Viagra is an FDA-approved oral tablet used to treat male erectile dysfunction and/or impotence. It works by inhibiting the enzyme that constricts the penile blood vessels, thus dilating the vessels in the penis and allowing blood to reach needed places to achieve an erection.
Before Using
If you have heart trouble sever enough to make sex activity a danger, you should avoid using Viagra. Do not use at all if you've had a heart attack. Be cautious if you have severe high or low blood pressure, heart failure, or unstable angina. If you take Viagra and develop cardiac symptoms during sexual activity, discontinue. Alert your doctor as soon as possible. If you have a bleeding disorder, a stomach ulcer, or the eye condition known as retinitis pigmentosa, use Viagra with caution. It's safety under these circumstances have not yet been studied.
If you have a condition that might result in longlasting erections, such as sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, or leukemia, use Viagra with extreme caution. Also use cautiously if you have a genital problem or deformity such as Peyronie's disease. If an erection lasts more than four hours, seek treatment immediately. Permanent damage and impotence may result.
Viagra offers no protection against transmission of sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV.
Viagra is not for use by women. Its effects during pregnancy have not been studied.
Cautions
Do not take Viagra if you are taking any nitrate-based drug, including nitroglycerin patches (Nitro-Dur, Transderm-Nitro), nitroglycerin ointment, nitroglycerin pills (Nitro-Bid, Nitrostat), and isosorbide pills (Dilatrate-SR, Isordil, Sorbitrate). Combining Viagra with these drugs may cause a lethal drop in blood pressure.
Directions
Taking Viagra approximately one hour before sexual activity works best for most men. Depending on how and when the drug works for you, an interval of one-half hour to as much as 4 hours may prove ideal.
Viagra is not for regular use. Take it only before sexual activity. Store at room temperature.
Possible Side Effects
If any side effects develop, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Viagra when side effects occur.
Common side effects may include:
Abnormal vision, acid indigestion, diarrhea, flushing, headache, nasal congestion.
Less common to rare side effects may include:
Abdominal pain,abnormal dreams, abnormal ejaculation, allergic reactions, anxiety, asthma, bloodshot eyes, bone pain, breast enlargement, cataracts, chest pain, difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, dilated pupils, dizziness, dry eyes, dry mouth, emotional disturbances, other eye disorders, fainting,falling, genital problems, gout, gum inflammation, heart problems, increased night-time urination, increased pressure in the eyes, insomnia, itchy skin, joint disease, light sensitivity, loss of bladder control (urinary incontinence), low blood pressure, migraine headache, muscle ache, oral inflammation, painful erection, prolonged erection, rapid or throbbing heartbeat, rectal bleeding, ringing in the ears, seizure, sinus and throat inflammation, skin rash, skin ulcer, stomach or intestinal inflammation, sweating, swelling, thirst, tremor.
Heart attack, stroke, heart irregularities, dangerous surges in blood pressure, and sudden death have all been reported after use of Viagra, usually in men with existing cardiac risk factors.
Food & Drug Interactions
If Viagra is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either Viagra or the drug in question could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Viagra with the following:
Amlodipine (Norvasc) Cimetidine (Tagamet)
Erythromycin (E-Mycin, Ery-Tab, PCE) Itraconazole (Sporanox)
Ketoconazole (Nizoral) Nitrates such as Isordil, Nitro-Bid, and Nitro-Dur
Rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane) Ritonavir (Norvir)
Saquinavir (Fortovase, Invirase)
Heart attack, stroke, heart irregularities, dangerous surges in blood pressure, and sudden death have all been reported after use of Viagra, usually in men with existing cardiac risk factors.
Recommended Dosage
Doses range from 25mg to 100mg, depending on the drugs effect. If you are over 65, have liver or kidney problems, or are taking erythromycin, ketoconazole, itraconazole, ritonavir, or saquinavir a dose of 25mg may be sufficient. Your doctor will adjust the dosage if the drug is not working properly for you.
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