Viagra Side Effects
Common side effects that may occur while taking Viagra include back pain, flushing, headache, memory problems, redness or warmth in the neck, face or chest, stuffy nose, or upset stomach.
More serious side effects associated with Viagra include chest pain, an erection lasting more than four hours, fainting, “heavy” feeling on the chest, “ill” feeling, irregular heartbeat, lightheadedness, nausea, pain that spreads from the shoulder or the arm, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), shortness of breath, sudden hearing or vision loss, sweating, or swelling in the ankles, hands or feet.
Patients who experience these symptoms should contact a medical professional immediately.
Allergic reactions to Viagra can occur. Symptoms of allergic reaction include difficulty breathing, hives, pain, numbness or tingling in the arm, neck, chest or jaw during sexual activity, swelling of the lips, face, throat or tongue.
Some respiratory problems are connected with Viagra side effects, including asthma, bronchitis, cough, dyspnea, laryngitis, pharyngitis, and sinusitis. If you experience any of these breathing problems, stop taking Viagra and seek medical attention immediately.
Patients who experience numbness, dizziness, pain or nausea while having sex after taking Viagra are advised to stop having sex and to contact their doctor right away.
On rare occasions, patients taking Viagra have developed a condition known as non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a condition which leads to a decrease in vision that can become permanent. Patients at risk for developing NAION are those who are over the age of 50, have “crowded disk” (low cup-to-disk ratio), smoke, or suffer from coronary artery disease, diabetes, or hypertension.
Viagra may cause a prolonged erection that lasts for longer than four hours. In extreme cases, it can lead to priapism, a painful erection lasting longer than six hours. These conditions can cause penile tissue damage or permanent impotence if left untreated by a doctor.
Things to Know, Precautions, Things to Ask Your Physician:
Simply taking a Viagra pill will not cause an erection on its own. Viagra is not a hormone or aphrodisiac.
Viagra is not a cure for erectile dysfunction (ED) and does not protect you or your partner from sexually transmitted disease such as HIV.
Viagra should not be used in patients who are using organic nitrates or who have a hypersensitivity to any component of the drug.
If you are diabetic, have heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, pre-existing eye problems, are a smoker, or are over 50 years old, Viagra could cause a decrease in blood flow to the optic nerve of the eye, causing vision loss. Contact your doctor immediately if this occurs.
There is a potential for cardiac risk during sexual activity in patients who have preexisting cardiovascular disease. Viagra should not be used in men who have been told to avoid sexual activity.
Make sure your doctor knows if you have any of the above pre-existing conditions, or if you have liver disease, kidney disease, a blood cell disorder (sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, leukemia), a stomach ulcer, retinitis pigmentosa of the eye, or a physical deformity of the penis.
Store Viagra at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.
What to Avoid When Taking the Drug:
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Viagra, as this may increase certain side effects.
Avoid using other treatments for ED while taking Viagra. Other treatments include pills, injections, implants, or vacuum pumps.
Other Interactions that May Affect the Drug:
Taking Viagra after a high-fat meal (such as a cheeseburger and fries) may cause Viagra to take longer to start working.
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