Viagra is a brand-name prescription medication used to treat erectile dysfunction. This ED drug is approved for men over 18 years old. Viagra contains the active ingredient sildenafil, which is also the name of the generic version. As the world’s first erectile dysfunction drug, Viagra has improved the sex lives of millions of men by helping them achieve erections strong enough for penetrative sex. Viagra is one of several phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors available. This drug is generally well-tolerated, and serious side effects with Viagra are uncommon.

How Does Viagra Work?

To understand how Viagra works, it is important to review how erections occur in men. Male sexual arousal begins in the brain, which sends signals that activate the cGMP chemical. This chemical widens the blood vessels and relaxes the penis. This allows blood to fill the penis and cause an erection. After sexual activity, the body releases the PDE5 enzyme to stop the erection and return the penis to an inactive state.

Men with erectile dysfunction typically have one or more health conditions that restrict blood flow to the penis. Viagra addresses this issue by stopping the PDE5 enzyme and making the effects of cGMP stronger. As a result, Viagra widens the blood vessels in the penis and improves erection strength by improving blood flow. Viagra does not cause an erection on its own but requires sexual stimulation to work.

Men who find brand-name Viagra too expensive can order the generic version instead. As mentioned above, generic Viagra is called sildenafil. Brand-name Viagra and generic sildenafil are therapeutically equivalent. Since they use the same active ingredient, you can expect the same safety and efficacy from both versions.

Generic sildenafil is considerably more affordable because the manufacturer of the generic drug saves research and development costs, allowing them to price their drugs lower so more people have access. You can save even more on your ED medications by buying Viagra from Canada. Through an online Canadian pharmacy like Canadian Med Center, you can expect to save up to 90 percent on brand-name and generic sildenafil.

Viagra Dosage 

At Canadian Med Center, sildenafil is available in three dosage strengths of 25mg, 50mg, and 100mg. Because ED tends to worsen as you get older, your doctor may determine your dosage based on your age. Your doctor will also consider several other factors to determine the most effective dose for you, including your medical history and the other medications you are on. Ultimately, the right dose for you will be the lowest effective dose. Although higher doses are more potent, they increase the risk of side effects, so you will want to take only what is needed.

The most common starting dose for sildenafil is 50mg. Once your body adjusts to this medication, your doctor can assess how well you tolerate sildenafil and increase or decrease your dosage based on the results. In men with kidney or liver problems, a lower starting dose of 25mg may be warranted. If the dose is too high, men with kidney or liver issues may have trouble breaking down the drug, leading to a dangerous buildup. A 4-week randomized studyshowed that higher doses, such as 50mg and 100mg, provided significant improvements in erection quality and sexual satisfaction. [1] However, your doctor has the final say as to whether a dose is too high for you.

How to take Viagra

Viagra should be taken on an empty stomach for best results. High-fat foods may interfere with sildenafil and delay its onset. While this is not a serious problem, you may need to wait longer for sex if you take sildenafil on a full stomach. Viagra should also be swallowed whole. Viagra is taken as needed at least 30 minutes before you plan on having sex. Do not take more than one dose of sildenafil a day because an overdose increases the risk of side effects. Visit our health and wellness journal for more information on how to take Viagra.

One of the benefits of Viagra is that it lasts up to four hours. Within this window, Viagra will be effective and ready to help you achieve an erection when you are sexually stimulated. Another benefit of taking Viagra is its quick onset time. On average, Viagra becomes effective within 30 minutes of dosing. As your body breaks down the sildenafil in your bloodstream, its effects will gradually weaken. If you have sex after four hours of dosing, there is no guarantee that sildenafil will work.

Many factors can also play a role in how quickly Viagra works and how long it lasts. For example, taking Viagra with a heavy meal can delay its onset. Certain drug interactions may also interfere with Viagra’s working time by stimulating the liver to work more effectively. If your liver metabolizes Viagra quickly, this ED drug may not be effective for the full four hours.

Do not take Viagra if you are allergic to sildenafil. An allergic reaction is indicated by facial swelling, a skin rash, and difficulty breathing. Viagra may cause mild side effects like flushing, indigestion, headaches, and dizziness. These side effects are usually resolved in less than a week and should be reported to your doctor if they continue past one week. Serious side effects with Viagra are uncommon but may include low blood pressure and priapism.

Certain drugs may interact with Viagra and increase the risk of these severe side effects. Low blood pressure can cause symptoms of dizziness, light-headedness, and rapid or shallow breathing. Priapism is characterized by a distressing erection that lasts longer than four hours. Additionally, sildenafil may cause vision loss, hearing loss, and cardiovascular complications like a heart attack or stroke. Speak to your doctor for a complete list of Viagra side effects.

Viagra Drug Interactions

Viagra is contraindicated with other PDE5 inhibitors like tadalafil, avanafil, and vardenafil. Viagra is also known to cause health complications when taken alongside nitroglycerin, riociguat, and certain blood pressure drugs metoprolol. If you are unsure whether a prescription or over-the-counter medication interacts with Viagra, run it by your doctor to be safe. You should also inform your doctor of all the medications, herbal medicines, and supplements you are taking before starting treatment with Viagra. For a complete list of Viagra drug interactions, talk to your healthcare provider today.

How long does Viagra stay in your system?

Viagra (sildenafil) has a half-life of approximately four hours, meaning this drug does not completely leave your body for at least 20 hours after dosing. If you have kidney or liver problems, you may have trouble breaking down the sildenafil in your bloodstream, which may result in sildenafil staying longer than normal in your system.

How much Viagra should I take for the first time?

You should always follow your doctor’s dosage instructions. The recommended first-time dosage is 50mg taken as-needed. However, every man is different and what is right for someone you know may not be the most effective dosage strength for you. Speak to your physician to determine how much Viagra you should take.

What does Viagra do?

The active ingredient in Viagra inhibits the PDE5 enzyme, allowing certain chemicals that dilate your blood vessels to work better. Fundamentally, Viagra widens the blood vessels in the penis and improves blood flow to that area, helping men achieve more rigid erections.

Where can I buy Viagra?

You can save on your Viagra prescription by ordering through Canadian Med Center. By getting your ED medication from Canada, you will experience significant savings, not to mention the time you will save with our direct delivery service. Canadian Med Center offers brand-name and generic sildenafil to help you save even more money.

Where can I buy Viagra over the counter?

Viagra is not available over the counter. Luckily, men with erectile dysfunction can easily get a prescription and fill it online at Canadian Med Center. With delivery straight to your door, getting affordable ED drugs from Canadian Med Center is even more convenient than walking into your local pharmacy.

How long does it take Viagra to work?

Viagra takes approximately 30 minutes to work if you take this medication on an empty stomach and do not take any other drugs. However, taking sildenafil with food can delay how soon it works. Drug interactions may also cause this drug to take longer to work.