Viagra, popularly known as the “little blue pill,” needs no introduction, given its popularity on Hollywood screens. It is also a subject that comes up often in “locker room” talk. However, despite its popularity, there are quite some misconceptions surrounding the “magical little blue pill.”
For starters, most people consider Viagra as an aphrodisiac for frail older men trying to get lucky. On the contrary, Viagra is not an aphrodisiac but a bonafide prescription medication used as an oral treatment for erectile dysfunction diagnoses.
The second thing to note is that erectile dysfunction (ED) or impotence is not a condition exclusive to older men. One study on men’s reproductive health established that 52% of American adult males aged 18 and over experienced some form of ED during their lifetime. The magnitude of that number makes Viagra an essential drug in society today.
So, if you or your sexual partner are experiencing ED, this post is all about unpacking Viagra and what the drug can do for you. Please keep reading to learn how it works, its benefits, usage, dosage considerations, and more.
What is Viagra?
As stated in our introduction above, Viagra is a medication used to treat erectile dysfunction in men. However, Viagra is the brand name for the drug Sildenafil, one of the leading oral treatment therapies for men with erectile dysfunction. Additionally, Sildenafil is also the primary active ingredient in Viagra; Viagra’s generic version also goes by Sildenafil.
One interesting fact to note in Viagra’s history is that its discovery was an accident; and a happy coincidence for the millions of men suffering from ED. Pfizer, the biopharmaceutical company that formulated Viagra, initially intended to use the drug to treat cardiovascular issues, primarily hypertension, and angina. Angina refers to the condition in which patients who are suffering from heart disease experience persistent chest pain.
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Product | Viagra |
Effects | ✓ Better erection ✓ Improves male’s sexual performance |
Side effects | ✓ No side effects |
Enough for | 4 Days |
Means of administration | Oral |
Price | $20.99 |
Rating | |
Shipping | ✓ Free |
However, during clinical trials on Viagra, Pfizer’s scientists discovered that the drug failed spectacularly at alleviating high blood pressure and angina symptoms. But, they noticed that the new drug wasn’t utterly useless because it increased blood flow to the penis.
Pfizer reviewed their strategy by completing Viagra’’s clinical trial as an erectile dysfunction medication and applied for FDA approval. Viagra received FDA approval and, in 1998, became the first FDA-approved erectile dysfunction medication in the history of medicine. During Viagra’s first year as an FDA-approved therapy for treating ED, doctors made hundreds of thousands of ED diagnoses. Patients using Viagra posted a 91% average success rate. Two years later, Viagra also received approval as an ED treatment in Canada and some parts of Europe.
What are the ingredients of Viagra?
As stated above, Sildenafil is the active ingredient present in Viagra. However, the Sildenafil form that functions as the active pharmacological ingredient in Viagra capsules is Sildenafil citrate.
Besides Sildenafil citrate, Viagra contains several inactive ingredients introduced into the sildenafil nitrate during the drug’s manufacturing process. As the name implies, the inactive ingredients lack pharmacological effects and do not enhance or alter Sildenafil citrate’s efficacy.
However, they serve secondary functions, including facilitating fast delivery of the active ingredient (Sildenafil citrate) to the site of action. They also improve a medication’s taste, among other functions.
- Microcrystalline cellulose
- Anhydrous dibasic calcium phosphate
- Croscarmellose sodium
- Magnesium stearate
- Titanium dioxide
- Lactose
- Hypromellose
- Triacetin
- FD & C Blue #2 aluminum lake
All FDA-approved drugs must declare their list of inactive ingredients to ensure that they only feature FDA-approved secondary ingredients. Viagra’s inactive ingredients appear on the FDA’s inactive ingredients database.
How does Viagra work? How good is the effect of Viagra?
Viagra belongs to a group of drugs called Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) enzyme inhibitors that function by improving blood flow and cell-to-cell communication. However, to fully understand and appreciate Viagra’s pharmacological action, begin by understanding how an erection occurs.
It all begins when peripheral neurons (nerve cells) pick up sexual arousal signals and transmit them to the portion of the brain that processes pleasure. The brain acts on the arousal signals by increasing nitrogen oxide (NO) production in the corpora cavernosa. The corpora cavernosa is the fleshy tissue that constitutes the penis.
Elevated NO levels trigger the activation of an enzyme called guanylate cyclase, which in turn causes a spike in cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels. cGMP functions by inducing muscle relaxation in the arterial walls of the main arteries present in the corpora cavernosa.
