So you’re planning to take Viagra to treat your erectile dysfunction (ED)?
Great! But before you pop that pill, you should know the risks. Viagra can cause adverse effects, some of which are serious. If you experience any of these, stop taking Viagra and contact your doctor immediately:
Headaches
If you experience headaches while on Viagra, they can be a sign of a serious side effect. Discuss this with your doctor and make sure you’re not experiencing any severe headaches. Your doctor may prescribe you a medication to prevent or treat these headaches. If you continue to experience headaches after starting Viagra, stop taking it and contact your doctor.
Dizziness
Dizziness is another common (and possibly serious) side effect of Viagra. If you experience this, then stop taking it and contact your doctor. Your doctor may be able to prescribe you a medication to prevent or treat this side effect. If this persists, then it may be time to consider alternative treatments for your ED.
Nasal Congestion
In some cases, individuals taking Viagra may experience nasal congestion. If you experience this, then stop taking it and contact your doctor. Your doctor may be able to prescribe you a medication to prevent or treat this side effect. It’s not known if this nasal congestion is caused by Viagra or if it’s an adverse effect that somehow manifests itself as congestion due to a different, but related, condition.
Back Pain
Viagra can cause or exacerbate back pain in some people. It’s not known if this is due to the drug or if it’s a condition that’s more prevalent in some individuals. If you experience back pain while on Viagra, discuss this with your doctor. Your doctor may be able to prescribe you a medication to prevent or treat this side effect. If you continue to experience back pain after starting Viagra, then it may be time to consider alternative treatments for your ED.
Anxiety
Some individuals taking Viagra have experienced increased anxiety. If you experience this, then stop taking it and contact your doctor. You may be able to get a prescription for a benzodiazepine (such as Xanax or Valium) to help you relax. If this persists, then it may be time to consider alternative treatments for your ED.
Sleeping Problems
In some cases, people taking Viagra may experience sleeping problems. If you experience this, then stop taking it and contact your doctor. You may be able to get a prescription for a sleeping pill to help you get better sleep. If this persists, then it may be time to consider alternative treatments for your ED.
Heart Palpitations
In some cases, people taking Viagra may experience heart palpitations (rapid, erratic heartbeats). If you experience this, then stop taking it and contact your doctor. You may be able to get a prescription for a beta blocker (such as propranolol) to help manage these heartbeats. If this persists, then it may be time to consider alternative treatments for your ED.
Shortness of Breath
Some individuals taking Viagra may experience shortness of breath. If you experience this, then stop taking it and contact your doctor. You may be able to get a prescription for an anticoagulant (such as warfarin) to help prevent blood clots. If this persists, then it may be time to consider alternative treatments for your ED.
Severe Rhinitis
In severe cases, people taking Viagra may experience severe rhinitis (inflammation of the nose and rhinopharyngitis). This can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. If you experience this, then stop taking it and contact your doctor. You may require a breathing tube to help you breathe. Some people have even died from severe rhinitis while taking Viagra.
Blurred Vision
In some cases, people taking Viagra may experience blurred vision. If you experience this, then stop taking it and contact your doctor. You may be able to get a prescription for steroids to help improve your vision. If this persists, then it may be time to consider alternative treatments for your ED.
Rhinitis Medicamentosa
In some cases, people taking Viagra may experience rhinitis medicamentosa (seasonal rhinitis). This is an extreme form of rhinitis and causes headaches, sneezing, and a runny nose. It’s caused by overuse of nasal decongestants and/or fluids during winter months. If you experience this, then stop taking it and contact your doctor. You may be able to get a prescription for an antihistamine to help relieve your symptoms.
As you can see, there are some pretty serious side effects associated with Viagra. But don’t worry, these side effects are extremely rare. Nonetheless, if you’re planning on taking this medication, then be careful and know the risks. Hopefully, these tips on how to prevent adverse effects of Viagra will help you have a safer and more enjoyable experience. Even if you follow them all, some of these side effects may still occur. But at least you’ll know what they are and what to do if they do.
Some individuals taking Viagra have experienced increased anxiety. If you experience this side effect, then stop taking Viagra and contact your doctor. You may be able to get a prescription for a benzodiazepine to help you relax. If this persists, then it may be time to consider alternative treatments for your ED.
Most people taking Viagra will not experience any serious side effects. Nonetheless, it’s still important to be aware of the risks before you pop that pill. Hopefully, these tips on how to prevent adverse effects of Viagra will help you have a safer and more enjoyable experience. Even if you follow them all, some of these side effects may still occur. But at least you’ll know what they are and what to do if they do.