Viagra

What is Viagra for?

Viagra is an incredibly effective medication to treat erectile dysfunction (also known as male impotence), which is an ability to get or maintain an erection. You can obtain the medication medication in strengths of 25mg, 50mg or 100mg tablets. The treatment has benefited men around the world for over two decades, proving massively popular throughout this time, even when other ED treatments have since become available too.

Who can be prescribed it?

Most men will inevitably experience erectile dysfunction at some point in their lives, which can be the result of varying psychological or physical causes. If you over the age of 18 and regularly cannot achieve or sustain an erection that is satisfactory for sexual intercourse, you may be able to be prescribed the medication without a prescription from Medical Specialists®. As with all medicines, please give thorough and complete answers when completing your online consultation.

How often can I take Viagra?

Irrespective of the strength of tablet you take to treat your ED, you should only take a maximum of one single tablet within a 24-hour period, and no more than 100mg in this time.  Men who are having sex two or more times a week, could find they may benefit more from Cialis (Tadalafil) Daily. This medication is a low-dosage tablet that is taken once daily, meaning you can be ready for sex instead of planning it one hour ahead.

How do I take Viagra?

The medication comes as a blue-diamond shaped tablet that is swallowed whole. The normal starting dose for those who have never previously taken the medication is 50mg. If this is ineffective or the effects/benefits tend to last less than 4 hours, generally men can then increase their dose to 100mg.

When you are taking a tablet, try to avoid high fatty foods and large means, limit alcohol intake and grapefruit, as these can negatively impact on the drug’s effectiveness.

How does Viagra work?

Sildenafil is the active ingredient, which can help men achieve far stronger and better long-lasting erections by enabling much better blood flow.

Erections occur due to a chemical reaction in the body, which causes blood vessels to dilate near the penis. This happens so that blood can fill the smooth muscle (corpus cavernosum) in the penis, making it harder.

However, if you have ED, these vessels stay tight and don’t allow enough blood flow, meaning you will find it difficult to achieve or maintain an erection.

PDE5 in the enzyme that causes these restrictions to the vessels. However, this medication is a PDE5 inhibitor, will stop this enzyme from working. This aids blood flow, giving you a much better, harder erection.

As with all ED medications, it is important to remember that sexual arousal is required for the treatment to work, usually within 1 to 2 hours of taking the medication. Without this stimulation/sexual arousal, there will be no benefit of the tablet and effects will tend to wear off after around 4 hours.

How long does Viagra take to work?

The tablets usually take between 30 to 60 minutes to become effective. However, they will not work on their own and stimulation (foreplay) is required. They can be taken up to 4 hours before sex, leaving plenty of time for spontaneity.

What is the difference between Viagra and Sildenafil?

Pfizer’s version is the more well-known, branded version of the medication. However, since the patent expired for Viagra expired many years ago, other manufacturers have since been able to produce their own unbranded, generic version of the active ingredient (Sildenafil), which is much cheaper for patients to buy as they are not paying for the brand name. However, both versions are medically identical and should work in the exact same way.

Will Viagra / Sildenafil make me last longer in bed?

If you find it difficult to get an erection or are losing your erection quickly, Sildenafil can help dramatically in that aspect. It is normal to lose your erection following orgasming and not getting another ‘satisfactory’ erection for a while after. This is referred to as the ‘refractory period’. Sildenafil could reduce the refractory period, helping you get an erection again faster after orgasming.

Can women take Viagra?

The short answer is no, women should not take it under any circumstances. We only prescribe this medication and other erectile dysfunction treatments for men. Contrary to some popular belief, there is no solid evidence to show that the medication can improve sexual conditions/problems in women or increases libido.

Can I take it on an empty stomach?

The medication can be taken before or after eating. It is worth noting that the medication can be less effective or take longer to have an effect if taken straight after consuming a meal that is high in fat (e.g. fried food), or a large meal.

How do I know the medication is genuine?

A genuine tablet is blue in colour and has a very distinctive diamond shape with smooth edges. Counterfeit pills may have jagged edges, be ineffective, or even cause major health problems due to the chemicals used in them. Previous counterfeit pills have been found to contain brick dust, acid and paint. Therefore, only buy Viagra from a fully registered, verifiable and reputable source such as Medical Specialists® Pharmacy.

Can I get Viagra on the NHS?

Due to cost, it is common for NHS GPs to prescribe the cheaper generic version, and also in a very limited quantity of tablets each week.

What are the alternatives?

Like all medicines, it may not work for everyone, and some people may get mild side effects. Although it was the first oral medicine to treat ED, there have been many alternatives that have been released in the subsequent years. A comparison of erectile dysfunction treatments should have you help the most suitable medication for your needs. Most will work in the same way however.

Can I take Viagra at the same time as other Erectile Dysfunction medications?

No, you cannot take two medications at the same time for ED. Not only is this unnecessary, but it will put you at serious danger of suffering severe side effects. If this occurs, please contact your own GP as soon as possible.

What are the side effects?

Side effects are rare, and most people don’t get any. Possible side effects may vary from one person to the next, as with any medication. You should always read the manufacturer’s Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) before taking this or any other medication.

This will give you important instructions on how and when to take the medication, as well as any possible side effects of the drug.