Taking a new medication can be a daunting prospect for many of us and we like to be aware of all the relevant information such as ‘how often do I take it?’ and ‘what are the common side effects?’ Unlike side effects, the dose of Viagra can be a tricky drug for some users to grow familiar with as it varies entirely from person to person, and what’s more that is completely normal! In this article, information will be given on the dosing regimen of Viagra which may be useful for both new and existing users of Viagra.
Viagra is a drug that is used in the treatment of male impotence, also known as erectile dysfunction. This is a relatively common condition affecting approximately 50% of men over fifty to some degree. Erectile dysfunction is caused by a range of conditions; physical injuries, psychological conditions, metabolic disorders or even drug interactions. As consequence, male impotence can prove to be very distressing for sufferers, many of whom now find Viagra as somewhat of a ‘wonder of 21st-century medicine’. Indeed, sales figures of Viagra have generated millions in profit for Pfizer since its FDA approval in 1998.
Viagra comes as blue diamond-shaped tablets, which are marked with “Pfizer” on one side and “VGR (and the dose written in numbers, for example, VGR 25, for the 25mg tablets”) on the other.
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Legitimate/official Viagra is available in three strengths only; 25mg, 50mg and 100mg. This strength correlates to how much active drug is in the tablet. The active drug contained within Viagra is Sildenafil citrate. The tablets are provided in blister packs containing 2, 4, 8, 12 or 24 tablets. Viagra typically has a long expiry date but to ensure the product remains in the best possible condition it should be stored in a cool dry place and like all medicines, Viagra should be stored out of sight and reach of children. Keeping this medicine in its original packaging will also help protect the medication from moisture damage. Viagra is licensed for men over the age of 18 only and studies have not shown it to be safe nor effective in women, especially women of a childbearing age.
According to official product literature produced by Viagra’s manufacturers, the recommended starting dose for a healthy male over the age of 18 is one 50mg tablet, to be taken approximately one hour before sexual intercourse. This dose can be increased to the strength of 100mg and studies into this have shown this increase to be safe and effective in enhancing and potentiating the effects of Viagra. Similarly, if users find this dose to be too strong they can reduce it to 25mg. The maximum dose of Viagra is 100mg and strengths above this are not proven to be any more effective in alleviating symptoms of male impotence than the recommended dose of 100mg. Typically the effects of Viagra can be seen within an hour from dosing, however, it can take up to four hours before the full effects of Viagra can be seen.
Furthermore, the dosing frequency of Viagra treatment is limited to once per day, in other words, it is not recommended to take any more than one Viagra tablet a day. In addition, official product direction for use states that Viagra should be taken with a large glass of water. If Viagra is taken with, or just after a large meal the effects of the medication can be delayed by an average of 60 minutes compared to normal.
It is important for readers to recognise that the dose of Viagra treatment is entirely varied between its users. Therefore, what may suit someone who you know as having previously taken a certain Viagra dose it may not be the same for you. Indeed, medical conditions such as renal or hepatic impairment may affect what dose you are prescribed of Viagra as higher doses of medication can be unsuitable and possibly dangerous. It is reasons such as these, among others, that it is so important to purchase Viagra securely following directions from a qualified health care professional that will be able to advise you clearly about what dose of Viagra would be suitable for you in relation to your overall health and needs.
One particular question many readers may be thinking at this point is ‘surely, taking a higher dose of Viagra means I’ll experience superior effects?’ However, this correlation of higher dose to enhanced effect is not as simple as that.
Considering this statement it is important to consider the results of studies into the effect of Viagra at a range of doses. Indeed, It has been found that among men taking a higher dose in their Viagra treatment of 50mg or 100mg, the percentage of effectiveness of the medication is increased compared to the lower dose of 25mg.
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Description
How does Viagra and Sildenafil work?
Viagra (Sildenafil) helps men to get and maintain an erection when sexually stimulated and/or excited. The medicine relaxes the blood vessels in the penis which results in more blood flowing to the penis when you are sexually excited.
How do I take it?
You should take Viagra (Sildenafil) approximately 1 hour before planning to have intercourse. Within a window of between 30 minutes and 4 hours after you take the medicine, it will be easier to keep and maintain an erection when you are sexually excited. If you take this medicine after a meal with a high fat content it may take a little longer to start working. This medicine will only work when you are sexually excited. You won’t get an erection just by taking Viagra (Sildenafil).
Dosage
The standard recommended dose for Viagra (Sildenafil) is 50mg and this will be suitable for most people. If this dose is not effective, you can try 100mg and if 50mg gives you side effects you can also reduce the dose to 25mg tablets.
You must not take more than 100mg daily of Sildenafil/ Viagra. Clinical trials have been conducted in patients taking up to 200mg sildenafil and it was found that ‘doses of 200mg did not result in increased efficacy but did increase the incidence of adverse reactions (headache, flushing, dizziness, dyspepsia, nasal congestion, and altered vision).’
In addition, in patients taking more than 100mg daily, there have been reports of rhabdomyolysis (a breakdown in skeletal muscle tissue the byproducts of which can lead to kidney failure), visual perception changes, vertebral artery dissection (a tear in the artery supplying blood to the brain), heart attacks and aggressive behaviour.
