Viagra F.A.Q.

Viagra is a pill used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence) in men. It can help many men who have erectile dysfunction get and keep an erection when they become sexually excited (stimulated).

You will not get an erection just by taking this medicine. Viagra helps a man with erectile dysfunction get an erection only when he is sexually excited.

Viagra is not a hormone. Viagra is not an aphrodisiac. It is a prescription medicine that can improve the erectile function of many men with erection problems.

When a man is sexually excited, the penis rapidly fills with more blood than usual. The penis then expands and hardens. This is called an erection. After the man is done having sex, this extra blood flows out of the penis back into the body. The erection goes away. If an erection lasts for a long time (more than 6 hours), it can permanently damage your penis. You should call a doctor immediately if you ever have a prolonged erection that lasts more than 4 hours.

Some conditions and medicines interfere with this natural erection process. The penis cannot fill with enough blood. The man cannot have an erection. This is called erectile dysfunction if it becomes a frequent problem.

During sex, your heart works harder. Therefore sexual activity may not be advisable for people who have heart problems. Before you start any treatment for erectile dysfunction, ask your doctor if your heart is healthy enough to handle the extra strain of having sex. If you have chest pains, dizziness or nausea during sex, stop having sex and immediately tell your doctor you have had this problem.

Viagra enables many men with erectile dysfunction to respond to sexual stimulation. When a man is sexually excited, Viagra helps the penis fill with enough blood to cause an erection. After sex is over, the erection goes away.

Viagra increases blood flow to the penis, so that when a man is sexually aroused, he can have an erection. When the sexual encounter is over, his erection goes away. If a man takes Viagra and then circumstances change and he isn't sexually stimulated, he won't get an erection. You won't get an erection just by taking the pill.

Viagra improves a man's response to sexual stimulation. To understand how, you need to understand how an erection happens in the first place.

Erections are all about increasing blood flow to the penis. Without sexual stimulation, the body limits blood flow into the penis. This keeps the penis flaccid (soft or not erect). When a man is sexually aroused, the arteries in the penis relax and widen, allowing more blood to flow into the penis. As the penis expands and hardens, veins that normally carry blood away from the penis become compressed. This restricts how much blood can flow out of the penis. With more blood flowing in and less flowing out, the penis enlarges, resulting in an erection.

If the nerves or blood vessels associated with this process aren't working properly, a man may not be able to get an erection.

As noted above (How Sex Affects the Body), ask your doctor if your heart is healthy enough for sexual activity.

If you take any medicines that contain nitrates - either regularly or as needed - you should never take Viagra.If you take Viagra with any nitrate medicine or recreational drug containing nitrates, your blood pressure could suddenly drop to an unsafe level. You could get dizzy, faint, or even have a heart attack or stroke. Nitrates are found in many prescription medicines that are used to treat angina (chest pain due to heart disease) such as:

nitroglycerin (sprays, ointments, skin patches or pastes, and tablets that are swallowed or dissolved in the mouth)
isosorbide mononitrate and isosorbide dinitrate (tablets that are swallowed, chewed, or dissolved in the mouth)

Nitrates are also found in recreational drugs such as amyl nitrate or nitrite ("poppers"). If you are not sure if any of your medicines contain nitrates, or if you do not understand what nitrates are, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

>Viagra is only for patients with erectile dysfunction. Viagra is not for newborns, children, or women. Do not let anyone else take your Viagra. Viagra must be used only under a doctor's supervision.

Only your doctor can decide if Viagra is right for you. Viagra can cause mild, temporary lowering of your blood pressure. You will need to have a thorough medical exam to diagnose your erectile dysfunction and to find out if you can safely take Viagra alone or with your other medicines. Your doctor should determine if your heart is healthy enough to handle the extra strain of having sex.

Some medicines can change the way Viagra works. Tell your doctor about any medicines you are taking. Do not start or stop taking any medicines before checking with your doctor or pharmacist. This includes prescription and nonprescription medicines or remedies. Remember, Viagra should never be used with medicines that contain nitrates (see Viagra Is Not for Everyone). If you are taking a protease inhibitor, your dose may be adjusted (please see Finding the Right Dose for You.)Viagra should not be used with any other medical treatments that cause erections. These treatments include pills, medicines that are injected or inserted into the penis, implants or vacuum pumps.

Viagra comes in different doses (25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg). If you do not get the results you expect, talk with your doctor. You and your doctor can determine the dose that works best for you.

Do not take more Viagra than your doctor prescribes.
If you think you need a larger dose of Viagra, check with your doctor.
Viagra should not be taken more than once a day.

If you are older than age 65, or have serious liver or kidney problems, your doctor may start you at the lowest dose (25 mg) of Viagra. If you are taking protease inhibitors, such as for the treatment of HIV, your doctor may recommend a 25 mg dose and may limit you to a maximum single dose of 25mg of Viagra in a 48 hour period.

Take Viagra about one hour before you plan to have sex. Beginning in about 30 minutes and for up to 4 hours, Viagra can help you get an erection if you are sexually excited. If you take Viagra after a high-fat meal (such as a cheeseburger and french fries), the medicine may take a little longer to start working. Viagra can help you get an erection when you are sexually excited. You will not get an erection just by taking the pill.

Like all medicines, Viagra can cause some side effects. These effects are usually mild to moderate and usually don't last longer than a few hours. Some of these side effects are more likely to occur with higher doses. The most common side effects of Viagra are headache, flushing of the face, and upset stomach. Less common side effects that may occur are temporary changes in color vision (such as trouble telling the difference between blue and green objects or having a blue color tinge to them), eyes being more sensitive to light, or blurred vision.

In rare instances, men have reported an erection that lasts many hours. You should call a doctor immediately if you ever have an erection that lasts more than 4 hours. If not treated right away, permanent damage to your penis could occur (see How Sex Affects the Body).

Heart attack, stroke, irregular heart beats, and death have been reported rarely in men taking Viagra. Most, but not all, of these men had heart problems before taking this medicine. It is not possible to determine whether these events were directly related to Viagra.

Viagra may cause other side effects besides those listed on this sheet. If you want more information or develop any side effects or symptoms you are concerned about, call your doctor.

Keep Viagra out of the reach of children. Keep Viagra in its original container. Store at room temperature, 59�-86�F (15�-30�C).

Viagra is a prescription medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction. Only your doctor can decide if it is right for you. This sheet is only a summary. If you have any questions or want more information about Viagra, talk with your online doctor or pharmacist.