the common side effects of Viagra is headache. Other side effects include upset stomach, diarrhea, and swelling of the ankles or low blood pressure. In extremely rare instances, people taking this medication have experienced heart attacks and strokes. Although these side effects are relatively rare, it’s still a significant warning that you should be aware of before you start using the drug.
Interactions
Due to its narrow therapeutic index, or margin of safety, and the presence of multiple drug interactions, taking Viagra with certain medications or supplements might not be recommended. People taking these products concurrently with Viagra should discuss potential interactions with their doctor or pharmacist. Some examples of products that might interact with Viagra include cholestyramine, niacin, and levothyroxine.
Also, if you take Viagra after eating a big meal, the effect could be decreased due to the presence of food in your stomach. To achieve the desired effect, it’s best to take it at least 2 hours after eating or drinking. If this is not possible, you might experience suboptimal results.
Dosage
The dose of a medication is the amount that you need to produce the desired effect. The dose of Viagra is typically between 50 and 100mg. Your doctor will determine the proper dose for you, depending on your age, medical history, and current medications you are taking. Too little of the medication and you might not experience any effect at all, while too much of it and you might experience undesirable side effects.
Storage
The storage of medications, particularly medications with a short half-life, is critical. This is particularly relevant for people taking them for medical reasons, as well as individuals who are frequently traveling or moving. To maintain the effectiveness of your medications, store them in a cool, dark place, out of the reach of children and pets. Furthermore, make sure that you maintain the potency of the medication by regularly re-measuring and consulting the bottle, especially if you’ve been standing next to it for a prolonged period of time.
If you are planning to travel with your medication, be sure to consult the country’s regulations concerning the importation of medical devices and medication. In some countries, like the US, you may need a prescription to bring in medications from other countries. In other countries, like Sweden, you may not need a prescription but instead need to register your medication with the customs office prior to traveling abroad. Make sure that you are aware of all regulations concerning importing and exporting medications prior to leaving the country.
Overdose
Accidental overdose of any medication is a significant concern, particularly in the case of opioids, anti-depressants, and herbal supplements. People taking these medications might experience severe side effects, including cardiac arrest, coma, and even death. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of a medication, immediately call 911 or the poison control hotline for more information.
Conversely, if you’re traveling and the drug that you’re taking is likely to become unavailable upon entry into the country, than you’ll need to make a trip back home to obtain another bottle. Just remember that travel restrictions and bottle stock availability are largely governed by the country of importation, and not the country of residence. In some instances, you might be required to register the prescription with the customs office upon arrival at the airport. You’ll also need to make sure that you declare the medication when you arrive at the counter. In the event of an overdose, the medication must be disposed of properly or you’ll need to go through severe detoxification. Depending on the drug, this could take weeks or months to complete.
In summary, the effectiveness of Viagra can be quickly and easily determined by the time that it takes for you to achieve an erection. Although this is a relatively reliable indicator of drug efficacy, it doesn’t take into account various other factors that could affect the outcome. These include: (i) the user’s physiological or psychological status (such as anxiety or stress); (ii) nutritional status (particularly regarding zinc, magnesium, and vitamin B); and (iii) drug interactions. To achieve the desired effect, it is recommended that you consult with your doctor or pharmacist to design an individualized treatment regimen that takes all of these factors into consideration.