Viagra

Viagra is a popular treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED), a common condition experienced by men. It is produced by the pharmaceutical company Pfizer.

It is clinically proven to help achieve better erections and improve the lives of men worldwide. It works in as little as 30 minutes, and the effects last up to 4 hours.

Viagra treats erectile dysfunction by increasing blood flow to the penis.

An erection occurs when sexual arousal stimulates the brain. The brain then sends messages to the penis via the nerves. These messages tell the muscles in the penile wall to relax, allowing blood to flow in and fill the open spaces.

The blood enters faster than it can leave through the veins. The veins get compressed, trapping the blood in the penis to achieve and maintain an erection.

Viagra contains the active ingredient Sildenafil citrate, this medication is known as a PDE-5 inhibitor. It prevents the breakdown of a chemical that causes the smooth muscle to relax in the penis. This increases the flow of blood into the penis, resulting in longer-lasting erections.

Please note that for this treatment to work, you must first become sexually aroused.

Aside from treating ED, Sildenafil has been shown to have many other benefits.

One study showed that Sildenafil was effective in managing pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) when combined with conventional treatments. In some countries, it is
approved to treat this condition under the brand name Revatio.

In a small study, Sildenafil was shown to be effective and well-tolerated in patients with Raynaud's phenomenon.

Sildenafil can also help with heart failure. One study proved that regular long-term use of Sildenafil improved left ventricle function and the clinical status of patients with stable systolic heart failure.

Efficacy of viagra in clinical trials

Viagra has been proven to be very effective in men. In clinical trials, 62% of patients reported that the 25mg dose of Viagra improved their erections. This was also true for 74% of people taking Viagra 50mg and 82% of people taking Viagra 100mg.

In contrast, only 25% of patients taking the placebo reported an improvement in their erections.

You should take one tablet 30-60 mins before intercourse More than one tablet should not be taken within 24 hours* Take tablets with a glass of water If a lower dosage does not provide the desired effect, you may have to adjust it Store the pack at room temperature away from moisture

Always follow the patient information leaflet (PIL) instructions and your doctor's advice.

Our pharmacist, Aneq Qureshi advises to:

1. Take one tablet 30-60 minutes before intercourse. You can also take it up to 4 hours before sexual activity.
2. You will not get an erection just by taking the pill. You must be sexually stimulated for it to work.
3. Take tablets with a glass of water.
4. Viagra can be taken with or without food. However, if you take it after a high-fat meal, it may take a little longer to start working.
5. Do not take more than one tablet within 24 hours*.

*Taking more than 100mg of Sildenafil will not make it more effective. It could increase the risk of side effects.

If this medication has no effect, please contact your doctor.

What doses are available?

There are three prescribed dosages of Viagra, all of which are available to order online with HealthExpress.

• 25 mg - the lowest dosage and is suitable for those sensitive to higher dosages.
• 50 mg - the recommended starting dose as it is easy to increase or decrease if needed.
• 100 mg - the highest dosage available and usually only recommended if the 50mg dosage has little effect and if you have not experienced any side effects when using the 50mg dosage.

What happens if I miss a dose?

This medication is designed for you to take it as you need it, so it doesn’t matter if you forget to take a dose. Missing a dose may affect the quality of your erection.

Research shows that for most people, Viagra takes around 30-60 minutes to start working. For some men, it can start working in as little as 12 minutes after it’s taken.

The length of time this medication takes to work can be affected by factors such as food, alcohol and sexual stimulation.

How long does Viagra last?

Viagra lasts around 4 hours; however, this may vary from person to person. If your erection lasts longer than 4 hours there is a risk that this could cause tissue damage to the penis. If this happens, seek immediate medical help.

Sildenafil may not be suitable for some people. To make sure it's safe and right for you, speak to your doctor.

Who can take it?

Most adult men (over the age of 18) with erectile dysfunction can take Viagra.

Can women take Viagra?

No. It is not suitable for use in women or children. If you are a woman and are experiencing problems with sexual function, it's important to speak to a healthcare professional to understand the underlying cause and get the right treatment.

Who cannot take it?

You should not take this medicine if you are allergic to Sildenafil or any of the other added ingredients in this product.

