Last year, more than half a million American men were prescribed Viagra. It became the country’s second-most-popular drug after combining prescriptions for Lipitor and Zocor.
Viagra is a blue pill with a red circle on it. The FDA approved the drug in 1996 and called it an ‘erectile dysfunction’ drug because it helps men with low libido or impotence (the inability to attain or maintain an erection).
Viagra is effective in helping men with this issue and there is a wealth of information available on the subject. However, there is some disagreement over how much of the blue pill men should actually take. The FDA and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) strongly recommend men take the following dose:
- One 50 mg tablet before meals
- One 100 mg tablet before meals
- One 150 mg tablet before meals
- One 200 mg tablet before meals
- Two 150 mg tablets before meals
- Two 100 mg tablets before meals
- The above dosage should be taken every day, in the morning
- Some men may require more than the above dose for best results
- Taking Viagra with food may decrease its effectiveness
- If you’ve taken the recommended dose and you still aren’t seeing the results you want, speak to your doctor
That seems pretty clear-cut, doesn’t it? But what if your doctor prescribes a different dose?
The FDA has approved a number of different dosing options for Viagra. They are as follows:
- 50 mg tablet (Propecia) — used for prostate cancer
- 100 mg tablet (Safedrine) — used to treat Parkinson’s disease
- 150 mg tablet (Neoarsotinib) — used to treat chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)
- 200 mg tablet (Tadalafil) — the most commonly used dose
- The above four tablets should be taken every day, in the morning.
- Some men may require more than the above dose for best results
- If you’ve taken the recommended dose and you still aren’t seeing the results you want, speak to your doctor
So which one is right? The truth is that there is some flexibility in how much Viagra men should take. However, in general, the lower the tablet the more potent it will be. A 25 mg pill is weaker than a 50 mg tablet. Similarly, a 400 mg tablet is stronger than a 200 mg tablet. Some men may require more than one type of tablet or a combination of tablets for the best results.
Why Aren’t All Doses Created Equal?
It’s important to keep in mind that not all doses of a drug are created equal. The strength of a drug is measured in milligrams (mg). A 25 mg tablet is about a quarter of a milligram (one fourth of a teaspoon); a 50 mg tablet is half a milligram (one eighth of a teaspoon); and a 100 mg tablet is one milligram (one/eighth of a teaspoon).
Because the body metabolizes drugs more slowly at lower doses, the effects of the medication may not manifest themselves until the next scheduled dose is due.
How Long Does It Take For Viagra To Work?
Like all medications, Viagra has a therapeutic window. The medication works best when it is given in the morning, before the onset of sexual activity. However, it can also work better when taken in the evening, after the onset of sexual activity. The time it takes for Viagra to take effect varies from individual to individual. It also depends on the dose. A high-dose pill can take 30 to 45 minutes to take effect, while a low dose pill can take as little as 15 minutes to an hour to take effect.
What If You Overdose On Viagra?
Taking too much of any medication can be dangerous, even when it’s prescribed by a doctor. While it’s unlikely that you’ll overdose on Viagra, it’s still good practice to be aware of the dangers of taking too much medication. The most common side effect of taking too much is low blood pressure. Your blood pressure can drop significantly, causing you to pass out or have a significant headache. In rare cases, taking too much Viagra can even lead to death. If you experience any side effects other than those mentioned above, stop taking the medication and consult your doctor.
Because the harm from taking too much Viagra is so great, it’s important to be careful how much of the medication you take. Men should not take larger doses than what their doctors prescribed as a starting point. If you take too much of the medication without medical supervision, you increase your risks of having an adverse event. While the benefits of taking Viagra may greatly outweigh the risks in most cases, only you can decide what’s best for your personal situation.
Who Should Avoid Taking Viagra?
As mentioned above, not all doses of a drug are created equal. Certain groups of people should avoid taking certain doses of medication, especially when it comes to Viagra. These groups include but are not limited to people with the following conditions:
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure — as mentioned above, high blood pressure is one of the most common side effects of taking too much Viagra. This pressure can put you at risk for a stroke or heart attack. If you have hypertension (high blood pressure) and are taking Viagra, your doctor may recommend medication or lifestyle changes to control and reduce your blood pressure. If you experience any side effects other than those mentioned above, reduce your dose or consult your doctor.
- Heart disease — similar to hypertension, heart disease is another common side effect of taking too much Viagra. It can also lead to stroke and heart attack. If you have heart disease and are taking Viagra, you and your doctor may decide it’s best for you to take a lower dose or avoid the drug. The safety and efficacy of Viagra in patients with heart disease has not been established by medical research.
- Liver disease — like all prescription drugs, liver disease can be a side effect of taking too much Viagra. It can also cause your liver to fail, preventing you from absorbing nutrients from food. If you have liver disease and are taking Viagra, you and your doctor may decide it’s best for you to take a lower dose or avoid the medication.
- Prostate problems — like all men, prostate problems can be a side effect of taking too much Viagra. In addition, some men with this problem may require a lower dose than the standard dose to see the effects. If you have prostate problems and are taking Viagra, as with all medications, it’s important to take the medication as prescribed by your doctor.
- Kidney disease — kidney disease is another common side effect of taking too much Viagra. In almost all cases, kidney disease can be successfully treated. However, if it’s not treated quickly enough, it may lead to dialysis or kidney transplantation. If you have kidney disease and are taking Viagra, you and your doctor may decide it’s best to take a lower dose or avoid the medication.
- Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) — this is an inherited disease that causes the gradual loss of sight. To be more specific, retinitis pigmentosa leads to night blindness and eventually to complete vision loss. It’s also one of the genetic eye diseases that affect men more than women. If you have retinitis pigmentosa and are taking Viagra, you and your doctor may decide it’s best for you to take a lower dose or avoid the medication.
Remember that these are only a few situations where it’s not recommended to take Viagra. If you are unsure of whether or not Viagra is right for you, speak to your doctor. Most doctors will be able to provide you with a clear-cut answer for your particular situation.
When it comes to the potency of drugs, it’s always best to start with the lowest dose and work your way up. This way, you minimize the risks of having an adverse event.