Viagra F.A.Q.

What’s Viagra

Better known as the “little blue pill”, this was the first drug on to the market to treat erectile dysfunction. As a pill, it’s the easiest and most convenient form of treatment.

Is this the only name?

No, it’s also sold under the generic name of Sildenafil Citrate. There’s a different brand for the use of a similar version to treat Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, i.e. high blood pressure because the flow of blood is limited through the chest.

How does Viagra work?

The technical explanation is that it’s a PDE5 inhibitor. A number of different chemical messengers are needed to control the erection process. If all is working well, the arteries leading into your penis dilate. More blood flows into the penis and this inflates into the erection. PDE5 is part of the control over the dilation and contraction of arteries. If it comes at the wrong time, your arteries will not dilate or contract at the wrong moment. Viagra prevents PDE5 from working too soon and this encourages your arteries to dilate.

How long does it take for Viagra to work?

It depends on how recently you have eaten and what you ate. If you are taking Viagra on a reasonably empty stomach, it takes effect in about 30 minutes. But, the more food you eat and the higher the fat content, the longer it will take for Viagra to be absorbed into the bloodstream. This can mean it taking more than an hour before you will feel the effect. There have been clinical trials to establish this guideline. Taking the highest allowable dosage of 100mg, healthy men were able to achieve an erection in about 15 minutes but, unless there’s a very good reason to take this dose, the benefit of speed comes with the higher risk of side effects.

How long does the effect last?

From the first sign of sexual response to stimulation, the average time is four hours. Some men have reported responsiveness for up to six hours but this is a small percentage.

Does Viagra work the first time?

If you do not have more serious physical or mental problems, Viagra will usually work the first time. If it does not, try again three or four times. If the failure continues, this may justify trying a higher dosage. But it may be evidence of a more serious underlying problem. If depression interferes with your interest in sex, Viagra will not work. Similarly, if diabetes has caused damage to your nerve endings, no drug will be able to restore erections.

Can you drink alcohol?

There’s a problem when you put two drugs together when they have the same effect. It’s called potentiation, i.e. the result is more than twice as strong. For these purposes, alcohol is a drug and, when you drink more than a small amount with Viagra, it can cause your blood pressure to drop suddenly. You are safe with ordinary “social” drinking. But too much will make you feel unpleasantly faint and will certainly prevent any sexual activity until your blood pressure recovers.

Can you take Viagra with other medications?

This is a complicated question and, if in doubt, you should take professional advice before taking any two drugs together. For these purposes, “drugs” includes over-the-counter medicines, health, diet and other natural products including herbal remedies and vitamins. There can be unpredictable results when different chemicals are combined in your bloodstream. The main class of drugs to avoid are designed to control or reduce your blood pressure. The most dangerous contain nitrates and are usually prescribed to treat angina and other aspects of heart disease. Note that some street drugs contain nitrates and can cause serious problems.

What are Viagra’s side effects?

The good news is that very few men report any side effects. The occasional headache or upset stomach is a small price to pay for the restoration of sexual performance. If you have a violent allergic reaction the first or second time you take Viagra, do not continue to use it. There are alternatives. In a small number of cases, men report slight changes to their vision, seeing the world with a slightly bluish tinge. So long as your vision is not more dramatically affected, this will pass. It’s an emergency if you feel faint, your heart rate climbs and you have chest pain. Also get treatment if your erection will not deflate and grows painful.