Given that the blood vessels in the rest of the body remain constricted, blood flow to the vasodilated corpora cavernosa automatically increases, causing engorgement. The blood flow-induced engorgement is what constitutes an erection.
One sustains an erection as long as cGMP levels remain elevated. However, after sexual activity, a compound called phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) breaks down cGMP, causing the erection to dissipate and restoring normal blood flow.
Medically speaking, erectile dysfunction refers to the inability to either achieve or sustain an erection. So, an ED may occur due to limited nitrogen oxide production or when PDE-5 disintegrates cGMP before one achieves satisfaction from their sexual activity.
As stated above, Viagra’s mechanism of action entails improving cell communication, thus facilitating increased NO production in the corpora cavernosa. Second, as a PDE-5 inhibitor, Viagra prevents PDE-5 from causing premature cGMP disintegration, facilitating a sustained erection. Its vasodilation effect may also facilitate treatment for pulmonary hypertension.
However, we reiterate that Viagra is not an aphrodisiac and thus requires sexual stimulation.
Viagra clinical studies evaluation & results 2021: Is Viagra safe to use?
Years of research and research reviews show that Viagra is an innocuous drug, which is geek-speak for pretty safe. Available toxicology reports on its long-term use are yet to reveal any long-term or adverse effects on men’s health.
However, while Viagra is well-tolerated by most men, some may experience mild side effects like facial flushing, nasal congestion, headaches, and gastronomical issues. Such mild symptoms taper off in a little while.
Second, Viagra may have medical interactions, particularly with nitrate-based medications and other PDE-5 inhibitors. It may also not work for people with cardiac-related health issues.
Fortunately, these are things you need not worry about because Viagra is a prescription medication. As long as you follow the correct procedure and consult your doctor, they will only issue a prescription if Viagra is safe for you.
That explains why you should only acquire Viagra from approved sources to ensure the drug is safe for you. Second unauthorized sources sell counterfeit Viagra with adulterated ingredients that may be harmful. As long as you consult a certified health practitioner and follow dosage recommendations, you have no cause for worry.
How do you use and dose Viagra? Our dosage recommendation:
Viagra is available in three dosage strengths of 25mg, 50mg, and 100mg. However, as stated above, it is a prescription drug, and your doctor is the one authorized to recommend a dose.
Doctors consider factors like age, overall health, and the cause and severity of your ED before recommending a Viagra dose. However, if the prescribed dose proves either ineffective or too strong, your physician can adjust the dosage for you. They can also recommend Viagra for either daily use or on-demand use, depending on a patient’s sexual lifestyle.
Viagra reaches peak levels in your bloodstream within 30minutes to two hours of administration, and its effects last up to five hours. However, age, overall health, and lifestyle factors like diet and alcohol indulgence rates affect the timeframes specified above.
Doctors recommend taking Viagra 30minutes to four hours before engaging in sexual activity. They also recommend taking it on an empty stomach as food may slow its absorption rates and weaken its effectiveness.
Fatty foods are the worst because the body takes longer to break down fats than carbs, vegetables, and protein. You should also avoid taking Viagra alongside alcohol, as the two may have a negative interaction.
If you take Viagra daily as part of your long-term ED treatment, only take one tablet at the same time every day. Should you miss a dose, skip it, but do not take more than one Viagra tablet within 24 hours.
Our Viagra review and rating: Viagra Pros and Cons:
Like with any other supplement, there I the good side and the not-so-good side of Viagra. Let’s look at a few of them.
Viagra Results Before and After: Does Viagra really work, or is it a scam?
Despite the numerous jokes surrounding erectile dysfunction, it is a serious medical condition that not only impedes one’s sex life but affects them psychologically. Therefore, the last thing any man with ED wants is to pay for a glorified placebo.
So below is anecdotal evidence from other Viagra users on how the “little blue pill” impacted their sex life within eight weeks. However, note that the results below are for patients taking Viagra daily.
Viagra results after two weeks: |
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| Mentally, you may experience performance anxiety, understandably given the trauma that ED causes an individual and their sexual partner. From time to time, you may feel that today is the day that Viagra fails; however, that will not happen.
Physically, you will experience rock-solid erections and sustain them for a reasonable duration to satisfy your own and your partner’s sexual desire. |
Viagra results after four weeks: |
| At four weeks, you should be getting your groove back, and the PTSD from performance anxiety is gone. Your mindset shifts from focusing on not screwing up your sexual escapades to spontaneity.
