Viagra

Generic Name: Sildenafil Citrate (oral)
Brand Names: Viagra Soft

What is sildenafil citrate soft tabs?

• Sildenafil Citrate (Viagra) belongs to a group of medicines that delay the enzymes called phosphodiesterases from working too quickly. The penis is one of the areas where these enzymes work. Viagra (Sildenafil Citrate) is used to treat men who have erectile dysfunction (also called sexual impotence). By controlling the enzyme phosphodiesterase, Viagra (Sildenafil Citrate) helps to maintain an erection that is produced when the penis is stroked.
• Viagra Soft tabs have the same active ingredient that Regular Viagra has but Soft tabs are specially formulated to be dissolvable under the tongue. The pill is absorbed at the mouth and enters the bloodstream directly instead of going through the stomach. This results in a faster more powerful effect. The benefits of Soft Viagra are evident - you do not have to wait up to 30-90 minutes to achieve the result, the medication starts to produce the effect within 15-20 minutes only. Moreover, Viagra Soft Tabs also have less sidebacks (you can eat fatty food or mix alcohol drinks with Viagra).

What should I discuss with my doctor before taking Viagra (Sildenafil Citrate) soft tabs?

• Do not take Viagra (Sildenafil Citrate) if you are also using a nitrate drug for chest pain or heart problems. This includes nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur, Nitro-Bid, and others), isosorbide dinitrate (Dilatrate-SR, Isordil, Sorbitrate), and isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO, Monoket). Nitrates are also found in some recreational drugs such as amyl nitrate or nitrite ("poppers"). Taking Viagra (Sildenafil Citrate) with a nitrate medicine can cause a serious decrease in blood pressure, leading to fainting, stroke, or heart attack.
• A small number of patients have had a sudden loss of eyesight after taking Viagra (Sildenafil Citrate). This type of vision loss is caused by decreased blood flow to the optic nerve of the eye. It is not clear whether Viagra (Sildenafil Citrate) is the actual cause of such vision loss. Sudden vision loss with Viagra (Sildenafil Citrate) use has occurred most often in people with heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or certain pre-existing eye problems, and in those who smoke or are over 50 years old.
• Before taking Viagra (Sildenafil Citrate), tell your doctor if you have:
  • heart disease or heart rhythm problems;
  • a recent history (in the past 6 months) of a heart attack, stroke, or heart rhythm disorder;
  • congestive heart failure;
  • high or low blood pressure;
  • coronary artery disease;
  • liver disease;
  • kidney disease;
  • a blood cell disorder such as sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, or leukemia;
  • a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia;
  • a stomach ulcer;
  • retinitis pigmentosa (an inherited condition of the eye);
  • a physical deformity of the penis (such as Peyronie's disease); or
  • if you have been told you should not have sexual intercourse for health reasons.
• If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use Viagra (Sildenafil Citrate) or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
• FDA pregnancy category B: This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use Viagra (Sildenafil Citrate) without telling your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
• It is not known if Viagra (Sildenafil Citrate) passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take Viagra (Sildenafil Citrate) soft tabs?

• Put the pill under the tongue and wait till it desolves.
• Viagra (Sildenafil Citrate) soft is usually taken only when needed, 15 - 20 minutes before sexual activity. The medication can help achieve an erection when sexual stimulation occurs. An erection will not occur just by taking a pill.
• Do not take Viagra Soft more than once a day.
• Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

• Viagra is used as needed, so you are not likely to miss a dose.
• If you miss a dose of Revatio, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

• Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Symptoms of a Viagra (Sildenafil Citrate) overdose may include chest pain, nausea, irregular heartbeat, and feeling light-headed or fainting.

What are the possible side effects of Viagra (Sildenafil Citrate)?

• If you become dizzy or nauseated, or have pain, numbness, or tingling in your chest, arms, neck, or jaw during sexual activity, stop and call your doctor right away. You could be having a serious side effect of Viagra (Sildenafil Citrate).
• Stop using Viagra (Sildenafil Citrate) and get emergency medical help if you have sudden vision loss.
• Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Stop using Viagra (Sildenafil Citrate) and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
  • 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.
• Continue taking Viagra (Sildenafil Citrate) and talk with your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:
  • warmth or redness in your face, neck, or chest;
  • stuffy nose;
  • headache;
  • upset stomach; or
  • back pain.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Do not take Viagra (Sildenafil Citrate) if you are taking the following medications:

• nitroglycerin-type drugs for the heart or chest pain such as amyl nitrite, isosorbide dinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate, nitroglycerin, even if these are only taken occasionally

Viagra (Sildenafil Citrate) may also interact with the following medications:

• alpha blockers, used for high blood pressure or an enlarged prostate. NOTE: Do not take doses of Viagra (Sildenafil Citrate) higher than 25 mg within 4 hours of taking alpha blockers, such as alfuzosin (UroXatral®), doxazosin (Cardura®), prazosin (Minipress®), or terazosin (Hytrin®).
• bosentan
• certain drugs used for seizures such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, and phenobarbital
• certain drugs used for fungal or yeast infections, such as fluconazole, ketoconazole, and voriconazole
• certain drugs for the treatment of HIV infection or AIDS
• cimetidine
• cisapride
• clarithromycin
• diltiazem
• erythromycin
• grapefruit juice
• mibefradil
• nitroprusside
• rifabutin
• rifampin
• quinidine
• some drugs for treating depression, anxiety or other mood problems (examples: fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, nefazodone)
• verapamil

Where to find the shelf life of the medicines?

• The expiration date can be found on each blister. It is different for different batches. The usual shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture but it may differ from batch to batch depending on date they were manufactured.