Viagra®

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Viagra is the world's best-known drug for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (erectile dysfunction) in men. The drug was brought onto the market in 1998 by Pfizer. Nowadays, the active ingredient of Viagra is also used to treat a certain form of high blood pressure in the pulmonary circulation. Here you will find all the important information about the drug.

This active ingredient is in Viagra

This potent drug in Sildenafil, a PDE-5 inhibitor (phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor). It belongs to the vasodilating substances. How does Viagra work? The Viagra effect comes about because the active ingredient inhibits an enzyme in the body that is responsible for breaking down cyclic guanine monophosphate (cGMP). When sexually aroused, this substance leads to an enlargement of the penile arteries, so that more blood can flow into the erectile tissue. The drug indirectly ensures an increased concentration of cGMP in the body and thus leads to an increased erection. Without sexual stimulation, there will be no erection even after taking Viagra.

When is Viagra used?

Most often, the active ingredient Viagra is prescribed for erectile dysfunction. This occurs when the erection is not sufficient for satisfactory sexual intercourse. Viagra use is straightforward because the active ingredient has good oral bioavailability and can therefore be taken in the form of tablets.

The recommended Viagra dosage must not be exceeded. The usual daily dose is 50 mg, but it can be adjusted individually. The maximum daily dose is 100 mg. If necessary, one tablet should be taken about 60 minutes before sexual intercourse and no more than once a day. A lower maximum daily dose is recommended for certain diseases.

Viagra tablets are available in different dosages: 25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg of the active ingredient are used. If you eat food at the same time, especially fatty foods, you can expect a delayed onset of action and slower metabolism, because Viagra is also metabolized via the liver and kidneys.

What are the side effects of Viagra?

Like any drug, Viagra has side effects. Headache is very common after ingestion. Dizziness, visual disturbances with increased sensitivity to light or blurred vision, reddening of the face, nasal congestion or dyspepsia also occur frequently. Occasionally there is nausea and vomiting, rash, dry mouth, fatigue, somnolence, hypoesthesia, and penile bleeding.

Side effects in the form of deafness, hypotension, hypertension, heart attack, atrial fibrillation or a stroke occur rarely.

If signs of an allergic reaction such as difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or tongue occur after taking, a doctor should be consulted immediately. The same applies to painful erections that last longer than four hours.

Since Viagra can cause dizziness and impaired vision, special care should be taken when driving and using machines.

Viagra overdose

A higher dose of Viagra than the recommended dosage does not increase the effect, but more and more serious side effects occur. In this case, it is necessary to consult a doctor and discontinue the drug.

You should keep this in mind when using Viagra

The use of the drug should be avoided if simultaneous treatment with vasodilating nitrates or so-called nitrogen donors takes place, since Viagra can lead to a drastic increase in the effect of these drugs. Men who are not advised to engage in sexual activity, for example patients with severe cardiovascular diseases, should also refrain from taking Viagra. Furthermore, the drug must not be given to patients with severe liver dysfunction, who have recently suffered a stroke or heart attack, who have severely low blood pressure, known allergies to the active ingredient of Viagra, to women and minors.

Particular care should be taken when taking Viagra in patients with certain blood diseases such as sickle cell anemia, leukemia, heart problems, blood clotting disorders, gastrointestinal ulcers and functional disorders of the kidneys and liver.

Interactions with other drugs should also be taken into account. The Viagra active ingredient interacts with CYP3A4 inhibitors such as the antibiotic erythromycin, the gastric acid blocker cimetidine or substances in grapefruit juice. This leads to an increased concentration of the active ingredient in the plasma level and thus also to a changed effect of the drug. Taking alpha blockers for high blood pressure or prostate problems together with Viagra can lead to orthostatic hypotension (position-dependent low blood pressure) with dizziness. In this case, the use should be discussed with the doctor beforehand.

Viagra and alcohol

In general, it is not recommended to take Viagra and alcohol at the same time. While alcohol has a disinhibiting effect on the brain and increases sexual desire, alcohol also lowers testosterone levels. Consuming large amounts can therefore weaken the hoped-for effect of Viagra. For both of these reasons, the combination of Viagra and alcohol makes little sense and should be avoided.

How to get Viagra

Does Viagra require a prescription? The answer to this question is “yes” because it can only be prescribed by a doctor. The drug is available in all pharmacies. Commercial dosage forms are tablets, film-coated tablets and orodispersible tablets with 25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg of active ingredient. There are also chewable tablets with 50 mg or 100 mg. Like all medications, Viagra tablets should be taken with a little water.

Interesting facts about Viagra

The drug was originally intended to be used to treat heart problems in the early 1990s, but it turned out to be ineffective. Instead, some men reported frequent erections after taking the drug. Pfizer patented Viagra in 1998. It is one of the most famous drugs today due to its low side effects and reliable effect in over 90 percent of users. The “potency pill” is also known worldwide thanks to its characteristic diamond shape and blue color.