What is Viagra?

Viagra® is a prescription medication that’s used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). ED is a common condition that can occur when you are unable to achieve or maintain an erection. You can take Viagra before sexual activity to treat your ED.

One of the most common treatment options for ED is a PDE-5 inhibitor, like the brand-name drug, Viagra. This drug works by blocking an enzyme in your body which then relaxes the muscles of the penis to open the blood vessels. This increases blood flow to the penis to help achieve and maintain an erection. It’s important to note that Viagra works with sexual stimulation. This medication does not cause erections to occur without sexual activity.

Viagra is also available in a generic Viagra version, called sildenafil. Sildenafil and Viagra both contain the exact same active drug ingredient and work in the same way to treat ED. Both Viagra and sildenafil (the generic Viagra) are equally safe and effective and are FDA-approved. Viagra was first approved for use in 1998, and Viagra and generic sildenafil have been used successfully to manage ED symptoms since then.

Viagra for erectile dysfunction: Side Effects

Like all medications, Viagra can sometimes cause side effects to occur. You should be aware of the possible side effects that Viagra can cause. If you have questions or concerns about certain Viagra side effects, talk to your healthcare professional.

Common Side Effects

You may experience side effects from Viagra. Most side effects reported are mild and temporary and will go away within a few hours of taking your dose. Always take Viagra as prescribed by your doctor to decrease your risk of side effects. The most common side effects of Viagra include:

• Headache
• Flushing of the skin
• Indigestion
• Changes in vision, including light sensitivity or blurred vision
• Nasal congestion

Mild Side Effects

Most of Viagra’s side effects are mild and short-term. Always take Viagra as prescribed by your doctor to decrease your risk of side effects. Some mild side effects that Viagra may cause include:

• Headache
• Flushing of the skin
• Nasal congestion
• Back or muscle pain
• Nausea
• Feeling dizzy
• Rash
• Indigestion
• Changes in vision, including light sensitivity or blurry vision

Serious Side Effects

Although rare, serious side effects from Viagra are possible. You should be aware of possible serious side effects, so that you can tell your doctor right away. Serious side effects may include:

• Prolonged erection or priapism (painful erection lasting longer than 4 hours)
• Sudden loss of vision or vision changes, which can be a sign of non arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). Symptoms may include: Blurry vision, Sensitivity to light, or Vision loss
• Loss of hearing
• Low blood pressure. Symptoms may include: Dizziness or lightheadedness, Fainting, or Blurry vision.
• Allergic reaction. Symptoms may include: Hives or rash, Itchy skin or Swelling of the mouth or throat.

Long-term Side Effects

Side effects of Viagra are usually mild and short-term. However, although rare, it’s possible that you may experience long-term side effects from taking Viagra. Some examples of long-term side effects that may occur while you’re taking Viagra include:

• Vision changes
• Hearing loss
• Long-term effects from prolonged erection or priapism, if left untreated

Viagra vs. Cialis: Side effect comparison

Both Viagra and Cialis® (tadalafil) are FDA-approved prescription drugs that are used to treat ED. These drugs are both PDE-5 inhibitors and work in similar ways to manage symptoms of ED. Both Viagra and Cialis are safe and effective, according to a study that compared the two drugs.

Viagra and Cialis have some side effects that are similar and some that are different. For example, Viagra can cause vision changes such as blurry vision, which Cialis is not known to cause. Cialis can cause diarrhea or infections to occur, which Viagra is not known to cause. However, for the most part, Viagra and Cialis can cause similar side effects, such as headache or flushing. Below is a diagram that shows the side effects of Viagra, side effects of Cialis and side effects of both Viagra and Cialis.

It’s important to note that Cialis lasts longer in the body than Viagra. So, the side effects that you may have from Cialis can also last longer. In addition, Cialis drug interactions may differ. For example, Cialis can interact with grapefruit juice, and Viagra does not.

If you’re thinking about treating your ED with a medication like Viagra or Cialis, talk to your doctor about which may be the best treatment option for you.

Warnings and Precautions of Viagra (sildenafil)

Tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions before taking Viagra:

• Cardiovascular disease, such as heart failure, heart attack, irregular heartbeat or other heart problems
• Recent heart surgery
• Stroke
• Blood pressure problems, such as hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Certain blood conditions, like sickle cell anemia or leukemia
• Abnormal penis shape, such as Peyronie’s disease
• Kidney or liver problems
• Stomach ulcers
• Vision loss or eye disease

If you have certain medical conditions, your doctor may recommend more frequent monitoring while you’re taking Viagra or they may recommend a lower dose of the medication.

You should also discuss any medications or supplements that you take with your doctor before starting Viagra. Some medications may not be safe to take with Viagra. For example, nitrates for angina (chest pain), such as nitroglycerin, alpha blockers for high blood pressure or certain medications for pulmonary arterial hypertension, like riociguat, may not be safe to take with Viagra. Your doctor or pharmacist can make sure that it’s safe for you to take Viagra along with your other medications.

When to talk to your doctor

If you would like to try a medication to manage your ED symptoms, you should talk to a doctor. You may wish to make a telehealth appointment to discuss your symptoms and a treatment plan with a doctor, who can give you medical advice. Some telehealth providers, like Motivated, can connect you with prescribers and have ED medications, like Viagra delivered discreetly to your door.

They can also help decide which drug may be the best treatment option for you. In addition to Viagra, the generic Viagra drug sildenafil may also be available. The effects of sildenafil are the same as Viagra and the drug may be more cost effective. If you’d like to learn more about taking Viagra to manage your ED symptoms, talk to a doctor.

How to reduce the risk of side effects from Viagra (sildenafil)

Not everyone that takes Viagra will experience side effects from the drug. However, there are ways to reduce the risk of side effects occurring.

Taking a lower dose of Viagra will help to decrease side effects. This is because if your body is exposed to less drug, it’s less likely to cause side effects to occur. So, your doctor may recommend starting treatment at a lower dose of Viagra to decrease your risk of side effects. Then, if needed, they can increase your dose once you know how the medication works for you.

In addition, you should always take Viagra as prescribed. Taking your medication as prescribed by your doctor can also decrease your risk of side effects occurring. It’s important that you do not take more Viagra than recommended. This can increase your risk of side effects occurring.

If you do experience side effects during your treatment with Viagra, talk to your doctor. They can recommend ways to manage your side effects. For example, they may recommend taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) to treat headaches from Viagra. They may also recommend a medication such as calcium carbonate (Tums) to treat indigestion. If you have questions about the best ways to manage specific side effects that you experience, talk to your doctor.