Viagra (Sildenafil) is a medication commonly used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). It works by inhibiting an enzyme called phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE5), which results in the relaxation of muscles in the penis and increased blood flow to achieve and maintain an erection during sexual stimulation¹².

Safety and Efficacy:

1. Effectiveness:

   • Sildenafil is effective in treating ED of various origins, but it requires a functioning vascular system to be effective³.

2. Common Side Effects:

   • Headaches, flushing, dyspepsia (indigestion), nasal congestion, dizziness, and visual disturbances³.
   • More severe potential side effects can include ventricular tachycardia and acute myocardial infarction, especially in patients with pre-existing heart conditions³.

3. Contraindications:

   • Sildenafil should not be used by individuals taking nitrate medications (commonly prescribed for chest pain) due to the risk of serious drops in blood pressure⁴.
   • It's important to be evaluated by a healthcare provider to ensure sildenafil is safe and appropriate for use, as ED can sometimes be a symptom of a more serious underlying health issue⁵.

4. Usage:

   • Sildenafil typically begins to work within 30 to 60 minutes and its effects can last for up to 4 hours⁶.
   • It doesn't cause an erection without sexual stimulation and should be taken as prescribed by a healthcare provider⁴⁶.

Alternatives:
In addition to sildenafil, other PDE5 inhibitors like tadalafil (Cialis), vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn), and avanafil (Stendra) are also available for treating ED¹.

References

Footnotes

1. Mayo Clinic on Sildenafil (Viagra) ↩ ↩²

2. Mayo Clinic Q and A on Treating Erectile Dysfunction Safely ↩

3. NCBI Article on Sildenafil ↩ ↩² ↩³

4. NHS on Sildenafil ↩ ↩²

5. Mayo Clinic Description and Proper Use of Sildenafil ↩

6. NHS Guide on How and When to Take Sildenafil ↩ ↩²