Understanding Viagra: A Comprehensive Guide

It typically has a shelf life of about two years, but check your medication’s bottle for a more specific date.19 It typically has a shelf life of about two years, but check your medication’s bottle for a more specific date.19 Before taking sildenafil: Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to sildenafil, any other medications or any of the ingredients in sildenafil products.

• Viagra can sometimes cause visual disturbances like blurred vision.
• The medication should be used with caution in men with eye conditions.
• Recreational use of Viagra without prescription is illegal and risky.
• Viagra is sometimes used off-label for other medical conditions.
• Combining Viagra with certain herbal supplements can be dangerous.
• The drug is generally considered safe when used as directed.
• Medication adherence ensures optimal therapeutic effects.

Do not take sildenafil if you are taking or have recently taken riociguat (Adempas) or nitrates (medications for chest pain) such as isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil), isosorbide mononitrate (Monoket) and nitroglycerin (Minitran, Nitro-Dur, Nitromist, Nitrostat, others). Nitrates come as tablets, sublingual (under the tongue) tablets, sprays, patches, pastes and ointments. Ask your doctor if you are not sure whether any of your medications contain nitrates.

• Viagra’s patent expired, leading to generic versions being available.
• The medication should be taken at least half an hour before sex.
• Some men experience rapid or delayed onset of action.
• Sildenafil, the active compound, also treats pulmonary hypertension.
• It’s important to discuss potential drug interactions with your doctor.
• Viagra is not suitable for everyone, especially those with certain health issues.
• Side effects usually resolve within a few hours of taking the drug.

Do not take street drugs containing nitrates such as amyl nitrate and butyl nitrate (“poppers”) while taking sildenafil. Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins and nutritional supplements you are taking or plan to take. Many other medications may also interact with sildenafil, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list. Tell your doctor what herbal products you are taking or plan to take, especially St. John's wort.

Affordable men’s sexual healthcare you can trust.

Tell your doctor if you smoke, if you have ever had an erection that lasted for several hours and if you have recently lost a large amount of body fluids (dehydration). This can happen if you are sick with fever, diarrhea or vomiting; sweat a lot; or do not drink enough liquids.

Also tell your doctor if you have or have ever had pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD; blockage of veins in the lungs); a stomach ulcer; heart, kidney or liver disease; a heart attack; an irregular heartbeat; a stroke; chest pain; high or low blood pressure; high cholesterol; a bleeding disorder; blood circulation problems; blood cell problems such as sickle cell anemia (a disease of the red blood cells), multiple myeloma (cancer of the plasma cells) or leukemia (cancer of the white blood cells); conditions affecting the shape of the penis (e.g., angulation, cavernosal fibrosis, or Peyronie's disease); or diabetes.

Mechanism of action

It typically has a shelf life of about two years, but check your medication’s bottle for a more specific date.19 It typically has a shelf life of about two years, but check your medication’s bottle for a more specific date.19 Before taking sildenafil: Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to sildenafil, any other medications or any of the ingredients in sildenafil products. Do not take sildenafil if you are taking or have recently taken riociguat (Adempas) or nitrates (medications for chest pain) such as isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil), isosorbide mononitrate (Monoket) and nitroglycerin (Minitran, Nitro-Dur, Nitromist, Nitrostat, others). Nitrates come as tablets, sublingual (under the tongue) tablets, sprays, patches, pastes and ointments. Ask your doctor if you are not sure whether any of your medications contain nitrates. Do not take street drugs containing nitrates such as amyl nitrate and butyl nitrate (“poppers”) while taking sildenafil.

How to Take Sildenafil

Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins and nutritional supplements you are taking or plan to take. Many other medications may also interact with sildenafil, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list. Tell your doctor what herbal products you are taking or plan to take, especially St. John's wort. Tell your doctor if you smoke, if you have ever had an erection that lasted for several hours and if you have recently lost a large amount of body fluids (dehydration).

When to call your doctor

This can happen if you are sick with fever, diarrhea or vomiting; sweat a lot; or do not drink enough liquids. Also tell your doctor if you have or have ever had pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD; blockage of veins in the lungs); a stomach ulcer; heart, kidney or liver disease; a heart attack; an irregular heartbeat; a stroke; chest pain; high or low blood pressure; high cholesterol; a bleeding disorder; blood circulation problems; blood cell problems such as sickle cell anemia (a disease of the red blood cells), multiple myeloma (cancer of the plasma cells) or leukemia (cancer of the white blood cells); conditions affecting the shape of the penis (e.g., angulation, cavernosal fibrosis, or Peyronie's disease); or diabetes. Tell your doctor if you have ever been advised by a healthcare professional to avoid sexual activity for medical reasons or if you have ever experienced chest pain during sexual activity. If you experience chest pain, dizziness or nausea during sexual buy soft viagra activity, call your doctor immediately and avoid sexual activity until your doctor tells you otherwise. After you are prescribed, tell all your healthcare providers that you are taking sildenafil. Tell your doctor if you have ever been advised by a healthcare professional to avoid sexual activity for medical reasons or if you have ever experienced chest pain during sexual activity. If you experience chest pain, dizziness or nausea during sexual buy soft viagra activity, call your doctor immediately and avoid sexual activity until your doctor tells you otherwise. After you are prescribed, tell all your healthcare providers that you are taking sildenafil. If you ever need emergency medical treatment for a heart problem, the healthcare providers who treat you will need to know when you last took sildenafil.20 Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to sildenafil, any other medications or any of the ingredients in sildenafil products.

In case of emergency/overdose

If you ever need emergency medical treatment for a heart problem, the healthcare providers who treat you will need to know when you last took sildenafil.20 Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to sildenafil, any other medications or any of the ingredients in sildenafil products. Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to sildenafil, any other medications or any of the ingredients in sildenafil products. If you ever need emergency medical treatment for a heart problem, the healthcare providers who treat you will need to know when you last took sildenafil.20 Grapefruit juice and products may interact with sildenafil, leading to unwanted side effects. Talk to your doctor about eating grapefruit and drinking grapefruit juice while taking this medicine.21 Grapefruit juice and products may interact with sildenafil, leading to unwanted side effects. Talk to your doctor about eating grapefruit and drinking grapefruit juice while taking this medicine.21 Sildenafil for erectile dysfunction is taken as needed, not on a regular dosing schedule, so you are unlikely to miss a dose.22 Sildenafil for erectile dysfunction is taken as needed, not on a regular dosing schedule, so you are unlikely to miss a dose.22 Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: Headache Heartburn Diarrhea Flushing (feeling of warmth) Nosebleeds Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep Numbness, burning or tingling in the arms, hands, feet or legs Muscle aches Changes in color vision (seeing a blue tinge on objects or having difficulty telling the difference between blue and green) Sensitivity to light Some side effects can be serious.

Does Viagra prevent ejaculation?

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: Sudden severe loss of vision (see below for more information) Blurred vision Sudden decrease or loss of hearing Ringing in ears Dizziness or lightheadedness Fainting Chest pain Worsening shortness of breath Erection that is painful or lasts longer than four hours Itching or burning during urination Rash Some patients experienced a sudden loss of some or all their vision after they took sildenafil or other medications that are similar to sildenafil. There have been reports of heart attack, stroke, irregular heartbeat, bleeding in the brain or viagra red lungs, high blood pressure and sudden death in men who took sildenafil for erectile dysfunction. It is not known whether these events were caused by sildenafil, sexual activity, heart disease or a combination of these and other causes. The hearing loss usually involved only one ear and did not always improve when the medication was stopped. If you are taking sildenafil (Viagra®) for erectile dysfunction, do not take any more doses of sildenafil (Viagra®) or similar medications such as tadalafil (Cialis®) or vardenafil (Levitra®) until you talk to your doctor.

