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Viagra (sildenafil)
Classification: Viagra (sildenafil) belongs to a group of medicines that delay the enzymes called phosphodiesterase from working too quickly.
Form: 25mg, 50mg, and 100mg tablets
Usual Dosage:
- For adults up to 65 years of age, Viagra 50mg is prescribed to be taken once a day, 30 minutes to 4 hours before intercourse. In situations where 50mg isn't effective, your doctor can prescribe 100mg to be taken once daily 30 minutes to 4 hours before intercourse.
- For men older than 65 years of age, Viagra 25mg is prescribed to be taken 30 minutes to 4 hours before intercourse. In some circumstances, men older then 65 may have their doses increased.
- In patients taking Protease Inhibitors, FDA recommended dose is 25mg every other day.
Instructions: Can be taken with or without food. Take 30 minutes to 4 hours before intercourse. Always start with the lowest effective dose.
Side effects to report to your doctor
Common
- flushing
- headache
- nasal congestion
- stomach discomfort following meals
Less Common
- abnormal vision including blurred vision, seeing shades of colors differently than before, or sensitivity to light
- bladder pain
- cloudy or bloody urine
- dizziness
- increased frequency of urination
- pain on urination
- diarrhea
Rare
- bleeding of the eye
- convulsions (seizures)
- decreased vision or other changes in vision
- double vision
- prolonged, painful, or inappropriate erection of penis
- redness, burning, or swelling of the eye
- vision loss
- anxiety
Drug Interactions and Incompatibility
- Protease Inhibitors (Crixivan, Invirase, Norvir, Viracept,
Fortovase, Agenerase, Lopinavir): Increases the amount of Viagra in your blood and prolongs the action of Viagra. Men on Protease Inhibitors should start with a dose of 25mg and at most use 50mg.
- Cimetidine (e.g., Tagamet)
- Erythromycin (e.g., E.E.S. or Ery-Tab)
- Itraconazole (e.g., Sporanox)
- Ketaconazole (e.g., Nizoral)
- Mibefradil (e.g., Posicor):These medicines may increase the unwanted effects of sildenafil, unless lower starting doses of sildenafil are used
- Nitrates, such as nitroglycerin (e.g., Nitrostat or Transderm-Nitro):Sildenafil increases the lowering of blood pressure by nitrates too much and their use together is not recommended
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