Viagra may not be suitable for those who have or have had any of the following medical conditions:

• any heart problems, angina or a stroke
• kidney or liver disease
• low blood pressure or uncontrolled high blood pressure
• problems with your blood cells or bleeding (sickle cell anaemia, leukaemia, haemophilia)
• multiple myeloma (cancer of bone marrow)
• severe damage or deformity to the penis
• rare inherited eye disease (e.g. retinitis pigmentosa)
• severe vision loss or non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION)
• stomach ulcers

If any of these apply to you, you should contact your doctor and ask about other ED treatments - other options are available.

As with any prescription medication, Viagra can cause side effects. However, most of the side effects are mild and resolve without treatment.

The risk of experiencing side effects is low when taking Viagra because you only take them as and when you need them.

Common side effects include:

• headache
• nausea
• facial flushing
• stomach upset
• indigestion
• changes in vision
• stuffy or runny nose
• back or muscle pain
• dizziness

If you experience worrying side effects, consult your doctor immediately.

Viagra can interact with other medicines. Ensure you tell your doctor about any other medicines you are taking including prescription and non-prescription medicines, supplements, vitamins and more.

Do not take Viagra if you take:

• medicines called 'nitrates' used for chest pain
• guanylate cyclase stimulators (such as Riociguat)
• ‘poppers’ (e.g. amyl nitrite or butyl nitrate)
• HIV medicines
• alpha-blockers for high blood pressure or an enlarged prostate
• some antibiotics (e.g. erythromycin)
• some antifungals (e.g. ketoconazole)
• other erectile dysfunction medicines (e.g. Tadalafil, Vardenafil, Avanafil)

This is not a complete list of interactions. For a full list, refer to the patient information leaflet included with your order.

The generic drug has the same active ingredient, Sildenafil citrate, as the brand-name drug, Viagra, and works just as well. The main difference between the two is the price; the generic version is usually much cheaper.

The same goes for Viagra Connect, which is a brand of Viagra that you can purchase without a doctor’s prescription.

Viagra Connect vs Viagra

Viagra Connect is only available in 50 mg doses, whereas Viagra is available in 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg doses. It's also more expensive, most likely because it's more 'accessible' and convenient to buy.

Store the tablets at room temperature (below 30°C). Keep these tablets in their original package to protect them from moisture and excess heat. Ensure this medicine is kept out of the reach of children.

Do not use Viagra after the expiry date stated on the carton.

Do not throw this medicine away in your household waste or flush it down the toilet. You can take this medicine to your nearest pharmacy to safely dispose of it.

Although Viagra is an effective pill, there are several factors that can influence how quickly and effectively it works. Here are some tips that can help ensure it works well for you.

Avoid heavy meals

Viagra is absorbed quicker on an empty stomach compared to when taken after a meal. Studies show that if you take Viagra after a heavy, high-fat meal, it can delay your body's absorption of Viagra by up to an hour. This means that it may take longer to achieve an erection.

Avoid alcohol and drugs

While it’s safe to drink alcohol in moderation when taking Viagra, drinking may make it more difficult to get an erection.

Alcohol can affect many different systems in the body, including those involved in producing an erection. Excessive drinking may also increase your risk of developing side effects such as headaches, nausea and dizziness.

Don’t smoke

Tobacco smoke contains many chemicals and toxins that can damage the lining of the blood vessels. Smoking can impair circulation to all areas of the body, including the penis.
Studies have shown that smoking increases the risk of developing ED. The best thing you can do to improve ED is to stop smoking.

I recommend that patients take Viagra on an empty stomach or with a light meal to achieve the best results. Patients should avoid smoking, alcohol and drugs when using Viagra as these could dampen its effects.

Dr. Anup JethwaClinical Lead

Viagra belongs to a group of medicines that all act the same way, known as PDE5 inhibitors. That means if Viagra doesn't work for you, some alternatives might.

If you want a medication that works faster than Viagra, or you don’t want to wait or plan before sex, you can consider alternatives such as Spedra or Cialis Daily instead.

There are also non-medicinal alternatives like penis pumps if you can't use ED medicines.

While Viagra requires a prescription, the brand ‘Viagra Connect’ is available to buy without a prescription. However, you must complete a consultation with a pharmacist before purchasing it.

Yes, it is safe to buy Viagra online if you buy it from a reputable website, such as HealthExpress.

First, we ask you to complete a quick consultation. One of our UK-registered doctors will review your consultation and make sure it's right for you to take. Once approved, your prescription will be dispensed from our pharmacy and delivered to your address in discreet packaging.

You can also purchase Viagra Connect and Sildenafil (generic Viagra) from HealthExpress after an online consultation.

If you have any questions about your order, our customer service team will be more than happy to help.