Viagra™
is the first FDA approved oral treatment for male Impotence/ Sexual Dysfunction/ Erectile Dysfunction (ED). Viagra™ is an oral medication taken 1-2 hours before sexual activity to achieve an erection satisfactory for intercourse. High fat meals slow the absorption of Viagra
™.
Can Viagra™ help you?
If you are one of the approximately 20 to 30 million men in the United States affected by ED Viagra™ may help you. ED is not
an inevitable consequence of aging. Causes of ED can be medical, surgical, or psychological factors. Medical problems include alcohol or substance abuse, arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), diabetes, hormonal imbalances, kidney disease, neurological diseases and injuries, or pelvic fractures. Some medications also cause sexual dysfunction as a side effect. These drugs include those used for high blood pressure and depression, ask your pharmacist for more information about the side effects of your current medications. In some patients a surgical procedure may have contributed to their problem of erectile dysfunction. Patients who have had a radical prostatectomy, or certain colon and blood vessel surgery frequently experience loss of sexual function. Psychological causes may include marital or emotional problems. Less than 7% of the 1 in 10 men with ED seek help due to the embarassment of having sexual problems. If left untreated, ED can affect self esteem, relationships and cause depression
What are the side effects?
Only 9% of participants experienced mild to moderate side effects, including:
- Dyspepsia (upset stomach)
- Nasal Congestion
- Flushing
- Headaches
- Transient visual disturbance (blue haze)
There were no incidents of priapism, a prolonged erection that is painful and tender.
Viagra™ should not
be prescribed if an individual is taking Nitroglycerin or other Nitrates. This includes individuals that take nitrates occasionally.
How does Viagra™ work?
To achieve an erection the brain produces a chemical
(cyclic GMP) that relaxes specific muscles and allows the blood to flow into the penis. After orgasm, another chemical, (Phosphodiesterase) is produced to remove cyclic GMP, so blood can flow out of the penis.
Viagra™ is a Phosphodiesterase Type (5 PDE-5) Inhibitor that, increases the time cyclic GMP is available to achieve or maintain an erection for sexual activities.
Viagra™ is not for individuals without ED.
It is not an aphrodisiac, therefore it will not increase or enhance sexual desire. In normal men, it does not have any effect. More is not better.
Additional Information on Viagra™
Viagra™ is
available only by prescription and can be obtained by one of the physicians at The Virginia Urology Center during an office appointment. The information on this web site was obtained from Pfizer Inc., for more detailed
information refer to the package insert at Pfizer's web site:
