What is Viagra used for?

This FDA approved prescription medicine is used to treat impotence in men. The product increases the body\'s ability to achieve and maintain an erection during sexual stimulation. This drug does not protect you from getting sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.

Who should not take the drug?

Men who are currently using medicines that contain nitrates, such as nitroglycerin should not use the drug because, taken together, they can lower the blood pressure too much. The product should not be used by women or children.

General Precautions with Viagra:

You should have a complete medical history and exam to determine the cause of your impotence before taking the product. Men who have medical conditions that may cause a sustained erection such as sickle cell anemia, leukemia or multiple myeloma or who have an abnormally shaped penis may not be able to take the drug. There are several medications that are known to interact with the drug, so be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you are taking including those you can get without a prescription. The medicine has not been studied with other treatments for impotence, so use in combination with other treatments is not recommended.

How should I take Viagra?

Your healthcare provider may prescribe the product as one tablet once a day, about 1 hour before sexual activity. However, the product may be taken anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours before sexual activity.

What are some possible side effects of Viagra?

The medicine is generally well tolerated. If any side effects are experienced, they are usually mild and temporary. The following is a listing of the most common side effects:

• Headache
• Flushing
• Upset stomach
• Stuffy nose
• Urinary tract infection
• Visual changes such as mild and temporary changes in blue/green colors or increased sensitivity to light.
• Diarrhea

This list is NOT a complete list of side effects reported with the drug. Your healthcare provider can discuss with you a more complete list of side effects.

Using Viagra with other Medicines

Always discuss with your health care practitioner ALL of the medications you are taking (prescription and over-the-counter). In that way, you can receive the best advice for your own situation. At present, the drug is not recommended for people taking commonly prescribed short- and long-acting nitrates because the combination may lower blood pressure.

A list of commonly prescribed short- and long-acting nitrates available in the United States: Deponit, Minitran, Nitrek, Nitro-Bid, Nitrocine, Nitro-Derm, Nitro Disc, Nitro-Dur, Nitrogard, Nitroglycerin, Nitroglycerin T/R, Nitroglyn, Nitrol Ointment, Nitrolan, Nitrolingual Spray, Nitrong, Nitropar, Nitropress, Nitroprex, Nitro S.A., Nitrospan, Nitrostat, Nitro-Trans System, Nitro Transdermal, Nitro-Time, Transderm-Nitro, Tridil, Isosorbide Mononitrate , Imdur, ISMO, Isosorbide Mononitrate, Monoket, Isosorbide Nitrate, Dilatrate-SR, Iso-bid, Isordil, Isordil Tembids, Isosorbide Dinitrate Isosorbide Dinitrate LA, Sorbitrate, Sorbitrate SA, Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate, Peritrate, Peritrate SA, Erythrityl Tetranitrate, Cardilate, Isosorbide Dinitrate/Phenobarbital, Isordil w/PB, Illicit Substances Containing Organic Nitrates, e.g., amyl nitrate or nitrite (It is known that amyl nitrate or nitrite is sometimes abused. In abused situations, amyl nitrate or nitrite may be known by various names, including \"poppers.\")