Information
What is Viagra?
Viagra is the most well-known treatment for Erectile Dysfunction (ED). Viagra contains the active ingredient sildenafil citrate, which can improve your ability to develop and maintain an erection and is available to buy online from Quickmeds without the need of a face-to-face consultation. All that is required to receive the treatment, is for you to fill out a quick and free online consultation for one of our qualified prescribers to review.
Viagra is a PDE-5 inhibitor that treats erectile dysfunction by relaxing and widening the blood vessels that allow blood to flow into the penis, enabling it to become successfully erect when aroused. Viagra will only help to develop an erection if you are sexually stimulated, without arousal you may not be able to produce one.
When patients first start taking Viagra, they are given the 50mg tablet, which is usually a strong enough dosage for most patients struggling with ED. However, as with all erectile dysfunction medication, you may need a few attempts taking the treatment for you to experience the effects properly. This is because it can take a while for your body to adjust to the treatment. It is recommended that you attempt to take Sildenafil at least 8 times before trying an alternative.
Viagra 100mg tablets are the highest dose available and are usually taken by patients who have previously tried Sildenafil or the alternative erectile dysfunction treatments, without success. If you find that the 50mg tablets are ineffective and have trialled the dose at least 8 times, then it may be a good idea to try the 100mg tablets.
Viagra 25mg tablets are the lowest dose available and usually taken by patients who have suffered side effects from taking the 50mg medium dosage. Although they contain a lower dose, Sildenafil 25mg tablets can still effectively treat erectile dysfunction.
For most people Viagra will resolve the symptoms of erectile dysfunction or impotence and is effective at treating the physical causes of erectile dysfunction. However, if the causes of your erectile dysfunction are psychological, the effect of the drug can help you break out of the cycle of anxiety associated with being able to develop and maintain an erection. If the cause of your erectile dysfunction is psychological, we recommend that you consult your doctor or a therapist to help you work through these problems.
There is a lower cost version of Viagra, called Sildenafil, which contains the same active ingredient, sildenafil citrate, and has been available to buy in the UK since Viagra’s patent expired in 2013. It works in the exact same way as Viagra, it just has different manufacturers.
Taking Viagra – Some Practical Tips
1. Get in the mood!
Viagra by itself will not give you a spontaneous erection – you need to have adequate sexual stimulation for it to work so engage in foreplay just as you would had you not take any Viagra.
2. Don’t rush!
Viagra takes about 30-60 minutes to start working, it remains effective for about 4-5 hours from administration so don’t rush! Remember, you must have adequate sexual stimulation.
3. Eat smart
You can take Viagra with or without food.
If taken after a meal which is high in fat you may find it takes a little longer to work.
4. Don’t give up
With some men Viagra may not work the first time you take it, this may be because of a multitude of factors.
If it doesn’t work the first time, just try again on another day – remember, its no more than one tablet in any 24 hour period.
5. Get help if Viagra still doesn’t work.
If you find after repeat doses Viagra is still not producing a sufficient erection get in touch with us at Quick Meds for further advice.
Sometimes there are reversible causes of erectile dysfunction which may warrant further investigation, often trying similar medications to Viagra can produce the desired results.
Patient Information Leaflet
Side Effects
Patients very rarely experience any side effects of Viagra, but the most common side effects include:
- Mild to moderate headaches
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Flushing (hot, reddened skin)
- Indigestion
- Blurred/tinged vision
- Nasal blockage
Of these side effects, headaches are the most common, affecting as many as 1 in every 10 users. Please note that these side effects are temporary and will most likely be alleviated once the effects of Viagra have worn off. Please read the patient information leaflet provided with your medication for a full list of less frequent side effects.
Although the side effects of Viagra are usually mild and brief, there are unique circumstances where things can go wrong and where you may need emergency support. These include:
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Having an allergic reaction to Viagra – If you experience constricted breathing, dizziness, blisters or peeling skin, or notice any swelling on your face or in your mouth and throat, you may be having an allergic reaction and should seek medical help right away.
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Developing severe chest pain – Sexual activity can stress the heart, especially if you have an underlying condition. If you experience any chest pain, try to calm down and, if it persists, seek medical attention right away.
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Suffering a seizure – This is very unlikely but has been known to happen on rare occasions. If you experience any type of seizure, call your doctor straight away.
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Impairment of vision – If you experience any impairments to your vision, seek medical advice immediately.
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Erection lasting more than 4 hours – If your erection persists even after you’ve stopped feeling aroused, it can cause penile damage.
You can read more about the side effects of sildenafil in the patient information leaflet found below.
Cautions & Warnings
Sildenafil may not be appropriate for everyone.
It is only to be used by males who suffer from erectile dysfunction – this is defined as the inability to achieve and/or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual activity.
As with any medical substance, interactions can occur when taken with other medications or treatments including but not limited to those below:
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Nitrate containing medications
This can include medications such as ‘GTN’ spray, isosorbide mononitrate. -
Nitrates in other forms such as ‘poppers’
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Antibiotics such as erythromycin, clarithromycin
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Antifungals such as Ketoconazole or Itraconazole
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HIV medications such as Ritonavir, Saquinavir
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Medications that affect your bleeding or clotting
This can include medications such as warfarin.
If you have any concerns or queries regarding whether or not sildenafil is safe to take with any combination of medications (both prescribed and over the counter), do not hesitate to get in touch with one of our qualified pharmacists at Quick Meds.
How to Take
Viagra tablets only need to be taken when you plan to engage in a sexual activity. You should take one Viagra tablet at least 1 hour before sex, as it can take up to 1 hour for the active ingredient to take effect. It can also produce effects in as little as 20 minutes for some men and the effects of Viagra can last up to 4-5 hours. Please note that you should never take more than one tablet of any erectile dysfunction medication within a 24-hour period.
After completing the online consultation form, if you have never taken erectile dysfunction medication before, you will be prescribed a medium dose of 50mg of Viagra. If after 8 attempts of trying this dose, you find that it is ineffective, you should try the higher strength 100mg tablets. If after taking the medium dose of 50mg, you experience side effects, then you should try the lower strength 25mg tablets. If after trying the different dosage strengths, you find that Viagra is still not producing results, you should try an alternative treatment such as Tadalafil or Cialis and you may wish to speak to your doctor to find out what the problem is.
For the best results, Viagra should be taken on an empty stomach and your consumption of alcohol should be limited. It should be noted that everyone's body’s work differently and responds to different drugs differently, it doesn’t necessarily mean that one drug is more effective than the other. Viagra is only suitable for men.