So, you have collected your prescription of Viagra, aka sildenafil, as recommended by your
doctor or pharmacist. Great, these medications are effective treatments for erectile dysfunction
provided you use them correctly. But you have some unanswered questions...
• How and when should I take my Viagra to get the best effects?
• How long do the effects last? • How much should I take?
This week, we will be answering the most frequent questions about your medication.
My name is Dr Hart-Pinto. In this series,
we aim to answer important questions about your medications.
At JHP medical we make weekly information videos. So, if you find this video helpful,
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What is Viagra? Viagra, also available in the
generic form sildenafil, is an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction. It works by temporarily
improving blood flow to the penis helping you develop and maintain an erection.
2/3 of men, with erectile dysfunction, get a good response with this medication.
The characteristic blue pill of Viagra is not the only medicinal form. This medication is available
under its generic name sildenafil in tablet, liquid, and injectable form. The most important
thing is to make sure you obtain this medication from your doctor or a reputable pharmacist. Do
not buy this medication from unauthorised online pharmacies. This is because counterfeits exist,
and you do not know what you are taking. Who is Viagra or sildenafil suitable for?
These medications can be used in men over the age of 18 as a treatment for erectile dysfunction.
You should avoid taking this medication if: • You have had a previous allergic
reaction to this type of medication. • You have had a recent
heart attack or stroke. • You suffer from low blood
pressure or serious heart condition. • Have a history of liver problems
• Take any of the following medications: o Nitrates for chest pain
o Medication for pulmonary hypertension o Plan to take recreational drugs,
particularly poppers, alongside this medication Always speak to your doctor or pharmacist before
taking this medication. It is important to clarify if this is safe for you.
What is the correct dose of Viagra? This is directed by your healthcare professional,
but as a rule, 50mg is the usual dose. Different strengths are available, including a lower 25mg
and higher 100mg, and can be chosen based on how effective the treatment is for you.
How often can I take Viagra? Don't take Viagra or sildenafil more than
once per day. Taking your medication more often can cause an overdose and unwanted side effects:
• Dizziness • Headaches
• Visual disturbance • Nasal congestion
• Indigestion
If you have accidentally taken an overdose of Viagra, please consult your doctor as
soon as possible. How to take Viagra?
Once you have obtained your medication from a reputable source,
you'll want to know; how and when should I take my Viagra to get the best effects?
Viagra, and its generic sildenafil counterparts, take around 30-60 min to take effect.
The medication can be taken up to 4 hours before sex and still be just as effective.
It is advisable to take it on an empty stomach with a glass of water. Having a heavy meal
beforehand can result in Viagra or sildenafil taking longer to work. It's ok to drink alcohol
alongside this medication but be aware alcohol can make achieving an erection more difficult.
Importantly, taking Viagra won't just give you an erection. You need to get into the
mood for an erection to develop. How long do the effects last?
With this medication, you can achieve an erection between 1 and 4 hours after ingestion. Erections
should go away after sex naturally. Are there any side effects?
Some rare but concerning side effects can occur. If they do, please seek immediate
medical assessment. • Priapism
o If your erection lasts more than 4 hours and won't go away, you have priapism. Sometimes
priapism can be painful. Importantly, if left un-treated, priapism, can cause long-lasting
damage to your penis. • Chest Pain
o This may occur during sex or at rest. • Sudden decrease or loss of vision
in one or both eyes o This can indicate
a serious eye problem called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION).
• Sudden hearing decrease or hearing loss. o You may even experience ringing in the ears
(tinnitus) or dizziness. • Seizures
• Allergic reaction • Severe Skin reaction
o This may manifest as a rash or swelling within the skin, blistering of mucous
membranes such as your mouth, eyes, and genitals. Some may also experience a fever.
Now we have talked about the more worrying and rare side effects, let's look at more common ones.
• Headaches • Cough or nasal congestion
• Nausea, indigestion, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea
• hot flushes, or night sweats • Increased anxiety, or tremor
• Dizziness If you develop these more
common side effects, consider discussing them with your doctor or pharmacist.
Why has my medication not worked? Sildenafil, or Viagra, may not work
for everybody, so please speak with your doctor. Sometimes the medication doesn’t work because:
• The current dose you are taking isn't correct for you
• You haven’t waited long enough, or you waited too long for the medication to work
• You haven't become sexually aroused. There are alternative medications available
for erectile dysfunction including: • tadalafil (Cialis)
• avanafil (Spedra) • vardenafil (Levitra)
If Viagra, or sildenafil, wasn't effective for you speak to your doctor about these alternatives.
I’ve seen claims of natural or herbal Viagra, are these safe?
Many medications claim to be herbal or natural alternatives to Viagra. These medications are
not rigorously tested and are therefore not licenced for use with erectile dysfunction.
Additionally, the contents of these may be unsafe for consumption, you don’t know what you could be
taking. So please do not take anything that’s not approved by a licenced doctor or pharmacist.
Conclusion I hope this video has supplied
the answers you were looking for. Do not forget to subscribe and
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Outro Of course, this
video does not provide individual medical advice and is intended for informational purposes only.
Do not consider this as a substitute for professional medical advice,
diagnosis, or treatment. Please do not ignore professional
medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have heard here.
If you believe you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or ambulance service.