In fact, "Viagra" is the trade name of the original drug, and the drug itself is called sildenafil. We tell you everything you need to know about it.
Is the drug effective?
Yes, but not always and not for everyone: in clinical trials, it improved erections in 71% of men compared to 18% in the placebo group.
How does this remedy work?
Sildenafil relaxes muscles, blood vessels and increases blood flow to the penis. Thanks to this, an erection is maintained. The drug does not treat the very cause of dysfunction, it simply helps to cope with the consequences.
And yes, it does not increase sexual desire. If you are not attracted to your partner, the medicine will not work.
It's safe?
Yes, if you follow the instructions and consult with your doctor first. The drug is full of non-obvious contraindications: for example, Viagra should not be taken by men who begin to choke when climbing stairs.
And an overdose can cause blindness, a heart attack, and a painfully long erection, which sometimes leads to the development of gangrene, followed by amputation of the penis.
What are its side effects?
Here are the most common:
- headache (15.8%);
- sudden redness of the face and neck (10.5%);
- lack of smell (5.5%) and redness of the nasal cavity (4.2%).
There are also dizziness, heartburn, indigestion and pain when urinating. But all these symptoms are usually mild, and pass quickly.
Stop taking this medicine and seek immediate medical attention if you experience any serious side effects such as chest pain, sudden blurred vision, difficulty breathing, wheezing, swelling of the face, convulsions, or loss of consciousness.
How to take it correctly?
Contact your doctor - he will tell you everything. Usually, Viagra is prescribed to adult men: most patients are prescribed a dose of 50 mg. It should be taken one hour before sex. Elderly patients and people with diseases of the cardiovascular system may be prescribed a small dose of 25 mg.
The drug should not be combined with antianginal drugs against angina, stimulants, riociguat and with the antiretroviral drug ritronavir. Be sure to list all the medicines you take on a regular basis to your doctor.
And do not forget that erectile dysfunction can be a symptom of some kind of disease - if the problem does not go away, you should undergo an examination.
Can women take Viagra?
In general, it is possible: the active substance also helps with pulmonary hypertension. But it does not affect the female libido at all.
And in general, female sexuality and orgasm are poorly understood - even though they also have problems in bed. Therefore, no treatment has yet been found.