How to take Viagra correctly: Tips and precautions

Viagra (active ingredient – sildenafil) is a drug known worldwide as a treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED). This drug has revolutionized the medical field, allowing millions of men around the world to improve the quality of their sex lives. Sildenafil may also be used to improve the quality of erections and the duration of sexual intercourse. In this article, we will analyze in detail what Viagra is, how it works, how to use it correctly, and also consider possible side effects and contraindications.

❗️Everyone writes about it and you know about it for sure, but let's clarify again: Before using Viagra, be sure to consult your doctor, as sildenafil has side effects and contraindications.

Viagra (the active ingredient is sildenafil) was developed and released by the pharmaceutical company Pfizer in 1998. Initially, the drug was developed as a treatment for cardiovascular diseases, but during clinical trials, it turned out that it has a pronounced effect of improving erection.

Sildenafil is an inhibitor of the enzyme phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5), which plays a key role in regulating blood flow in the penis. By blocking the action of PDE-5, Viagra promotes vasodilation and increases blood flow to the cavernous bodies of the penis, which allows you to achieve and maintain an erection in the presence of sexual stimulation.

Viagra works by increasing the levels of cGMP (cyclic guanosil monophosphate) in the blood. CGMP is a mediator of vascular dilation and improvement of blood supply. When cGMP is elevated, the vessels in the penis dilate, allowing more blood to flow into the penis, thereby increasing erection tightness and quality. A prerequisite for the drug to work effectively is sexual stimulation. Sildenafil It also thins the blood.

Viagra does not affect sexual desire and does not promote a natural erection. It works only in the presence of a sexual stimulus.

There are a number of conditions and diseases in which the use of Viagra is contraindicated:

• Concomitant intake of nitrates or nitric oxide donors
• Allergy to sildenafil or other components of the drug
• Severe cardiovascular disease, such as recent myocardial infarction or stroke
• Serious hepatic impairment
• Low blood pressure (hypotension)
• Hereditary degenerative retinal diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa

How to take Viagra?

Dosage and dosage form

Viagra is available in the form of tablets in dosages of 25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg. The recommended starting dose for most men is 50 mg. Depending on the effectiveness and tolerability of the drug, the dose can be reduced to 25 mg or increased to 100 mg.

Taking the medication

The tablet should be taken orally with water, about 30-60 minutes before the intended sexual activity. Viagra begins to work on average 30 minutes after ingestion, and the effect can last up to 4 hours. But you need to understand that the organisms of all people are different. There may also be different problems with the occurrence of ED. And in this regard, everyone's reaction to the drug may be different. Thus, for some, it will be enough to take half a tablet to achieve the result, while others will need to increase the dose of the drug to two tablets.

Food and alcohol

Viagra can be taken both on an empty stomach and after meals. However, fatty foods can slow down the absorption of the drug and delay the onset of its action. Moderate alcohol consumption is acceptable, but alcohol abuse can reduce the effectiveness of the drug and increase the risk of side effects.

Also, grapefruits and grapefruit juice are not recommended to be combined with Sildenafil because of the potential interaction that can lead to to an increase in the concentration of the drug in the blood and an increase in the risk of side effects. To avoid adverse interactions, it is recommended to avoid grapefruit juice and grapefruits for 6 to 12 hours before and after taking Viagra. 

Grapefruit juice contains substances called furanocoumarins. These compounds affect the enzyme CYP3A4, which is found in the liver and intestines and is responsible for the metabolism (breakdown) of many drugs, including Viagra.

When you drink grapefruit juice, furanocoumarins block the action of the enzyme CYP3A4, slowing down the metabolism of sildenafil. This leads to the fact that the concentration of Viagra in the blood can increase significantly.

An increase in the concentration of sildenafil in the blood can lead to an increase in its effects, but also to an increased risk of side effects.

Compatibility with other drugs

It is necessary to consult a doctor before taking Viagra, especially if you are taking other medications. In particular, Viagra should not be used together with drugs containing nitrates (for example, for the treatment of angina), as this can lead to a sharp decrease in blood pressure.

It is forbidden to use together with other drugs for the treatment of potency problems, as well as during use ritonavir (an antiretroviral drug used to treat HIV, AIDS and viral hepatitis C).

Possible side effects

Although Viagra is usually well tolerated, some men may experience side effects. The most common ones include

1. Headache
2. Flushing of the face (redness)
3. Indigestion (dyspepsia)
4. Nasal congestion
5. Visual disturbances (such as blurred vision or changes in color perception)

These side effects are usually mild and go away on their own after a while. However, if side effects persist or worsen, a doctor should be consulted.

Features of use

Priapism: This is a rare but serious condition in which an erection lasts more than 4 hours and is accompanied by pain. If this happens, medical attention should be sought immediately to avoid damage to the tissues of the penis.

Age and health status: Viagra can be prescribed to men over 18 years of age. Elderly patients and those with comorbidities should start treatment with the lowest dose.

Women and children: Viagra is not intended for use by women and children, although there are similar drugs for women approved for the treatment of sexual disorders.

Viagra is not only for potency ...

Although Viagra has many contraindications and side effects, including those affecting the heart, thanks to some studies, it has been possible to establish that sildenafil can be quite successfully used to treat heart disease, and even heart failure. The results of these studies are based on the same ability of Viagra to improve blood flow, which directly depends on the improvement of the heart muscle. This conclusion was reached by scientists from the University of Southern California in their researchpublished in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.

The study analyzed the medical records over a 14-year period of more than 23,000 American men about the age of 52 who were prescribed Viagra for erectile dysfunction. The information obtained was compared with the medical data of 48 thousand men of the same age who had the same diagnosis, but did not take the drug.

"As a result, it was found that patients who took Viagra lived longer on average. Their risk of premature death from any cause was reduced by 25%, and the risk of death from cardiovascular disease was reduced by almost 40%. In addition, they also had a 17% lower risk of developing heart failure," the study said.

*Moreover, men who took a larger dose of Viagra turned out to be better protected against heart disease than those who took a lower dose of the drug.

At the same time, the researchers noted that these facts are no longer a discovery, since at the time of the appearance of Viagra in 1992, it was tested as a drug for a number of heart diseases, but it was found that it is still more effective for treating erection problems.

In addition, the scientists drew attention to the need for further research, since the link between the use of the drug and its positive effect on the heart has not yet been studied in sufficient detail.

"It is possible that the male subjects were initially less prone to heart disease, since otherwise such patients are not prescribed Viagra. Or the improvement in the ability to have sex had more of an effect on good heart function than the same drug did. In any case, we need to continue research.", the scientists said.

*Important Take sildenafil only after consulting a doctor and following the dosage prescribed by the doctor. It is not recommended to take more than one tablet per day. In any case, before taking Viagra and any other medications, you should consult your doctor.

But the amazing abilities of this drug do not end. As research has shown, Viagra can stop the growth of cancerous tumors, and protect the heart during treatment. For example, treatment with doxorubicin together with Viagra turned out to be more effective against prostate cancer.

Viagra is an effective and safe treatment for erectile dysfunction when used correctly. However, it is important to remember that before starting to take the drug, it is necessary to consult a doctor to assess all possible risks and contraindications. Compliance with dosage and administration recommendations will help minimize the likelihood of side effects and ensure maximum effectiveness of treatment.