Viagra from GetsMarted or the “little blue pill” needs no introduction, being the first approved medication for treating erectile dysfunction (ED). The prescription drug has played a significant role in quelling the stigma around ED, empowering men struggling with the condition to seek medical help.
Moreover, a four-year review of Viagra and its generic equivalent called Sildenafil revealed an 80% satisfaction rate among patients using it to manage ED.
However, being a prescription drug, Viagra requires strict adherence to consumption guidelines to ensure patient safety. Therefore, follow the five tips below to ensure your safety and facilitate the drug’s effectiveness.
Ensure You Are An Ideal Candidate For The Drug
Although Viagra’s manufacturers set a robust advertising campaign around it to help tackle ED stigma, some people erroneously consider the prescription drug an aphrodisiac. Statistics show that 9-25% of men suffer from sexual performance anxiety (SPA) and may use Viagra in an attempt to bolster their sexual prowess. However, Viagra and Sildenafil are prescription drugs exclusively approved for treating ED, and their recreational use can trigger dire consequences.
Viagra cannot cause physical dependence like opioid medication. However, it can cause psychological dependency when taken recreationally. While psychological dependence may not alter the brain’s neurotransmitters and motivation pathway, it fuels obsessive behavior.
Additionally, Viagra is unsafe for men with a history of angina and abnormal blood pressure. It is also not recommended for men with cardiac issues or those who have experienced a stroke, heart attack, or irregular heartbeat six months prior. Recreational Viagra use may facilitate responsible sexual behavior and present a safety hazard, so only take the medication after a medical exam and a prescription.
Learn The Appropriate Way To Take The Medications
Viagra is pretty different from over-the-counter painkillers taken randomly to clear a hangover. To ensure its effectiveness and safety, you need to be fully aware of your actions while taking the prescription drug.
Both Viagra and Sildenafil are available in three different doses; 25mg, 50mg, and 100mg. Your doctor determines your ideal dosage based on factors like age, your overall health, and your ED’s severity. Men over 65 typically take 25mg, while those under 65 get a 50mg prescription. However, the doctor may adjust your dosage upward or downward depending on your tolerability and its effectiveness.
Regardless, do not take more than the maximum recommended 100mg dose. Second, do not take more than one Viagra pill per day, irrespective of the dosage.
Besides dosage, the timing should also be ideal for the Viagra to take effect. The recommendation is to take the ED pill 30 minutes to an hour before engaging in sexual activity, although you can take it up to four hours prior. The ED drug takes effect one hour after consumption, and the effects last four to eight hours, depending on your physiology.
Related: How To Help Your Man When He Can’t Get UP
However, as previously, Viagra is not an aphrodisiac that you take voila! You have an erection. It requires sexual stimulation; 12 minutes of sexual stimulation should do the trick. Some foreplay is always welcome, maybe a bit of masturbation, but you may want to steer clear of pornographic, especially if you have porn-induced ED.
While some people take Viagra after a meal to cushion themselves from probable side effects, taking the drug on an empty tummy is preferable. Food slows Viagra absorption by an hour, longer for fatty foods, and may compromise its effectiveness. Second, regarding food interaction, grapefruit and grapefruit products raise Sildenafil citrate (active ingredient in Viagra and Sildenafil) concentration in your blood to be dangerous, so avoid them.
Consider Drug Interactions
Besides food, Viagra may also have undesirable effects when combined with specific medications. Note that Viagra is a phosphodiesterase five (PDE5) inhibitor, meaning it functions by dilating blood vessels to increase blood flow.
Taking PDE5 inhibitors alongside hypertension medications, HIV drugs, alpha-blockers, and any medicine containing nitrates could cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure. Second, taking Viagra or Sildenafil alongside other ED drugs and recreational drugs like alcohol poses health risks. Therefore, disclose all the prescription medications you are on, so your doctor can prescribe alternative ED treatments if necessary.
Related: 11 Tips On How Erectile Dysfunction Can Ruin Your Mental Peace & Relationship
Monitor Side Effects And Report Emergency Situations
A study conducted on the long-term Sildenafil nitrate’s long-term safety and effectiveness revealed that Viagra’s active ingredient is safe and has low discontinuation cases. However, the prescription drug is not without side effects. You may experience one or more of the following few side effects on a mild to moderate level.
- Headaches
- Facial flushing
- Nasal congestion
- Digestive issues
- Heartburn
- Muscle pain
- Nausea
- Blurry vision
- Color blindness
However, you may also experience some less common but serious side effects, including priapism, hearing issues, and partial blindness. The conditions, although rare, can cause permanent damage to associated organs, so consult your doctor immediately if they occur.
Relax
Performance anxiety may be second nature for someone struggling with ED. Years of low self-esteem and other negative feelings from ED may cause anxiety over Viagra’s effects.
However, anxiety causes blood vessels to constrict in contrast to Viagra’s vasodilation efforts, rendering the drug less effective. So, think happy thoughts and enjoy the moment.
Conclusion
Viagra is a viable ED treatment option proven as safe and effective. However, follow the tips above to ensure the drug works and consult your doctor in case of unprecedented occurrences.
