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What is Viagra
 Viagra
relaxes muscles within the penis. This allows increased blood
flow into the penis, necessary to achieve and maintain an
erection.
Viagra
is used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence).
Viagra
may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide.
General medical information about Viagra
Do not take Viagra if you are using a nitrate drug
for chest pain or heart problems. Nitrates include nitroglycerin
(Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur, Nitro-Bid, Minitran,
Deponit, Transderm-Nitro, others), isosorbide dinitrate
(Dilatrate-SR, Isordil, Sorbitrate), and isosorbide mononitrate
(Imdur, ISMO, Monoket). Nitrates are also found in some
recreational drugs such as amyl nitrate or nitrite ("poppers").
Contact your doctor or seek emergency medical attention
for any erection that lasts longer than 4 hours. A sustained
erection can damage the penis.
Refrain from further
sexual activity and notify your doctor it you develop dizziness,
nausea, or angina (pain, tightness, discomfort, numbness,
or tingling in the chest, arms, neck, or jaw) during sexual
activity.
Do not take Viagra more than once a day.
What you should find out before taking
Viagra
Do not take Viagra if you are using a nitrate drug
for chest pain or heart problems. Nitrates include nitroglycerin
(Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur, Nitro-Bid, Minitran,
Deponit, Transderm-Nitro, others), isosorbide dinitrate
(Dilatrate-SR, Isordil, Sorbitrate), and isosorbide mononitrate
(Imdur, ISMO, Monoket). Nitrates are also found in some
recreational drugs such as amyl nitrate or nitrite ("poppers").
Before taking Viagra, tell your doctor if you
-
have had a heart attack, stroke, or life-threatening irregular
heartbeats within the last six months;
- have a history
of heart failure;
- have coronary artery disease;
- have angina;
- have high or low blood pressure;
- have liver problems;
- have kidney problems;
- have ever had blood problems, including sickle
cell anemia or leukemia;
- have a bleeding disorder;
- have a stomach ulcer;
- have retinitis pigmentosa
(an inherited condition of the eye);
- have a physical
deformity of the penis such as Peyronie's disease;
-
have a condition that could lead to prolonged and painful
erections, such as a tumor of the bone marrow, sickle cell
anemia, or leukemia; or
- are taking another medicine
to treat impotence, such as alprostadil (Caverject, Muse,
Edex) or yohimbine (Yocon, Yodoxin, others).
You
may not be able to take Viagra, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you
have any of the conditions listed above.
Although
Viagra is not indicated for use by women, it is in the FDA
pregnancy category B. This means that Viagra is not expected
to be harmful to an unborn baby. Viagra should not be taken
by women.
It is not known whether Viagra passes into
breast milk. Viagra should not be taken by women.
If you are over 65 years of age, you may be more likely
to experience side effects from Viagra. Your doctor may
prescribe a lower dose of this medication.
How should take Viagra Take Viagra exactly as directed by your doctor. If
you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist,
nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each
dose with a full glass of water.
Viagra is usually
taken when needed. It can be taken any Where from 4 hours
to one-half hour before sexual activity. Generally, it is
taken 1 hour before sexual activity. The medication can
help achieve an erection when sexual stimulation occurs.
An erection will not occur just by taking a pill. Follow
your doctor's instructions.
Taking Viagra after eating
a high-fat meal (such as a cheeseburger and french fries)
may cause the medication to take a little longer to start
working.
Do not take Viagra more than once a day.
If you develop dizziness, nausea, or angina (pain,
tightness, discomfort, numbness, or tingling in the chest,
arms, neck, or jaw) during sexual activity, refrain from
further sexual activity and notify your doctor.
Contact
your doctor or seek emergency medical attention for any
erection that lasts longer than 4 hours. A sustained erection
can damage the penis.
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice
may interact with Viagra. The interaction could lead to
potentially adverse effects. You should discuss the use
of grapefruit and grapefruit juice with your doctor. Do
not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products
in your diet without first talking to your doctor.
Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture
and heat.
If you miss a dose: Viagra is used as needed, so you are not likely to
miss a dose.
What happens if you overdose: Seek emergency medical attention.
Symptoms
of a Viagra overdose are not known, but are likely to include
chest pain, dizziness, an irregular heartbeat, and swelling
of the ankles or legs.
Avoid while taking Viagra Do not take any other drug used to treat impotence,
such as alprostadil (Caverject, Muse, Edex) or yohimbine
(Yocon, Yodoxin, others), without first talking to your
doctor.
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact
with Viagra. The interaction could lead to potentially adverse
effects. You should discuss the use of grapefruit and grapefruit
juice with your doctor. Do not increase or decrease the
amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first
talking to your doctor.
Possible side effects of Viagra If you experience any of the following serious side
effects, stop taking Viagra and seek emergency medical attention
or notify your doctor immediately:
- an allergic
reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling
of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
- chest
pain or an irregular heartbeat;
- swelling of the
ankles or legs;
- shortness of breath;
- prolonged
or severe dizziness;
- a prolonged (lasting longer
than 4 hours) or painful erection; or
- dizziness,
nausea, or angina (pain, tightness, discomfort, numbness,
or tingling in the chest, arms, neck, or jaw).
Other,
less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue
to take Viagra and talk to your doctor if you experience
- flushing;
- mild dizziness;
- headache;
- nasal congestion;
- diarrhea;
- temporary
blue tint in vision or other vision abnormalities; or
-
itching or a rash.
Side effects other than those
listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any
side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect Viagra Do not take Viagra if you are using a nitrate drug
for chest pain or heart problems. Nitrates include nitroglycerin
(Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur, Nitro-Bid, Minitran,
Deponit, Transderm-Nitro, others), isosorbide dinitrate
(Dilatrate-SR, Isordil, Sorbitrate), and isosorbide mononitrate
(Imdur, ISMO, Monoket). Nitrates are also found in some
recreational drugs such as amyl nitrate or nitrite ("poppers").
Before taking Viagra, tell your doctor if you are
taking any of the following medications:
- any other
drug used to treat impotence, such as alprostadil (Caverject,
Muse, Edex) or yohimbine (Yocon, Yodoxin, others);
-
the antibiotic drugs clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin
(E-Mycin, Eryc, Ery-Tab, others), or troleandomycin (TAO);
- an antifungal medication such as itraconazole (Sporanox)
or ketoconazole (Nizoral);
- the HIV medications
amprenavir (Agenerase), delavirdine (Rescriptor), indinavir
(Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir), or
saquinavir (Fortovase, Invirase);
- cimetidine (Tagamet,
Tagamet HB);
- phenobarbital (Luminal);
-
carbamazepine (Tegretol) or phenytoin (Dilantin); or
-
rifampin (Rifadin, Rifamate) or rifabutin (Mycobutin).
You may not be able to take Viagra, or you may require a
dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment
if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
Drugs
other than those listed here may also interact with Viagra
or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist
before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines,
including herbal products. |
