About Viagra and what it’s used for

Viagra® is a brand name prescription medication that’s approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat symptoms of erectile dysfunction (ED). ED is a condition that can make it difficult to get or maintain an erection. You may also hear Viagra referred to as the “little blue pill”.

Viagra is the brand-name form of the medication. It’s also available in the generic form, sildenafil citrate. The brand-name and generic drugs contain the same active ingredient and are equally safe and effective at treating ED. 

Read on to learn more about how to achieve the best results from taking Viagra.

Using Viagra for the best results

If you’ve recently been prescribed Viagra or generic Viagra (sildenafil), or if you’ve been taking the drug for a while, you may wonder what you can do to get the best results. There are many factors that can affect how Viagra works for you, including how you take it, what you should avoid, and other changes that you can make. It’s important to note that you should always take Viagra or sildenafil as directed by your healthcare provider. 

When to take Viagra

Viagra is an oral tablet that you’ll take by mouth as needed for ED. To get the best results from Viagra, take your dose 30 minutes to 1 hour before you plan to have sex. This gives the medication time to work so that you can get and maintain an erection during sex. 

How to take Viagra

Viagra is an oral tablet that you’ll take by mouth before sexual activity, as needed. You can take your dose with or without food. But, taking Viagra after a high fat or heavy meal may mean that the drug takes longer to start working. To get the best results from your dose, take it on an empty stomach or after a light meal so that it can start working right away. 

Viagra dosage for the best results

If you’re just starting treatment with Viagra or generic Viagra, your doctor will likely recommend a dose of 50 mg taken 30 minutes to 1 hour prior to sex. If 50 mg isnt working for you, your doctor may recommend an increase to 100 mg to get the best results from Viagra. In some cases, a dose as low as 25 mg may be effective for you. If you have questions about the best dosage of Viagra for you, talk to your doctor.

What to avoid while taking Viagra

You should avoid certain medications while taking Viagra or sildenafil. Some medications can interact with Viagra, which may make the drug less effective or may mean that you’re exposed to too much medication. Examples of other drugs that may cause drug interactions with Viagra include: 

• Nitrates for chest pain
• Alpha blockers for high blood pressure 
• Guanylate cyclase stimulators, like riociguat 
• The HIV medication, ritonavir (Norvir)
• Certain antifungal medications and antibiotics 

If you’re taking Viagra, tell your doctor before starting any new medications (including over-the-counter medications) or supplements. They can make sure that Viagra won’t interact with your other medications and recommend the best treatment plan for you.

What to do if Viagra isn’t working

If you’ve taken Viagra or sildenafil and it didn’t work for you, don’t get frustrated. There are many factors that can be at play if Viagra doesn’t work and steps you can take to be sure you’re getting the most from your medication:

• Dosage: It’s possible that you’re not taking the best dose for you. Talk to your doctor to see if your dose can be increased.
• Lifestyle changes: Other factors can cause ED symptoms, as well. Controlling these factors along with taking Viagra may help treat your ED more effectively. This may include avoiding alcohol, quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy diet and exercising. 
• Managing mental health: Sometimes, ED can be made worse by anxiety or other mental health conditions. Talk to your doctor about any other medical conditions that you have. They will be able to help manage symptoms of that condition as well, which can also decrease your ED symptoms.
• Other treatment options: Viagra may work well for some people but may not be as effective for other people. The good news is that there are many other alternative options for treating ED, such as Cialis® or generic tadalafil. If you notice that Viagra isn’t working for you, your doctor may recommend switching you to a different medication.

Warnings and Precautions of Viagra (sildenafil)

Viagra is approved by the FDA to treat the symptoms of ED. ED can occur when you can’t get or maintain an erection. Viagra only works along with sexual stimulation. So, without sexual activity Viagra will not cause an erection to occur. 

Viagra treats ED by blocking an enzyme called PDE-5, which causes the muscles of the penis to relax. This allows blood vessels to open and blood flow to the penis to increase, which can help you to get and maintain an erection. How you take your dose of Viagra can affect how well the drug works for you. So, it’s important to always follow your doctor’s directions when taking Viagra.

The generic Viagra, sildenafil, has the same active ingredient as Viagra and works in the same way to treat ED.

How long Viagra takes to work

Viagra or sildenafil can start working as quickly as 30 minutes after your dose but may take up to 2 hours to be effective. 

How long Viagra lasts

Viagra or generic Viagra (sildenafil) can continue to work to manage ED symptoms for up to 4 hours after your dose. 

Does Viagra make you last longer?

Yes, it’s possible that Viagra or generic sildenafil can make you last longer before ejaculation. Though it’s not currently approved for premature ejaculation (PE), one study showed that Viagra can be effective at treating PE. In the study, Viagra was effective at increasing the amount of time before ejaculation. If you have questions about PE, talk to your doctor.

Viagra’s side effects

Viagra and sildenafil are safe and effective treatment options for ED, but there are possible side effects. Though not everyone who takes Viagra will experience side effects, you should still be aware of them. Most people that experience side effects from Viagra have mild side effects. Although very rare, serious side effects can occur, as well. 

Common side effects of Viagra may include:

• Headache
• Rash or flushing of the skin
• Nasal congestion
• Changes in vision, which may include blurred vision or light sensitivity
• Indigestion
• Back or muscle pain
• Dizziness 

Serious side effects of Viagra may include:  

• Priapism (prolonged erection lasting longer than 4 hours, which requires medical attention)
• Hearing loss
• Sudden vision loss
• Low blood pressure
• Allergic reaction

Taking Viagra as directed by your doctor will help you to achieve the best results from the medication and can also help alleviate any side effects that you may experience. If you have questions or concerns about the best way to take Viagra or side effects that you’re experiencing, talk to your doctor or pharmacist for medical advice.

Warnings and Precautions of Viagra

Sometimes, medical conditions may affect how Viagra works for you. If you have any of the following medical conditions, tell your doctor before you start taking Viagra:

• Heart disease, like heart failure or heart attack or if you’ve had recent heart surgery
• Vision problems
• Kidney or liver problems
• Stomach ulcers
• Stroke
• Blood pressure conditions, like hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Blood conditions, like sickle cell disease
• Peyroine’s disease or other conditions causing an abnormal penis shape

In some cases, if you have certain medical conditions, your doctor may need to change your dose to be sure that you’re getting the best results from your medication and taking it safely.