“CUM Early or Die early” Side Effects of Viagra

Viagra (brand name for sildenafil) is a fairly well-known drug used to treat erectile dysfunction. Sildenafil is used to treat male sexual function problems (impotence or erectile dysfunction-ED). In combination with sexual stimulation, sildenafil works by increasing blood flow to the penis to help a man get and keep an erection.

Viagra (sildenafil) relaxes muscles found in the walls of blood vessels and increases blood flow to particular areas of the body.

It was first approved for this use by the FDA in 1998. As with any drug, side effects may occur, and certain situations may increase the severity or frequency of these side effects.

Side effects are broken down into two main categories; common and serious.

Common side effects of Viagra:

• Headaches (most commonly reported)
• Gastrointestinal complaints (nausea, diarrhea, indigestion, upset stomach)
• Flushing of the chest, neck, or face
• Abnormal vision (blurred vision, sensitivity to light, or changes in the way colors are seen)
• Skin rash
• Dizziness
• Painful or tender muscles, back pain
• Nasal congestion or a runny nose

Serious side effects of Viagra:

• Swelling of the hands, ankles, and feet
• Hearing loss or ringing in the ears
• Changes or total loss of vision – may be in one eye or both (this is rare)
• Chest pain or irregular heartbeat
• Feeling lightheaded (especially when standing up quickly)
• Shortness of breath

Also included in the list of serious side effects are those of a life-threatening allergic reaction to Viagra. These symptoms include hives, difficulty breathing, and swelling of the throat, lips, or tongue.

Priapism

A condition called priapism has also been reported. Priapism is when an erection lasts for hours despite the lack of stimulation. If the erection lasts longer than 4 hours or is painful, permanent tissue damage may result.

NAION

Listed as a serious side effect is a condition called Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION). This is sudden blindness in one or both eyes and is permanent. While is is a very rare side effect, it poses a slightly increased risk of occurring in people with heart disease, high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure, and certain other eye conditions. Those over the age of 50 and who smoke may also be at a greater risk.

Drug Interactions and Their Effects

Certain medications can interact with Viagra. While some interactions can be quite dangerous, others may exacerbate side effects, creating feelings and conditions which the patient finds disruptive or bothersome.

The most common interaction to be avoided is for those who take nitrates for chest pains or cardiac problems. When nitrates and Viagra are combined, it can cause the blood pressure to drop significantly and quickly. This may easily lead to fainting, extreme dizziness, or even cause a heart attack or stroke in some individuals. Some other drugs which are taken for high blood pressure can cause similar reactions, so it is very important that the prescribing doctor for Viagra knows just what medications are already being taken.

Other drugs may also cause interactions, and it is advisable to not start Viagra while on them. Having a list of current medications for every doctor visit, and using the same pharmacy for all medications can help avoid complications with drug interactions.

Cardiac Considerations

Patients with underlying cardiac conditions may experience negative effects when using Viagra. This can be caused by the way Viagra works to increase blood flow. Pre-existing cardiac conditions may worsen or lead to a cardiac event when Viagra is used followed by a sexual activity.

In patients with poorly controlled blood pressure, caution should be taken when Viagra is considered.

Dosage Factors

Viagra is available in three pill strengths: 25mg, 50mg, and 100mg. With regards to the commonly reported side effects, the frequency of these side effects occurring increased with the higher dosages.

Typically, the 25mg dosage had the fewest side effects compared to 50mg or 100mg. Taking the lowest dosage for effectiveness may help lessen the occurrence or severity of side effects for patients.

Other Reported Side Effects of Viagra

Additional potential side effects have been reported in very small numbers. These reports were from both clinical trials as well as individual patients reporting their adverse reactions to the drug company and the FDA. The exact relationship between these effects and the drug are not completely known, and additional factors such as overall health, other medications taken, and supplements (herbal, mineral, vitamin) taken may also be factored in.

These reported effects were too uncommon to list as typical side effects, but cannot be completely ruled out. They were reported in numerous body systems such as digestive, respiratory, urogenital, skin, nervous, muscular, skeletal, and even metabolic.