What is Viagra?
Viagra is a new medication that is taken by mouth to restore erectile function in men with dysfunction in this area. It is the first of its kind. It works selectively on the penis. It is not a hormone or an aphrodisiac.
Top    Back

Is this drug safe?
Yes, it is. Viagra has been extensively tested in over 4500 men over the past three years. The incidence of adverse side effects causing patients to drop out of the studies was equal in patients taking placebo vs. Viagra, 2.5 percent.
Top    Back

How does the pill work?
Viagra works by increasing the smooth muscle relaxation in the penis. When an erection occurs, the smooth muscles in the penis and in the arteries of the penis must be relaxed. Viagra maximizes the relaxation, increasing the efficiency of the erection. It is like stretching a rubber balloon before blowing it up to make it easier to inflate. The enzyme that the medication specifically works on is phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5), which is almost exclusively found in the penis.
Top    Back

Will the medication cause relaxation of all the smooth muscles in the body?
No. The enzyme (PDE-5) is specific to the penis. Viagra is highly specific for the enzyme in the penis. The minimal cross-reaction is responsible for the side effects.
Top    Back

What are the side effects?

Mild headache	16 percent	Flushing	11 percent
Indigestion	7 percent	Runny nose	7 percent
Transient visual disturbance (blue haze)			3 percent

Top    Back

Will Viagra affect my visual acuity (blurry vision)?
No. This has been extensively tested.
Top    Back

Will Viagra affect my night vision while driving?
No. This has been extensively tested.
Top    Back

Are there any serious side effects?
No. The incidence of serious cardiovascular side effects in over 4500 men studied was equal in the placebo and treatment group, less than 2 percent. There were no deaths in the studies.
Top    Back Important note: Patients who take or need nitroglycerin or nitrates for heart disease cannot use this drug. A number of heart attacks, some causing death, have been reported since the introduction of Viagra. These appear to be due to the exertion of sexual intercourse or to the use of nitroglycerin with Viagra against doctor's orders. Patients with significant heart disease, whether using nitroglycerin or not, should be counseled about the risk of heart attack.

Does this drug cause an erection that will not go down (priapism)?
No. There were no episodes of priapism in any of the studies. Viagra does not cause erections without sexual stimulation. It is not like penile injections or intraurethral therapy. Its mechanism of action is totally different.
Top    Back

When I use the injections, sometimes my erection will last after I have an orgasm. Will that happen after Viagra?
No. That is one of the remarkable attributes of the pill. It is natural. If there is no sexual stimulation the erection subsides naturally.
Top    Back

Can I use this with my injections or MUSE if they are not working well?
No. The use of Viagra with other forms of therapy (injections, MUSE, vacuum device) has not been tested and should be avoided.
Top    Back

Are there any contraindications?
Yes. The only contraindication to therapy is the use of nitrates (sublingual nitroglycerine, long-acting nitrates, nitrate pastes). Several patients have fainted while using nitrates and Viagra because of the drop in blood pressure. No patients have had any serious consequences after fainting. If you are unsure whether you are on these medications, check with your internist or cardiologist before considering this medication
Top    Back

What about any interactions with other medications?
There have been no interactions with other medications in volunteers, including diabetic medications, blood thinners, antacids, aspirin or alcohol. Cimetidine and erythromycin did result in increased blood levels but without any complications.
Top    Back

Is there any minimum or maximum age?
It has been tested and found to be safe in men 85 years old. Viagra has not been tested in men younger than 18. It is not indicated in the pediatric age group.
Top    Back

How do I take it?
It should be taken one to two hours prior to intercourse. The peak blood level occurs in less than 60 minutes.
Top    Back

Will I get an erection in 60 minutes?
No. Again, the beauty of the pill is that it works with natural stimulation. No stimulation means no erection.
Top    Back

What happens if I don't use it in an hour?
The beneficial effect can be seen as late as eight hours. Most of the effectiveness is within the first four hours. You will not have an erection if you are not stimulated.
Top    Back

How often can I use it?
The recommended usage frequency is once a day.
Top    Back

What dose should I use? Are there several doses?
Viagra comes in 25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg pills. You should use the lowest dose that works. The higher the dose, the higher the side effects. I recommend starting at a dose of 50 mg. You can always increase or decrease your dose according to your response. The maximum dose per day is 100 mg.
Top    Back

Can I overdose on the drug?
The higher the dose used in the trials, the more problematic the side effects were. In some of the Canadian trials a dose of 200 mg was used without improved efficacy and with more side effects. Viagra has been administered in doses eight times the recommended dose without significant safety concerns.
Top    Back

Will the medication affect my orgasm?
No. As the pill depends on stimulation to be effective, orgasms are not affected.
Top    Back

Should I worry if I am trying to have a child?
There is no absolute answer to that question and caution should be advised. There have been several pregnancies during the trial that have not been problematic. This specific question has not been investigated in the trials. Viagra has not been found to have any affect on sperm motility and has not had any affect on fertility or increased birth defects in animals.
Top    Back

Will it cause cancer?
No. Extensive testing in animals revealed no evidence of cancer-causing potential in animals.
Top    Back

Will this pill increase my libido (sex drive) or my aggressiveness?
No. Viagra has no affect on libido. Extensive psychologic testing has revealed no increase in aggressive behavior or desire.
Top    Back

How often does it work?
The effectiveness of the medication depends on the cause of the problem. If there is a serious lack of blood flow the medication will probably not work. Overall, looking at the studies, the pill was successful in seven out of 10 patients. In about three out of 10 men, Viagra did not work. Diabetic men and men who have had radical prostate or bladder surgery have a lower success rate.
Top    Back

What if it doesn't work?
Viagra requires sexual excitation to work. You may be too tired or insufficiently sexually excited. If it does not work repeatedly you should make an appointment to discuss treatment alternatives.
Top    Back

Will this be reimbursed by my insurance company?
Many medication plans reimburse for the treatment of erectile dysfunction; many do not. Check with your individual plan administrator.
Top    Back

What is the cost of the Viagra?
Each pharmacy is different and shopping the drug may save you money. Pharmacies are charging between $7.50 and $11 per pill. The price of the pill is independent of the pill dosage. The pills are not scored and are not intended to be divided. If you are using two 50 mg tablets, you can reduce costs by 50 percent by using the 100 mg tablets.
Top    Back

Can Viagra be used in women?
The FDA has not approved Viagra in women. Its safety and effectiveness has not been established in any group other than men over the age of 18.
Top    Back