Dosage Forms & Strengths

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online ( or by phone (1-800-332-1088).23 Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: Numbness, burning or tingling in the arms, hands, feet or legs Numbness, burning or tingling in the arms, hands, feet or legs Changes in color vision (seeing a blue tinge on objects or having difficulty telling the difference between blue and green) Changes in color vision (seeing a blue tinge on objects or having difficulty telling the difference between blue and green) If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: Sudden severe loss of vision (see below for more information) Sudden severe loss of vision (see below for more information) Erection that is painful or lasts longer than four hours Erection that is painful or lasts longer than four hours Some patients experienced a sudden loss of some or all their vision after they took sildenafil or other medications that are similar to sildenafil. If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online ( or by phone (1-800-332-1088).23 Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children, as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location, one that is out of their viagra daily sight and reach. Learn more at Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to sildenafil, any other medications or any of the ingredients in sildenafil products. If you ever need emergency medical treatment for a heart problem, the healthcare providers who treat you will need to know when you last took sildenafil.20 Grapefruit juice and products may interact with sildenafil, leading to unwanted side effects. Talk to your doctor about eating grapefruit and drinking grapefruit juice while taking this medicine.21 Grapefruit juice and products may interact with sildenafil, leading to unwanted side effects. Talk to your doctor about eating grapefruit and drinking grapefruit juice while taking this medicine.21 Sildenafil for erectile dysfunction is taken as needed, not on a regular dosing schedule, so you are unlikely to miss a dose.22 Sildenafil for erectile dysfunction is taken as needed, not on a regular dosing schedule, so you are unlikely to miss a dose.22 Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: Headache Heartburn Diarrhea Flushing (feeling of warmth) Nosebleeds Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep Numbness, burning or tingling in the arms, hands, feet or legs Muscle aches Changes in color vision (seeing a blue tinge on objects or having difficulty telling the difference between blue and green) Sensitivity to light Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: Sudden severe loss of vision (see below for more information) Blurred vision Sudden decrease or loss of hearing Ringing in ears Dizziness or lightheadedness Fainting Chest pain Worsening shortness of breath Erection that is painful or lasts longer than four hours Itching or burning during urination Rash Some patients experienced a sudden loss of some or all their vision after they took sildenafil or other medications that are similar to sildenafil. There have been reports of heart attack, stroke, irregular heartbeat, bleeding in the brain or viagra red lungs, high blood pressure and sudden death in men who took sildenafil for erectile dysfunction. It is not known whether these events were caused by sildenafil, sexual activity, heart disease or a combination of these and other causes.

• Viagra can help improve the quality of your sexual relationship.
• People should inform their doctor about any allergies before use.
• Viagra is part of a broader class of medications called PDE5 inhibitors.
• Sexual desire is still necessary for Viagra to be effective.
• Regular health check-ups can monitor the effects of the medication.
• Some users report improved self-esteem with proper use.
• Proper hydration can help reduce side effects like headaches.

The hearing loss usually involved only one ear and did not always improve when the medication was stopped.

• Viagra can improve confidence by helping men achieve and maintain an erection.
• Women do not take Viagra for sexual enhancement; research is ongoing.
• Viagra has been on the market since 1998 and is widely used worldwide.
• It may interact with other medications, including antifungals and antibiotics.
• Lifestyle changes, such as weight loss and quitting smoking, can improve ED.
• Viagra is classified as a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor.
• Always store Viagra in a cool, dry place away from children.

If you are taking sildenafil (Viagra®) for erectile dysfunction, do not take any more doses of sildenafil (Viagra®) or similar medications such as tadalafil (Cialis®) or vardenafil (Levitra®) until you talk to your doctor.

6. Viagra® doesn’t always work the first time you take it.

Patient resources

Dosage questions

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online ( or by phone (1-800-332-1088).23 Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: Numbness, burning or tingling in the arms, hands, feet or legs Numbness, burning or tingling in the arms, hands, feet or legs Changes in color vision (seeing a blue tinge on objects or having difficulty telling the difference between blue and green) Changes in color vision (seeing a blue tinge on objects or having difficulty telling the difference between blue and green) If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: Sudden severe loss of vision (see below for more information) Sudden severe loss of vision (see below for more information) Erection that is painful or lasts longer than four hours Erection that is painful or lasts longer than four hours Some patients experienced a sudden loss of some or all their vision after they took sildenafil or other medications that are similar to sildenafil.

Viagra side effects

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online ( or by phone (1-800-332-1088).23 Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children, as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location, one that is out of their viagra daily sight and reach. Learn more at Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website ( for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.24 Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website ( for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.24 In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222 or emergency services (911) if the person collapses, has a seizure, has trouble breathing or cannot be awakened.25 In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222 or emergency services (911) if the person collapses, has a seizure, has trouble breathing or cannot be awakened.25 Do not let anyone else take your medication.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements.

