Bring The Men’s Spark Back --- Viagra

What is Viagra?

    Viagra is a prescribed medicine containing sildenafil citrate. It is used to treat male impotence or erectile dysfunction (ED) (inability to maintain or develop erection of penis during sexual activity). Sildenafil increases the blood flow to the penis and thus helps in the erection. It is NOT for women and children.

What are the different strengths and dosages of Viagra?

• Three different strengths of Viagra are available in the market: 25mg, 50mg and 100mg. In Malaysia, only 50mg and 100mg are available.
• The initial dosage for adults is usually 50mg once daily. However, the dosage may be increased to 100mg or decreased to 25mg based on the response to treatment, medical conditions and other medications you are taking.
• The initial dosage for elderly (>65 years old) is 25mg once daily. The dosage can be increased or decreased based on the Viagra’s performance and the tolerability of the person.
• Stage four and five kidney failure patients (creatinine clearance < 30ml/min) and/or impaired liver patients are merely 25mg once daily as the clearance of Viagra is reduced.
• A dose of 25mg once daily should be given in patients who are receiving concomitant medications such as oral fungal medications (eg: itraconazole, ketonazole), some antibiotics (eg: erythromycin, clarithromycin) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) protease inhibitor medications (eg: saquinavir, atazanavir).
•  The recommended maximum dosage for patients who are concomitantly taking HIV medication ritonavir is 25mg within two days time. Ritonavir significantly reduces the clearance of Viagra.

How to use Viagra?

•           Take the dosage orally on an as-needed basis, as directed by your doctor. Not taking more than once a day.
•       Take it approximately one hour before sexual activity, with or without food. However, Viagra may be taken 30 minutes to 4 hours before sexual intercourse.
•      Avoid high-fat meal as it will delay the effectiveness of Viagra.

Who should not take Viagra?

• Viagra can only be obtained with the doctor’s prescription.

DO NOT take Viagra if you are:-

• Allergic to sildenafil (allergic reaction including rashes and itchiness)
• Concurrently or intermittently taking nitrates-containing medications (often prescribed for chest pain)

What are the precautions while taking Viagra?

Use Viagra in caution in the following conditions:

•  Had a heart attack, stroke or life-threatening arrhythmia (irregular heart rate) within the last 6 months
•  Heart disease
• Unstable angina (chest pain)
• Heart artery disease
• Concomitantly taking blood pressure medications
• Any deformation of penis
• Bleeding disorders
• Stomach ulceration/bleeding
• Grape fruit juice may increase the effect of Viagra which cause low blood pressure, dizziness and prolonged erection.

How long do the effects of Viagra last?

• It can last from one to four hours, vary from person to person.

What are the side effects of Viagra?

• Common side effects: Headache, flushing, blurred vision, blue vision (seeing everything tinted with blue), stuffy nose, nausea, dizziness, back pain
• Rare side effects: priapism (erection that lasts longer than four hours), sudden hearing reduced or loss, sudden vision reduced or loss

Any generic form of Viagra?

• In Malaysia, the generic of Viagra are Axcel Sildenafil, Iqnyde and Elonza.

What are the alternatives apart from Viagra?

Alternatives other than Viagra are Cialis, Levitra and Zydena which are also used to treat ED. However, they do not contain the same medicine as Viagra. They are all prescribed medications.

Authors:

1.   Loh Pui Yee 

      BPharm (Hons) (IMU)

Editors:

1.  Tee Ai Ven    

     BPharm (Hons) (IMU)

2.  Ong Jijien

     BPharm (Hons) (IMU)