Viagra Patient Tips

– By Matthew Solan Executive Editor, Harvard Men's Health Watch As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox!

• Viagra works by relaxing blood vessels to increase blood flow.
• Daily use of Viagra may reduce the need for higher doses.
• It's designed to be taken approximately at the same time each day.
• No significant food restrictions are necessary with daily Viagra.
• Men with certain health conditions should consult a doctor first.
• Viagra daily can be part of long-term erectile dysfunction treatment.
• Regular use might improve overall sexual confidence.
• Some men experience improved erectile quality with daily use.

Viagra is used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED).

Population Group	Effectiveness Percentage	Notes
Men aged 40–60	70–80%	Common age group effectiveness
Men over 60	60–70%	Slightly lower effectiveness
Men with diabetes	50–65%	Variable depending on severity
Men without comorbidities	80–90%	Highest success rate

Viagra (sildenafil) works by blocking the action of an enzyme known as cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE-5). This enzyme breaks down cGMP, a substance that induces smooth muscles to relax. Blocking PDE-5 means increased levels of cGMP within the smooth muscles which promotes muscle relaxation and vasodilation (a widening of blood vessels). High levels of PDE-5 are found in the penis, lungs, and retina. PDE-5 is also found throughout the body within the smooth muscle cells of blood vessels and muscles.

What to avoid

How to protect your health in a power outage Physical therapy provides modest improvement for chronic low back pain Kinesio taping offers only modest relief for musculoskeletal disorders Scoliosis treatment: Can it help as you get older? New resistance training guidance may simplify your workout The problem with "classic" Lyme disease symptoms Are those body aches a sign of gallstones? Tadalafil (Cialis) is one of the most popular erectile dysfunction (ED) drugs. The drug comes in low-dose versions that can be taken daily. This means you can have sex at any time, rather than needing to take a pill from time to time as needed like other ED brands.

Does sildenafil interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

The starting dose for daily-use Cialis is 2.5 milligrams (mg). If that doesn't work, you can increase your daily dose up to 5 mg. But is this the right approach for you—or are you better off with traditional ED drugs like Viagra, Levitra, or even the nondaily version of Cialis? If you are contemplating Cialis for daily use, consider these questions and then discuss it with your doctor: If it's two or more times a week, a daily pill might be a reasonable choice, since the drug continually circulates in your bloodstream. A daily pill clears the path for sex at any time—if the drug works for you.

Endothelial friendly

(Remember, just like other ED drugs, it may not work for everyone). On the other hand, the 36-hour window offered by the nondaily version of Cialis might offer enough spontaneity. Have side effects of your current ED pill been bothering you? Taking a daily low-dose pill may reduce side effects, though it may reduce effectiveness as well. In studies, the most common daily pill side effects were headache, muscle pain, indigestion, and back pain. Viagra is approved to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence) in men.

Product	Dosage	Quantity + Bonus	Price
Viagra Soft Tabs	100mg	60 + 6 Pills	152.94€ 145.66€	Buy
Viagra Generic	50mg	180 + 8 Pills	158.82€ 151.26€	Buy
Viagra Original	100mg	48 + 4 Pills	207.15€ 197.29€	Buy
Viagra Super Active	100mg	90 + 10 Pills	165.61€ 157.72€	Buy
Viagra Super Active	100mg	60 + 8 Pills	116.84€ 111.28€	Buy
Viagra Generic	25mg	10 Pills	25.19€ 23.99€	Buy
Viagra Generic	100mg	90 + 6 Pills	129.02€ 122.88€	Buy
Viagra Generic	100mg	20 Pills	45.58€ 43.41€	Buy
Viagra Oral Jelly	100mg	220 + 18 Sachets	562.28€ 535.50€	Buy
Viagra Original	100mg	64 + 4 Pills	264.15€ 251.57€	Buy
Viagra Generic	200mg	120 + 8 Pills	204.80€ 195.05€	Buy
Viagra Original	100mg	92 + 4 Pills	362.88€ 345.60€	Buy

Another brand of sildenafil (Revatio) is approved to treat high blood pressure associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Viagra belongs to the drug class called PDE-5 inhibitors. Used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED), also known as impotence, in men.

“With great power comes great responsibility”

Call your doctor right away if you have blurred vision, confusion, dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly, sweating, or unusual tiredness or weakness. This medicine does not protect you against sexually transmitted diseases (including HIV or AIDS). Use protective measures and ask your doctor if you have any questions about this. Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Eat a light meal beforehand

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur: burning feeling in the chest or stomach burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings decrease in amount of urine or the frequency of urination dizziness or lightheadedness, especially when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position dryness, redness, scaling, or peeling of the skin increase in the size of the pupil redness, burning, or swelling of the eyes redness, itching, or tearing of the eyes seeing shades of colors differently than before swelling of the face, hands, feet, or lower legs unusual feeling of burning or stinging of the skin Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Key takeaways

