Viagra FAQ: Sildenafil Citrate Frequently Asked Questions
By Elaine Waller, PharmD / Last Updated:
Reviewed by Eli Coleman, PhD
There are some Viagra queries which every Sildenafil Citrate user and non user may be anxious or curious to know about. Let us see at some of the frequent queries of the people and genuine actionable answers:
Table of Contents
- What is Viagra?
- Why is Viagra prescribed?
- How does Viagra work?
- How is Viagra taken?
- How long does Viagra take to be effective?
- Does Viagra have any side effects?
- Can Viagra be used with other treatments of erectile dysfunction?
- Can women take Viagra?
- Is Viagra for everyone?
- What is the right dose of Viagra to be taken?
- What does Viagra not do?
- How is Viagra stored?
- Can Viagra react with other medicines?
- What happens if a dose of Viagra is missed?
- What should be done if there is Viagra overdose?
Viagra: Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Viagra?
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Viagra is the first FDA approved pill for treating erectile dysfunction. The primary chemical ingredient used in Viagra is sildenafil citrate. Viagra can help many men suffering from erectile dysfunction achieve and maintain erection when they are sexually aroused.
- Why is Viagra prescribed?
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Viagra is prescribed for treating the male sexual dysfunction- erectile dysfunction. Viagra is prescribed to such men who can not achieve or maintain penile erection in spite of sexual arousal. This inability can be for physical or psychological reasons or as a side effect of taking some medicine. Viagra is prescribed to such men also who suffer from sexual dysfunction due to type1 or type2 diabetes, any form of surgery or vascular disease.
- How does Viagra work?
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Viagra works by helping in the natural erection process of a man. It works by inhibiting the chemical compound PDE5, which is responsible for making the erections go flaccid. Viagra enhances the blood flow in the penis of a man making it engorged with blood and achieve an erection.
- How is Viagra taken?
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Viagra works better if taken on an empty stomach. Your health care provider may give you the dose which suits you the best. Generally Viagra is meant to be taken orally once a day before the sexual activity.
- How long does Viagra take to be effective?
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Viagra is readily absorbed in the human body. It takes around 30 minutes to 120 minutes at the maximum to have its effect on the human body. The effect is of Viagra is maximum on an empty stomach. When Viagra is taken with a high fat meal then its effectiveness gets reduced.
- Does Viagra have any side effects?
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Like all drugs Viagra too can have side effects with some people. Some common side effects are flushing, headache, dizziness, upset stomach, bluish tinge in the vision, urinary tract infection, diarrhea etc. Stomach ache and abnormal vision are more common at 100 mg than at lower doses.
- Can Viagra be used with other treatments of erectile dysfunction?
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Viagra has not been studied in combination with other treatments for erectile dysfunction; hence it is not advised to combine Viagra with other methods of erectile dysfunction treatments.
- Can women take Viagra?
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Viagra has been made for treating male sexual dysfunction. Its effects have not been studied on women. Hence it is not advisable for women to take Viagra.
- Is Viagra for everyone?
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Viagra is not supposed to be taken by children. Viagra must not be taken by men who take nitrate based medicines. Nitrates are found in many prescription medicines used to treat angina such as nitroglycerin (sprays, ointments, skin patches or pastes and tablets that are swallowed or dissolved in the mouth) and isosorbide mononitrate and isosorbide dinitrate. Nitrate is also found in certain illicit drugs such as amyl nitrate and nitrite 'poppers'. If you are not sure whether your medicines contain nitrates or not or you do not know what nitrates are, ask your physician or health care provider.
- What is the right dose of Viagra to be taken?
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Viagra is available in the strength of 25mg, 50mg and 100mg doses. You should always begin with the lowest dosage but it has been found that a 50mg pill taken once before the sexual activity works just fine with most men. If you have any doubt, ask your health care provider about the correct strength of the dosage that would be suitable for you.
- What does Viagra not do?
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Viagra does not cure your problem of erectile dysfunction. It just treats your problem and helps you in achieving erection during sexual intercourse. Viagra does not work on its own without any sexual stimulation. Viagra is not an aphrodisiac and does not enhance your libido. Viagra does not provide any protection against HIV or other STDs.
- How is Viagra stored?
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Viagra, a film-coated tablet should be stored in a cool, dry place. Do not keep your Viagra tablets in your vehicles else you may find your Viagra pills to have melted.
- Can Viagra react with other medicines?
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Like most other drugs Viagra can also react with some drugs and cause harm. Do inform your health care provider about ALL the prescription or non-prescription drugs that you are taking. Viagra must never be mixed with any nitrate based drug as it causes a dangerous drop in the blood pressure level.
- What happens if a dose of Viagra is missed?
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Viagra is not taken daily so there is no question of missing a dose. Viagra is used as is needed. You can take Viagra once a day before engaging in sexual activity.
- What should be done if there is Viagra overdose?
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In case of a Viagra overdose call your physician immediately. Although the symptoms of Viagra overdose are not known but the symptoms of an overdose are likely to include chest pain, dizziness, rapid and irregular heart beats, swelling of the legs or ankles etc.
About Author
Elaine Waller, PharmD
Dr. Elaine Waller has substantial experience in domestic and international regulatory affairs, and in clinical research. Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance. Prior to joining Sonus Pharmaceuticals in July 2003, she was Chief Operating Officer at Radiant Research, a clinical site management organization. Dr. Waller's previous experience includes senior positions in regulatory affairs and clinical research at Hoechst Marion Roussel and Marion Merrell Dow. She began her career in academia at the University of Texas at Austin where she held teaching positions in both graduate and undergraduate pharmacy education and was Assistant Director of Clinical Research at the Drug Dynamics Institute. Dr. Waller received a B.S. in Pharmacy and a Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Missouri - Kansas City, and an M.B.A. from Rockhurst University.
References:
- Sildenafil - The active ingredient in Viagra, including its uses and side effects.
- Erectile Dysfunction - Information on the condition Viagra is used to treat.
- Phosphodiesterase Inhibitor - The class of drugs to which Viagra belongs, including its mechanism of action.
- Side Effects - General information about side effects related to medications, including Viagra.
- Drug Interaction - Information on how Viagra may interact with other medications.
