Viagra FAQs

There are many curiosities and queries in the mind of a common lay man regarding the usage of Viagra. Even the people who take Viagra may also have certain questions in their mind.

So here's a quick checklist of some of the questions related to Viagra and its usage:

	What is Viagra for?
	How does Viagra work?
	What are the side effects of using Viagra?
	Will insurance cover the cost of Viagra?
	How do I take Viagra?
	How will Viagra be supplied?
	Can Viagra be used with other treatment for impotence?
	Can Viagra be used with other drugs?
	Does Viagra affect heart?
	Is Viagra for angioplasty patients?
	Is Viagra addictive?
	When should you not take Viagra?
	Who should not take Viagra?
	Can Viagra be taken along with alcohol?

What is Viagra for?

Viagra is prescribed to such men who have difficulty in erection i.e.erectile dysfunction(ED) or maintaining it. Erectile dysfunction can also be termed as impotence. Viagra is the only prescribed medicine for erectile dysfunction. The active ingredient in Viagra is sildenafil citrate

How does Viagra work?

The problem of erection occurs because of poor blood flow. Viagra works by enhancing the proper blood flow and solving the problem of erection. Viagra works for such people also who though may have erection but have difficulty in maintaining it. Viagra works by enhancing the effects of one of the chemicals the body normally releases into the penis during sexual arousal. This allows an increase of blood flow there.

Who does not know the positive effect of Viagra? But there are certain side effects also which you should be acquainted with before you start taking Viagra.

Some of the common side effects of using Viagra are headache, stuffy nose, excess sweating, upset stomache, flushing. There are certain not so common side effects too of using the drug Viagra such as urinary tract infection, visual changes such as mild or temporary change in blue and green colours, sensitivity to light or diarrhea.

Will insurance cover the cost of Viagra?

The Food and Drug Administration, U.S.A. (FDA) has no input into or legal control over whether an insurance company has or has not any insurance cover for Viagra. Please call your local insurance provider, and confirm that whether or not you will be provided any insurance cover for the cost of this drug or not.

How do I take Viagra?

Viagra is taken orally once a day, one hour before the sexual activity. It is not meant to be taken regularly for a prolonged period. Just take it when you need it.

How will Viagra be supplied?

Viagra will be available as oral tablets in 25mg, 50mg and 100mg strengths.

Can Viagra be used with other treatment for impotence?

The effectiveness of Viagra has not been studied when taken along simultaneously with other treatment drugs for impotence. Since its effectiveness with other impotence drugs has not been studied therefore the use of such treatments with Viagra is not recommended at present.

Can Viagra be used with other drugs?

It is better that you should make your consulting physician aware of all the drugs that you are taking whether prescription drugs or over the counter so that you can get the best effectiveness of Viagra.Viagra is not recommended for people who are taking nitroglycerin because the combination of Viagra along with nitroglycerin can reduce your blood pressure to a dangerously abnormal low level which can be fatal to your life.

Does Viagra affect heart?

Men with stable heart disease may safely use Viagra. However it should never be combined with nitroglycerin or other forms of nitrates such as isosorbides.This can produce a life-threatening drop in the blood pressure, even in men without heart problems. If you seek medical attention for chest pain and have taken Viagra within the last 24 hrs, be sure to inform your physician about this fact. You should also let your physician know if you:

• Had heart attack or stroke within six months
• Unstable heart disease or heart failure
• High B.P. that is controlled only by multiple medications
• Very high or very low B.P.
• Liver or kidney disease
• Retinitis pigmentosa( a rare eye disorder)

Is Viagra for angioplasty patients?

In patients with recurring mild angina after Viagra use, other non-nitrate antianginal agents, such as ß-blockers, should be considered. Patients taking sildenafil/ Viagra who have an acute myocardial infarction should be treated in the usual manner including, where appropriate, primary angioplasty or thrombolytics. The only difference is that nitrates are contraindicated for these patients because combination of Viagra and nitrates can lower your blood pressure to a dangerously low level. Studies show that such patients who had coronary heart disease, could safely be given viagra provided that, all the nitrate drugs given to such patients had been stopped twenty four hours ago. This shows that inspite of being a heart patient if the nitrate drugs like nitroglycerin are not administered to the patients simultaneously with viagra, there is no reason why the heart patients can't take viagra. The only care that must be taken is that nitrate drugs should not get mixed with sildenafil citrate/viagra, otherwise it will lower the blood pressure of a person to a dangerous level, posing a threat to his life.

Is Viagra addictive?

Could Viagra be addictive? The answer is probably 'yes.' Firstly those men who take Viagra to obtain even greater pleasure from their sex life, become so much used to the drug that they find their love life uninteresting without the use of Viagra, as compared to earlier. Secondly, in some men the effect of Viagra may decrease with time hence these men are less likely to have a non Viagra erection as compared to earlier when they did not take Viagra. In addition some men with no performance problems except psychologically may take even far larger doses of the drug to satisfy their own perception of a satisfactory sexual performance.

When should you not take Viagra?

You should not take Viagra if you are using nitrate drugs to control angina pain because the combination of the nitrate drugs and Viagra can lower your blood pressure dangerously putting your life in danger. Such combinations of drugs are life-threatening for you.

If Viagra gives you an allergic reaction do not use it again.

If you have severe heart problems where sexual activity can be a danger to your life, do not take Viagra.

Who should not take Viagra?

Viagra is only for patients with ED. Viagra is not for newborns, children, or women. Do not let anyone else take your Viagra. Viagra must be used only under a healthcare provider's supervision.
If you're a man who uses nitrate drugs, like nitroglycerine, never take Viagra.

If you are not sure if any of your medications contain nitrates, or if you do not understand what nitrates are, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

Can Viagra be taken with alcohol?

Drinking alcohol can temporarily impair the ability to get an erection. To get the maximum benefit from your medication, you are advised not to drink large amounts of alcohol before taking VIAGRA.