What is Viagra (Sildenafil) medicine used for?

What is Viagra (Sildenafil) medicine used for?

Viagra medication

Viagra medicine is used in the treatment of the symptoms of erectile dysfunction. It can be used with other medications or alone. To the muscles found in the blood vessels, viagra gives relaxation and increases blood flow to particular areas of the body. Viagra comes under the class of drugs known as PAH (pulmonary arterial hypertension), PDE-5 Inhibitors, Phosphodiesterase-5 Enzyme Inhibitors. It is sold under the brand name Revatio and viagra generic name is sildenafil. 

The viagra (Revatio) is used in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension and in men and women, it improves exercise capacity. So, don’t try to take viagra or Revatio at the same time because that would be harmful to you. The first talk to your healthcare professionals then takes them. Children can not take viagra without doctor consultation.

During sexual stimulation, by increasing blood flow to the penis, viagra (sildenafil) treats erectile dysfunction and because of this increased blood flow may cause an erection. By relaxing the blood vessels in the lungs, viagra (sildenafil) treats PAH and allow blood to flow easily

How to use Viagra?

Viagra is available in the form of a suspension and a tablet to take by mouth. Usually, doctors prescribed this medication as needed before the sexual activity. Before one hour of sexual activity is the best time to take viagra. Before the sexual activity, you can take this medication any time from 4 hours to 30 minutes. 

This medication should not be used more than once in 24 hours. You can take this viagra (sildenafil) without or with the food, it’s all up to you. But this medication takes a long time to start its work when you take viagra (sildenafil) with high-fat food or meal. Your doctor will suggest you take this medication less often, if you are taking any other medicine or if you have certain health conditions.

Be careful about your doctor’s directions and the guidelines, when you are taking this medication to treat the PAH, you can take viagra (sildenafil) three times a day, without or with the food at around the same times every day. And give the space between doses about 4 to 6 hours apart.

Ensure that all the directions have been followed exactly on your prescription label carefully. The injection prescribed by your doctors can not be used more or less. The dosage of this injection depends on your medical condition or your response to treatment. And always mark your calendar to keep track of your next dose to remember using this medication. If you don’t understand any of the parts then ask your healthcare provider to explain all the things again. 

Before using this medication, you should know that viagra (sildenafil) doesn’t cure the PAH, it only controls pulmonary arterial hypertension. so without talking to your doctor won’t try to stop using this medication, even if you feel well or your symptoms disappear. And if you feel your condition doesn’t improve then you may contact your healthcare professionals. Your healthcare professionals will tell you when you have stopped using this medication. 

Dosage for ED

The most important thing is to never use viagra more than once a day, which would be harmful to you. This medication is available in three strengths: 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg. When you use viagra to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) then take 50 mg tablets or you can also take this same dose before having sex or sexual activity within 30 minutes to 4 hours. But mostly the people use this medication same dose about an hour before having sex.

There are so many factors such as liver or kidney problems. By watching them your doctor will increase or decrease your dosage or if you are taking certain other medications. Your doctor will always start your dose with 25 mg tablets. 

Always remember that Your doctor can increase your dose if Viagra isn’t working for you. But the dosage never increased by 100 mg, it is the highest dose of this medication. 

Special dietary plans

Always follow your dietary recommendations and exercise plan made by your healthcare professional. while taking viagra (sildenafil) then ask your doctor about eating grapefruit and drinking grapefruit juice. If your doctor didn’t give you any instructions, you can continue your normal diet plans by just avoiding fast food. 

Side effects of viagra

Viagra may cause so many side effects, some are very serious and some are not. Some common side effects may go away within a couple of weeks or a few days. All the below-mentioned side effects occur when you are taking the viagra medication. But the list doesn’t contain all the possible side effects if you are facing any other problem then contact your doctor directly.

And if you want to know more information about the side effects of viagra then contact your doctor. Or they will give a method also how to face any side effects that may be bothersome.  And never try to use it for a longer time period than prescribed. 

Some common viagra side effects:

  • You’ll feel flushing (feeling of warmth).
  • You’ll feel numbness, burning, or tingling in the arms, hands, feet, or legs.
  • You’ll feel muscle aches.
  • You’ll feel sensitivity to light.
  • You’ll get a headache.
  • You’ll feel heartburn.
  • You’ll feel diarrhea.
  • You’ll feel nosebleeds.
  • You’ll feel difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep.

Some serious viagra side effects:

These are not the very common side effects of Viagra, but they can occur. If you are feeling any other mentioned or not mentioned side effects then call 911 or call your doctor right away, if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

  • You’ll feel dizzy or lightheaded.
  • You’ll feel faint.
  • You’ll start to feel an allergic reaction.
  • You’ll feel low blood pressure.
  • You’ll feel chest pain.
  • You’ll feel changes in color vision (having difficulty telling the difference between blue and green).
  • You’ll feel a sudden severe loss of vision or blurred vision.
  • You’ll feel itching or burning during urination.
  • You’ll feel rash.
  • You’ll feel a sudden decrease or loss of hearing.
  • You’ll feel ringing in your ears.
  • You’ll feel worsening shortness of breath.
  • You’ll feel an erection that is painful or lasts longer than 4 hours.
  • You’ll feel cardiovascular problems such as heart attack, irregular heartbeat, or stroke.

