About Viagra
This anti-impotence treatment works by increasing blood flow to
the erectile tissue. Viagra will not cause an erection in the absence
of sexual stimuli. Treatment goals are more frequent erections,
and a sufficient erection to achieve intercourse.
Anecdotal reports have indicated that Viagra may work to increase
sexual desire in women as well, but there are no conclusive results.
Viagra has not been studied for use periods of longer than a year,
and should not be used more than once daily. Be aware of the possibility
of serious drug interactions with this medication, and its effects
on blood pressure.
Viagra is only available by prescription, use as directed.
Viagra Side Effects
If you experience any unusual symptoms while taking this drug,
report them to your doctor.
Common Side Effects: Altered vision (blue tint or haze),
congested sinuses, or dry eyes. These events may occur in as many
as 3% of patients.
Mild Adverse Side Effects: Flushing, headache, indigestion,
light sensitivity, rash, unable to tell between blue and green.
While these infrequent reactions may not pose an immediate danger,
contact your physician as soon as possible, and avoid this medication
until you have received further instructions.
Serious Adverse Side Effects: Arrhythmia, blood sugar problems
(in patients with history of diabetes), decreased blood flow to
the heart, heart attack, priapism (prolonged and painful erection),
seizures, swelling or redness of the eyes, or temporary blindness.
These extremely rare side effects indicate the need for emergency
medical attention. Call emergency services immediately. Death
may result from certain drug interactions with Viagra, do not
take any medication in conjunction with this treatment that has
not been approved by your prescribing physician.
Cautions: Like many medications, Viagra is not a suitable
treatment for all individuals. If you have a history of any of the
following conditions, please bring them up with your prescribing
physician to ensure that your treatment will be as safe and effective
as possible.
- Abnormal Penis: Increased risk of problems or undesirable
side effects.
- Allergy: Any past allergic reaction would be a contraindication
for treatment. If you have an allergic reaction during treatment,
contact your doctor and stop taking Viagra. Be sure to mention
any allergies to foods and dyes when consulting with your doctor.
Standard preparations of this medication contain lactose and FD&C
Blue #2 aluminum lake among their active ingredients.
- Blood Disease: This medication may increase the risk
of complications.
- Cardiovascular Disease: If you have a cardiovascular
condition, and have been advised against sexual activity by your
doctor, Viagra is not a safe treatment for you.
- Diabetes: Blood sugar fluctuations are possible, and
this medication may interact with certain anti-diabetic treatments.
- Doctor Consultation: If you have not made your prescribing
physician aware of your medical history and given them a full
list of any medications you presently take, this treatment may
not be safe for you.
- Eye Problems: Cataracts, poor vision, retinitis pigmentosa,
or visual disturbances during treatment should be taken into account
when this medication is prescribed or refilled.
- Fungal Infections: Many prescription oral antifungals
can interact significantly with Viagra, check with your doctor
on advice regarding dosage and safety.
- Heart Problems: Your doctor will have to evaluate your
case on an individual basis to determine if Viagra treatment will
be safe for you. A heart attack within the last six months may
be a contraindication for treatment, as Viagra may increase the
risk of recurrence.
- Kidney Disease: Compromised kidney function may double
blood levels of this medication, enhancing the risk of side effects.
Kidney function of less than 30 ml/min indicate that a doctor
should perform a serious evaluation of the safety of this drug
for a particular patient.
- Liver Disease: Starting doses of no more than 25 mg are
prudent, as this medication is substantially processed by the
liver.
- Low Blood Pressure: Viagra is known to lower blood pressure
in certain cases. Any disease or condition in which this would
be dangerous would indicate that a person should not take it.
- Priapism: Individuals with a past history of this condition,
defined by erections persisting for longer than six hours, should
not use Viagra. This medication could trigger an attack in susceptible
individuals. If you should experience an erection that lasts longer
than four hours, seek prompt medical attention, as irreversible
damage to the erectile tissue could occur.
- Stomach Conditions: Heartburn, ulcer, or other disorders
of the stomach should be taken into special consideration in your
doctor's decision to prescribe Viagra.
- Stroke: A stroke within the last six months may be a
contraindication for treatment, as the medication could increase
the risk of recurrence.
Viagra Interactions
This medication may cause dangerous side effects if mixed with
certain prescription or herbal preparations. As some of these interactions
could be life threatening, be sure to give your prescribing physician
a full list of all products taken. If you are using Viagra, consult
with a doctor or pharmacist before using a new prescription or herbal
treatment for any reason.
- Alcohol - Heavy drinking may reduce the effectiveness of your
treatment.
- Anti-diabetic agents like Glucotrol (glipizide) or Orinase (tolbutamide)
may cause serious drug interaction responses. Speak to your doctor
regarding this possibility.
