Viagra and other ED drugs are available to those over the age of 18, but what are the requirements for getting a prescription? Your age, sex, and medical history will determine what medications you can and cannot take. Keep reading for more information from the FDA.
When Can You Get a Viagra Prescription?
The FDA defines an erectile dysfunction (ED) diagnosis as two or more of the following conditions:
- Inability to maintain an erection
- Inability to achieve an erection
- Inability to achieve an adequate erection for the desired sexual act
- Inability to ejaculate
- Premature ejaculation
- Frequent and spontaneous ejaculation
- Severity of dysfunction
- History of dysfunction
If you’ve met these criteria, you’re going to want to try and find a solution for your erection problems as soon as possible. While there are no set age requirements for getting a Viagra prescription, the sooner you start treatment, the more effective it is likely to be. There’s also no reason to be afraid to ask your doctor about Viagra – as long as you’re not breaking any major prescriptions rules, he or she should have no objections to writing you a prescription. In fact, Viagra is a relatively safe drug and well-tolerated by most, so it’s often a first choice for those with mild to moderate ED.
What Are the Risks Associated with Viagra?
There are a few potential risks associated with Viagra that you should be aware of, however. First, the active ingredient in Viagra, sildenafil, can cause low blood pressure and dizziness in some people. If you experience these symptoms, you should not take the drug. Second, since the cardiovascular effects of sildenafil are unknown in people with healthy hearts, it is not recommended for use in those with medical conditions, such as coronary artery disease. Third, in some people, taking Viagra with alcohol can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure. If you’re going to drink alcohol while on this medication, you should avoid doing so.
How Long Does It Take For Viagra to Work?
The effects of sildenafil are not immediate, which can make it difficult to know how effective your prescription is going to be until several hours after taking it. Some men have reported a delay of up to six hours before they notice any improvement. If you’re not seeing results after three or four hours, it’s probably time to try another ED drug or combination therapy. In some instances, this lack of effectiveness can be due to food, as taking it on an empty stomach can make it more effective. You should also consult with your doctor about how to take the drug in order to achieve the desired results.
Is It Easy to Get Viagra Without a Prescription?
In most cases, it is not recommended that you try and obtain Viagra without a prescription from your doctor. If you do so anyway, it could be dangerous, as you may not know how strong or stable your blood pressure is going to be once you have this medication. However, in cases where a prescription is not available or if you want to try a drug that your doctor has not prescribed for you, there are alternatives. One option is to consult with a pharmacist who can help you find a possible alternative that is not a controlled substance or prescription drug. If you want, he or she can also help you find the correct dosage for you based on your medical history.
Do You Need To Taking Viagra Regularly To Have Effective Results?
It is important to remember that just because you have ED does not mean that you have to take pills every day in order to get the desired results. In most cases, you will want to take this drug once or twice a day, either with a meal or at night before going to bed. Too many tablets can cause low blood pressure and other dangerous side effects, so try to space out your doses as much as possible.
When Should You Stop Taking Viagra?
Once you have taken it for several weeks and your doctor has verified that you’re not experiencing any negative effects, you can begin to taper off of the drug. In most cases, you will want to consult with your doctor about how to do this, since you may not be able to stop taking it abruptly. In some instances, this could lead to harm to your health, so it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to these types of medications.
ED drugs can be a valuable part of your treatment arsenal, but only if used properly. Ensure that you consult with your doctor about which treatments are best for you, and remember: just because a drug is effective in treating one condition does not mean that it will work for every other condition. Furthermore, research and trials are always a good idea, as they can help you find the most effective treatment for your personal set of circumstances, as well as save you from possible side effects that you might not be aware of.