Viagra (Sildenafil)

Viagra is to be used for treating men's impotence. It increases body's ability to achieve and maintain an erection by sexual stimulation.

Viagra should be taken 30 minutes to 1 hour before sexual activity. You may take it up to 4 hours before sexual activity. Do not take Viagra more than once per day.

Viagra is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor. It works by helping the blood flow into a penis to achieve and maintain an erection.

Viagra is used as needed, so you are not likely to be on a dosing schedule.

Keep Viagra in its original container. Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture, heat and light (between 59 and 86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C)). Keep this medication out of the reach of children.

Do not take Viagra if you are also using a nitrate drug for chest pain or heart problems, including nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur, Nitro-Bid, Minitran, Deponit, Transderm-Nitro), isosorbide dinitrate (Dilatrate-SR, Isordil, Sorbitrate), and isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO, Monoket), or recreational drugs such as amyl nitrate or nitrite ("poppers").

Before taking Viagra, tell your doctor about all other medications you use for erectile dysfunction, or if you are using any of the following medications:

• bosentan (Tracleer);
• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
• cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB);
• an antibiotic such as erythromycin (E-Mycin, Eryc, Ery-Tab) or clarithromycin (Biaxin);
• doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin (Minipress), Terazosin (Hytrin);
• HIV medicines such as amprenavir (Agenerase), tipranavir (Aptivus), darunavir (Prezista), efavirenz (Sustiva), nevirapine (Viramune), indinavir (Crixivan), saquinavir (Invirase, Fortovase), lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), ritonavir (Norvir), atazanavir (Reyataz), or nelfinavir (Viracept);
• an antifungal medication such as itraconazole (Sporanox) or ketoconazole (Nizoral);
• carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenobarbital (Luminal), or phenytoin (Dilantin); or
• rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane) or rifabutin (Mycobutin).

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Viagra and seek emergency medical attention or notify your doctor immediately:

• sudden vision loss;
• ringing in your ears, or sudden hearing loss;
• chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;
• irregular heartbeat;
• swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet;
• shortness of breath;
• vision changes;
• feeling light-headed, fainting; or
• penis erection that is painful or lasts 4 hours or longer.

• warmth or redness in your face, neck, or chest;
• stuffy nose;
• headache;
• upset stomach; or
• back pain.

If you are over 65 years of age, you are most likely to have Viagra side effects. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of this medication.