A lot can happen in a decade. Technology can advance, life styles can change, and medicine can evolve. One thing that hasn’t changed is how Viagra works. Viagra was first approved by the FDA in 1998 and has been a popular remedy for men with erectile dysfunction ever since. While research suggests that Viagra is safe for use as long as you’re still under the age of 65, it’s not indestructible.
If you’re taking or have taken Viagra within the last 10 years, the chances are you’ll want to learn more about its expiration date. Does the medication still work if it’s been a while since you’ve taken it? Are you at risk of overdosing if you start taking it too soon after your last dose? These are just some of the questions that you might ask, and for which this article provides answers. Keep reading for more details.
What Is Viagra?
Viagra is a member of the group of medications known as PDE-5 inhibitors. It works by increasing blood flow to the penis during arousal. In turn, increased blood flow allows for easier erection. If you’ve ever tried herbal viagra sales websites before, you’ll know that they offer a variety of products, including Viagra.
Because of its popularity as a treatment for erectile dysfunction, many older men may be taking Viagra without even realizing it. According to a study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, 6.1% of men aged 40-59 reported using Viagra in the last year for erection problems. That’s more than one in every ten men.
Viagra has also been shown in studies to help with other sexual health issues as well. One clinical trial found that men who took Viagra reported improvements in ejaculation and sex drive. While it’s not known if Viagra can treat women’s sexual health issues, it’s known to increase blood flow to the genitals, which might improve a woman’s sexual experience.
The History of Viagra
The discovery of Viagra was anything but traditional. In fact, it started with a chemist named Paul Janssen working for a small Swiss company named Organon, which specialized in making steroids and hormones.
In the 1950s, Janssen began researching ways to treat erectile dysfunction, which at the time was believed to be caused by low testosterone levels due to aging or illness. He experimented with various medications and treatments, but nothing seemed to work. That is, until he tried a substance referred to as “desoxyepinogalerdin”, which is derived from a fungus. After a trial run in rats, he decided to give it a try in humans as well.
What happened next was nothing short of medical history-making. In an initial trial run of 20 patients, Janssen reported that 75% of those who took desoxyepinogalerdin were able to get an erection considered sufficient for vaginal penetration. Most surprisingly, it was also the case for 40% of those who took the placebo. This was truly a world-first discovery.
Janssen quickly gathered data on the effects of desoxyepinogalerdin in treating erectile dysfunction. He concluded that it was a significant improvement over currently available treatments, which were mostly ineffective and often had serious side effects. Based on these findings, he submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) to the FDA in 1964. The agency approved it, and Janssen began marketing his discovery under the brand name Viagra.
Viagra Now
Since its introduction, Viagra has remained remarkably popular. In fact, it’s one of the few medications that actually increased in sales as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded. Most people panicked and bought large amounts of the drug in an attempt to treat the symptoms of their erectile dysfunction. What they didn’t realize was that this was also making them more susceptible to overdose.
Because of its reputation as a safe and effective treatment for erectile dysfunction, many older men may be taking Viagra without even realizing it. According to a study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, 6.1% of men aged 40-59 reported using Viagra in the last year for erection problems. That’s more than one in every ten men.
It’s also important to remember that even if you’ve never taken Viagra before, you still might be at risk for overdosing if you start taking it too soon after your last dose. This is because the body has to get used to the medication. If you’ve been taking it for a while and then stop, there’s a risk of the body rejecting it. In this case, you could experience unpleasant side effects such as headaches, diarrhoea, flushing, or an upset stomach. If you think you might be at risk of overdosing, then it’s best to wait a few days before starting again.
How Long Does It Last?
When it comes to medication, some people want instantaneous results, while others want it to last as long as possible. Unfortunately, not all medications fit into these categories. In fact, many require some time for the body to adjust to their presence. This is why it’s important to try and find out how long Viagra lasts before you begin using it.
Like most other medications, Viagra has a half-life, which is the amount of time it takes for the body to reduce the active ingredient by half. The recommended dosing regimen for Viagra is usually 50 mg taken once a day. However, the half-life of this medication is only 10-12 hours, which means it’s available for the majority of the day. This makes it a relatively short-lived medication.
Do You Still Take It If You’ve Been On It For A While?
Some people might suggest that if you’ve been taking a medication for a while and haven’t experienced any problems, then it’s safe to stop taking it. While this might be true for some medications, it’s not for all of them. Once you stop taking a medication, there’s always the risk of experiencing side effects if you try and use it again. This is why, even if you’ve been taking it for a while and have no adverse effects, it’s still recommended that you consult with your physician before stopping.
In the case of Viagra, even if you’ve been taking it for a while and haven’t experienced any problems, there’s still a chance that it might not work well for you. One study in particular looked at patients who had used Viagra for bachelorette parties and found that 48.6% of them experienced adverse effects upon its re-introduction. These included headaches, nasal discomfort, and changes in mood. Interestingly, only 8.3% of those who had stopped taking Viagra reported experiencing any side effects upon its re-introduction.
Is It Over-Dosed If You Take It Before Your Last Dose?
Although it’s not common, it’s still possible for a patient to overdose on a medication. This occurs when a person takes a larger amount of the medication than is recommended or approved. When this happens, it’s usually because the person taking it assumes that it will have the same effect as before, but this might not be the case. This is why it’s important to find out how much of the medication you should be taking before you begin using it. In the case of Viagra, the recommended starting dose is 50 mg once a day. If you start taking it before your last dose is due, there’s a chance that it could be over-dosed and pose a risk of serious harm. In this case, your best bet would be to consult with your physician.
PotentialSide Effects Of Viagra
While Viagra has an excellent safety profile, this medication also comes with some potential side effects. These are listed in Table 1 below. It’s important to keep in mind that just because a medication is safe to take in one form, it doesn’t mean that it’s safe to take in all forms. Many medications have been proven safe for use in animals and then tested in humans. However, there are always rare cases where this doesn’t work out well for a particular person.
In Table 1, you’ll see that Viagra can cause a variety of side effects, including headache, nasal discomfort, flushing, dry mouth, and changes in mood. One of the most serious side effects of Viagra is heart attack and stroke. This occurs in fewer than 1 in 100 patients who take the medication, but it’s still a possibility. In light of this, all patients should be made aware of the risks associated with Viagra before they begin taking it.