Viagra A Detailed Guide To A Potency Enhancing Drug

// Published December 9, 2019 by James Washington

For Viagra, the glory of a real panacea for combating the problems of the male genital area has long been firmly entrenched. There is an opinion that it is enough to take one pill, and the man will become a real “thunderstorm”. In fact, not everything is so simple. The cure is not a panacea, but a pharmaceutical agent cannot be blamed for inefficiency. Truth, as always, is somewhere in between.

The described medication is a synthetic stimulant of the guanylate cyclase substance, which is precisely responsible for normal erectile function. The drug is quite effective against some forms of erectile dysfunction, but it is categorically not suitable for others. Since the effect of the drug is not selective, but generalized, there is a high risk of side effects from the cardiovascular, digestive and other systems.

Should I take Viagra, and when? In addition, there are other drugs against impotence and erection problems (for example, Cialis and others). When are they more effective? These issues have to be sorted out.

What is the composition of the drug?

The main active component of the drug is Sildanefil. Sildanephil is a synthetic substance that was originally developed to normalize the functioning of the cardiovascular system. An effective effect on potency was discovered by chance as a result of clinical trials. In addition to the main active component in the structure of the drug are found: magnesium stearate, calcium hydrogen phosphate and other substances. They do not have pharmaceutical efficacy and are intended to give the drug a tablet, solid texture (used as fillers).

In what form is Viagra produced?

Viagra is available in the form of diamond-shaped tablets, convex on both sides. The concentration of the main active substance varies from format to format and is 25, 50 and 100 mg per tablet. The dosage is selected based on the severity of erectile dysfunction and the nature of the violation of potency. You can’t choose a dose yourself, this is a direct path to health problems. Packages contain from 1 to 12 tablets. Cost varies according to quantity.

How does the drug work and when is it obviously ineffective?

The drug is aimed at improving the blood supply to the penis (corpus cavernosum). Normalizing blood circulation in the genital area, Viagra provokes a rapid onset of erection, and maintaining a persistent potency for several tens of minutes to an hour or more. However, Viagra is far from a panacea.

It is not suitable in a number of cases:

• Low libido. First of all, the drug is ineffective with reduced sex drive. Libido is an indispensable attribute of normal potency. If there is no sex drive, Viagra will be ineffective. Viewing pornographic materials is not enough, you should not be mistaken. As a rule, most often we are talking about a physiological decrease in libido as a result of testosterone deficiency, taking certain categories of drugs (antipsychotics, antidepressants, etc.). Read about: Causes and Treatment of Low Libido in Men.
• Lack of sex hormones. Another important factor is the presence of a normal hormonal background. If the level of androgens, in particular testosterone, is insufficient, Viagra will be an ineffective drug. The blood supply to the penis will be optimal, but an erection will not occur.
• Normal blood circulation in the genitals. The drug is ineffective for use in people who do not have problems with blood supply to the penis. If it is tried just for the sake of an interesting experience, it will not produce any additional effect. Everything else is legend and conjecture.
• Vascular pathology of the penis. If there are vascular diseases of the penis, there will be no sense from Viagra. The pharmaceutical agent in question is not a medicine in itself. It only enhances blood flow. But if the vessels have lost elasticity and are not able to expand – for obvious reasons, the effect will not be.
• Atherosclerosis of the vessels of the penis. Another factor in the ineffectiveness of the drug. Moreover, if there is occlusion of the lumen of the veins and arteries with cholesterol plaques. The problem is most often observed in obese patients, smokers, people who abuse alcohol and fatty, fried, salty foods.
• Other violations of patency of the blood supply structures .
• Prostatitis. Prostatitis entails a violation of innervation, because Viagra, which affects only blood circulation, is not effective.
• Psychogenic erectile dysfunction. If the patient has psychogenic erectile dysfunction, Viagra will not help. This is a completely different problem; it does not have a purely physiological nature. It’s about psychosomatics.

Mechanism of action

After taking the medication, it is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream. The mechanism of erectile function is associated with an increase in the concentration of nitric oxide in the cavernous body of the penis. This substance stimulates the production of guanylate cyclase, a special enzyme. The substance presented is an intermediate, it in itself stimulates the activation of cGMP.

The muscles of the penis relax, its tone decreases, and increased blood circulation in the genital area is observed. As the manufacturer himself indicates, in order for the drug to begin to function normally, it is required that the man experience high-quality sexual arousal. Otherwise, the action will not occur. The maximum concentration of the drug in the bloodstream is reached after half an hour or two hours.

The drug is metabolized in the liver structures, the period of excretion of safe metabolites is approximately 3-5 hours from the time of administration. Most of the metabolites are excreted in the feces (about 85%), the rest is transported by the kidneys. Drug processing products are inactive.

In what cases is the use of the drug acceptable and recommended?

