Five Things to Remember Before You Buy Viagra

18 October, 2021  |  Holy Winter - Healthcare Writer

Viagra is a popular medicine, and you might be familiar with it, but you should understand that it’s a medication, which can have harmful effects if not taken properly. Educate yourself about Viagra in every way you can and consult your doctor for a prescription. Below is a list of five things ranging from dosage, interactions, to side effects that you should definitely remember if you intend to take Viagra.

1. It takes planning to properly use Viagra

Viagra can take anywhere from 30 minutes to four hours in taking effect. The average time is one hour, so you should engage in sexual activity accordingly. Once you’ve tried Viagra once or twice, you will be able to determine your specific timings of dosage for future you. You may still need to plan the intake of Viagra prior to sex, but knowing when it will take effect, your sexual activity will not be hindered.  

2. Never combine Viagra with nitrate medications

Viagra and nitrate medications can sometimes have negative interactions. Tell your doctor if you take nitrates, or if you have chest pain, low blood pressure, heart issues, or stroke in the last year. Via­gra can cause adverse side effects in people who are taking nitrates, particularly those who have the aforementioned health conditions. Make sure to tell your doctor about all of your medications and medical history.

3. Know of other medications that interact with Viagra

Viagra can interact with several other medications as well, and you should make sure that you are not taking any of the following:

• Medications for blood pressure and pulmonary arterial hypertension (sildenafil)

• Vasodilators (used to treat chest discomfort)

• HIV/AIDS treatments

• Antifungal drugs

• Antibiotics such as erythromycin

• Other erectile dysfunction meds, like Levitra (vardenafil) and Cialis (tadalafil)

4. Take the right dosage

The normally prescribed ED dose of Viagra is 50 mg, taken only when needed an hour before sexual activity. Unless otherwise directed by a doctor, users should only take Viagra once per day on an as-needed basis, according to manufacturer directions.

The prescribing doctor may change your Viagra dose based on your age and medical history. Men over the age of 65, and those with hepatic and renal impairment, are usually prescribed a starting dose of 25 mg per day.

The maximum safe dose of Viagra is 100 mg in a single day. Taking Viagra in increased doses or more frequently than suggested will not improve the medication's effectiveness.

5. Understand the side effects

When taking Viagra, there may be minor or serious side effects. Following are some of the common and usually non-serious side effects:

• Dizzi­ness

• Disturbances in vision

• Headache, flush­ing or Indi­ges­tion

• Nau­sea

• Muscle pains

• A stuffy or runny nose

Serious side effects of Viagra are rare, but they have been reported.

One of these side effects is a prolonged erection, known as Priapism, which lasts for up to four hours or longer. Priapism is a health emergency that requires immediate attention and if left untreated, it can cause irreversible ED by damaging the tissues in the penis.

Other uncommon but serious side effects include:

• Vision loss in one or both eyes. It could indicate the onset of a condition known as non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). 

• Hearing loss, typically in one ear.  In most cases, the hearing loss is temporary and goes away in a day.

• Dangerously low blood pressure

• Allergic reactions, such as difficulty breathing and hives or swelling of the throat and/or face

If you experience any of the above side effects after taking Viagra, stop taking it and seek medical attention at once.