Prescription Required
Description
Viagra (sildenafil) Indications
VIAGRA is a medication prescribed for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED).
Viagra Dosage and Administration
For most patients, the recommended dose of Viagra is 50 mg, as needed, about 1 hour prior to engaging in sexual activity. However, it may be taken anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours before sexual activity. Based on how effective Viagra is and how well you tolerate it, the dose may be increased to a maximum of 100 mg or decreased to 25 mg. The maximum recommended dosing frequency is once per day. Viagra can be taken with or without food.
Because Viagra has the potential to interact with certain medications, dose adjustments of Viagra should be made as follows:
- If you are taking an alpha blocker (eg, Hytrin, Flomax, Cardura, Minipres), Viagra should be initiated at a dose of 25 mg.
- If you are taking ritonavir, do not exceed a maximum single dose of Viagra 25 mg in a 48-hour period.
- If you are taking erythromycin or strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (eg, ketoconazole, itraconazole, saquinavir), consider a starting dose of Viagra 25 mg.
A starting dose of Viagra 25 mg is also recommended if you are over 65 years of age or have severe kidney impairment or liver impairment.
Viagra Side Effects
The most common side effects reported with Viagra include headache, flushing, upset stomach, abnomal vision, stuffy or runny nose, back pain, muscle pain, nausea, dizziness, and rash.
Viagra can have serious side effects, including priapism (painful erections lasting more than 6 hours in duration), sudden vision loss in one or both eyes and sudden hearing decrease or loss. If you experience an erection that lasts more than 4 hours, or have problems with vision or hearing, you should seek immediate medical attention.
Viagra Precautions
- You should not use Viagra if your doctor has advised against sexual activity due to cardiovascular status.
- Do not take Viagra if you take nitrates, often prescribed for chest pain, or guanylate cyclase stimulators like Adempas for pulmonary hypertension, as these can cause your blood pressure to drop to an unsafe level.
- Caution is advised when Viagra is taken together with alpha-blockers (examples above) or antihypertensives (drugs used to lower blood pressure), as this may lead to low blood pressure.
- Other drugs Viagra may interact with include HIV protease inhibitors (eg, Norvir, Crixivan) certain oral antifungals (eg, Nizoral, Sporanox) and antibiotics (eg, Biaxin, Ketek, erythromycin), and other drugs or treatments for erectile dysfunction.
- You should also not take Viagra if you are allergic to sildenafil or any of the ingredients in the drug.
- It is important to discuss your medical history with your healthcare provider before taking Viagra, especially if you have had heart problems, stroke, pulmonary hypertension, low or high blood pressure, a deformed penis, blood cell problems, retinitis pigmentosa, severe vision loss, bleeding problems, stomach ulcers, liver or kidney problems, or any other medical conditions.
Inform your healthcare provider of all medications you are currently taking, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Viagra Form and Strengths
Viagra is available in two available forms:
- Jardiance tablet
- 25mg
- 50mg
- 100mg
- Sildenafil tablet
- 25mg
- 50mg
- 100mg
FAQs
How does Viagra work?
Viagra works for men with ED by increasing blood flow to the penis, in order to achieve and maintain an erection sufficient for sexual activity. It is effective for men with different degrees of ED and only works when you are sexually stimulated. Viagra usually takes effect within 30-60 minutes, and it is taken on an as-needed basis.
How long does it take for Viagra to work?
Viagra usually starts to work within 30-60 minutes. Viagra may take a little longer to start working if you take it after a high-fat meal (such as a cheeseburger and french fries).
What if Viagra doesn’t work?
If Viagra isn’t working for you, consider asking your doctor about adjusting your dosage. Remember, Viagra should only be taken once per day. Although Viagra may not be suitable for all men, it has been shown to assist about 80% of men in achieving and maintaining an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse at doses of 50 mg or 100 mg. Clinical data show that a higher percentage of patients who took Viagra doses of 50 mg and 100 mg doses achieved erections hard enough for sex compared to those on a placebo. Additionally, men taking Viagra demonstrated improvement in their ability to get and keep an erection compared with those taking a placebo.
