Viagra is simple: you ingest a dose of the main component sildenafil, wait, and get erect.
That sentence describes barely any aspect of how the medication works. A large meal could prolong the effect, liquor consumption could negate it, and anxiety could sabotage the attempt to achieve an erection even if sildenafil does its job correctly. Some men take the medication too late, write it off after twenty minutes, and double the dose right away.
Correct use of sildenafil – the active component of Viagra – is beneficial for erectile dysfunction sufferers, but a careless approach to the prescription could lead to frustration, a pounding headache, and a hazardous interaction.
First, understand what Viagra actually does
Viagra does not induce sexual desire, nor does it cause a spontaneous erection.
The sexual stimulation provokes a release of nitric oxide from the penile tissue, thus relaxing the smooth muscles and dilating the blood vessels, sildenafil blocks the degrading enzyme PDE5, allowing this process to last longer.
Without sexual arousal, no meaningful reaction will happen.
That is why the attempt to use Viagra and watch the clock can be a disappointing experience. The medication prepares the body to achieve erection, but the stimulus, the feeling of attraction to the partner, is still required, just as it is usually in sexual relationships. How exactly Viagra works is explained in our comprehensive guide to the mechanism of action.
Take it early enough – but not too early
The recommended interval before sexual intercourse is about an hour, so that the medication can relax the muscles and dilate the blood vessels. Some men feel the effects of Viagra in half an hour, but it is advisable not to rush and give the drug enough time to work.
The FDA approval allows the drug to be taken anywhere from half an hour to four hours before sex. This suggests that the medication may work differently depending on the time of ingestion and individual characteristics.
The time when sildenafil becomes fully active is distributed across a wide scope – for some, it is an hour after ingestion, while for others, it may be two or three.
It is important to note that a four-hour window is not a period during which one can maintain an erection; rather, it is easier to achieve an erection when stimulated sexually during this time.
Give the tablet a chance to work – if nothing happened after twenty minutes, it is not worth risking another dose.
A heavy meal can wreck the plans
Imagine that you have had a rich dinner: juicy steak, fries, and dessert. You have taken Viagra at the end of the meal to enjoy the full effect while you are still satiated. An hour later, you are disappointed in the results.
It is not the medication that has failed – it is the high-fat meal that prolongs the absorption of sildenafil and postpones the onset of action.
For the most reliable results, Viagra should be taken on an empty stomach or with light food. If a heavy meal cannot be avoided, it is better to take the medication not right after, but maybe an hour or two later to let digestion proceed.
Of course, it is not necessary to starve yourself before sex: the goal is to keep away the rich, fatty foods.
Limit alcohol consumption
One or two drinks will not hurt, but a whole bottle will. Alcohol consumption diminishes inhibitions, but in large quantities, liquor damages the neural pathways and the vascular system, provoking a range of unwanted side effects.
It is also possible that an erection is difficult to achieve or maintain because the Viagra dose interacts dangerously with alcohol, aggravating dizziness, flushing, headaches, and low blood pressure. A man may wrongly attribute the failure of the medication to the dosage; in reality, the cause of the problem may lie in the four standard drinks and a fifth of whiskey in the brandy snifter.
In order to conduct a fair trial of sildenafil, it is advisable to limit alcohol consumption to a minimum during the first few attempts.
Use the dose indicated by the doctor
Viagra comes in dosages of 25, 50, or 100 mg per pill; 50 mg is the average starting point, but it is not necessarily the most appropriate dose. A lower amount may be prescribed for the elderly, those who have intolerant to a drug, or those who take regular medication that decreases the absorption of sildenafil. On the contrary, the doctor may offer to try 100 mg if the average dose did not appear to be satisfactory.
A higher dose is unlikely to lead to greater results while delivering sharper side effects, including headaches, facial redness, indigestion, congestion, dizziness, and vision problems. It is necessary to use Viagra strictly as prescribed and only once every twenty-four hours unless another indication was given by the healthcare provider. It is dangerous to combine the medication with Cialis or Levitra, other PDE5 inhibitors, or a generic analog of Viagra. Men who are looking for a comparison between a branded and a generic version of sildenafil can consult this resource.
