Medically reviewed by: Thomas Fischer (Pharmacist). This article has been written according to strict guidelines and medical standards. More InfoThis content is based on the current state of medical knowledge. All information has been carefully researched and sources are listed at the end of the article. Our articles meet a high quality standard. Our goal is to present medical topics in a comprehensible language.
Medically reviewed by: Thomas Fischer (Pharmacist) More InfoThis content is based on the current state of medical knowledge. All information has been carefully researched and sources are listed at the end of the article. Our articles meet a high quality standard. Our goal is to present medical topics in a comprehensible language.
Viagra is a prescription medication commonly used by patients struggling with erectile dysfunction (What Is Viagra? Viagra Definition). These kinds of medicines come with a set of risks. The potential of these needs to be weighed against the benefits of the drug. If the positive outweighs the negative, the script is given.
This analysis of benefits and risks associated with prescription medication can only be done by a doctor or other qualified health professionals. If the benefits of the drug do outweigh the risks, the potential of the dangers affecting the patient is still there.
The main risks involved are that of contraindications with other medications that the patient is already taking. Medical conditions that may be exacerbated by the ingredients in Viagra. Allergies that the patient may have to ingredients in Viagra can also cause side-effects. Manufacturers of prescription medication often warn patients about potential side-effects. Effects that can occur when taking the drug.
Side-effects are usually categorized into three types. These are common, uncommon, and rare side-effects. The main reason why these warnings are given is so that the patient is aware of what might occur. The person can then consult a doctor with the knowledge that the prescription drug caused it.
Most Common And Common Side-Effects Of Viagra
Very common side-effects of using Viagra are headaches. Having a runny nose, muscle pain, and back pain can happen too.
Other common side-effects of using Viagra are dizziness and chest pain while having sex. Patients using Viagra for erectile dysfunction problems can even develop a rash. According to the leaflet inside the Viagra packaging, these side-effects can last anything from just a few days to a few weeks. Often, lowering the dosage can help relieve these. Naturally, if the side-effects persist, it is advised to seek medical attention.
Uncommon Side Effects of Viagra
Uncommon side-effects of Viagra are more severe than the common ones, and these are the risks that doctors try to avoid. These usually occur in patients that misunderstood the contraindications. Sometimes the reason behind these side-effects occurring is unknown. These uncommon side-effects may warrant an urgent trip to the doctor’s office or emergency room.
Priapism
Viagra can cause priapism. This refers to a prolonged erection that exceeds a duration of four hours. This is an unnatural occurrence and can damage the penis in the long run.
Priapism will be especially problematic due to the patient already suffering from erectile dysfunction. Should this occur, patients should visit the emergency room.
Visual Problems
Sudden vision loss is another serious but uncommon side-effect of using Viagra. This problem could occur either in one eye or in both. It could be that the patient has a severe eye problem called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. The problem is made worse by the use of Viagra. In the event of this happening, the patient needs to stop taking Viagra until they have seen a qualified health professional.
Hearing Loss
The third uncommon but severe side-effect to Viagra affects the ears. Some patients have reported that their hearing capabilities have decreased. In some instances, they even lost their hearing.
Other patients have reported hearing a ringing sound in their ears. They hear a ringing sound accompanied by dizziness. These are all very serious and need the patient to go to the emergency room or call a doctor.
What are Viagra’s Rare Side-Effects?
The rare side-effects associated with Viagra are even more dangerous than the uncommon ones. The possibility of these rare side-effects occurring is the reason that Viagra is a regulated drug. A controlled drug is a drug that requires a prescription. It is also the reason that it is discouraged for recreational use.
It must be noted that these side-effects are very unlikely to happen if the patient has consulted a doctor. They divulged all his health information and medical history. They are ensuring that the doctor is also aware of all the current medications they are taking.
Most who have experienced the rare side-effects have had underlying conditions that were exacerbated by the use of Viagra. The primary underlying condition in these patients were issues associated with the heart.
Viagra and the Heart
Rare side-effects from taking Viagra include heart attacks. Having a stroke, irregular heartbeat, a drop in blood pressure, and death is also an extraordinary effect of this medication.
Patients who have had a stroke before, those with blood pressure and bleeding problems need to mention this to their doctor.
Medications
Certain medications may also increase the chances of a patient experiencing these side-effects. These medicines can be over the counter, prescription, or herbal. Certain antibiotics, HIV medication, and nitrates are not recommended to be taken in conjunction with Viagra. The reactions the two drugs may have with each other could be catastrophic for the patient.
As rare as the side-effects may be, it is crucial that the patient keeps them in mind and recognize the signs and symptoms of them. The reason for this is that the majority of patients who suffered from the rare side-effects, had underlying conditions, some did not.
Each individual’s body reacts to the medication, and sometimes side-effects occur for reasons that are unknown. Thus it is best to be aware of the potential dangers so that help can be sought in time.
Individual Side-Effects Of Viagra
Side-effects of any medication vary from person to person. Some people don’t experience any side-effects, while others experience side-effects in the most severe form. The reason for this difference between individuals is not known. There are certain factors that contribute to how badly side-effects may be experienced.
Some people are more sensitive to the side-effects of medication in general, regardless of what the medicine is. Each person’s body is different, and some people metabolize drugs differently than others.
The side-effects may be experienced more frequently. At the same time, those patients who metabolize drugs too slowly can also experience frequent bouts of side-effects. This is because with rapid or extremely delayed absorption of the drug, the drug metabolites. They are accumulating at high levels in the blood.
People who are highly susceptible to the side-effects of medication, in general, can make a few lifestyle changes to reduce the severity. Other individuals have allergic reactions to medication which they experience in the form of side-effects.
In terms of Viagra, consulting a doctor prior to obtaining the medication reduces and eliminates the chances of the above occurring. A patient experiencing side-effects of Viagra is usually not related to allergies and metabolism problems.
Stomach
Another common side-effect of Viagra is an upset stomach or indigestion. This happens because approximately 80% of Viagra leaves the body through the excretion of feces. This is why diarrhea and vomiting can occur, as well.
Flushing
Facial flushing and redness is a very common side-effect often experienced the first time Viagra is taken. It generally disappears quickly and doesn’t return a second time. Most likely, it can occur from using Viagra because of the effects that it has on blood pressure.
Long Term Side-Effects Of Viagra
The focus of this article has mainly been on the short term potential side-effects of Viagra. Some medications have long term side-effects that come with using a particular product over an extended period of time.
There are certain medications that patients can develop a tolerance towards after using it for an extended period of time. Fortunately for patients with erectile dysfunction, using Viagra in accordance with a doctor’s instructions does not cause this tolerance to develop. There are, however, certain effects that do occur when using Viagra long term.
Important note
Using Viagra for a long time may increase a patient’s psychological dependency on the drug, even at a time when it may not be necessary. This is dangerous because it can lead to the recreational use of the drug.
More serious long term effects are those affecting the patient’s sensory systems of hearing and sight. Vascular side-effects such as cerebrovascular hemorrhage have been reported in certain long term users of the drugs.
Intestinal problems such as gastritis and dyspepsia have also been documented in those who use the product for a long time. There have also been rare recorded cases of abnormal ejaculation in patients who have used Viagra over many years.
Priapism is the other side-effect that can cause long-term issues. If the penis becomes damaged due to this, ongoing problems can continue to occur.
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