You’ve probably heard of the popular erectile dysfunction medication, Viagra. Its sildenafil citrate molecule is shown below. If you’ve been wondering about the side effects of Viagra, you’ve come to the right place. Here, we’ll discuss the most common and bothersome side effects of Viagra, as well as how you can manage them.
Headaches
Many individuals experience mild to moderately severe headaches after taking Viagra. These can be particularly painful and, in some cases, intolerable. Although the causes of these headaches are not entirely clear, brain imaging studies have shown that they can be traced back to regions of the brain associated with vision and visual processing. Other research has suggested that the headaches are psychosomatic – arising from anxiety or stress rather than physical causes – and that their intensity is related to an individual’s emotional state. While there are no certainties in life, most doctors would agree that if you’re experiencing severe headaches that something is causing you distress. For some people, the headaches can even be debilitating, preventing them from working or engaging in daily activities. Fortunately, there are things you can do to manage or alleviate the symptoms of these awful headaches. First of all, if you’ve already tried to self-diagnose and treat the root cause of the problem (i.e., your anxiety or depression), then it might be a good idea to try an anticonvulsant or migraine medication. In some cases, this might even be combined with the prescription medication you’re already taking for erectile dysfunction. Second, there are over-the-counter drugs that can temporarily relieve the symptoms of headaches, such as Excedrin or Fioricet. Taking these pills alongside your medication might very well reduce the intensity of your headaches and even help you avoid or at least tolerate them. Third, if the headaches persist or recur, then it’s time to consult your doctor so that he can put on record what is causing them. It’s not always easy to diagnose the source of head pain, but your doctor should be able to figure it out. When you do finally find the root cause of the headache problem, you can bet that it will be well worth it.
Dizziness
Although uncommon, some people experience dizziness or a mild sense of vertigo after taking Viagra. The dizziness usually lasts for about an hour after you take the drug and then vanishes. This is similar to what happens when you stand up after sitting for a long time. The only difference is that in this case, you’re not getting a brief moment of feeling light-headed before your brain catches up with reality. If this is something that’s troubling you, then there’s no reason to worry. Simply take it easy for a while, and try not to overexert yourself. If the dizziness persists or becomes bothersome, then you should consult your doctor. It’s no secret that doctors aren’t always able to find the source of patient complaints, so it might be a good idea to have him take a look at this too.
Nausea
Some people have complained of feeling nauseous or having an upset stomach after taking Viagra. This is a fairly uncommon side effect, though, occurring in less than 1% of cases. The feeling of nausea usually lasts for about an hour and then vanishes. Again, this is similar to what happens when you stand up after sitting for a long time. In this case, the cause of the nausea is not immediately apparent, but it usually follows a specific pattern. In most cases, people who experience nausea after taking Viagra have already tried a different type of medication to treat their erectile dysfunction. Sometimes, the problem can be traced back to an over-the-counter medication that they’re already taking for another medical condition. In these cases, if the nausea is bothering them, then they might benefit from a medication adjustment or discontinuation of the OTC drug and substitution of a different one. If the nausea is still occurring or becomes bothersome, then it might be a good idea to consult your doctor so that he can put on record what is causing it. While there is no guarantee that this information will help you, it’s often the only way to find a root cause of a problem. More often than not, doctors are able to identify the source of patient complaints and help alleviate them.
Sensitivity To Light
Some people have also complained of becoming more sensitive to light after they’ve taken Viagra. Although uncommon, it’s still a side effect that people experience and it can be particularly bothersome. When exposed to light, people who have this side effect experience a sharp decrease in visual acuity, and in some cases, even blurred or double vision. The only way to reliably prevent this side effect is by avoiding exposure to light. Since this is a common side effect and can be particularly troublesome, it might be a good idea to consult your doctor so that he can adjust your medication or get you a different formulation. Another thing you can do is try using sun glasses or goggles at night. In most cases, this should not be a problem, but if it is, then it might be a good idea to try a different medication or combination of medications. The only way to find out for sure is by taking an individualized history of your medical conditions and medications. In many instances, doctors are able to identify the root cause of patients’ problems and help them find a permanent solution. In other cases, they’re able to put on record what is causing the sensitivity to light so that it can be monitored or avoided in the future.
Ringing In The Ears
Some people have complained of hearing a ringing in the ears after taking Viagra. This is an uncommon side effect that occurs in less than 1% of cases. The ringing usually lasts for about an hour and then vanishes. It’s not immediately apparent what is causing this side effect, but it usually follows a specific pattern. In most cases, people who experience ringing in the ears after taking Viagra have either already tried a different medication or are going through the process of trying one. If the ringing is still occurring or becomes bothersome, then it might be a good idea to consult your doctor so that he can put on record what is causing it. It’s not always easy to diagnose the root cause of a patient’s problem but, in most instances, doctors are able to find the source of patient complaints and help alleviate them. More often than not, they are also able to identify the source of the patients’ problems and help find a permanent solution. In many cases, individuals with this side effect experience a decrease in hearing acuity that ranges from mild to profound. In most cases, it’s fairly mild and tends to only affect high-pitched sounds such as birds chirping or lawn mowers running. In some instances, however, it can be much more serious. Individuals with this problem might have trouble understanding what others are saying or even discern high-pitched sounds at all. If you experience this effect, it’s imperative that you see your doctor as soon as possible so that he can record the cause of the problem and help find a permanent solution. This can be quite debilitating for someone who is already significantly affected by this problem, especially if it’s a progressive one.
Dry Mouth
Some people experience dry mouth after taking Viagra. This is an uncommon side effect that occurs in less than 1% of cases. People who experience dry mouth after taking Viagra usually experience an immediate improvement in the condition. In most cases, it’s a fairly mild effect and doesn’t cause much concern. It’s usually attributed to the increased blood flow to the mouth and the general stimulation of the saliva glands. In most instances, dry mouth is a temporary side effect that goes away after about an hour or so. In some cases, it can be a more serious issue and it might be worth seeing your doctor about. In most cases, doctors are able to adjust your medication or get you a different formulation so that you don’t experience this side effect. In other cases, it can be a symptom of a more serious medical condition. In these instances, if it’s still occurring or becoming bothersome, then it might be a good idea to consult your doctor so that he can put on record what is causing it. In most instances, doctors are able to identify the root cause of patients’ problems and help them find a permanent solution. In other cases, they’re able to put on record what is causing the problem so that it can be monitored or avoided in the future.