Some people take a long time to recover from the injuries they sustain in a serious car accident. Thankfully, in today’s world, there are many life-saving medical procedures and medications which can help them get back on their feet quickly. Similarly, many individuals are finding benefits from using the erectile dysfunction drug known as Viagra.
Viagra’s active ingredient, sildenafil, is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor which increases the blood flow to certain parts of the body, particularly those in which sexual stimulation is needed. This medication is commonly prescribed for men who have low blood pressure (hypotension) during sexual stimulation or exercise, as well as for others who struggle with erectile dysfunction (ED). While the medication is highly effective in treating erectile dysfunction, it is also used to treat certain other conditions. These include pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and heart failure. Viagra is also available as a generic drug. In the United States, the wholesale cost of a one-month supply of generic Viagra is about $12.
The Role of Viagra in Treating Erectile Dysfunction
If you’re reading this, I assume you’ve probably already heard of Viagra. The erectile dysfunction drug is arguably one of the most famous drugs on the planet, if not the most famous. It was first approved for sale in the United States back in 1998 and, since then, it’s never been out of print. As a result, it has become a popular choice for men and women who want to try something new to help with their love life.
Viagra is extremely effective in treating erectile dysfunction. In fact, it’s the gold standard among medications for the treatment of ED (although it doesn’t always feel that way). When taken as prescribed, Viagra allows men with erectile dysfunction to achieve and maintain an erection which is sufficient for vaginal penetration. It can also help men with premature ejaculation. In either case, you’ll need to make sure that you’re taking the right dose for the right person.
How Does Viagra Work?
Like many medications, the effectiveness of Viagra is dependent on the body’s response to it. To begin with, sildenafil is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor which inhibits the action of enzymes called phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5). These enzymes break down cyclic guanosine monophosphate, which is an important ingredient in the chemical messengers (or neurotransmitters) that communicate between the brain and the rest of the body. When these enzymes are blocked, less of the neurotransmitters are broken down and more are available to transmit signals to the body’s cells.
The result is increased blood flow to the penile tissue and an improvement in the ability of the penis to engorge with blood, become erect, and maintain an erection for a sufficient amount of time. In other words, Viagra helps to increase the blood flow to penile tissues which is necessary for achieving and maintaining an erection.
The Risks of Using Viagra
Unfortunately, even though Viagra has helped countless individuals overcome erectile dysfunction, it’s also come with some risks. In some cases, men taking this medication have developed scrotal swelling and, in rare instances, this swelling has led to rupture of the testicle. Other side effects include headache, flushing, dizziness, stuffy nose, and diarrhea.
In addition to these risks, men taking Viagra are also at an increased risk of developing pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs). This is mainly due to the fact that sildenafil passes into the blood and breaks down into metabolites which are chemically similar to estrogen. This similarity makes it vulnerable to enzymatic degradation by cytochrome p450, an enzyme which plays a key role in breaking down estrogen. As a result, men taking Viagra are more likely to develop blood clots in the legs, which can lead to deep vein thrombosis. Deep vein thrombosis can put you at risk of pulmonary embolism.
This last point is worth emphasizing. If you’re going to be taking a medication which has the potential to alter the way you experience venous gas, it’s important to discuss these risks with your doctor. They can help you determine the right medication for you based on your particular situation.
When Should You Not Take Viagra?
Unfortunately, there are situations when it’s best to avoid taking Viagra. If you’re already taking medication for hypertension or heart disease, you should not take this medication without speaking to your doctor first. The same goes for individuals who are taking nitrates or other medications which cause an accumulation of fluid in the body. In these cases, Viagra can further increase the amount of fluid and cause additional damage.
In addition to these situations, if you’re taking certain other medications, you should not take Viagra without speaking to your doctor first. This is because some medications amplify the effects of other medications or augment their activity. For example, Viagra is a PDE5 inhibitor and sildenafil augmenting effects on other medications, such as nitrates, which cause vasodilation, have not been fully studied yet. However, theoretically, these medications may cause serious health complications which outweigh the benefits offered by the otherwise highly effective drug.
Fortunately, in most cases, the risks associated with taking Viagra are considerably less than the risks associated with untreated erectile dysfunction. In other words, the benefits of treating ED with this medication greatly outweigh its risks. For this reason, Viagra is considered to be a first-line treatment for a number of conditions.
Are There Alternatives To Viagra?
While there are certainly many medications which can be used to treat erectile dysfunction, not all of them are created equal. Some individuals may require different doses or may feel that one medication works better than another. As a result, it’s important to try as many different options as possible until you find the medication which works best for you.
In addition to trying different medications, there are also non-medicinal treatments which can be used to treat erectile dysfunction. These treatments include penile traction, vacuum pumps, and injections. While these treatments can be effective, they’re most often used as a last resort when other medications have failed to do the trick. As a result, they may not be the right choice for everyone.
Viagra Dosage
Like most medications, the effectiveness of Viagra is patient dependent. This means that the dosage which works best for one person may not work at all for another. When prescribing this medication, your doctor will need to determine the right dose for you based on your medical history and current medications. Generally, doctors recommend starting with a low dosage and slowly increasing it until you find the right level for you.
When Will You Experience Major Benefits From Using Viagra?
While the drug is highly effective in treating erectile dysfunction, as noted above, it doesn’t always feel that way. Some men have experienced notable benefits within the first hour of taking Viagra, while others have had to wait several hours or even a day or two before feeling its effects. This is all dependent on the individual and their physiology. Some people need a little bit more time to feel the benefits of the drug, while others may need to try a different dosage or regimen. Your doctor can help you find the right treatment for you based on your personal situation.
Pricing And Availability
Since Viagra is such a popular medication, it’s hardly surprising that its price can vary from a couple hundred to a couple thousand dollars per month. Given this cost, it’s important to speak to your doctor about whether or not you’re a candidate for a coupon code or if you should expect to pay full price for the medication. Some insurance companies will cover the cost of this medication, provided you’re classified as having a chronic condition, but, as always, you’ll need to check with your insurance company to see if they have a policy on this particular medication.