Many men have found great relief from ED, or erectile dysfunction, with the help of Viagra. But what happens when your doctor prescribes you something for a different condition? You may end up in a bit of a pickle and not even know it.
Taking Viagra For A Different Condition
Say you’ve been having some discomfort in your chest. You finally see a doctor and are given a diagnosis of asthma. Your medical history snags a few weed pipes and you decide to explain the situation. Your doctor knows a little bit about weed pipes and tells you to stop using them or take them out of the country. You’re like, “Wait, what? I’m not planning to abuse my medication!”
Viagra could very well be the answer to your prayers. But you have to follow the right protocol when taking it. You cannot simply pop a pill and expect to get better. Even worse, you may experience unexpected side effects that are not listed on the label. This article will talk you through the right way to use Viagra and what you should know about its side effects.
How To Take Viagra
Your doctor may prescribe you Viagra for the following conditions:
- erectile dysfunction
- poor blood circulation
- cardiac problems
- stress
- depression
- menopause
- and more
In order to take advantage of its medicinal properties, you have to follow a specific dosing protocol. When you are not sure about how to take your medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Usually, you will be given a dose recommendation based on your weight and medical history. Most doctors will not prescribe you more than one tablet a day and sometimes not even that. For instance, some people might find it more effective when taken half an hour before a meal.
Viagra Dosage
The recommended dose for Viagra is one tablet orally, or as directed by your doctor. The usual dose is between 50 mg and 100 mg, depending on the condition for which your doctor prescribed it. Many people feel that a 100 mg dose is more effective than a 50 mg dose. However, studies have not confirmed this. It’s all about finding the right dosage for you based on your individual needs. Some people report being more effective when taking lower doses, while others feel that higher doses are more effective for them. Therefore, the dosage you will need will depend on your body weight, metabolism, and medical history. If you have any questions about the proper dosage for you, be sure to ask your doctor.
Viagra’s Main Ingredient
The main ingredient in Viagra is Sildenafil, which is a chemical compound derived from the flower of a plant called kokum. Sildenafil is a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (PDE5 inhibitor). This means that it inhibits an enzyme called PDE5 which breaks down cGMP in the body. As a result, cGMP levels rise which cause blood vessels to relax and dilate, increasing blood flow to the penis.
Sildenafil is more effective than other PDE5 inhibitors because it has a higher concentration of medicinal ingredients than the rest. This means that it has a higher absorption rate and faster onset of action. Some people notice an improvement in their sexual performance even after just a few hours of taking the drug, while others may need a bit more time for the effects to kick in. Of course, everyone is different so it may take some time to find out what works best for you.
Consequences Of Not Taking Viagra
Not taking Viagra can have serious consequences. Without the drug, your ED will not improve and in some cases, it can even get worse. In addition, not taking the drug also increases the risk of side effects. Not all these side effects are known, but based on what is known, it is not a pleasant picture. Some of the serious side effects include:
- Bloating
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Stuffy nose
- Dizziness
- Ringing in the ears
All these side effects are more likely to happen if you are not taking the medication as recommended by your doctor. Of course, always follow the instructions they give you and ask questions if you are not sure about what is meant by them. In addition, make sure that you are taking the right dose based on your medical history and weight. If you take too much, you may experience drug interactions or unexpected side effects that are especially severe. Many people who take Viagra for ED and then go on to develop another condition, such as cancer, complain that the drug was the cause of their illness. So, always be careful about how you use it and whether or not it is the right medication for you.
Some people wonder whether or not it is possible to combine Viagra with other medications. While the combination of these two drugs does exist, it is not recommended by most doctors. When taken together, Viagra can increase the effects of other medications. This is why many doctors do not recommend it. If you are taking other medications for heart disease, high blood pressure, or psychiatric disorders, then combining them with a PDE5 inhibitor, such as Viagra, can cause problems. The main problem is that Viagra can increase the effects of other medications, especially heart medications. So if you take it and then go on to take a beta blocker or a calcium channel blocker, then your heart medication can become less effective. To make matters worse, combining these medications can increase the risk of sudden cardiac arrest or death. Even if you take the combination with the best intentions, you cannot guarantee that it will not happen. So, in some cases, the risks outweigh the benefits. In those situations, the best course of action is to stay away from Viagra and let your body heal naturally.
There are a variety of other medications that your doctor may prescribe for you for the treatment of ED. These include medications that help relax the blood vessels and those that increase blood flow to the penis, such as apomorphine, or tadalafil. However, not all men will be able to experience an improvement with these medications. They may not work for you or may even have unpleasant side effects. In that case, Viagra is the obvious choice since it has been shown to help a majority of men with ED. So, if you are unable to acquire a prescription for apomorphine or tadalafil, then take advantage of what Viagra has to offer.