Viagra is one of the best-known and most-loved pharmaceuticals in the world. It’s been around for more than 70 years and is currently the best-selling drug of all time, with over 250 million prescriptions written every year.
What is Viagra, and what happens if I take it? Let’s find out.
What Is Viagra?
Viagra is a drug derived from the flower of the wild violet. While the exact mechanism of action is not fully understood, it is considered to be a specific antagonist of the neurotransmitter neurotransmitters alpha-1 adrenergic receptor (α1-AR) and in particular, the receptor subtype α1D. Viagra acts by enhancing the flow of blood into the penis, thus increasing the size of the erection. It’s important to note that while Viagra is primarily used to treat erectile dysfunction (commonly known as ED or impotence), it has many other important uses as well.
Because the effects of Viagra are felt almost immediately, it has been described as a ‘hot’ drug. The active ingredient is believed to be rapidly absorbed into the blood stream and metabolised, with the majority of the drug being excreted within two to three hours. For this reason, it’s important to take Viagra at least two hours before sexual activity.
How Effective Is It?
The effects of Viagra are both immediate and noticeable. The user will experience an erection that is sufficient for sexual activity. The evidence to support this is both clinical and experimental. The drug is highly effective when used in conjunction with sexual stimulation and has been proven to increase penis blood flow by more than 70% in men with ED. It’s also been shown to double the amount of time it takes for a man to ejaculate.
There’s a wealth of evidence to suggest that Viagra is a very reliable drug. In clinical trials where it was administered to over 2,500 men with ED, over 90% of the participants reported some improvement in their erections. Studies have also shown that the response to Viagra is extremely predictable, with only minor differences in the responses between individuals. This makes it a very safe drug to use and has contributed to its popularity.
How Frequent Do I Need To Take It?
The frequency of Viagra use is somewhat dependent upon the individual needs of the patient. The usual recommended dose is one pill taken orally around an hour before sexual activity. However, individual needs may dictate that the dose be increased or decreased. Some men with ED find that one pill taken every two hours improves their erections while others may need to take two pills before sexual activity. The decision to increase or decrease the dose should be made based on individual tolerability and safety concerns.
The effects of Viagra wear off fairly quickly once the drug is stopped. While the exact length of time this takes varies from person to person, it has been estimated that the effects last for three to four hours in the majority of patients. This is one of the reasons why it is best taken at least two hours before sexual activity.
Is It Safe To Take With Other Medications?
The effects of Viagra are generally considered to be safe and although it has been known to interact with a number of medications, the interactions have been shown to be minimal. The most common of these is alcohol, which has the potential to intensify the effects of Viagra. While this may sound like a potentially dangerous combination, the interaction is considered to be non-specific and has been shown to increase the efficacy of the medication without causing any serious adverse reactions. This has made Viagra one of the most popular prescription drugs available today.