Sildenafil - Viagra safety and additional information

Viagra (sildenafil citrate) is approved for use in the treatment of erectile dysfunction in males. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as the consistent inability to achieve and/or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual activity.

Viagra is in a class of medication called PDE5 inhibitors. The problem with PDE5 inhibitors is their tendency to interact with other drugs that cause a similar action in the body. Nitrates (nitroglycerin is the most common) cause blood vessels to dilate - increase in size and carry more blood with less resistence. Nitrates help heart muscle work less hard while allowing more blood to the muscle tissue, which means patients experiencing heart-related chest pain (angina) may take nitroglycerin to make their pain go away.

PDE5 inhibitors work in a similar way. Unfortunately, when you mix PDE5 inhibitors and nitroglycerin, the effects can double or triple and cause a sudden dangerous drop in blood pressure. The combination of these two types of drugs is so dangerous, patients are suggested that they should not take nitroglycerin within 24 hours of taking PDE5 inhibitors. Before you ever take a PDE5 inhibitor, you need to have a conversation with your doctor to understand the interaction between this class of medication and other medicines you may be taking.

Viagra can cause your blood pressure to drop suddenly to an unsafe level if it is taken with certain other medicines such as nitrates and alpha-blockers, and recreational drugs that contain nitrates called "poppers". A sudden drop in your blood pressure could cause you to become dizzy, faint, or have a heart attack or stroke.

Sildenafil citrate - Viagra does not:

* cure ED
* increase a man's sexual desire
* protect a man or his partner from sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV. Speak to your healthcare professional about ways to guard against sexually transmitted diseases
* serve as a male form of birth control
* Viagra is only for men with ED. Viagra is not for women or children. Viagra must be used only under a healthcare professional's care

Sildenafil is metabolised by liver enzymes and excreted by both the liver and kidneys. If taken with a high-fat meal, absorption is reduced; the time taken to reach the maximum plasma concentration increases by around one hour, and the maximum concentration itself is decreased by nearly one-third.