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VIAGRA®
Reference Summary
Introduction
VIAGRA® is a pill used to treat impotence in men. It can help many men who have
impotence get and keep an erection when they become sexually
stimulated.
Impotence is a common condition. A man who is impotent is
persistently unable to achieve or maintain an erection for
satisfactory sexual intercourse. About 30 million men in the U.S.
have erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction is the medical term
for impotence.
VIAGRA is available only by prescription. Before prescribing
VIAGRA, your doctor will make sure that the medication is a good
treatment option for you. This reference summary explains how
VIAGRA works, when it should be used, and when it should never be used. It also
presents points you should discuss with your doctor before and after using VIAGRA.
The main side effects of VIAGRA are also presented.
Erectile Dysfunction
When a man is sexually excited, the penis rapidly fills with more
blood than usual. The penis then expands and hardens. This is
called an erection.
After the man ejaculates, this extra blood flows out of the penis
back into the body. The erection goes away.
Some medical conditions and medicines interfere with this natural
erection process. The penis cannot fill with enough blood. The man
cannot have or maintain an erection. This is called erectile
dysfunction if it becomes a frequent problem.
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2011, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 06/04/2011
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How VIAGRA Works
VIAGRA enables many men with erectile dysfunction to respond to sexual stimulation.
When a man is sexually excited, VIAGRA helps the penis fill with enough blood to
cause an erection. After sex is over, the erection goes away.
The usual dose of VIAGRA is taken one hour before sex, preferably on an empty
stomach or after a light meal. The effect of the pill may last up to 4 hours. This means
that an erection may occur up to 4 hours after taking the pill. It does NOT mean that
the erection will last for 4 hours.
For VIAGRA to work, sexual stimulation is necessary. VIAGRA is NOT a hormone or
an aphrodisiac. It will not cause an erection if there is no sexual stimulation. The
sexual stimulation can be physical or mental.
Most patients who take VIAGRA are satisfied with the improved quality of the erection
and with the ability to maintain the erection for satisfactory sexual intercourse. VIAGRA
does not increase the libido or sex drive and does not affect the orgasm.
VIAGRA comes in three different dosages, 25 milligrams, 50 milligrams, and 100
milligrams. Your doctor will tell you at what dosage to start.
Depending on the individual response, the dosage may have to be adjusted by your
doctor. The goal is to have the lowest dose that works in order to avoid having side
effects. The higher the dose used, the higher the chance of side effects.
Indications
VIAGRA is prescribed for men with erectile dysfunction. VIAGRA is a treatment and
not a cure for erectile dysfunction. VIAGRA is not a hormone or an aphrodisiac. It does
not enhance the libido or the sex drive.
Remember that VIAGRA
• Does NOT protect against sexually transmitted diseases such as AIDS.
• Does not prevent conception or pregnancy.
Contraindications
VIAGRA is not for everybody. VIAGRA is not for patients with heart problems. Ask your
doctor if your heart is healthy enough for sexual activity.
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2011, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 06/04/2011
ur020304
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If you take any medicines that contain nitrates – either regularly or
as needed – you should never take VIAGRA. If you take VIAGRA
with any nitrate medicine or recreational drug containing nitrates,
your blood pressure could suddenly drop to an unsafe level. You
could get dizzy, faint, or even have a heart attack or stroke.
Nitrates are found in many prescription medicines that are used to
treat angina such as:
• nitroglycerin sprays, ointments, skin patches or pastes, and
tablets that are swallowed or dissolved in the mouth.
• isosorbide mononitrate and isosorbide dinitrate tablets that are swallowed,
chewed, or dissolved in the mouth.
Nitrates are also found in recreational drugs such as amyl nitrate or nitrite. If you are
not sure if any of your medicines contain nitrates, or if you do not understand what
nitrates are, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
VIAGRA is only for patients with erectile dysfunction. VIAGRA is not for women.
Do not let anyone else take your VIAGRA. VIAGRA must be
used only under a doctor’s supervision. Patients who share
their prescribed VIAGRA pills with their friends may endanger
the lives of their friends who may be taking medications that
are not compatible with VIAGRA.
