Who owns Viagra?

The drug itself was actually developed, produced and marketed by one of the biggest pharmaceutical suppliers in the world; Pfizer. Although it is called sildenafil citrate, but known as Viagra, there are some places in the world that choose to name it either Ravatio or Caverta.

How was the drug produced?

The funny thing about Viagra is that it was never meant to do the job it does today. In fact, there is a much more serious side to the drug. The drug has been around in the 1990′s and the main aim for the drug was to treat a severe heat disease which is known by medical professionals as angina pectoris.

Unfortunately, researchers found that the drug didn’t cure angina pectoris, but it did have some unusual and interesting side affects. Patients noticed that the side affects of the drug were giving them constant erections, sometimes for a couple of hours. The thing was, it was nearly every single patient that from the side affect; Viagra was born!

Of course, the producers of the drug knew that they had hit the jackpot and that they would be cashing in big time on the drug. In 1996 they managed to get the drug internationally patented and by 1998 it had gone through the necessary testing by the FDA and was ready for approval.

What exactly is the drug and how does it work?

There are a lot of men around the world that struggle to get an erection. This could be because of a handful of reasons, but the drug is able to combat this problem. Depending on the severity of the problem, men are able to purchase the drug in a range of dosages, including 25mg, 50mg and even 100mg.

The drug has proven to be more effective over the years than anyone could ever have imagined. Of course, there are cases where the drug has not been effective and these are usually if the consumer is struggling to have an erection because of damage to the nervous system, diabetes, or hypogonadism. Unfortunately, nothing can be done about this.

The drug starts by allowing the arterial smooth muscles to become slightly less contracted and relax. This in turn allows the penis to fill with blood, and create the erection you have been waiting for. If the individual using the drug is fairly healthy then there is no reason why Viagra wouldn’t work for them. Of course, there are some instances where it simply doesn’t work.

What causes an erectile dysfunction?

There are literally hundreds of reasons that cause an erectile dysfunction. The problem is that with some, Viagra just cant over power it. The great news is that in general, anyone struggling with an erection will be able to take a pill and get exactly what they want.

What is unusual is that a common reason for the dysfunction actually comes from a physiological background and is nothing physical! Of course some are more serious and include the likes of physical defects.

Are there any reasons not to take Viagra?

Like any drug, you cant expect it not to have its side effects. The most common of all include the likes of severe headaches, feeling sick or having stomach pains and heavily sweating. On rare occasions, some consumers have reported the likes of blurred vision and even a huge drop in blood pressure which could obviously be fatal.

It is primarily prescribed to males who experience some form of erectile dysfunction, (also known as impotence,) although it is becoming more common with men seeking to enhance their sex drives and last longer in bed.

However Viagra can also be prescribed to women when treating arterial hypertension, or in rare cases even to improve a persons exercise capabilities.

A person should never take Viagra if they have a history of heart problems, or regularly experience any form of chest pain, from mild to severe.

If, during a period of sexual activity, you feel any pain, are dizzy or feel nausea, tingling in your arms or chest or experience any kind of stiffness in your jaw you should immediately stop what you are doing and immediately contact your doctor, or your local hospital’s emergency department. While it might be nothing, it can also be a serious side effect of Viagra and should be taken seriously.

When prescribed Viagra it is important not to take it more than once a day, and to allow a minimum of 24 hours between each dose. If you are a male you should contact your health professional if you have an erection that lasts for more than 4 hours after taking Viagra, or if you are experiencing any pain in your penis.

Although rare it is also possible for Viagra to decrease blood flow in your optical nerve, located in the eye, and cause a sudden loss of vision. This is more likely in those with a pre-existing condition of the eye, high blood pressure or diabetes. It is incredibly unusual but not unheard of and any loss of vision, or blurred vision, that occurs while taking Viagra should immediately be reported to your doctor.

Viagra should be taken only when needed, and with a glass of water. As with all pills it is safest to consume it after a meal, however there are no proven side effects of taking Viagra on an empty stomach.

While taking Viagra you need to avoid alcohol and drugs as both can cause serious complications that in rare cases can prove fatal.

When your doctor is discussing the prescription of Viagra he or she will give you clear instructions, be responsible and follow these to the letter if you wish to use Viagra, whether you are male or female. Although complications seem more common in men, this may simply be that they are prescribed Viagra as a treatment far more frequently than women.

If you have any pre-existing medical condition you must notify your doctor and allow them to assess whether or not Viagra is suitable and more importantly, safe, for you to consume.

If you are looking for further information on Viagra your pharmacist will be able to answer any questions you might have, as will your GP.