Viagra - One of the Best Known Drugs of All Time

Viagra (Sildenafil Citrate) is the first oral prescription pill approved by the FDA to treat male erectile dysfunction.

Viagra is one of the best-known drugs of all time. It causes a man who is sexually stimulated to get an erection.

Sildenafil Citrate, its active ingredient is used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence) in men. The pill works by blocking a chemical that causes blood to leave the penis. More blood in the penis means an improved erection.

Viagra works for about 4 or 5 hours, but it can also be effective up to 12 hours taking into account individual peculiarities of every person.

Viagra is not just for penile erection. Many people are using Viagra for other purpose as well. This is not surprising as Viagra was created first as a medicine for hypertension (commonly known as high blood pressure and angina pectoris (chest pains because of lack of blood supply due to poor circulation). However, further on in Pfizer's research, it was found out that the drug has no effect on the said conditions but affects the penile erections. At this time, there were no other medicines that worked against male impotence, so it was developed later on as a remedy for erectile dysfunction.

The popularity of Viagra has increased a lot over the past years. This marvelous little blue pill has brought passion and excitement back into people's sex lives. Viagra has proven to be a bestseller with good reason: it's effective for many people. Despite side effects such as headaches and anecdotal reports of possible links to heart attacks, it has helped millions.

The researchers noted the younger the men were who had erection problems, the greater the increase in sexual function and satisfaction was when using Viagra.

Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

What is erectile dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction is when a man can't get an erection to have sex or can't keep an erection long enough to finish having sex. (also called impotence). Erectile dysfunction can occur at any age, but it is more common in men older than 60 years of age.

How is erectile dysfunction treated?

Measures that help prevent or control conditions that contribute to erectile dysfunction, such as high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, and diabetes, may also help improve erectile dysfunction, although the effect may be small. For example, losing excess weight, exercising, and stopping smoking may help. Some men and their partners may choose not to pursue any treatment for erectile dysfunction. Physical contact without an erection may satisfy their needs for intimacy and fulfillment.

Sometimes, stopping use of a particular drug can improve erections.

Many drugs are used to treat erectile dysfunction. Most drugs that are given to treat erectile dysfunction increase blood flow to the penis. Most of these drugs are given by mouth, but some drugs can be applied locally—by injection or insertion into the penis.

Sildenafil, Vardenafil and Tadalafil are known as phosphodiesterase inhibitors. These are the drugs most frequently used to treat erectile dysfunction. They are effective in about 70 to 85% of men with erectile dysfunction. These drugs are taken by mouth about 1 hour before sexual activity.

Tadalafil is effective for about a day, longer than sildenafil and vardenafil, which are effective for about 4 to 6 hours. The drugs are effective only when the man is sexually aroused. Side effects of phosphodiesterase inhibitors include headache, flushing, stuffy nose, upset stomach, and vision problems. More serious side effects, including dangerously low blood pressure, can occur when phosphodiesterase inhibitors are taken with certain other drugs (such as nitroglycerin or amyl nitrite). Because of this risk, men should not take phosphodiesterase inhibitors if they take nitroglycerin.