How and when to take the medications

You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.26 Do not let anyone else take your medication.

1. Not every man can or should take Viagra®.

However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website ( for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.24 Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them.

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website ( for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.24 In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222 or emergency services (911) if the person collapses, has a seizure, has trouble breathing or cannot be awakened.25 In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222 or emergency services (911) if the person collapses, has a seizure, has trouble breathing or cannot be awakened.25 Do not let anyone else take your medication. It is important for you to keep a written list of all the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.26 Do not let anyone else take your medication. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.26 For treatment of erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation, sildenafil’s brand name is Viagra®.

Is Viagra a blood thinner?

When prescribed for pulmonary arterial hypertension, it is called Revatio®.27 For treatment of erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation, sildenafil’s brand name is Viagra®. When prescribed for pulmonary arterial hypertension, it is called Revatio®.27 We offer a variety of prescription medication options for premature ejaculation including: We offer a variety of prescription medication options for premature ejaculation including: We offer a variety of prescription medication options for erectile dysfunction including: We offer a variety of prescription medication options for erectile dysfunction including: 1 MedlinePlus2 National Library of Medicine3 Mayo Clinic4 MedlinePlus5 National Library of Medicine6 Mayo Clinic7 Mayo Clinic8 Mayo Clinic9 Healthline10 Drugs.com11 Drugs.com12 MedlinePlus13 National Health Service14 National Library of Medicine15 Healthline16 Mayo Clinic17 Cleveland Clinic18 WebMD19 Healthline20 MedlinePlus21 Drugs.com22 Drugs.com23 MedlinePlus24 MedlinePlus25 MedlinePlus26 MedlinePlus27 MedlinePlus 1 MedlinePlus2 National Library of Medicine3 Mayo Clinic4 MedlinePlus5 National Library of Medicine6 Mayo Clinic7 Mayo Clinic8 Mayo Clinic9 Healthline10 Drugs.com11 Drugs.com12 MedlinePlus13 National Health Service14 National Library of Medicine15 Healthline16 Mayo Clinic17 Cleveland Clinic18 WebMD19 Healthline20 MedlinePlus21 Drugs.com22 Drugs.com23 MedlinePlus24 MedlinePlus25 MedlinePlus26 MedlinePlus27 MedlinePlus It’s fast, private, and very professional! It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.26 For treatment of erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation, sildenafil’s brand name is Viagra®. When prescribed for pulmonary arterial hypertension, it is called Revatio®.27 For treatment of erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation, sildenafil’s brand name is Viagra®. When prescribed for pulmonary arterial hypertension, it is called Revatio®.27 We offer a variety of prescription medication options for premature ejaculation including: We offer a variety of prescription medication options for premature ejaculation including: We offer a variety of prescription medication options for erectile dysfunction including: We offer a variety of prescription medication options for erectile dysfunction including: 1 MedlinePlus2 National Library of Medicine3 Mayo Clinic4 MedlinePlus5 National Library of Medicine6 Mayo Clinic7 Mayo Clinic8 Mayo Clinic9 Healthline10 Drugs.com11 Drugs.com12 MedlinePlus13 National Health Service14 National Library of Medicine15 Healthline16 Mayo Clinic17 Cleveland Clinic18 WebMD19 Healthline20 MedlinePlus21 Drugs.com22 Drugs.com23 MedlinePlus24 MedlinePlus25 MedlinePlus26 MedlinePlus27 MedlinePlus 1 MedlinePlus2 National Library of Medicine3 Mayo Clinic4 MedlinePlus5 National Library of Medicine6 Mayo Clinic7 Mayo Clinic8 Mayo Clinic9 Healthline10 Drugs.com11 Drugs.com12 MedlinePlus13 National Health Service14 National Library of Medicine15 Healthline16 Mayo Clinic17 Cleveland Clinic18 WebMD19 Healthline20 MedlinePlus21 Drugs.com22 Drugs.com23 MedlinePlus24 MedlinePlus25 MedlinePlus26 MedlinePlus27 MedlinePlus It’s fast, private, and very professional!