Sildenafil citrate, the active ingredient in Viagra and other medications, improves blood flow to the penis and allows for an increased duration of erections. This new formula contains a higher dose of sildenafil citrate than the original Viagra, and as a result, can provide greater effects for those who take it. It is manufactured by Pfizer and was approved by the FDA in February 2018.
Although Viagra has largely replaced opioid analgesics in the treatment of erectile dysfunction, it is still prescribed when other treatments fail. Additionally, men with heart disease are at high risk of sudden death from a heart attack, and taking medication that suppresses the immune system may increase this risk. Thus, men with heart disease should not take Viagra, and those who already take other medications should not take it alongside Viagra or any other prescription medication.
Greater Doses Of Sildenafil Citrate
The original Viagra contained a 100 mg dose of sildenafil citrate, whereas the recently approved Viagra Super Active contains a 150 mg dose. This is a 300% increase in dose size for the same medication. The larger dose of Viagra Super Active may provide greater therapeutic effects for those who need it, but it also increases the risk of adverse effects. For this reason, only those who need truly exceptional results should consider taking Viagra Super Active; those who are able to tolerate a standard dose of Viagra should not have their dose increased due to the potential for adverse reactions.
New Drug Interactions
Due to its unique nature as a medication, Viagra is associated with drug interactions that may be more or less serious than those seen with other medications. For instance, the anticoagulant drug warfarin interacts with sildenafil citrate, and this interaction increases the risk of serious adverse effects. Similarly, the antibiotic trimethoprim may decrease the beneficial effects of sildenafil citrate when taken alongside it, so those who are already taking this medication should not take additional doses of it.
Although this new medication presents new risks, it also has new benefits for those who are able to take it. Due to the increased safety and tolerability of the medication, some experts have predicted that it will become a preferred treatment for erectile dysfunction instead of Viagra, which is currently still the gold standard for this type of medication. Overall, the combination of sildenafil citrate and tadalafil, the active ingredient in Cialis, is proving to be a powerful treatment for erectile dysfunction and is increasingly being prescribed by physicians.
Potential For Abuse
Since Viagra is often prescribed for those with erectile dysfunction, it is important to consider the potential for abuse when taking this medication. Like other medications associated with erectile dysfunction, such as Cialis and Levitra, Viagra may be addictive and have the potential to be misused if given the wrong dosage or in the wrong manner. It is important to note that this drug is primarily meant for use in combination with a nitric oxide donor, so if you are taking it without a nitric oxide donor, you are slightly increasing your risk of adverse effects.
More Benefits
Aside from the increased dosage of sildenafil citrate, another advantage of Viagra Super Active is the addition of chamomile flower (recutita Matricaria), which provides additional benefits for men with sexual dysfunction. In particular, men who took the drug in combination with a nitric oxide donor had significantly improved scores on the International Index of Erectile Function compared to men who took a placebo or sildenafil citrate alone. Additionally, when men with erectile dysfunction use a nitric oxide donor in combination with sildenafil citrate, it helps improve their nitric oxide levels, which enhances the overall beneficial effect of the medication. Thus, those who are already using nitric oxide donors may derive further benefits from taking this medication.