Viagra, also known as sildenafil citrate, is a drug that has changed the way people think about sexual dysfunction and the way their bodies work together. It is a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor. This means that it inhibits an enzyme that breaks down a chemical called cGMP, which helps keep blood vessels relaxed and open, allowing more blood to flow into the penis during erection.
While it was originally created to help men with erectile dysfunction, it has been found that this drug can also be effective in treating premature ejaculation, low libido, and performance anxiety. It is important to note that every man and woman is different and may experience this drug differently. Therefore, it is crucial to try out various dosage forms and methods of administration before finding what works best for you.
The History Of Viagra
Viagra was developed in the early 90s by a team of scientists at Pfizer. Because of its unique mechanism of action, this medication has been approved and prescribed by your doctor only after exhausting other ED therapies.
In 1992, the FDA approved Viagra to treat erectile dysfunction in men. It was originally approved as sildenafil citrate and was called the “penis pill.” Later that year, the name “Viagra” was chosen to replace “sildenafil citrate” and is now the most commonly used name for the medication.
In 1998, the FDA approved a second drug, called Revatio, which is similar to Viagra in its mechanism of action. However, Revatio is actually a combination of vardenafil and acetaminophen and has a different inactive ingredient. This medication has been approved for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension. In the following year, the FDA approved a third drug, Levitra, which is a combination of sildenafil and vardenafil. This medication is used to treat erectile dysfunction and is now the biggest competition to Viagra.
How Does It Work?
When a man becomes sexually aroused, a chemical signal is sent from his brain to his genitals, causing them to constrict and become hard. This biological process is regulated by a hormone called nitric oxide (NO), which is secreted by nerve endings located in the penis. When released, NO helps trigger and maintain an erection.
Nitric oxide synthase is an enzyme that helps produce NO. When phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors, like Viagra, are given orally or taken directly into the bloodstream, they increase the production of NO and eventually cause the blood vessels in the penis to relax and open, resulting in an erection.
PDE5 inhibitors also increase the production of cGMP, which is a compound that helps maintain healthy blood vessels. In addition to helping men with erectile dysfunction, Viagra has been found to help women with sexual dysfunction and low libido. Some studies have shown that it can also increase a woman’s sexual attractiveness.
While we’re still not entirely sure why Viagra works the way it does, there’s a good chance that it interacts with at least some of the hormones, receptors, or organs that regulate sexual function. What is clear is that it helps alleviate many of the problems associated with ED, including performance anxiety, low libido, and ejaculation problems. (2)
Is It Safe?
The primary side effect of Viagra is upset stomach. This is because the medication interacts with a substance in the stomach and intestines called esterase, which breaks down and inactivates the drug. Therefore, it is not recommended to take this medication if you’ve had an adverse reaction to or are allergic to acetaminophen or aspirin. (3)
Taking nitric oxide (NO) supplements or engaging in sexual activities while on this medication can also cause a serious allergic reaction. If you experience such a reaction, stop taking the medication and contact your doctor immediately.
In 2001, a study was published in the New England Journal Of Medicine investigating the side effects of Viagra. This study was designed to assess the safety of Viagra when taken by men with diabetes. (4) The results of this study showed that there were no significant differences between patients who took Viagra and those who took a placebo in terms of the rate of hypertension, heart attack, or stroke. However, those who took Viagra had a higher rate of leg cramps and headache, which were not observed in the placebo group. (5)
How To Take Viagra
While some people may experience benefits with the intake of Viagra immediately, others may require a bit of time to respond to the drug. The most common way of administering this medication is orally, either as a pill or a liquid. If you’re taking it as a pill, it is recommended to take it at least 30 minutes before performing sexual activities to ensure that it has had enough time to fully enter your bloodstream.
It’s also important to drink plenty of water while on this medication, as it can cause you to lose fluid, which may in turn cause you to become dehydrated. Not drinking enough water can also lead to more serious problems, including liver damage. If you think that you may have drank too much alcohol the night before your drug test, you should know that alcohol can cause your body to expel sodium and water, leading to more severe dehydration than usual. Make sure to drink plenty of fluids to avoid any complications from this medication.
In some cases, an IV drip can help delivery and increase the effectiveness of medication. However, this method is not always ideal, as it can cause nausea, dizziness, and in rare instances, even death. (6)
Dosage And Administration
While the optimal dose of Viagra is still debatable, it is generally agreed that starting at 100 mg once daily and increasing the dose by 100 mg every two weeks, as tolerated, can be effective. Some doctors suggest that men should not take more than a maximum of three tablets per day, as excessive doses can cause potentially serious side effects. (7)
Once you’ve found the right dosage for you, it’s important to keep taking it consistently. Frequent or missed doses may hinder the drug’s effects and result in either no improvement or serious complications. If you experience the latter, discontinue use and contact your doctor immediately.
When To Expect Results?
The effects of Viagra usually take a few days to become fully apparent. In some cases, it may take a week or longer for the full benefits of the drug to be experienced. If you’re taking this medication for erectile dysfunction, you should expect to see improvements in as little as a few days, though it may take a bit longer for the drug to fully take effect. (8)
In general, the best time to take this medication is 30 minutes to one hour before sexual activity or around the time of day when it’s naturally released into your blood. However, in some cases, it may be necessary to take the medication at other times of the day, depending on your individual needs.
The effects of Viagra are also dependent on the severity of your erectile dysfunction. Typically, the drug works better in cases of mild dysfunction, though it may take more time for full benefits to be experienced. In cases of moderate dysfunction, the effects of the drug are usually immediate, though a slow response is not uncommon. In cases of severe dysfunction, the effects of Viagra are often immediate and extremely potent, though some people may require a few days to fully respond to the medication. (9)
Possible Side Effects
Infection: Like all other medications, there is a chance that you could develop a bacterial or viral infection due to careless exposure. However, there is no sufficient evidence to suggest that this is a frequent occurrence with Viagra.
Nausea: This is the most common side effect of the drug. In some cases, it may be so severe that it prevents the patient from taking the medication. As mentioned before, a common side effect is upset stomach. In some rare cases, people have reported severe nausea and vomiting, leading to dehydration and even death. So make sure that you take the drug at your doctor’s suggestion and not in an attempt to self-diagnose or treat yourself with home remedies.
Headache: Like other prescription medications, there is a small chance that you could develop a headache due to excessive use. However, there is no sufficient evidence to suggest that this is a frequent occurrence with Viagra.
Allergic reaction: Some people have reported allergic reactions, including rashes and hives, after being administered Viagra. If you develop such a reaction, discontinue use and contact your doctor immediately.