Most men take pride in being careful with what they eat and what they drink, especially when it comes to their medications. After all, what mother wouldn’t want to save her son’s life with medication rather than homemade meals? In this case, being picky about what ingredients are in your body can literally be life-saving. This is especially true when it comes to the medicine known as generic viagra.
Although manufactured by multiple companies, generic viagra is actually the name given to a group of medications that were approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration back in 1998 to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). Since then, these medications have been prescribed to men all over the world and have saved many a man’s life, allowing them to achieve and maintain an erection for satisfactory sexual activity. Its popularity continues to grow year after year thanks to its efficiency and safety — plus the brand name makes it easily available for purchase.
As popular as generic viagra is, there are still some important things you need to know before you start taking it. This includes things like how long you should keep it in your cupboard and whether or not you should use it with food. Let’s take a look.
How Long Should You Keep Generic Viagra?
Just like any other medication, the shelf life of generic viagra is affected by a number of factors. The first and most obvious one is the temperature at which you store it. Being a very temperature-sensitive drug, generic viagra should be stored in a cold place away from direct sunlight. Otherwise, its potency could be affected.
In general, this means that you should keep your generic viagra in a refrigerator or similar cold storage device. Taking it at room temperature could seriously compromise its efficacy and make you suffer from unwanted side effects. Even worse, it could even cause an overdose. As a result, you should always consult with your personal physician or pharmacist before taking any medication, including generic viagra.
When Should You Take Generic Viagra?
As mentioned above, an important factor in determining the shelf life of a medication is the temperature at which you store it. This doesn’t mean that you should only take it at certain times of the year or during certain days of the week, as there are alternatives that you could take that would offer the same benefits as generic viagra but without the temperature restrictions, such as nighttime injections and topical applications. In these cases, you could take advantage of the medication’s broadest effect (oral or injectable) in order to maximize the time it’s effective before your next dose.
Another important factor that could affect the shelf life of a medication is how long it takes for the body to react to it. Some medications, including generic viagra, are known to take a while to kick in and begin offering their desired effects. This can be frustrating when you’re in the middle of an erection crisis and need an immediate solution! In these cases, it could be beneficial to try a new medication or take a higher dose than you would otherwise, especially if the drug is supposed to be taken orally. In addition, you could also try taking it with food or a drink, as some medications are known to work better when taken in combination with other substances.
When Should You Avoid Taking Generic Viagra?
Just like any other medication, the shelf life of generic viagra is also affected by the substances you’re taking or have taken in the past. If you have a history of heart disease, liver disease, or kidney disease, you should certainly avoid taking this medication as it could put you at risk of serious side effects.
In addition to these risks, you should also avoid taking generic viagra if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Although it has a fairly safe pregnancy rating according to the U.S. FDA, the safety of this medication during pregnancy has not been established. In addition, some medications, including generic viagra, are known to cause birth defects in animals when given during pregnancy. This is why it’s always important to check with your physician or pharmacist before taking any medication, including generic viagra, during pregnancy.
Should You Take It With Food Or Drinks?
Another important factor that could affect the shelf life of a medication is how it interacts with certain foods or drinks. Some medications, including generic viagra, are known to interact negatively with certain foods or drinks. It’s important to remember that a medication is only as good as its worst possible interaction. So, although interactions between substances are usually harmless, they could still affect how well a medication works or the side effects it could cause.
Consult with your physician or pharmacist about whether or not you should take this medication with food or drinks, as they could have their own interactions that could affect how well you experience the benefits of generic viagra. In these cases, it could be a good idea to wait for a few hours after eating before taking your medication. This is especially important if you’re taking a sublingual tablet or powder, as it needs to dissolve completely in your mouth before it begins offering its benefits.
Key Points
Although generic viagra is a safe and efficient treatment for erectile dysfunction, storing it at room temperature could seriously affect its shelf life. In order to get the most out of this medication, you should keep it in a refrigerator or similar cold storage device. You should also consult with your physician or pharmacist about whether or not you should take it with food or drinks as there are interactions that could affect how well it works or the side effects it could cause.