Drug Name

Viagra (generic name: Sildenafil)

Drug Uses

Sildenafil (Sildenafil) belongs to a group of medicines that delay the enzymes called phosphodiesterases from working too quickly. The penis is one of the areas where these enzymes work. Sildenafil is used to treat men who have erectile dysfunction (also called sexual impotence).

How to use

Viagra (Sildenafil) usually starts to work within 30 minutes after taking it for erectile dysfunction. It continues to work for up to 4 hours, although its action is usually less after 2 hours.

Drug Class and Mechanism

Viagra, an oral drug for male impotence treatment, is the citrate salt of sildenafil, a selective inhibitor of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-specific phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5).

Missed Dose

The dose of sildenafil will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of sildenafil. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

Storage

Keep Viagra out of the reach of children.

Store Sildenafil away from heat and direct light.

Do not store it in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.

Keep the medicine from freezing. Do not refrigerate.

Do not keep outdated sildenafil or sildenafil no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

Warnings/Precautions

Viagra (Sildenafil) may cause blurred vision, drowsiness or dizziness. Alcohol, hot weather, physical activity, other medicines or fever may increase Viagra side effects. To prevent these side effects, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. At the first sign of any of Viagra side effects take a sit or lie down

Take Viagra (Sildenafil) with caution. You should not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.

Patients having heart problems who take Sildenafil may be at higher risk for heart-related side effects such as stroke or heart attack. Heart attack symptoms may include neck, shoulder, chest or jaw pain; vision changes; severe dizziness, headache, nausea, stomach pain; fainting, or numbness of an arm or leg or vomiting. Stroke symptoms may include one-sided weakness, vision or speech changes, confusion, or fainting. Seek medical attention immediately if you experience one of these symptoms.

Rarely Viagra may cause a painful, prolonged erection. It can happen not even during sexual intercourse. If prolonged erection is not treated accordingly, it could lead to impotence or permanent sexual problems. Contact your health care provider immediately if you have an erection that lasts longer than 4 hours.

While taking Viagra you should not use any other medicines or treatments for impotence / erectile dysfunction.

Possible Side Effects

Viagra can cause some side effects. These side effects may disappear during treatment as your organism adjusts to the medication. Nevertheless, you should contact your health care provider if any of the following side effects do not go away:

• Unusually warm skin;
• trouble in sleeping;
• stuffy or runny nose;
• stomach discomfort following meals;
• sneezing;
• redness of skin;
• nasal congestion;
• bloody nose;
• difficult or labored breathing;
• diarrhea;
• pain or tenderness around eyes and cheekbones;
• flushing;
• headache;
• aches or pains in muscles;

Along with its needed effects, Viagra may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

• Tenderness in stomach area;
• stomach upset;
• pain on urination;
• indigestion;
• increased frequency of urination;
• dizziness;
• cloudy or bloody urine;
• burning feeling in chest or stomach;
• tingling feelings;
• “pins and needles”;
• prickling;
• abnormal vision;
• including blurred vision;

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, contact you health care provider.

More Information

Patient that are older than 65 years, can be more sensitive to Viagra side effects. However, your health care provider may prescribe you a lower dose of Viagra (Sildenafil).