Viagra
Drug Information
Typical Brand Name: Viagra
Generic Name: Sildenafil Citrate
Viagra® (sildenafil citrate) is a breakthrough treatment for
male erectile dysfunction or ED, often called impotence.
It is a convenient, discreet pill you take only when
you want to have sex. Viagra can help many men who have
ED get and keep an erection when they become sexually
stimulated, either physically or visually. So with Viagra,
a touch or a glance from your partner can again lead
to something more.
What is Viagra?
Uses:
Viagra is a prescription medicine taken by mouth for
the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) in men. ED
is a condition where the penis does not harden and expand
when a man is sexually excited, or when he cannot keep
an erection. Viagra may help a man with ED get and keep
an erection when he is sexually excited. Viagra must
be used only under a doctor’s care.
How
to take this medication:
For most patients, the recommended dose is 50 mg taken
as needed, approximately 1 hour before sexual activity.
However, Viagra may be taken anywhere from 4 hours to
0.5 hour before sexual activity. Based on effectiveness
and toleartion, the dose may be increased to a maximum
recommended dose of 100 mg or decreased to 25 mg. The
maximum recommended dosing frequency is once per day.
Viagra® (sildenafil citrate) is supplied as blue,
film-coated, rounded-diamond-shaped tablets containing
sildenafil citrate equivalent to the nominallt indicated
amount of sildenafil.
Possible
side effects:
Viagra can cause your blood pressure to drop suddenly
to an unsafe level if it is taken with certain other
medicines such as nitrates and alpha-blockers, and recreational
drugs that contain nitrates called “poppers.”
A sudden drop in your blood pressure could cause you
to become dizzy, faint, or have a heart attack or stroke.
Tell all your healthcare professionals that you take
Viagra. If you need emergency medical care for a heart
problem, it will be important for your healthcare professionals
to know when you last took Viagra. Some common side
effects with Viagra include: headache, flushing, upset
stomach, stuffy or runny nose, urinary tract infection,
diarrhea
Precautions:
Before using Viagra, tell your doctor if you:
- have or had heart problems
- have low blood pressure or have high blood pressure
that is not controlled
- have had a stroke
- have liver problems
- have ever had severe vision loss
- have kidney problems or require dialysis
- have retinitis pigmentosa, a rare genetic (runs
in families) eye disease
- have stomach ulcers
- have a bleeding problem
- have a deformed penis shape or Peyronie’s
disease
- have had an erection that lasted more than 4 hours
- have blood cell problems such as sickle cell anemia,
multiple myeloma, or leukemia
- are taking a medicine called a protease inhibitor
for the treatment of HIV
- are taking medicines called alpha blockers (alpha
blockers are sometimes prescribed for prostate problems
or high blood pressure)
Drug
interactions:
Tell your doctor of all nonprescription and prescription
medication you may use, especially any nitrate medications
(e.g., nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate), nitroprusside
(any "nitric oxide donor" medicines), cimetidine,
erythromycin, azole antifungals (e.g., itraconazole,
ketoconazole), mibefradil, rifamycins (e.g., rifampin)
or high blood pressure medicines.
Notes:
Do not share Viagra with others, since they may have
a problem that is not effectively treated by this drug.
Use of this drug does not protect against sexually transmitted
diseases (e.g., HIV, Hepatitis B, gonorrhea).
Missed
Dosage:
Not applicable.
Storage:
Store Viagra at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees
F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Keep
this and all medications out of the reach of children.
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