Before taking Viagra, it is imperative that your doctor advises you of the right dosage for you, based on your medical history and weight. The drug is not approved for use by women, nor is it intended to be. However, based on the need to treat emergent conditions like pulmonary hypertension and heart disease, as well as the fear of undermedication in some cases, physicians may choose to prescribe it for females in extreme circumstances.
The Basics
Like many other drugs, Viagra comes in different forms with varying dosages. The most popular brand of the drug is Viagra, which is a Sildenafil citrate manufactured by Pfizer. Sildenafil citrate is the active ingredient in the drug, and it works by relaxing the muscles in the blood vessels, increasing blood flow throughout the body. The dosage for Sildenafil citrate ranges from 50 mg to 100 mg, and it is usually taken orally once or twice daily with food. The maximum recommended dose is 100 mg, taken once or twice daily with food. While you are on this dosage, you should not take any other medication that contains nitrates, as this may cause dangerous interactions.
When Is the Right Time to Take Viagra?
Like other medication, the effects of Viagra are not immediate, so it is usually necessary to give it some time to work before you feel its effects. In most cases, the drug is effective within 30 minutes to 1 hour after intake, and the effects last for up to 4 hours. Taking the medication earlier than 30 minutes after your meal may result in adverse drug interactions due to delayed gastric emptying. If you are planning on taking the drug for the first time, it is advisable to take it at night to allow sufficient time for absorption.
When Is the Right Time to Stop Taking Viagra?
If you have taken Viagra for some time and have shown no signs of improvement, it may be a good idea to stop taking the medication before you experience any negative side effects. This is especially important if you plan on becoming pregnant or are already pregnant. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue the medication when you reach your menstrual cycle phase, as it is known that some medications can cause harmful effects to develop during this time. Discuss this with your gynecologist or OB-GYN before you stop taking the medication.
If you want to try again, your doctor may advise you to wait until your body has healed before you begin trying to conceive again. During this time, he can test for your sperm count and give you appropriate advice on how to improve it.
Under what Circumstances Should You Not Take Viagra?
If you are taking any medication, it is important to note that there are some medications that you should not take while on Viagra. The most important of these is anything that contains ritonavir, which is an antiretroviral medication used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Ritonavir inhibits the metabolism of a number of medications, including Sildenafil citrate, resulting in significant and dangerous interactions when taken together. One of the side effects of taking ritonavir is the potential to cause an elevated blood pressure, which in some cases can be severe and even lead to heart attacks and strokes. While you are on this medication, you should not take any other medication, including Viagra. This is because the interaction between the two medications is unknown and potentially dangerous.
Dosage Recommendations Based on Medical History and Weight
Taking Viagra without proper consideration of one’s medical history and the recommended dosage can result in a variety of adverse side effects. If you are uncertain about whether or not you should take the medication, it may be a good idea to consult with your doctor. After reviewing your medical history and performing a physical examination, your doctor may be able to provide you with an accurate assessment as to whether or not you should take Viagra. Some examples of these assessments include the following:
- Blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Diabetes
- Retinopathy (slight to moderate)
- Elevated cholesterol
- Dizziness
- Sexual dysfunction
- Hepatitis
- Prostatitis
- Anemia
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- Osteoporosis
If you belong to a group of people at a high risk for heart disease or another condition mentioned above, your doctor may advise you to take a higher dosage of Sildenafil citrate than the standard recommended dose of 50 mg to 100 mg. In some cases, your doctor may advise you to take the medication for the first month or two of treatment before gradually lowering the dosage.