According to the instructions for use, the medicine is used for the complex treatment of erection problems, which is of a vascular nature. In all other cases, the drug does not work. To normalize sexual function, firstly, stimulation of the penis is required, and secondly, the use of other drugs. As part of monotherapy, the drug is rarely used.

In which cases you can not use Viagra?

Viagra is a rather heavy drug. Use it with great care. Absolute contraindications include:

• disruption of the liver in the decompensation phase;
• immune response (allergic reaction to drug components);
• problems with the optic nerves;
• severe diseases of the cardiovascular system (hypertension in 3 stages, coronary heart disease and other diseases of the cardiological profile);
• Also, do not take the drug at the same time as nitrogen compounds (nitrates from the heart, sports preparations for pumping – nitric oxide donors).

Observing precautions, the medication can be used for:

• digestive tract diseases (including gastritis, stomach ulcers and duodenal ulcers);
• arterial hypertension of mild to moderate severity;
• in case of Peyronie’s disease and other anatomical defects of the penis;
• increased blood flow;
• heart attack of the heart muscle or cerebral structures;
• diseases of the retina (retinal dystrophy, etc.).

Do not use Viagra for people under 18 years of age. The use of the drug by women is also strictly prohibited.

Read about: How men can improve their sexual performance.

Side effects

Side effects are diverse:

• secondary prostatitis and dysfunction of the prostate gland;
• muscle pain;
• conjunctivitis (inflammation of the membranes of the eyeball);
• weakness;
• flu-like symptoms;
• temporary color blindness (usually disappears within a few hours);
• lymphadenitis;
• secondary pharyngitis;
• diarrhea;
• dyspeptic symptoms;
• secondary rhinitis;
• skin rash.

In addition to the described phenomena, the following conditions are somewhat more common:

• fainting, increased blood pressure, heart rhythm and breathing problems;
• priapism (long, painful erection, not associated with sexual arousal);
• immune response (allergy).

How to take the drug?

The optimal starting dose is 50 mg per day. It is best to use the drug approximately one hour and a half before sexual intercourse. The product is used strictly before meals, so that nothing prevents the absorption of the active substance.

Long-term use of Viagra leads to a decrease in the effectiveness of the drug and the opposite effect. It is optimal to take the drug with a minimum dose, gradually increasing it until a stable therapeutic effect occurs.

Overdose

An overdose is fraught with the onset of persistent priapism. This is a dangerous and painful condition that requires urgent medical correction. In addition, respiratory disorders, heart rhythm are observed. Blood pressure rises, a hypertensive crisis sets in. Increasing the dose, however, does not increase the speed and intensity of the effect.

Viagra analogs, drug comparison

The main analogues of Viagra are Cialis and Levitra. They are most often prescribed for problems with an erection. All three drugs have an identical effect, inducing increased circulation in the pelvic area. However, there are pronounced differences in drugs. They are presented in the table:

Thus, the question of the effectiveness of a particular drug is controversial. It all depends on the degree of violation, the patient’s health status and what the person himself needs. In any case, a doctor’s recommendation is indispensable.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• How fast does Viagra begin to work and how long does it take?

Viagra begins to act after 40-60 minutes and is valid from several tens of minutes to 4 hours.

• Is it possible to take immediately after visiting a restaurant or a plentiful dinner?

Fatty foods reduce the rate of absorption and maximum concentration, so use after a hearty meal is not recommended.

• I tried it once – it didn’t work. Does she not suit me?

Perhaps so. However, according to studies, Viagra is far from always acting. If a man relies on a stone erection, possessing normal potency – this will not happen. In addition, the patient may have problems of a different profile, not vascular, but psychological other physiological.

• Is it true that Viagra has a bad effect on the heart?

With prolonged use, as well as an overdose, this is true. However, side effects develop at times less, compared with the same Levitra or Cialis.

• How many times a day can I take Viagra?

Maximum once a day. All that is more is already fraught with an overdose.

• How many sexual acts does one Viagra take?

As much as health allows. At the end of sexual intercourse, in any case, a plateau period (refractory period) occurs during which the penis loses its firmness. The duration of this moment varies from several minutes to several hours.

• Does Viagra affect the ability to conceive?

Reliable data and specialized studies, authoritative enough for such judgments do not exist.

• Does Viagra have a cumulative effect with long-term use?

No cumulative effect. The drug is excreted completely.

• Can a woman use Viagra?

Belonging to the female sex is an absolute contraindication.

• Is it possible to use expired Viagra with intact packaging and not losing its appearance?

It is forbidden. The shelf life of Viagra is 5 years. At the end of the specified period, the drug becomes at least useless, maximum dangerous. Expired medicine must be disposed of.

Thus, Viagra is far from a panacea. Application is allowed only in justified cases, as directed by a doctor.

• Health