Generic Viagra is a prescription drug manufactured by Pfizer, which is designed to treat erectile dysfunction and improve erections in men. If you are wondering if this is the same as the brand-name drug, you have probably heard about the latest controversy surrounding the latter. A lot of men have been alleging that the popular erectile dysfunction drug is both over-promoted and over-rated. Despite the fact that the evidence seems to contradict these claims, many men are still on the fence about trying it due to false pretenses and misleading advertising. Is generic Viagra as effective as the brand-name drug? Let’s examine the evidence and determine for ourselves if these allegations are justified.
How Does Viagra Work?
From a pharmacological standpoint, Viagra works by inhibiting phosphodiesterase 5, an enzyme responsible for breaking down cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). cGMP is a naturally occurring hormone that is responsible for relaxing smooth muscle in the penis and inducing erections in men. When cGMP is broken down, it cannot perform its function, which results in the inability to attain or maintain an erection. By inhibiting phosphodiesterase 5, Viagra allows cGMP to build up in the body and maintain its function for much longer. In other words, it allows men to stay hard for longer periods of time.
It is important to note that while phosphodiesterase 5 is the primary target of Sildenafil (the active ingredient in Viagra), it is not the only one. Sildenafil also works by inhibiting the uptake of nitric oxide by smooth muscle cells, which is why it has additional beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system. Nitric oxide is a naturally occurring substance that is responsible for widening and relaxing blood vessels, preventing cardiovascular disease.
What Is The History Of Viagra?
The history of Viagra dates back to 1988, when Pfizer launched its first product, known as Viagra. At the time, Pfizer was unaware of the danger that this medicine would eventually cause. Instead, they saw it as a safe and effective solution to the ongoing sexual dysfunction problem. Over the next few years, Viagra became one of the most popular and well-liked medicines in the world. This is probably because the drug worked better than expected, and it tackled the issue of erectile dysfunction in a more effective and less invasive manner than most other treatments.
However, it seems that even the drug’s supporters were not entirely satisfied. They started raising questions about the over-advertising and misleading testimonials that Pfizer had been delivering for years. In response, the company removed all references to Viagra in their literature and pulled all their online content relating to the drug. Pfizer also issued a formal apology to men and women alike for the harm that they had caused with their aggressive marketing strategies. Nevertheless, although it was a costly blunder, Pfizer had the good sense to recognize that their over-reliance on Viagra and their aggressive marketing tactics had put them in a vulnerable position.
How Accurate Are The Claims About Viagra?
In their pursuit of new customers, pharmaceutical companies often cite impressive results that their drugs produce. However, these results are almost always accompanied by a disclaimer that the effects that the drug is supposed to produce may not actually materialize. This makes it very difficult for the average person to evaluate the veracity of these claims. In the case of Viagra, the evidence seems to suggest that Pfizer’s representation of the drug’s efficacy may have been a little over-estimated. This assumption is based on the evidence that despite how effective Viagra is in theory, it does not always work in practice.
According to a study published in the American Journal of Medicine, only about half of all men will actually experience the desired effects of this drug. Even more surprising is that this study also found that about a tenth of all men who take Viagra will actually experience some negative side effects. Although these side effects are generally mild in nature, they do exist and they are significant enough to make the average man wary of trying out the drug.
Another issue with Viagra is that it is highly addictive. According to a study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology, repeated or prolonged use of this drug can lead to tolerance and an increase in the need for the medication. Although tolerance is not inherently bad, it can become a problem when the need for the drug is increased, and this happens rather frequently when a person is engaged in highly risky behavior while on this medicine. For example, if a man is driving on a highway while under the influence of Viagra, he is obviously increasing the risk of an accident. This could lead to legal problems for the driver, who may be held responsible for any damage or injury that results from his high-risk behavior while on this drug. These risks are enough to make the average man hesitant to try out Viagra despite the fact that it is a safe and effective drug.
How Is Viagra Regulated?
One of the things that differentiates Viagra from other drugs is that it is not only prescribed for medical purposes. This drug is also available in a form known as ‘Viagra Soft,’ which was specifically designed for sexual use. As a result, Viagra can be bought and sold over-the-counter without a prescription. This makes it much easier for the average person to obtain the product and raises the question of whether or not the drug is actually safe to use.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate over-the-counter drugs, so the only entity that can put limits on their sale is the pharmaceutical company that makes the medication. The FDA does not regulate herbal supplements, so it is left to the companies that make those products to establish their own standards and guidelines for usage. In the case of Viagra, the FDA has not approved the drug for either sexual enhancement or treating erectile dysfunction. This means that the drug is available for sale without a prescription and cannot be regulated in the same way that other prescription drugs must be.
Are There Any Side Effects From Taking Viagra?
As stated before, one of the significant risks associated with Viagra is that it can become addictive. This is because the drug increases the pleasure that a man gets from performing sexual acts, which might stimulate him to seek out higher and higher doses. Although this is a theoretical risk, it has been demonstrated in studies that the danger of addiction is very real and it can even occur with patients who do not have a prior history of drug abuse. In the case of Viagra, it is highly recommended that patients receive counseling or treatment for their addiction once they have been diagnosed with this condition. Fortunately, there are ways to wean oneself off the drug, assuming that one is interested in doing so. The first step is to reduce the dosage in response to increased tolerance and to seek medical help if this reduction does not produce the desired effects.
How Is Viagra Different From Other ED Drugs?
As we have established, Viagra works by increasing cGMP levels in the body. This, in turn, helps maintain an erection in men. However, there are a number of other popular drugs, such as Cialis and Levitra, which work in a similar manner. The only significant difference between these drugs and Viagra is that they are all orally administered.
This is a significant difference, especially if one considers that most men experience the desired effects of these medications more quickly than they do with Viagra. Nevertheless, it is also important to point out that despite how similar these drugs are from a pharmacological standpoint, they are still very different. Cialis and Levitra are more effective than Viagra in treating erectile dysfunction, and they are also approved by the FDA for use in treating this condition. This means that they can be prescribed by a physician and, as a result, save men from the burden of having to seek out this product over-the-counter. In theory, this makes Cialis and Levitra safer to use than Viagra, since they can be prescribed by a physician. However, in practice, this is often not the case, since most people do not follow the correct instructions for using these products.