What Is Viagra (Sildenafil)?
Viagra is the brand name for sildenafil, a prescription drug used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED).
Sildenafil belongs to a class of medications called phosphodiesterase inhibitors, which work by increasing blood flow to the penis during sexual activity, resulting in an erection.
However, Viagra will not work without sexual stimulation.
Manufactured by Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, Viagra was originally conceived as a treatment for hypertension and cardiovascular disease, until researchers found it produced erections.
In 1998, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it as the first pill to treat impotence (now known as erectile dysfunction), and in 2005 it approved sildenafil for the treatment of PAH.
Viagra has been prescribed "off-label" to treat Raynaud's disease, in which the fingers and toes become cold and numb, and, in combination with doxorubicin, to treat prostate cancer.
Sildenafil, under the brand name Revatio, is also prescribed to men and women with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) to improve their ability to exercise and decrease shortness of breath.
Viagra Warnings
Don't take Viagra if you're taking nitrate drugs for chest pain or heart problems. This mix can cause a sudden and serious drop in blood pressure, making you feel dizzy and faint, and possibly bring on a heart attack or stroke.
(Be aware that some recreational drugs, such as amyl nitrate or "poppers," also contain nitrate.)
Alpha blockers such as Hytrin (terazosin) and Flomax (tamsulosin HCI) combined with Viagra can also result in a drop in blood pressure.
Make sure you're healthy enough to have sex before taking Viagra - talk to your doctor about any heart disease or heart rhythm problems, as sex puts extra strain on the heart.
Viagra for Women
The FDA has not approved Viagra as a treatment for sexual dysfunction in women, although an increasing number of studies have found that it could boost libido and sexual arousal in some women.
Pregnancy and Viagra
While the FDA has not approved Viagra for sexual dysfunction or low libido in women, women taking Revatio, which has the same active ingredient as Viagra, for PAH, should tell their doctor if they are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Viagra is in FDA Pregnancy Category B, meaning it's not expected to harm a fetus, but no adequate studies have been carried out in pregnant women to prove it.
It's not known if sildenafil is excreted in breast milk. Ask your doctor if it's safe to breastfeed while taking Viagra.
|
