Believe it or not, Viagra is the most famous drug in the United States. The little blue, diamond-shaped pill is known for its ability to help men suffering from erectile dysfunction. 

This drug is also sold under the name Revatio to treat adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs). Revatio is used to improve exercise ability and slow down worsening changes in people with this condition.

Also, Viagra medicines have been used “off-label” for other medical conditions, such as Raynaud’s disease  (a condition that affects fingers and toes to become cold and numb) and prostate cancer.

Viagra medicines are known as phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors. Viagra drugs work by increasing blood flow to the penis.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Viagra in 1998 and it’s marketed by Pfizer, Inc.

How to take Viagra for the best results

Here are some tips you should look at for taking Viagra safely and effectively

Recommended safe doses

The standard recommended dose of Viagra medicines for treating erectile dysfunction is 50 mg however your doctor can prescribe anywhere from 25 mg to 100 mg Because Viagra can affect other parts of the body also. For example heart and lungs, it’s important to stick to the dose and instructions your doctor provides.

Take it when your stomach is empty

Viagra works on its best when taken on an empty stomach. If you want to maximize its effects, try to take it separately from any meals.

You should know about the potential side effects of Viagra

The side effects Viagra could cause are flushing, indigestion or heartburn, headache, insomnia, changes in vision, nosebleeds, and nasal congestion If you have any heart conditions or take certain types of blood pressure medications  (including nitrates like isosorbide dinitrate or nitroglycerin), your doctor may advise you not to use Viagra due to the risk of heart attack or dangerously low blood pressure.

Well, There’s no known particular maximum period of time for safely taking Viagra. Just make sure that each of your doctors knows that you use the medication in case they prescribe other medications that could interact badly with Viagra.

Warnings of Viagra

Few medicines are not safe to take with Viagra. Viagra especially shouldn’t be used in combination with a nitrate drug for treating chest pain or heart problems. This also includes nitroglycerin, isosorbide mononitrate, isosorbide dinitrate, nitrite “poppers or amyl nitrate.

Taking Viagra with a nitrate drug can be the reason for a sudden and dangerous drop in blood pressure.

Also, you should not use the medicine for pulmonary hypertension Adempas (riociguat) if you’re taking Viagra.

Before you take Viagra let your doctor know about if you have or have ever had:

• Heart disease, heart failure, a heart attack or heart rhythm problems
• Low or High blood pressure
• A stroke
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Kidney or liver disease
• A blood disorder, like as multiple myeloma, leukemia, or sickle cell anemia
• A bleeding disorder like as hemophilia
• Blockages in the veins of the lungs
• Stomach ulcers
• A deformity of the penis, like  Peyronie’s disease
• Allergies to medications

Tell your physician if you have ever had an erection that lasted for more than 4 hours if you smoke, or if you’ve recently been dehydrated.

Also, tell your healthcare provider about if you’ve been told not to have sex for health reasons before starting on Viagra.

Viagra can lower blood flow to the optic nerve in your eye, which may be the reason for sudden vision loss. Maximum people who experience this complication also have heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or specific eye problems. Being a smoker and also over 50 years of age increases the risk of vision issues. 

If you experience any sudden vision loss, stop using Viagra and get emergency medical help immediately

Also let your doctor know about immediately if you have any kind of chest pain, nausea, or dizziness during sexual activity while taking Viagra. Viagra should not be used by anyone under 18 years of age. Until and unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

tell your doctor as well about if you’re taking Viagra before having any type of surgery, including a dental procedure.

General Side Effects of Viagra

Let your doctor know about if you have any of the following side effects become severe or don’t go away:

• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Upset stomach
• Heartburn
• Flushing
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Nosebleeds
• Difficulty falling or staying asleep
• Muscle pain or back pain
• Numbness or tingling in the hands, arms, feet, or legs
• Sensitivity to light
• Vision color changes (seeing blue on objects or not able to tell the difference between green and blue)

Some Serious Side Effects of Viagra

Get Immediately medical help right away if you experience any of the symptoms in the Warning section and the following:

• Sudden vision changes, blurred vision, or vision loss
• Irregular heartbeat
• Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet
• Ringing in your ears or sudden hearing loss
• Seizures
• Feeling like you might pass out
• Rash
• Burning or itching while urinating
• An erection that’s painful or lasts longer than four hours
• Sings of a heart attack like chest pain; chest pain that  spreads to your jaw or shoulder; sweating; or nausea
• Signs of an allergic reaction like hives; difficulty breathing; or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat

Viagra and other medicine Interactions

Let your doctor know all about prescription, non-prescription, illegal, recreational, herbal, nutritional, or dietary drugs you’re taking while using Viagra, especially those listed in the Warning section and the following

• Alpha-blockers like Uroxatral (alfuzosin), Cardura (doxazosin), Minipress (prazosin), Flomax, in Jalyn (tamsulosin), and terazosin
• Norvasc, in Amturnide, in Tekamlo (amlodipine)
• Certain antifungals, like  Onmel, Sporanox (itraconazole) and Nizoral (ketoconazole)
• Blood thinners, like  Coumadin, Jantoven (warfarin)
• Certain barbiturates like in Butapap, in Fioricet, in Fiorinal, others (butalbital) and Seconal (secobarbital)
• Beta-blockers, like Tenormin, in Trandate (labetalol), Tenoretic (atenolol), Lopressor, Toprol XL, in Dutoprol (metoprolol), Corgard, in Corzide (nadolol), and Hemangeol, Inderal LA, InnoPran (propranolol)
• Cimetidine
• Tracleer (bosentan)
• E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin (erythromycin)
• HIV protease inhibitors, with Prezista, in Prezcobix (darunavir), Reyataz, in Evotaz (atazanavir), Lexiva (fosamprenavir), Crixivan (indinavir), in Kaletra (lopinavir), Viracept (nelfinavir), Norvir, in Kaletra (ritonavir), Invirase (saquinavir), and Aptivus (tipranavir)
• Other medications or devices to treat erectile dysfunction
• Medicine for high blood pressure
• Certain medicine for seizures also add  Carbatrol, Epitol, Tegretol, others (carbamazepine), phenobarbital, and Dilantin, Phenytek (phenytoin)
• Rifadin, Rimactane, in Rifamate, in Rifater (rifampin)
• Mycobutin (rifabutin)
• St. John’s wort

In a few cases, depending on your health or other medications, a doctor may only recommend 25mg, even to start with. That is because higher doses might not be as safe for you.