After taking viagra (sildenafil) or other medications, if you are feeling or experiencing the sudden loss of some or all of their vision then contact your healthcare professions immediately. Because of this medication, your vision loss may become permanent. It is also not known that the cause of this problem is viagra (sildenafil) medication or other medication. Until talking to your doctor doesn’t take any more doses of this medication similar to this medication.

After taking viagra (sildenafil) or other medications, if you are feeling or experienced a sudden decrease or loss of hearing then contact your healthcare professions immediately. But usually, this problem is found only in the one ear and goes when you stop taking this medication, but in case if the problem doesn’t go then contact your healthcare professionals. It is also not known that the cause of this problem is viagra (sildenafil) medication or other medication. While you are taking Viagra, you may have experienced a sudden loss of hearing or dizziness. 

The persons who took viagra (sildenafil) for erectile dysfunction gave a report that tells of heart attack, bleeding in the brain or lungs, stroke, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, and sudden death in men. It is also not known that the cause of this problem is viagra (sildenafil) medication or other medication. Before taking this medication talk to your doctor about all risks of taking medicine.

In case, if you are facing any problems and do not go away or are getting worse then immediately contact your health care professionals because this is not the complete list of all symptoms and side effects of this medication. 

If I forget a viagra dose?

When you are taking the viagra (sildenafil) for erectile dysfunction then you should know this medication is taken as needed. So you shouldn’t miss a single dose since this medication is taken as needed. 

You can make your dose double if you are taking this medication for PAH at irregular times. If in case, the time is near your next dose and you forget to take your last dose of this medication then we suggest you please skip that dose and take it at the next dose at the regular time.

Special precautions of viagra

You should have followed all these special precautions carefully while using the viagra (sildenafil):

  • If you are a pregnant woman or planning to become pregnant while taking sildenafil to treat PAH then talk to your healthcare professionals. Because it is not expected that viagra can not harm an unborn baby.
  • If you or you are breastfeeding while taking sildenafil to treat PAH (pulmonary arterial hypertension) then talk to your healthcare professionals. Because it is not expected that this medication can pass into breast milk.
  • If you are having surgery, including dental surgery while taking this medication then talk to your healthcare professionals or dentist.
  • If you are under 18 years old then don’t take this medication without talking to your doctor.
  • Before taking this medication, your doctor may tell you to avoid sexual activity for medical reasons. during sexual activity, if you ever have experienced chest pain, dizziness, or nausea during then talk to your healthcare professionals.
  • If you have heart disease then the sexual activity may be a strain on your heart then talk to your healthcare professionals.
  • If you are taking any herbal products especially St. John’s wort then talks to your healthcare professionals.
  • While taking this medication, don’t try to take the street drugs containing nitrates such as amyl nitrate and butyl nitrate without your doctor being concerned.
  • If you are allergic to viagra (sildenafil), any other medications, or any of the ingredients in sildenafil products then tell your doctor and pharmacist and ask them for all ingredients of this medication by which you are allergic.
  • Talk to your healthcare professional, before taking this medication, if you ever had 
    • blood cell disorder
    • bleeding disorder
    • heart disease or heart rhythm problems
    • high or low blood pressure
    • liver or kidney disease
    • physical deformity of the penis
    • coronary artery disease
    • a heart attack, stroke, or congestive heart failure
    • stomach ulcer
    • retinitis pigmentosa

Viagra interaction with other drugs

Viagra is a type of medication that can interact with several other medications and its different interactions can cause different effects. Without consulting your doctor, do not make changes to your dose. Some interactions can only change the working of the medication and some have serious side effects. Below is the list of some common interactions with Viagra.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor all the prescription and non-prescription medication and drugs, vitamins, or herbal products you are taking.

  • Antibiotics such as erythromycin, telithromycin, or clarithromycin
  • Any drugs that help in the treatment of a prostate disorder, or high blood pressure
  • Medicines used in the treatment of HIV/AIDS such as  atazanavir, saquinavir, indinavir, or ritonavir
  • Medications used in the treatment of pulmonary artery hypertension PAH
  • Nitrates

These are not all possible interactions. So, before taking other medication at the time you are taking viagra talk to your doctor first.

What to do in case of an overdose?

In case you have an overdose on the viagra then call the poison control helpline or contact them at  https://www.poisonhelp.org/help.

How to store viagra?

You can store the viagra in the same container it came in. After using a viagra tablet make sure to close the container tightly and out of reach of children. You can store these viagra tablets at room temperature and put them away from the excess heat and moisture.

Lock the safety caps of all the medicines, to ensure they do not misuse it. Consult your pharmacist for more details. Used medicine or unneeded medication should be disposed of properly to keep out of reach of animals or children. However, not to be flushed down the toilet. The best way to destroy them is to take back the program for returning your medicines to the pharmacist.

Other information on viagra

Keep all your appointments with your doctor, pharmacist, and the laboratory. 

You can create a list of all the medications you are using such as prescription and non-prescription medications or drugs to make it easy and unforgettable while taking the viagra. And when you visit your healthcare professionals, you can show him that list. 

In the US- You can call up your medical consultant or a doctor for advice about side effects, you may also report FDA at 1-800 FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch


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