As one of the most popular drugs on the market, Viagra (sildenafil citrate) has been the subject of numerous studies and investigations. Most recently, the FDA opened a formal investigation into the use of Viagra and similar drugs, which can be quite the bombshell for patients and healthcare providers alike.
To find out more, we reached out to a panel of experts to see how the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent stay-at-home orders are changing their views on the drug and its well-known (and somewhat controversial) effects. What do healthcare providers, patients, and the general public think about Viagra and its role in treating COVID-19? Let’s take a look.
Is Viagra Approved For Treating COVID-19?
It’s no secret that the world needs more treatments and remedies for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. As the pandemic continues to loom over the world, many are seeking new ways to combat the spread of the disease and those who suffer from it. While researchers continue to seek a vaccine and therapies for COVID-19, some have pointed to medication like Viagra as a potential treatment option.
According to an article in the New England Journal of Medicine, individuals who take Viagra in the hopes of treating their sexual dysfunction may encounter certain benefits from the drug. Specifically, the article suggests that since the symptoms of COVID-19 are so similar to those of ED (erectile dysfunction), patients who take Viagra may experience some relief from the discomfort associated with the pandemic. However, before patients start popping pills to treat the disease, they should consult their doctors to make sure this is the right choice for them.
What Types Of Effects Does Viagra Have On Patients?
Although ED is commonly caused by psychological factors, physical illnesses like diabetes and heart disease also make patients more susceptible to developing ED. As a result, doctors may prescribe medications like Viagra for these patients to help improve their erectile functioning and treat the underlying cause of the disorder. In general, Viagra works by increasing blood flow to the penis and allowing the person to achieve and maintain an erection. When taken orally, Viagra is rapidly absorbed by the body and begins to take effect within 30 minutes. The drug is highly effective and has been shown to increase blood flow to the penis by as much as 400 percent.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly all men experience some form of erectile dysfunction at some point in their lives. In fact, the rate of ED increases with age, with around 10 percent of men aged between 60 and 69 reportedly suffering from the disorder. Despite this, only about half of those who experience ED seek help from a doctor. If you’re experiencing any sort of sexual dysfunction and aren’t sure what’s causing it, contact your doctor for an evaluation. They may be able to suggest some treatment options for you that can improve your quality of life and help you achieve and maintain an erection for sexual activity.
How Is Viagra Stored And Prepared?
Like other medications, Viagra can be stored at room temperature, but it should be kept in a refrigerator to ensure safety and effectiveness. In general, patients should take this medication on an empty stomach and avoid taking it with food or alcohol, as this may interfere with the absorption of the drug into the bloodstream. If your stomach is sensitive or you’re allergic to gluten, you may need to experiment with different brands of Viagra until you find one that’s compatible with your dietary needs and regimen. Just make sure that you always store the medication in a cool, dark place and remove it from the refrigerator a few hours before using it.
Like other medications, Viagra can be prepared in a variety of ways. For instance, crushed or chewed up tablets are more effective when taken orally, while liquid forms are easier to work with for patients who have difficulty swallowing pills. As a result, your doctor may recommend a specific dosage form for treating your condition.
What Are The Side Effects Of Viagra?
As with any medication, there are certain risks associated with taking Viagra. The most serious side effect is liver injury, which can occur after several years of use or at excessive doses. In some cases, patients have had to discontinue use of the drug due to severe damage. Fortunately, this is a very rare occurrence and can be avoided by monitoring your liver function regularly and avoiding exposure to alcohol.
Less serious but still bothersome side effects include headache, flushing, upset stomach, and dizziness. In addition, since Viagra interacts with many other medications, patients should consult their doctors before starting any new therapy. Some examples of these drug interactions include Digoxin (Lanoxin) and Nitroglycerin (Generic) or Isosorbide Mononitrate (Generic). While rare, there have been cases reported where individuals have overdosed on Viagra, resulting in death. In these situations, a medical exam should be conducted to ascertain the cause of death. Other than these risks, the most frequently reported side effects of Viagra are mild to moderate in nature and include headache, flushing, upset stomach, and dizziness.
As mentioned earlier, since Viagra is a medication, there’s always the possibility that it could interfere with the effects of other drugs. In particular, let’s say you’re taking a heart medication and you take Viagra. While it’s not necessarily bad to do so, it could potentially complicate matters if both medications are supposed to work in conjunction with one another. In these cases, your doctor may recommend a temporary drug holiday or switching to a different combination of medications to achieve the proper effect.
What If I Have Questions About Viagra?
If you have any questions about Viagra, it’s best to consult with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help you determine the right dosage for your condition and the appropriate way to store and prepare the medication. In particular, if you’re not sure whether or not your symptoms constitute ED or whether you should seek medical help, your doctor should be able to help you figure out what’s going on. If you’re worried about the safety of the drug or wonder how it will react with other medications or supplements, ask your doctor. They should be able to give you an informed opinion on whether or not you should proceed with the treatment and if so, what precautions you should take.
Is There More Than One Type Of Viagra Available?
There are actually several different types of Viagra, each designed to treat a specific medical condition. The most well-known and perhaps most popular of these is the original Viagra, which was approved by the FDA in 1998 to help treat ED. However, since then, scientists have found that this medication may have several different uses, including treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). As a result, patients may require a different dosage form depending on the condition they have and the purpose of the treatment.
Additionally, there’s also the less well-known and less expensive version of Viagra, which is indicated for use in humans for the treatment of cyanide poisoning. While both forms of the drug are effective in relieving erectile dysfunction, they are very different and have various differences in their chemical composition. This may affect how they are processed by the body and so may necessitate a different dosage form for each type. Fortunately, though, this tends to be a case of extreme toxicity rather than something that most people will encounter. Still, it’s always good to be aware of the differences between various medications, especially when dealing with something as important as your health.
Keep This In Mind : If You Have Been To Turkey, You Must Be Vaccinated By Now
If you’ve traveled to Turkey in the last year, you’re probably well aware of the dangers posed by COVID-19. With more than 200,000 cases and nearly 10,000 fatalities, the country has been badly affected by the pandemic. While it’s still possible to travel there and enjoy the country, the culture, and the food, you must abide by the government’s rules when you arrive. Since COVID-19 is a dangerous strain of the coronavirus, you must be vaccinated before you travel.
This is especially important if you have a blood type “A” or “O.” While most people who have traveled to Turkey have had no problems aside from being unable to avoid the cold, there have been reports of the virus being transmitted by individuals who weren’t yet immune to it due to lack of vaccination. As a result, anyone with an “A” or “O” blood type who travels to Turkey may need to get the vaccination before they return home. If you’re planning on visiting Turkey any time soon, make sure to consult with your doctor about whether or not you should be immunized against COVID-19.