Viagra is a drug used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence) in men. It relaxes the muscles in the walls of blood vessels and increases blood flow to the penis.
Viagra is a powerful, selective (selective) inhibitor of cycloguanosine monophosphate (cGMP) specific phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5).
The pharmacological effect of this therapeutic action works by releasing nitric oxide (NO) in the corpora cavernosa through sexual stimulation. As a result of this, blood flow to the penis is increased and its smooth muscle fibers are relaxed.
What you need to know before taking Viagra
First of all, you should stop taking Viagra if you have an allergic reaction to it. Also, it should not be taken if you are taking medications to treat pulmonary hypertension (especially Adempas, an antihypertensive drug that stimulates the enzyme guanylate cyclase).
Also, you should not use Viagra if you are taking nitrate drugs (eg, nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate) for the treatment of heart pain, since the mechanism of action of the latter is also associated with the release of the NO factor. As a result of this joint interaction, vasodilation may increase and this will lead to a sharp drop in blood pressure with a possible loss of consciousness.
Before using Viagra, you should consult a doctor to collect your medical history to make sure there are no conditions such as:
- problems from the cardiovascular system (arrhythmia, arterial hypo- or hypertension, coronary heart disease);
- circulatory problems;
- retinitis pigmentosa (hereditary eye disease);
- violation of visual function;
- blood disorders (eg anemia, leukemia);
- pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (complications of pulmonary hypertension, in which small pulmonary
- veins are affected);
- diseases of the liver and / or kidneys;
- physical deformation of the penis (for example, Peyronie’s disease).
It is also especially important to consult your doctor before taking this medicine if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, or if you are breastfeeding a baby.
Viagra is allowed for use from the age of 18.
How to take Viagra?
Viagra is taken if necessary 30 minutes or 1 hour before sexual intercourse. You can also take it 4 hours before sexual activity. Viagra will show its therapeutic effect only if you apply sexual stimulation.
Viagra can only be taken once a day at the dosage prescribed by the doctor.
Method of application and dosage of Viagra
Usual Adult Dose for Erectile Dysfunction.
Initial dose: 50 mg orally once a day, as needed, 1 hour before sexual activity.
Maintenance: 25 to 100 mg orally once a day, as needed, 1 hour before sexual activity.
Usual geriatric (elderly) dose for erectile dysfunction.
Initial dose: 25 mg orally once a day 1 hour before sexual activity.
Note!
If at the time of sexual intercourse after taking Viagra you experience pain, numbness or tingling in the chest, arms, neck or jaw, you must stop the process and consult a doctor immediately. Such symptoms may indicate serious side effects of Viagra with a subsequent risk of complications.
What happens when you miss another dose of Viagra?
Because Viagra is used on an as-needed basis, you are unlikely to miss a dose. But you can not take two doses at a time.
What can not be done while taking Viagra?
When taking Viagra, it is worth remembering that you should not take it at the same time as alcoholic beverages, as this increases the frequency of side effects, which can be extremely dangerous for your health.
Also, at the time of taking Viagra, you should avoid eating grapefruits and grapefruit juice, as this fruit significantly enhances the pharmacological effect of Viagra, which can lead to complicated side effects and even an overdose.
If you are taking Viagra, you should not use other concomitant medications to treat impotence without first consulting your doctor. This can only harm, rather than have the expected, effective result.