Many men will develop erectile dysfunction at some point in their lives due to decreased blood flow to the penis. In the past, these men were unable to obtain or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse. This puts strain on relationship s and on the man’s self esteem. So it was no surprise that when Viagra was approved for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in 1998, it quickly became the most prescribed medication in America.
Viagra works by inhibiting something known as phosphodiesterase type 5 or PDE5. PDE5 is responsible for constricting blood vessels leading to the penis, therefore decreasing blood flow. As PDE5 is blocked, these blood vessels relax, allowing for greater blood flow to the penis. Greater blood flow means that the penis can become engorged and erected through sexual excitation.
What Viagra does, for most men, is astounding but it cannot do everything! What Viagra won’t do is cause a spontaneous erection without sexual excitation. Viagra also does not increase fertility or protect from sexually transmitted diseases. If sexual activity is dangerous for an individual because of other (usually cardiac) health conditions, Viagra will not make sex safer and may, in fact, complicate the condition and make sex more hazardous. A physician should evaluate the overall health of an individual before prescribing Viagra.
Like all medications, Viagra has the potential for serious complications in certain individuals. Patients with diabetes, kidney failure or liver damage should be monitored closely for adverse effects. Rarely, Viagra causes serious vision changes or blindness and alterations in hearing. Most often vision change is a transient tinting to colors that should resolve itself within four hours. If it does not go away on its own or if other sensory impairment occurs, emergency medical treatment should be sought. Painful or prolonged erection also needs immediate treatment to prevent permanent penile tissue damage.
Since Viagra works on the blood vessels of the body, it may cause or worsen hypotension. Those on nitrates for angina should not take Viagra as dangerous drops in blood pressure may occur. Viagra may also increase the effects of certain anti-hypertensive and blood thinning medications. Because of these interactions, a physician should evaluate all medications (including over-the-counter medications) being taken while on Viagra.
In general, Viagra most often causes very mild side effects. During clinical trials those who chose to stop taking Viagra due to side effects were about the same number as those who chose to stop taking the placebo. The most common side effect of Viagra treatment is headache (sometimes severe). Other potential side effects include dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, constipation, dizziness, edema of the feet or ankles, and insomnia. Before taking Viagra, patients should speak with their physician for a full list of potential side effects.
Viagra may be prescribed in 25, 50 or 100mg doses. The optimal dose for an individual’s needs must be determined by both the patient and physician. If a dosage does not give the patient adequate effect, the physician can adjust the dose. Typically, Viagra should be taken about one hour before sexual activity but the time frame for Viagra absorption may be different for each individual. Certain foods (especially those high in fat) may decrease Viagra’s absorption rate and dilute its effects. Drinking a full glass of water with Viagra helps aid proper absorption. Patients should not crush or cut their Viagra pills unless instructed to do so by a physician as doing so may decrease the duration and increase the risk of low blood pressure.
With 300 million pills sold each year, Viagra therapy has been proven safe and effective in most patients. A physician must make the final determination on whether Viagra is right for each particular situation but generally Viagra benefits outweigh the potential risks.
