Viagra (Sildenafil Citrate) Consumer Information

Manufacturer:	Pfizer Inc
Brand/Trade Name:	VIAGRA
Generic Name (Active Ingredient):	Sildenafil Citrate
Controlled Substance?	No
Approved Strengths:	25mg, 50mg and 100mg
Dose Form:	Oral tablet - Diamond shaped, blue pill
Availability:	Prescription only
FDA Approval:	Since 1998
FDA Approved Usage:	Treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED)

Description/Overview

Viagra is designed to deal with erectile dysfunction. It's an orally administered drug which inhibits the production of PDE5, a chemical responsible for ending an erection and returning the penis to a flacid state. Viagra works by relaxing your penis's blood vessels and the muscles around them, allowing more blood to flow into the penis and give it an erect state.

The main active ingredient in Viagra is sildenafil citrate, developed and patented by Pfizer Inc, who're currently the only manufacturer of the chemical.

Effects

Usually, Viagra starts acting about 30 to 60 minutes after being taken. The major effect of the drug is an increased blood flow to the penis, causing it to become erect after sexual stimulation. The erection is normally sustained for long periods of time, such as 4 to 5 hours. The drug is not a replacement for sexual stimulation though - you'll still need to become aroused while under its effects, in order to attain an erection. The drug will only help you get that erection from there on.

Side Effects

Viagra users have reported various side effects.

Some of them include:

Headache
Flushing
Indigestion
Stuffiness
Dizziness

In some very rare cases, patients have reported vision changes, and loss and/or change of hearing. However, those cases have been very few and inbetween, and often related to preexisting disorders in the patients.

Those side effects should normally go away shortly after using the drug and its effects have worn off. If they do not, talk to a doctor about it and you should be able to solve those problems easily.

Precautions

If you're using a medication that contains nitrates, you must not use Viagra. Nitrates are usually taken for heart or chest problems. Combining Viagra with such medications can lead to heart problems, such as heart attack or even a stroke.

Before using Viagra, you must always discuss it with your doctor and inform them of any conditions you might have tha may interfere with the drug's effects. Inform your doctor of any heart, kidney or liver diseases you have or have had. Pay special attention to those:

Recent heart attacks or strokes
Any problems related to your heart, such as diseases, strokes, etc
Problems with your blood pressure
Diseases in the liver or kidney
Disorders related to the blood, such as leukemia, anemia, hemophilia, etc

Your doctor needs to be aware of all of these, in order to ensure a proper and safe treatment.

Usage

Viagra is only used orally. A cream version is under development, and should be made available soon. The pill should be taken with one glass of water. Eating can interfere with the drug's effects - one small low-fat meal won't do much, but a high-fat meal can prevent the medicine from working properly and diminish its effects. Avoid fatty foods while using Viagra to get the best out of it.

For the best results, take the pill about one hour before having a sexual intercourse. You may take it earlier if that works better for you - you'll have to find out by yourself.

Your doctor will give you a recommended dosage - stick to it and don't change it, as your body can be very sensitive to the effects of the drug. Follow the prescription and your doctor's directions as closely as possible.

Missed Dose

Viagra is a drug used on a per-case basis, not for an ongoing treatment. Normally, you should be taking a pill when you need to, not constantly. Thus, you should not miss any doses. However, if you doctor has prescribed an ongoing treatment to you, try not to miss any doses. If you do, take it as soon as you remember, but not if your next one is coming up soon.