What Is Viagra?
Viagra is a potent and famous medicine for erectile dysfunction. Viagra is a brand-name version of the generic drug Sildenafil. It’s a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor. PDE5 is an enzyme that regulates certain chemicals in your blood, but as a result, it can make it harder for you to get and keep an erection.
Viagra is used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). While it helps you temporarily maintain an erection so you can have sex, it doesn’t cure ED. It doesn’t affect sexual desire either. You still need mental or physical stimulation to get an erection.
Viagra Dosage:
Erectile dysfunction can vary significantly in severity. If you have mild to moderate ED, you may not have any major problems getting hard, but you might find it tough to maintain your erection while having sex. Viagra comes as an oral tablet and is available in three dosages such as:
Viagra 50 mg:
The typical starting dose of Viagra is 50mg. If you have erectile dysfunction and want to start using medication to treat it, your doctor will likely prescribe Viagra at a dose of 50mg for use around one hour before sex.
Viagra 100 mg:
The strongest Viagra pill approved by the FDA is 100mg. Your healthcare provider might prescribe Viagra at this dosage if you have severe erectile dysfunction or if you don’t feel fully able to get and maintain an erection after taking 50mg of Viagra. Taking Viagra at this dosage also increases the risk of certain vision-related side effects, such as blurred vision, altered color vision, and increased sensitivity to light.
Viagra 25 mg:
Currently, 25mg is the lowest dose of Viagra approved by the FDA. It’s less likely to cause side effects than higher doses, all while providing relief from erectile dysfunction for the majority of men.
How Long Does Viagra Last?
Viagra lasts approximately four hours, although it’s usually recommended to take it about an hour before you plan to engage in sexual activity. We covered this topic in more detail in our guide to how long Viagra and other ED medications last.
Viagra Side Effects:
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Viagra: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop taking Viagra and get emergency medical help if you have:
- Heart attack symptoms--chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating.
- Vision changes or sudden vision loss; or
- Erection is painful or lasts longer than 4 hours (prolonged erection can damage the penis).
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- Ringing in your ears, or sudden hearing loss;
- Irregular heartbeat;
- Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet;
- Shortness of breath;
- Seizures (convulsions); or
- A light-headed feeling, like you might pass out.
Common Viagra side effects may include:
- Flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling);
- Headache, dizziness;
- Abnormal vision (blurred vision, changes in color vision)
- Runny or stuffy nose, nosebleeds;
- Sleep problems (insomnia);
- Muscle pain, back pain; or
- Upset stomach.
Missed Dose Of Viagra:
Missing a dose of Viagra won’t have any long-term negative effects on your erections or sexual function, nor will it affect your health in any way. However, it might lead to a disappointing night at least until you’ve had time to find your medication and take it a little later than usual.
If you often forget to use Viagra before sex, you might want to talk with your healthcare provider about switching to Cialis. This ED medication is available as a daily-use pill you can take to get all-day relief from erectile dysfunction.
