VIAGRA ^®

What to do if you missed your VIAGRA ^® dose

Other known brand names

Viagra is available as alternative brands such as Aronix, Liberize, Nipatra, Revatio, and Grandipam. It is also available in generic versions.

About Viagra

Viagra contains sildenafil citrate as the active ingredient. It is commonly prescribed to treat the condition erectile dysfunction. Viagra belongs to a group of medicines called phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (an enzyme that increases the breakdown of cGMP, which regulates the flow of blood in the penis). It works by temporarily increasing the blood flow to the penis, during periods of sexual stimulation. It is available with a prescription as Viagra and is also available as the brand Viagra Connect, over the counter.

Sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra, is also used in certain doses to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (high blood pressure affecting blood vessels supplying the lungs) by relaxing blood vessels in the chest.

Now Patient offers Viagra as a treatment for erectile dysfunction only from the online pharmacy, following an online consultation with a prescribing clinician.

Key facts of Viagra

• For the treatment of erectile dysfunction, Viagra usually takes 30 to 60 minutes to work
• Viagra can be taken up to 4 hours before you want to have sex
• Viagra does not result in an erection if taken alone. You would need to be sexually excited for it to work
• Viagra has some common side effects which include headaches, feeling sick, indigestion and dizziness. Many people display no side effects or if they do the side effects can be mild
• It can be dangerous if you take Viagra with certain medications like alpha blockers or nitrates (nitroglycerin, isosorbide). The combination of use can lead to a dangerous fall in your blood pressure. If you’re not sure if you’re taking a nitrate, you can discuss this with the prescribing clinician
• You should avoid drinking grapefruit juice if you’re taking Viagra prescribed for pulmonary hypertension because it affects the way the medicine works

Who is Viagra suitable for?

Viagra is suitable for most men aged 18 and over for erectile dysfunction.

Who is Viagra not suitable for?

Viagra may not be suitable for some people. To make sure it’s safe for you, speak to the prescribing clinician before taking Viagra if you:

• Have low blood pressure (hypotension)
• Have a rare inherited eye disease, such as retinitis pigmentosa
• Have sickle cell anaemia (an abnormality of red blood cells), leukaemia (cancer of blood cells) or multiple myeloma (cancer of bone marrow)
• Have a deformity of your penis or Peyronie’s disease (curved penis)
• Have a stomach ulcer
• Have a bleeding problem like haemophilia
• Have ever had an allergic reaction to Viagra or any other medicine
• Are taking medicines called nitrates for chest pain (angina)
• Have a serious heart or liver problem
• Have recently had a stroke, heart attack, heart failure or any other heart problems – your healthcare professional should carefully check whether your heart can take the additional strain of having sex

How and where to get Viagra?

Viagra tablets are available from a number of sources. It is available on prescription or over the counter at a pharmacy.

Now Patient does not allow customers to buy Viagra directly. Our service is certified, safe and effective, and we only ever treat conditions. If you book a consultation with a prescribing clinician for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, you can discuss if Viagra is a suitable treatment option for you.

At the end of the consultation, the clinician will decide if a treatment plan is suitable for you. If it is, the clinician will issue you with a prescription which can then be ordered, paid for and delivered directly to your chosen address by Now Patient.

Dosage and strength for Viagra when used for erectile dysfunction

Viagra is available as a blue pill when used for erectile dysfunction. It is available in strengths ranging from 25mg to 100mg. The typical dose of Viagra is 50mg, taken up to 4 hours before sexual activity. Do not take it more than once a day. This dose can be adjusted up to 100mg or decreased to 25mg depending on the effects.

Remember, for Viagra to work properly, you will need to be sexually excited.

Information about how to take Viagra for erectile dysfunction

Tablets should be swallowed whole with a drink of water or juice (avoid grapefruit juice). For erectile dysfunction, it is best to take Viagra on an empty stomach. Viagra may take longer to work if you take it with a high-fat meal. Read the patient information leaflet provided to you with your medication.

What happens if you take too much Viagra?

If you take more than prescribed, then it can lead to some unpleasant side effects.

You should talk to your doctor or reach out to one of our prescribing clinicians, if you have taken too much Viagra and you experience any of the following side effects:

• Headaches
• Lightheadedness and dizziness
• Indigestion
• Nasal congestion
• Hearing loss
• Blurred vision

What are the side effects of Viagra?

Side effects of Viagra are split into common and serious.

If you are prescribed Viagra for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, you’re unlikely to get side effects, since you are only taking it short term.

Common side effects include:

• Headaches
• Feeling sick (nausea)
• Flushing including hot flushes
• Indigestion
• Stuffy nose
• Feeling dizzy

Serious side effects include:

• Sudden decrease or loss of vision
• Serious allergic reaction
• Priapism (long-lasting and potentially painful erection)
• Heart attack, stroke, or irregular heartbeat, which mainly occur in people with heart disease

If you experience any serious side effects, you should contact NHS 111.

If you experience a serious allergic reaction with the signs shown below you should contact emergency services on 999.

• Your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
• You’re breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you’re choking or gasping for air)
• Your throat feels tight or you’re struggling to swallow
• Your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
• You suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
• Someone faints and cannot be woken up

Always report adverse effects to the MHRA yellow card reporting system. You can read more about this here: how and where do I report side effects of my medication

Information about taking Viagra at the same time as other medications or herbal supplements

You should inform your doctor or prescribing clinician if you are currently taking any medications called nitrates.

There is not enough evidence to suggest there are any drug interactions between herbal supplements and Viagra. In any event, you should let your prescribing clinician know if you are taking any herbal supplements.

Why might Viagra not work for erection problems?

Viagra may not work for you and common reasons may be:

• You have not waited long enough after taking it before trying to have sex
• You have waited too long after taking it to have sex
• The dose is not high enough
• You’re not sexually aroused

Can Viagra taken for erectile dysfunction be taken long term?

Viagra is safe to take for a long time. There do not seem to be any lasting harmful effects from taking it for many months and years.

Is there a herbal Viagra?

No. Herbal Viagra does not exist. If you have been marketed such a formulation, it may be fake.

Can women use Viagra?

Women can only take sildenafil for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension. Sildenafil is not licensed for use by women.

Should I avoid any particular food or drink when taking Viagra?

You can eat and drink normally when taking Viagra to get an erection.

What lifestyle changes can I make to help me with erectile dysfunction?

You modify your lifestyle in a number of ways, and this may have a positive impact on your erectile dysfunction.

• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Quitting smoking
• Cutting down on the amount of alcohol you drink
• Not taking recreational drugs
• Exercising regularly
• Reducing stress

Alternatives to Viagra

Alternative PDE5 inhibitors for the treatment of erectile dysfunction include Cialis (tadalafil), and Levitra (vardenafil).

Sources

• Sildenafil viagra – NHS
•  MHRA Products – Home