- Azole antifungals like Flagyl (metronidazole), Nizoral (ketoconazole),
and Sporanox (itraconazole), can cause Viagra to build up in the
body and cause unwanted side effects. Lower starting dosages may
be prescribed.
- Cardizem (diltiazem) - Increased risk of side effects.
- Clarithromycin, erythromycin, or antibiotics in the same class
may decrease the body's ability to remove this medication. Lower
doses of Viagra may be prescribed.
- Dilantin (phenytoin) - May decrease the effectiveness of this
medication.
- Grapefruit juice - Prevents removal of this drug from the body,
do not combine.
- Kola nut - May overstimulate the heart, do not combine.
- Ma Huang - May overstimulate the heart, do not combine.
- Meridia (sibutramine) - May raise blood levels of Viagra, increasing
the risk of side effects.
- Mycobutin (rifabutin) - May decrease the effectiveness of Viagra.
- Nicotine - While no interactions are expected, smoking and other
types of nicotine use have been attributed with being a major
cause of erectile dysfunction. This can be the first symptom of
impending damage to the cardiovascular system, and is sometimes
reversible if nicotine use is stopped early enough.
- Nitrates like nitroglycerin or amyl nitrate may dangerously
lower blood pressure.
- Nitropress (nitroprusside) - Increased risk of side effects.
- Protease inhibitors like Crixivan (indinavir), Fortovase (Saquinavir),
Norvir (ritonavir), or Viracept (nelfinavir), have been shown
to increase blood levels of Viagra from 300-1,000%. If your doctor
determines that you can take Viagra, careful monitoring and low
doses will likely be recommended.
- Rescriptor (delavirdine) - Increased risk of side effects.
- Rifadin or Rimactane (rifampin) - May decrease the effectiveness
of Viagra.
- St. John's Wort - May overstimulate the heart and increase sun
sensitivity in combination with Viagra.
- Street Drugs - Marijuana and Amyl Nitrate ('Poppers')
should never be combined with Viagra. While marijuana may
lead to an undesirable build up in the body, amyl nitrate may
cause dangerously low blood pressure. It is not safe to mix prescription
medications with street drugs of any kind, as possible interactions
are not well documented and may be life threatening.
- Tagamet (cimetidine) - Reduces clearance of Viagra from the
body. If you must take this medication, you will likely be given
a lower dose.
- Tegretol (carbamazepine) - May decrease the effectiveness of
Viagra.
- Yohimbe - May overstimulate the heart, do not combine.
- Zoloft (sertraline) -
Increased risk of side effects.
Viagra Dosages
Viagra comes in blue, diamond shaped tablets. Pfizer is stamped on one side, and VGR 25, VGR 50, or VGR 100 stamped on the other side to denote dosage. Viagra comes in 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg tablets.
A starting dose of 50-100 mg is common in patients aged 18-65.
Older patients, or individuals taking certain drugs that may reduce
Viagra's clearance from the body, will likely be given a 25 mg dose.
Viagra Directions
Viagra may be taken with or without meals, though fatty foods may
cause it to be absorbed more slowly, and take longer to start working.
Do not take with grapefruit juice, as this may cause an undesirable
build up in the body and increase the risk of side effects. The
tablets may be crushed or broken before taking.
This medication should be taken no more than once daily,
and should not generally be taken every day without consulting with
your doctor. Optimal use would be taking Viagra about an hour before
intercourse. But as little as half an hour, or as many as four hours,
before intercourse is within the manufacturer's suggested range.
Store Viagra away from direct light and heat. Store in a dry location;
avoid storing it in the bathroom, near sinks, or other areas where
it may become damp. Do not use after the expiration date.
Keep Viagra away from children; both when storing it, and when
discarding any unused medication.
Viagra and Pregnancy
Safety studies in pregnant and nursing women has not been conducted. This medication is not recommended for these groups.
Viagra and Children
Viagra is not prescribed to individuals under the age of 18, and has not been tested for safety in this group. Keep this, and all other medication, out of the reach of children.
Viagra and Seniors
Dosage for individuals over 65 should be decreased to 25mg daily.
If kidney function is poor, speak to your doctor about the potential
risks of treatment.
Viagra is a trademark of Pfizer
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Sildenafil Abstract
This document is provided for information only. It is not a substitute for consultation with a physician, either to diagnose symptoms or prescribe treatment. Any dosages mentioned are general guidelines only, please follow the directions of your doctor or pharmacist exactly when taking medication. We have made every effort to ensure that this information is accurate, but only your doctor can say if a medication, or drug combination, is safe for you. Information intended for US residents only.
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