One failure does not mean it does not work
The first dose usually fails due to the adverse conditions of the trial: a rich dinner, alcohol consumption, rushing before sex, and performance anxiety. Healthcare providers recommend experimenting with Viagra several times before accepting the fact that the medication does not work. This means using the recommended dose, waiting enough time for the medication to work, avoiding large fatty meals and excessive alcohol consumption, and receiving sufficient sexual stimulation.
An attempt to take Viagra should not be an exam during which the body must perform at its best despite the stressful circumstances. It is more important to create optimal conditions for the medication to work and let sildenafil do the rest without performance pressure.
When Viagra fails several times in a row, it is necessary to contact the doctor and provide a detailed description of the failed attempts. It is essential to indicate the dose, the time before sex or the interval between the dose and the attempt to achieve erection, the last meal before taking the medication, alcohol consumption, and side effects experienced. Information about spontaneous or morning erections, if any, can also be vital for finding the cause of failure.
A conversation with the doctor is always more informative and productive than attempting to double the dose on one’s own initiative.
Recognize potentially dangerous interactions
Nitrate medications such as nitroglycerin counteract the effects of sildenafil and should never be combined with Viagra. The same applies to recreational drugs known as poppers containing nitrites. Even if the nitrate medication was bought illegally or is unsuitable for treatment, the interaction with sildenafil can be fatal due to a sudden drop in blood pressure. Viagra in combination with the drug riociguat indicated for pulmonary hypertension is also contraindicated.
Alpha-blockers prescribed to patients with prostate adenoma or hypertension can enhance the effect of sildenafil on blood pressure. Some antifungal drugs, HIV treatments, antibiotics, and antidepressants can inhibit the enzyme that breaks down sildenafil, prolonging its effects on the body. This interaction is not necessarily dangerous, but the doctor may advise adjusting the dose or spacing out the doses of the medications if it is possible.
It is necessary to provide the doctor with a full list of medications, including nutritional supplements and drugs that were bought without a prescription. Those who want to explore other treatments for erectile dysfunction can view the entire catalog of available medicines at this resource, but the recommendation of an experienced physician is mandatory.
Never ignore the reason for erectile dysfunction
While Viagra will allow to achieve erection, the root cause of ED is still relevant. Erectile dysfunction can be caused by a large number of conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, smoking, sleep apnea, hormone imbalance, certain medications, depression, and heart disease. Sometimes signs of blood vessel problems are manifested precisely by erection problems.
It is therefore unwise to simply renew the prescription for sildenafil when the signs of these conditions appear. The doctor may recommend testing blood pressure and glucose levels, a lipid profile, and a complete hormone check-up. It is important to discuss psychological problems and the state of the relationship with the partner. Viagra can return a sense of masculinity, but it cannot solve all the problems at once.
A man who used to take sildenafil regularly may start noticing that the medication no longer works as well. Such failures are suspicious if they began suddenly after years of successful use. It is important to consider whether any other medication was newly introduced into the scheme, whether blood sugar levels can be stable, and how the general well-being is. Is there a decrease in libido, or is there insomnia? These signs can help determine the underlying cause of failure.
When to contact a doctor about side effects
Some side effects, such as headache, flushed skin, nasal congestion, or indigestion, disappear on their own after some time. The appearance of rare but dangerous effects, however, should prompt an immediate call for medical help. An erection that lasts for more than four hours requires an urgent consultation to prevent complications associated with prolonged erection. Viagra also provokes vision changes, but sudden vision loss is an emergency that requires a call for an ambulance.
If the man begins to feel discomfort or chest pain during sexual intercourse, it is necessary to interrupt the activity and call for help right away. When contacting medical professionals, it is important to note the time of Viagra intake. Nitroglycerin or other indicated drugs can be used to relieve symptoms only at the recommendation of an appropriate physician.
How to get the most out of Viagra
A high dose of Viagra will not help if the meal was eaten right before sex or if the man had too much alcohol. It will not bring results if the man is not aroused and does not try to achieve erection. The dose can be doubled if the conditions for taking the medication are optimal: enough time has passed since ingestion, there was no heavy meal, and the man is comfortable with his sexuality and the situation.
The doctor’s appointment should be scheduled as soon as possible when these measures fail.