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them: pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones diarrhea or stomach cramps (severe or continuing) numbness or tingling of the hands, legs, or feet redness, soreness, swelling, or bleeding of the gums sensation generic viagra professional sildenafil 100mg of motion, usually whirling, either of one's self or of one's surroundings sexual problems in men (continuing), including failure to experience a sexual orgasm sores in the mouth and on the lips Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. Can juicing help you get more fruits and vegetables? It increases blood flow to the penis following sexual stimulation and allows men to keep an erection hard enough for penetrative sex. Works within 30 to 60 minutes of taking, but may be taken up to four hours before sexual activity. If you are between the ages of 18 and 60, take no other medication or have no other medical conditions, side effects you are more likely to experience include: Dyspepsia, flushing, headache, indigestion, muscle pain, back pain, and visual disturbances are the most common side effects reported. Other side effects include a drop in blood pressure, insomnia, nasal congestion, or a runny nose and nosebleeds. Sudden hearing loss has also been reported. Some people taking Viagra have had bleeding events; however, it has not been established if this is related to Viagra use.

Other targets: Side effects

Men taking Cialis for daily use can experience a worrisome drop in blood pressure if they drink too much. Ask your doctor if any medications or supplements you take might interact with a daily erectile dysfunction pill, including blood pressure drugs, antifungal drugs, and HIV drugs. Also, men taking nitrate medications are advised not to take best viagra for men any ED drugs. While the manufacturer suggests that a 30-day supply of daily Cialis should cost about the same as eight pills of 36-hour Cialis a month, there's no way to enforce this. Check your insurance policy and local pharmacies for price information. Rarely, may decrease blood flow to the optic nerve causing sudden vision loss. The risk is greater in people aged older than 50, or with diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, who smoke, or with certain pre-existing eye problems.

Side effects of Sildenafil (Viagra)

If you need emergency medical care for a heart problem, it is important that your doctor knows when you last took sildenafil. Do not use this medicine if you are also using a nitrate medicine, often used to treat angina or high blood pressure. Some illegal ("street") drugs called "poppers" (such as amyl nitrate, butyl nitrate, or nitrite). Do not use this medicine if you also use riociguat (Adempas®). If you will be taking this medicine for pulmonary arterial hypertension, your doctor will want to check your progress at regular visits.

How does Viagra work?

This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to take it. If you take sildenafil for pulmonary arterial hypertension, do not take Viagra®, Vibrique™ or other PDE5 inhibitors, including tadalafil (Cialis®) or vardenafil (Levitra®). If you take too much sildenafil or take it together with these medicines, the chance for side effects will be higher. It is important to tell your doctor about any heart problems you have now or may have had in the past. This medicine can cause serious side effects in patients with heart problems.

How should I store sildenafil?

If you experience a prolonged or painful erection for 4 hours or more, contact your doctor immediately. This condition may require prompt medical treatment to prevent serious and permanent damage to your penis. If you experience a sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes, contact your doctor immediately. Check with your doctor right away if you have a sudden decrease in hearing or loss of hearing, which may be accompanied by dizziness and ringing in the ears. If you already use medicine for high blood pressure (hypertension), sildenafil could make your blood pressure go too low. Stop taking Viagra and urgently see a healthcare provider if you experience sudden vision loss. Rarely, may cause other side effects or lead to painful erections lasting longer than four hours.

• Viagra daily can be taken with or without food.
• Regular medication use may improve blood flow to the penis.
• Use Viagra daily as directed by a healthcare professional.
• Side effects may include headache, flushing, or nasal congestion.
• Avoid alcohol while taking daily Viagra to reduce side effects.
• Damage to the heart or blood pressure issues should be checked before use.
• Viagra daily should not be combined with certain nitrates.
• Monitor for any adverse effects and report to your doctor.

See your doctor immediately if this happens. May not be suitable for some people including those with angina, chest pain, other heart conditions, liver or kidney problems, blood or bleeding disorders, stomach ulcers, certain eye conditions, or a physical deformity of the penis (such as Peyronie's disease).

• Men should start with the lowest effective dose recommended by their doctor.
• It can take several weeks to notice full benefits of daily Viagra.
• Proper hydration and healthy lifestyle habits support treatment.
• Men should avoid high-fat meals around the time of taking Viagra.
• It is important to disclose all medications and health issues to your doctor.
• Viagra daily does not cause addiction but requires responsible use.
• Psychological factors may still influence the effectiveness.
• Combining Viagra with other lifestyle changes enhances overall results.

May interact with some medications including certain antibiotics and antifungals, herbal remedies, HIV medicines, and drugs used in the treatment of high blood pressure or prostate disorders. Viagra offers no protection against sexually transmitted diseases. Viagra is available as a generic under the name sildenafil. Note: In general, seniors or children, people with certain medical conditions (such as liver or kidney problems, heart disease, diabetes, seizures) or people who take other medications are more at risk of developing a wider range of side effects.