For decades, Viagra has been the gold standard for treating sexual dysfunction in men. The drug is so popular that it’s been used to treat everything from low libido to erectile dysfunction—and even some women are using it for that certain something that sets them apart from others.
While the original blue pill has been around for more than half a century, it’s only been recently that the drug has taken over the mainstream market. It all started with the 2014 blockbuster film, Whiplash, which was based on the true story of a man known as Dick Dale, who used Viagra as part of his unconventional approach to drumming.
The film helped popularize the drug beyond just the traditional male patient audience, and today, Viagra is used to treat everything from shyness to lack of assertiveness. For those who want to try it, here’s everything you need to know about Viagra, including its indications, dosages, side effects, and more.
What Is Viagra?
Viagra is the brand name of sildenafil citrate, which is a drug that interferes with the action of nitric oxide on blood vessels. When nitric oxide is present in sufficient amounts, it causes blood vessels to dilate, increasing blood flow to the penis and resulting in an erection. If you’re not familiar, the generic form of Viagra is sildenafil, which is also a PDE-5 inhibitor. So, while both drugs are used to treat erectile dysfunction, they operate via different mechanisms of action.
When Did Viagra Become Mainstream?
It’s only been in the last few years that the drug has really taken off in the mainstream market. The first indication to appear on the market was Viagra Super Active, a generic form of the drug that was approved for patients with erectile dysfunction in 2011. Since then, several more forms of Viagra have been approved, and the drug continues to gain popularity every year. In 2019, sales topped $11 billion worldwide, and that’s only for the drug’s approved uses.
What Is the Difference Between Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra?
As we mentioned before, while Viagra is a common name for sildenafil citrate, it is not the only drug of its kind. In fact, there are several other PDE-5 inhibitors available on the market, and each of them works differently than Viagra in terms of effectiveness and side effect profile. Here’s a quick breakdown of the differences.
- Viagra: Probably the most well-known of the PDE-5 inhibitors. Its original form is known as the ‘blue pill’, and it’s been around since the 1960s. It’s been proven effective in both mild and moderate erectile dysfunction, commonly known as the condition where the patient can get an erection without really knowing what’s happening or being able to perform sexually. The most common side effects associated with Viagra are headache, back pain, and flushing.
- Cialis: This drug was originally approved in 2002 and is marketed as an oral medication for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in men. It’s been proven effective in treating men with mild to moderate ED, similarly to Viagra. However, unlike its partner drug, Viagra, Cialis has not been proven to work in treating severe erectile dysfunction. The most common side effects associated with Cialis are diarrhea, headache, and nausea.
- Levitra: This drug was originally approved in 1996 and is the generic version of Viagra. It works in a similar fashion to its famous cousin, preventing the effective function of nitric oxide in blood vessels. Some studies have shown that it may be more effective than Viagra in treating moderate to severe erectile dysfunction. Its most common side effects are headache, flushing, and stuffy nose.
How Do I Take Viagra?
Like other PDE-5 inhibitors, Viagra is available as both a capsule and a liquid. If you’re at home, you can take it with a glass of water either before or after eating a meal. If you’re away from home, you can take it with a meal or even a snack if you want to get the maximum effect before having sex. It takes about half an hour for the medication to start working, so you’ll want to get out there and get busy! The drug’s effectiveness usually decreases after about 60 minutes, and if you want to get the most out of it before the effects wear off, you should have sex as soon as the medication takes effect. Taking it with food may help increase its efficacy.
Is There Any Food Or Beverage That I Should Avoid While On Viagra?
While you want to avoid strenuous activity while on Viagra, you should not be eating or drinking anything at all, especially alcohol. According to a study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, consuming alcohol while taking Viagra can increase your risk of heart attack and blood pressure elevation. It is always best to avoid consuming alcohol while taking any type of medication, especially one intended to treat a sexual dysfunction.
What Forms Does Viagra Come In?
Unlike many other medications, Viagra does not have any notable side effects or contraindications when taken as prescribed by your doctor. The only form in which it is available is in a tablet, but it is also available in the form of a syrup for children. It is important to keep in mind that the effectiveness of Viagra depends on how it is taken, and it is always better to follow the instructions of your physician.
Are There Any Side Effects Associated With Viagra?
In general, the side effects of Viagra are mild and transient. They include headache, flushing, heartburn, and stuffy nose. In some very rare instances, patients have reported severe cases of bleeding and bruising. However, since these are extremely rare occurrences, your doctor should be aware of this risk and should monitor you for any signs of these side effects.
Some men have also reported a form of priapism, in which the flow of blood into the penis continues for an extended period of time, despite the fact that they are not trying to have an erection. Although this is a very rare side effect, it is still a risk that you need to talk about with your physician before starting treatment with sex drugs. There is also a theoretical risk that taking Viagra will make you more susceptible to infection, since it promotes blood flow into areas of the body that are already prone to infections.
In general, the side effects of Viagra are mild and transient. They include headache, flushing, heartburn, and stuffy nose. In some very rare instances, patients have reported severe cases of bleeding and bruising. However, since these are extremely rare occurrences, your doctor should be aware of this risk and should monitor you for any signs of these side effects.
Some men have also reported a form of priapism, in which the flow of blood into the penis continues for an extended period of time, despite the fact that they are not trying to have an erection. Although this is a very rare side effect, it is still a risk that you need to talk about with your physician before starting treatment with sex drugs. There is also a theoretical risk that taking Viagra will make you more susceptible to infection, since it promotes blood flow into areas of the body that are already prone to infections.