Sildenafil, more commonly known as Viagra, is a common prescription drug used to address erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction, a condition that is common to many men, is often eased and treated by this medication.
The most commonly used brand in treating erectile dysfunction in men is Sildenafil or Viagra. It comes in a blue, diamond-shaped pill, which many men suffering from erectile dysfunction turn to, to achieve and maintain an erection during sex. Contrary to popular belief, Viagra only works if aroused. And as it is a medication, it should only be used by men who are diagnosed with erectile dysfunction.
How Long Does Viagra Last?
When a person takes Viagra, this immediately enters their system and begins work at blocking PDE5 enzyme to clear the path for an erection to occur. This process may take about an hour, so taking Viagra anywhere between 30 minutes up to 4 hours before sexual activity is possible. For best results, take Viagra about an hour before sex, but make sure to do so only if you have erectile dysfunction and when sexually aroused (for it to work).
The length of time required for Viagra to work in the body could be relative and depends on various factors such as a person’s individual and unique response to the medication and the amount of food they’ve had before taking the pill. Generally, it is best to take Viagra on an empty stomach.
Viagra could last between 4 to 8 hours in the body. In between this time, some people may experience multiple erections, which is normal. Viagra could last up to 8 hours in the body, but this doesn’t mean that erections lasting up to 8 hours long are considered normal.
Erections that last for more than 4 hours, even in the absence of any painful sensations, must be given serious and immediate medical attention.
Erections lasting longer than 4 hours is a condition known as priapism. Though rare, priapism is a medical condition that occurs, causing serious, permanent damage to the tissue that is responsible for erection. Left untreated, priapism eventually leads to erectile dysfunction. Having conditions such as leukemia, multiple myeloma, sickle cell anemia, and Peyronie’s disease, among others, puts one at risk of a prolonged erection/priapism.
While it may be the most desirable scenario, Viagra does not produce long-term and permanent effects. Its half-life, which pertains to the duration of time the medication stays in the blood, is 4 hours. This varies with other brands which could be longer.
The Ideal Dosage and Helpful Information for First-time Users
The standard recommended dose of Viagra for erectile dysfunction treatment is 50 mg, but your doctor could prescribe the medicine anywhere from 25 mg to 100 mg, depending on what’s appropriate for you. It must also be taken just once per day, so regardless of the frequency of sexual activity, Viagra must not be taken every time nor should a person double take it if it does not work at the onset. Doing this puts a person at serious risk.
For first-time users, Viagra can take some time to get used to. Just like other medications, understanding how to use the PDE5 inhibitor drug correctly enables one to get the best and safest results out of it. Viagra can be very effective but it still may not be applicable and safe to use by everyone. Check with your doctor and always seek a medical prescription before taking the drug.
A few points to keep in mind when taking Viagra for the first time:
- Seek your doctor’s prescription and only take the prescribed dosage of Viagra advised for you
- Viagra can be taken anytime between 30 minutes up to 4 hours before sexual activity, but optimally is best taken an hour before
- Observe your body’s reaction to Viagra at first use, when everything works properly, it should be easier on the next consecutive use
- Viagra is best taken on an empty stomach and never after a high-fat meal
- Do not expect Viagra to work without sexual stimulation
- Only use PDE5 inhibitor medications if you have erectile dysfunction
Viagra Side Effects
Similar to other medications, Viagra does come with side effects which could be mild to moderate, depending on the individual’s reaction to the drug. Side effects could completely make the others stop taking medications like Viagra.
Taking sildenafil (Viagra) could affect other parts of the body, including the heart and the lungs. Sticking to the prescribed dosage by your doctor is the healthiest way to use Viagra. If it does not work for you upon initial use, involve your doctor in the process of making adjustments, but never do it on your own.
The most commonly known Viagra side effects include headache, insomnia, flushing, heartburn, indigestion, vision changes, nasal congestion, reflux, and nose bleed.
Viagra could interact badly with other medications and is typically never prescribed to people with heart conditions or those taking blood pressure medications as it could heighten the risk of heart attack or cause dangerously low blood pressure.
How External Factors Affect Viagra’s Effects On You
Not everyone will experience Viagra similarly. Others will only go through mild side effects, whereas it could be more moderate for the rest. It all depends on how the medication blends into your system due to your lifestyle and also age.
When Viagra is taken before a large meal, this causes the absorption process to slow down, and the desired effects of Viagra could come at a more delayed timeframe. On the other hand, alcohol could further lessen the blood flow in the penis and in turn affect Viagra’s effectiveness.
Furthermore, older adults experiencing hepatic or renal impairment will tend to have a much longer effectivity period, due to their impaired metabolic system which takes longer at metabolizing the PDE5 inhibitor drug in the body. Whereas other PDE5 inhibitor drugs to ease erectile dysfunction could be better suited to men depending on their age.
Cialis (tadalafil) has a half-life of 17.5 hours and Levitra (vardenafil) has a half-life of 4-6 hours, both relatively longer compared to Viagra (sildenafil) at 4 hours. This makes Viagra and even Levitra better suited for use by older people, especially those with specific health conditions. And Cialis is best suited for younger men with erectile dysfunction due to its having the longest half-life.
Whether you are a first-time user of Viagra or have been regularly taking Viagra to address erectile dysfunction, it is always best to seek your doctor’s advice primarily to achieve the best and safest results out of this prescribed medication. Viagra is a medication used for people with erectile dysfunction and must never be confused as a sexual stimulant or used recreationally to achieve the results that all men desire. Doing so could only put a person in more harm’s way.
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