Home ⇒ Viagra guide ⇒ Important safety information about Viagra
Viagra is a popular medication prescribed for impotence treatment. Although it has a well established safety profile of more than 10 years; there are some important facts about its safety that you need to know, which have been discussed in this article.
Erectile dysfunction can be defined as the partial, total or inconsistent inability to achieve or retain an erection that is satisfactory for the purpose of sexual intercourse. Consisting of the active ingredient sildenafil, Viagra belongs to a class of drugs known as PDE5 inhibitors. It blocks the action of PDE5 to ease penile blood flow. Enhanced blood flow to the penis means a better erection. Many men consider Viagra to be a quick fix solution for impotence, but there are some essential safety facts about Viagra that everyone ought to know. Viagra has an established and reliable safety profile of more than ten years.
Viagra is a prescription pill and it cannot be prescribed for everyone. Your doctor will only prescribe Viagra is generally prescribed only for men between the ages of 18-55, if they have most of the symptoms of erectile dysfunction. Men over the age of 55 might be prescribed lower doses of this impotence medication. Viagra is not meant to be taken by women or children below 18.
Viagra can produce adverse reactions if taken in conjunction with certain medications. You should not take Viagra if you are currently taking nitrates for treating chest pain or other forms of heart disease. Recreational drugs such as poppers also consist of nitrates, and need to be avoided while taking Viagra. The combination of nitrates and sildenafil can cause your blood pressure to drop to dangerously low levels. It can also cause a heart attack or stroke. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of Viagra if you take alpha blockers.
As with other prescription impotence medications, following certain precautions while taking Viagra can enhance its effectiveness and reduce side effects. Some men try and use Viagra not as an erectile dysfunction treatment, but use it to try and enhance their sexual performance. This can actually cause unforeseen side effects and do more harm than good. Besides, Viagra is not an aphrodisiac and does not work in the absence of sexual stimulation.
The dosage that your doctor prescribed will be based on a number of subjective factors such as age, medical history, extent and intensity of erectile dysfunction, etc. It is essential to take the medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Your doctor may adjust the dosage depending on its effects and your body’s reaction to Viagra treatment. Do not change the dosage by yourself.
Like any other medication, Viagra can produce side effects that may be mild, moderate or severe in intensity. Make sure you are not allergic to sildenafil or any of the other ingredients of Viagra before taking it. Some of the commonly experienced side effects include - facial flushing, headaches, diarrhea, dizziness or light headedness. Less common side effects include – blurred or bluish vision; enhanced sensitivity to light; numbness or nausea; and unexplained tingling or pain in your jaw, neck, chest or arms during intercourse. Priapism – painful and prolonged erections that last for more than four hours – is a rare side effect of Viagra that requires emergency medical treatment.