As stated above, Viagra’s side effects last up to five hours, but this does not mean they wear off completely. Viagra’s effects drop by 50% every subsequent four hours after you’ve completed your initial five-hour run. |
Viagra results after six weeks: |
| At six weeks, the impressively hard erections persist, and by this time, you should also notice a shorter refractory time. The refractory time is the intermediate period between ejaculation and a subsequent erection. Therefore, you can get it on several times during your sexual escapades. |
Viagra results after eight weeks: |
| At eight weeks of taking a daily dose of Viagra, all the positive sexual developments experienced from the two-week mark persist. So, you should experience rock-hard, sustainable erections, shorter refractory periods, and enjoy spontaneity. The eighth week comes with a confidence boost in your sexual performance, better ejaculatory control, and overall increased sexual satisfaction for you and your partner. |
Viagra Reviews on the internet and in forums:
Was Viagra in Shark Tank?
There have been many successful businesses that came to prominence from being on Shark Tank. However, Viagra existed 11 years before the business reality TV show ever hit the screens.
Besides, Viagra is no stranger to the silver screen; it is perhaps the most recognized prescription drug in American popular culture. Given its prominent position as the first FDA-approved ED drug, Pfizer set up a robust media campaign to popularize the medication.
Although the campaign’s primary purpose was to eradicate the overwhelming stigma surrounding ED, it took a life of its own, launching Viagra into stardom. For starters, the popular rom-com drama TV show, Sex and the City, aired an episode dubbed “The Man, The Myth, The Viagra” a year after Viagra’s FDA approval. Various prominent male personalities would also come out to say they use Viagra in subsequent years.
Is Viagra legit or are there any warnings about Viagra on the Internet?
Viagra is legit, and it works. However, since the patent allowed for generic versions to be created, many people are creating counterfeits. To avoid buying fake Viagra pills, we recommend buying Viagra from the official Pfizer website and legit pharmacies.
Where to buy Viagra? Viagra for Sale offer & price comparison:
Can you buy Viagra in the pharmacy?
Yes. In fact, that is where you should buy it. Unlike most other supplements we talk about here, this is considered medication and is even FDA approved. It is advisable to see a doctor for an erectile dysfunction consultation to get the correct dosage. You should have a prescription. Self-medicating with Viagra is dangerous as the side effects can be pretty severe.
What do I have to consider if I want to discontinue Viagra?
There is no indication that Viagra is addictive, hormonal, or has psychoactive effects if taken correctly. If you feel that you want to stop taking it, you can always do so at any time.
Viagra Review Conclusion – Our experiences and recommendation:
Viagra is the PDE-5 inhibitor with the highest satisfaction rates among patients diagnosed with and taking oral medication for erectile dysfunction. Moreover, 30 years of millions of men using Viagra with minimal reports of adverse effects shows that the PDE-5 inhibitor drug is safe for long-term use.
Moreover, Viagra’s flexibility, allowing patients to use it daily or on-demand, makes it ideal for men with varying sexual lifestyles. Therefore, we highly recommend that any adult male over 18 years old battling ED consult their primary physician for a Viagra prescription.
As long as you fulfill your Viagra prescription from licensed pharmacies and follow your doctor’s dosage recommendations, you should experience tremendous improvement in your sex life.
Frequently asked questions about Viagra:
Flipping through a long post about a supplement is not attractive when you are on the go. That’s why we put together a list of questions that will help you get an overview before you have time to read the whole article.
Is Viagra recommendable, or are there any criticisms of Viagra?
Are there any Viagra deals or coupon codes?
Who is behind the manufacturer of Viagra?
Does Viagra have any risks or side effects?
Is the continuous use of Viagra safe?
Can you buy Viagra on eBay & Amazon?
Do I need a prescription to buy Viagra?
How much does Viagra cost and where can I buy Viagra with the cheapest price?
References
https://www.militarytimes.com/pay-benefits/military-benefits/health-care/2015/02/13/dod-spends-84m-a-year-on-viagra-similar-meds/
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/nda/2005/021845s000_RevatioTOC.cfm
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1476025/
https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=ae2079a2-f3a9-4739-9611-0742b71e4761
https://www.singlecare.com/blog/news/erectile-dysfunction-statistics/
https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-approvals-and-databases/inactive-ingredients-database-download
https://bmcurol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2490-2-4#:~:text=Results,to%20continue%20with%20sildenafil%20therapy.
