What is Viagra used for?
This FDA approved prescription medicine is used to
treat impotence in men. The product increases the body's ability to achieve and maintain an
erection during sexual stimulation. This drug does not protect you from getting sexually
transmitted diseases, including HIV.
Who should not take the drug?
Men who are currently using medicines that contain nitrates, such as nitroglycerin should
not use the drug because, taken together, they can lower the blood pressure too much. The
product should not be used by women or children.
General Precautions with Viagra: You should have a complete medical history and exam to determine the cause of
your impotence before taking the product. Men who have medical conditions that may
cause a sustained erection such as sickle cell anemia, leukemia or multiple myeloma or who
have an abnormally shaped penis may not be able to take the drug. There are several
medications that are known to interact with the drug, so be sure to tell your doctor about
all medications you are taking including those you can get without a prescription.
The medicine has not been studied with other treatments for impotence, so use in
combination with other treatments is
not recommended.
How should I take Viagra? Your healthcare provider may prescribe the product as one tablet once a day,
about 1 hour before sexual activity. However, the product may be taken anywhere from 30
minutes to 4 hours before sexual activity.
What are some possible side effects of Viagra? (This list is NOT a complete list of side effects reported with the drug. Your
healthcare provider can discuss with you a more complete list of side effects.) The
medicine is generally well tolerated. If any side effects are experienced, they are
usually mild and temporary. The following is a listing of the most common side effects:
Headache
Flushing
Upset stomach
Stuffy nose
Urinary tract infection
Visual changes such as mild and temporary changes in
blue/green colors or increased sensitivity to light.
Diarrhea
Using Viagra with other Medicines Always discuss with your health care practitioner ALL of the medications you are
taking (prescription and over-the-counter). In that way, you can receive the best advice
for your own situation. At present, the drug is not recommended for people taking commonly
prescribed short- and long-acting nitrates because the combination may lower blood
pressure.
A list of commonly prescribed short- and long-acting nitrates available in the United
States: Deponit, Minitran, Nitrek, Nitro-Bid, Nitrocine, Nitro-Derm,
Nitro Disc, Nitro-Dur, Nitrogard, Nitroglycerin, Nitroglycerin T/R, Nitroglyn,
Nitrol Ointment, Nitrolan, Nitrolingual Spray, Nitrong,
Nitropar, Nitropress, Nitroprex, Nitro S.A., Nitrospan,
Nitrostat, Nitro-Trans System, Nitro Transdermal, Nitro-Time,
Transderm-Nitro, Tridil, Isosorbide Mononitrate , Imdur, ISMO,
Isosorbide Mononitrate, Monoket, Isosorbide Nitrate, Dilatrate-SR, Iso-bid,
Isordil, Isordil Tembids, Isosorbide Dinitrate Isosorbide Dinitrate LA,
Sorbitrate, Sorbitrate SA, Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate, Peritrate, Peritrate
SA, Erythrityl Tetranitrate, Cardilate, Isosorbide Dinitrate/Phenobarbital, Isordil w/PB,
Illicit Substances Containing Organic Nitrates, e.g., amyl nitrate or nitrite (It is
known that amyl nitrate or nitrite is sometimes abused. In abused situations, amyl nitrate
or nitrite may be known by various names, including "poppers.")
After using Viagra Storage
Keep Viagra where children cannot reach it. A locked cupboard at least 1 ½ metres above
the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Keep the drug in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 30ºC. Do not store
it or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink. Do not leave it in the car or on
window sills. Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep the tablets in their pack until it is time to take them.
Disposal
If your doctor tells you to stop taking the product, or the
tablets have passed their expiry date, ask you pharmacist what to do with any left over.
All strengths come in blister packs of 4.
maintain an
erection during sexual stimulation. This drug does not protect you from getting sexually
transmitted diseases, including HIV.