VIAGRA should not be used with any other medical
treatments that cause erections. These treatments include
pills, medicines that are injected or inserted into the penis,
implants or vacuum pumps.
Prescription
Only your doctor can decide if VIAGRA is right for you. You will need to have a
thorough medical exam to diagnose your erectile dysfunction and to find out if you can
safely take VIAGRA alone or with your other medicines. Your doctor should determine
if your heart is healthy enough to handle the extra strain of having sex.
Be sure to tell your doctor if you:
• have ever had any heart problems such as angina, chest pain, heart failure,
irregular heart beats, heart attack or narrowing of the aortic valve)
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2011, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 06/04/2011
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•
•
•
•
have ever had a stroke
have low or high blood pressure
have ever had severe vision loss
have a rare inherited eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa
Also tell your doctor if you:
• have ever had any kidney problems
• have ever had any liver problems
• have ever had any blood problems, including
sickle cell anemia or leukemia
• are allergic to sildenafil or any of the other
ingredients of VIAGRA tablets
• have a deformed penis, Peyronie’s disease, or
ever had an erection that lasted more than 4
hours
• have stomach ulcers or any types of bleeding
problems
• are taking any other medicines
Some medicines can change the way VIAGRA works. Tell your doctor about any
medicines you are taking. Do not start or stop taking any medicines before checking
with your doctor or pharmacist. This includes prescription and non-prescription
medicines or remedies.
Side Effects
Like all medicines, VIAGRA can cause some side effects. These effects are usually
mild to moderate and usually don’t last longer than a few hours. Some of these side
effects are more likely to occur with higher doses. The most common side effects of
VIAGRA are headache, flushing of the face, and upset stomach.
Less common side effects that may occur are temporary changes in color vision, such
as trouble telling the difference between blue and green objects or having a blue color
tinge to them. Other side effects include eyes becoming more sensitive to light and
blurred vision.
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2011, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 06/04/2011
ur020304
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In rare instances, men taking VIAGRA (or other oral erectile
dysfunction medicines) reported a sudden decrease or loss
of vision in one or both eyes. If you experience sudden
decrease or loss of vision, stop taking VIAGRA, and call a
doctor right away.
In rare instances, men have reported an erection that lasts many hours. You should
call a doctor immediately if you ever have an erection that lasts more than 4 hours. If
not treated right away, permanent damage to your penis could occur.
Heart attack, stroke, irregular heart beats, and death have been reported rarely in men
taking VIAGRA. Most, but not all, of these men had heart problems before taking this
medicine. It is not possible to determine whether these events were directly related to
VIAGRA.
VIAGRA may cause other side effects besides those listed on this tutorial. If you want
more information or develop any side effects or symptoms you are concerned about,
call your doctor. He or she may want to adjust the dosage of VIAGRA.
A small number of people have noticed a sudden hearing loss or ringing in the ear
while using this type of drug. Even though doctors aren’t sure if the drug causes these
symptoms, patients who experience this type of ringing in the ears or hearing loss
while taking Viagra should stop taking the medication and tell their doctor immediately.
Using VIAGRA
Keep VIAGRA out of the reach of children and in its original container. Store at room
temperature between 59 and 86 °F (or 15-30°C).
As you start using VIAGRA, follow these tips.
• If you do not get the results you expect, talk with your doctor. You and your
doctor can determine the dose that works best for you.
• Do not take more VIAGRA than your doctor prescribes.
• Do not take VIAGRA more than once a day.
• Make sure to tell all of your doctors and pharmacists about your use of VIAGRA.
VIAGRA may interact with other prescription and off-the-shelf medications.
During sex, your heart works harder. Sexual activity may not be advisable for people
who have heart problems.
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2011, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 06/04/2011
ur020304
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If you have chest pains, dizziness or nausea during sex, this may be indication of a
heart disease; stop having sex and immediately tell your doctor you have had this
problem.
Conclusion
VIAGRA is a prescription medicine used to treat
erectile dysfunction. Only your doctor can decide if
it is right for you. Learning about its usage and side
effects will help you to use VIAGRA appropriately.
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2011, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 06/04/2011
ur020304
6