Fitness and Well-Being

Generic Viagra (sildenafil) is a familiar drug, used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) or impotence. Its work is to increase blood flow into the penis during sexual stimulation. This helps in achieving and upholding an erection.

Dosage and Administration  

In general, the approved dosage of generic Viagra is 50 mg taken, as needed, approximately 1 hour before sexual activity. Depending on effectiveness and toleration, the dose may be increased to a maximum recommended dose of 100 mg or decreased to 25 mg. It needs to be taken once per day.  

How should I take it?   

Take the drug just as it was prescribed for you. Avoid taking it in larger doses or for longer than suggested by your doctor. Read the guidelines on your prescription label. Generic Viagra is generally taken only when needed, 30 minutes to 1 hour before sexual activity. It van be taken up to 4 hours before sexual activity. It can work well if accompanied by sexual stimulation. An erection will not occur just by taking a tablet.

Side Effects

Side effects are common with ED drugs. Generic Viagra may create some common side effects such as headache, flushing, stomach upset, heartburn, nasal stuffiness, diarrhea, or lightheadedness. Occasionally you may feel a painful or prolonged erection (lasting more than 4 hours).In this case, discontinue using this drug and consult your doctor. Otherwise it may create permanent problems. It rarely creates serious allergic reaction, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. These include: unusual swelling, rash, itching, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.   

People can feel vision changes such as increased sensitivity to light, blurred vision, or impaired blue/green color discrimination. If any of these effects continue or aggravate, inform your doctor or pharmacist without delay. People may experience some serious side effects while having sex for example severe dizziness, fainting, chest pain, nausea.

Drug Interactions     

A number of drugs may interact with generic Viagra (sildenafil). This drug should be avoided if you are using a nitrate drug for chest pain or heart problems as it can decrease in blood pressure, resulting in faint, stroke, or heart attack. 

This comprises isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO, Monoket), isosorbide dinitrate (Dilatrate-SR, Isordil, Sorbitrate), and nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur, Nitro-Bid, and others). Certain recreational drugs also contain nitrates such as amyl nitrate or nitrite ("poppers").

Drugs such as cimetidine (Tagamet), erythromycin, ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox) and mibefradil (Posicor) can increase the amount of sildenafil in the body. Patients taking these drugs should be monitored carefully if sildenafil is used. Besides other drugs like Alpha-blockers (e.g., doxazosin), Azole antifungals (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole), H₂ antagonists (e.g., cimetidine), HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir, saquinavir), macrolide antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin), narcotic analgesics (e.g., dihydrocodeine), or telithromycin should be avoided if you are raking viagra.

Precautions

Before taking generic Viagra, let your doctor know if you have allergy to it; or if you have any other allergies. Also tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney disease, liver disease, penis conditions (e.g., angulation, fibrosis/scarring, Peyronie's disease), history of painful/prolonged erection (priapism), sickle cell anemia, blood system cancers (e.g., leukemia or myeloma), heart problems (e.g., heart failure, recent heart attack or serious arrhythmia within past 6 months, coronary artery disease with unstable angina, aortic stenosis, idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis), eye problems (e.g., retina diseases like retinitis pigmentosa), bleeding disorders, active  stomach ulcers, recent stroke within past 6 months, very high or low blood pressure.  Perform work carefully that need awareness such as driving or using machinery. Make low use of alcoholic beverages. To reduce dizziness and lightheadedness, change position gradually when rising from a seated or lying position. Use it with much care when using this drug in the elderly. This drug is not meant for use in women or children.

Warning

During sexual intercourse, if you feel dizziness or nausea, or have pain, numbness, or tingling in your chest, arms, neck, or jaw, stop and call your doctor without ado.

Do not take more than once a day. The interval duration between two doses should be 24 hours. Inform your doctor if your erection is painful or lasts longer than 4 hours. A prolonged erection (priapism) can injure the penis.

Generic Viagra (sildenafil) can decrease blood flow to the optic nerve of the eye, bringing sudden vision loss. Abstain from using this ED drug and get emergency medical help if you have sudden vision loss.

Missed Dose

Viagra is taken when needed, so there is no chance of miss dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Overdose

Seek medical notice if you think you have taken an overdose. Overdose of generic Viagra may lead to chest pain, nausea, irregular heartbeat, and feeling light-headed or fainting.

Storage

Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.