If the 100mg strength doesn’t work for you, there may be alternatives you can try and we recommend that you call us for a free consultation with our pharmacist or doctor to discuss any underlying conditions you may have. We recommend that all men taking medicine for erectile dysfunction have regular tests for blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and hormone imbalances. For instance, it may be that by fixing a hormone imbalance such as testosterone, your Viagra medication will be even more effective.
In addition, drug manufacturers do not advise patients to split tablets in half to get the correct dosage as they cannot guarantee that the active ingredient will be distributed evenly throughout the tablet. For instance, if you cut a 100mg tablet in two, you may find that you get 80mg in one half of the tablet and 20mg in the other half leading to either an overdose (increased risk of side effects) or a suboptimal dose (the medication may not work).
It is important that you choose the correct dose for you. If you wish to talk to our pharmacist or doctor about this, please contact us in the pharmacy on 01625 460621 or email [email protected].
Side Effects
Viagra (Sildenafil) is normally well tolerated, however, side effects can include:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
Side effects normally subside after a few hours, however, if you experience a prolonged or painful erection (longer than 4 hours), then you must contact your doctor immediately.
Drug interactions
There are a number of medicines which interact with Sildenafil/ Viagra. For an exhaustive list please see the patient information leaflet (see section below) or call us in the pharmacy to discuss your specific situation. The main drug interactions are listed here:
Recreational drugs such as ‘poppers’ or amyl nitrate
Alpha blockers used for urinary retention or blood pressure problems (eg Flomax or Cardura)
Anti- arrhythmic drugs such as disopyramide
Antibiotics such as erythromycin
Antifungals such as itraconazole
Antivirals such as drugs used to treat HIV
Bosentan
Cobicistat
Calcium channel blockers to treat blood pressure and angina such as amlodipine
Dapoxetine (Priligy – used to treat premature ejaculation)
Grapefruit juice**
Nicorandil
Nitrates
Riociguat
Cimetidine (to treat stomach ulcers)
Please do not take Sildenafil/Viagra if you have taken any of the above drugs within the last 60 days without first consulting with either us in the Pharmacy ([email protected] / 01625 460621) or via email with our doctor [email protected].
**We advise not to take Sildenafil/Viagra with grapefruit juice as the blood concentration of Sildenafil will possibly be increased resulting in side effects.
Patient Information Leaflets
Please click here for the patient information leaflet for Viagra.
For Actavis Sildenafil please see the following leaflets: 100mg, 50mg, 25mg.
Storing Medicines Safely
Please keep your medicine out of the reach of children and store at room temperature. Unwanted medicine can be disposed of by returning it to any local pharmacy or indeed to us here for us to dispose of it for you.
One such example which is particularly relevant to strength compared men taking various doses of Viagra in which it was shown that approximately 72%, 80% and 85% of patients on 25mg, 50mg and 100mg of Viagra respectively achieved erections hard enough for sex, compared to 50% who were taking a placebo. What is obvious from this study is that the overall efficacy of Viagra, at any dose, is extremely promising but the percentage of success does grow with increasing strength.
Great! Higher dose equals improved alleviation in symptoms. This is, however, not necessarily true. Indeed, with increasing strengths, the side effects of Viagra also increase in frequency. Despite these side effects being mild in severity (the most common side effects are headaches and rashes), it is undesirable nonetheless. Therefore, to avoid unnecessary side effects men taking Viagra should take the dose advised to them by their healthcare professional which is tailored to their individual needs.
Finally, it is equally important to acknowledge despite having the correct dose of Viagra, sexual stimulation is also a complete must in relieving the symptoms of erectile dysfunction. Indeed, Viagra will only help men in getting an erection when already sexually stimulated already. Therefore, although Viagra dose is a massive influence in how successful and effective treatment can be the presence of a sexual stimulus is also significant.
In conclusion, there is no ‘correct’ dose of Viagra; it is entirely based on the individual’s needs and existing medical condition. It is, for this reason, it is crucial to seek advice when buying Viagra to ensure you are receiving the best treatment plan. At Assured Pharmacy, all our users have been prescribed Viagra by a UK based doctor who takes into account all the relevant medical information when advising a dose. At Assured Pharmacy, users know they are getting a safe and reliable product they can trust.
References:
https://www.viagra.com/taking/finding-the-right-dose
http://www.drugs.com/dosage/viagra.html
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19817982
https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/2367
https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/1474
Assured Pharmacy is not liable for the currency or accuracy of the information contained in this blog post. For specific information about your personal medical condition, please contact our doctors or pharmacists for advice on [email protected].
robert –
Great service & a great price the best online pharmacy I have used
Robbie Toan –
Thanks Robert for your kind comments, Robbie Toan
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Philip –
Generic tablets work well, highly professional service.
MELVIN –
This is my first order with Assuredpharmacy and I am very pleased with all processes involved with my purchase. I found the web site clear and easy to use, the prices very competitive, the prescription service very convenient and and efficient, and delivery was “super” quick. I will be using Assuredpharmacy again in the future.
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Only used one as yet did the same as viagra, At last value for money
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Professional service. Discreet packaging and speedy delivery.
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Christopher –
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