Deciding whether to take Viagra

Before proceeding to buy Viagra, we at UK Medix strongly advise that you read through the following information provided specifically on Viagra. We have provided it to answer all your unanswered questions on the medication, however we do understand that some may slip through and remain unanswered, in this case we would recommend that you seek advice from your prescribing physician or if you obtained your Viagra from UK Medix please feel free to contact our medical team for assistance. Please understand that this is not a comprehensive review of Viagra but a guide compiled by us at UK Medix regarding the use and effects. If any aspect of taking Viagra concerns you ensure to consult with your doctor before ordering.

Should you take Viagra?

Viagra was developed by Pfizer to treat men in their ongoing quest to tackle Erectile Dysfunction (aka impotence). It is a prescription medication that should only be taken if and when you wish to have sex and it is active only on arousal. This arousal may be physical or visual but either way you will need to be sexually aroused for Viagra to work; how aroused you need to be depends entirely on the patient and their individual degree of erectile dysfunction. At UK Medix, we insist that Viagra is not for female patients and thus should only be taken by men who obtain a prescription. It may be dangerous for females as studies have not been carried out and anyway for female impotence, UK Medix have heard of new medications coming out soon, such as a testosterone patch, currently known as Intrinsa. When considering Viagra, patients must note that Cautions include patients suffering from bleeding disorders or active peptic ulceration (as well as those with liver and kindey impairment). For a full list of cautions from the BNF please click here.

Brief History of Viagra

Viagra was originally developed as a compound to be trialed as just another medication for blood pressure and hypertension, not much excitement there really. However, it was in clinical trials that the scientists at Pfizer realized something that would change the course of sexual history worldwide; the side effects of this medication were that impotent men were getting erections. Eureka! (Quote - Archimedes)

So, how exactly does Viagra work?

Viagra works by causing the smooth muscles in your blood vessels to relax, increasing blood flow around and lowering the blood pressure. The active ingredient in Viagra, sildenafil, is also a PDE5 inhibitor; and it is this in particular that specifies an increase in blood flow to the penis. When a man is sexually stimulated his penile arteries go through a process to relax and enlarge. As they enlarge, the veins that remove blood from the penis are compressed thus restricting blood flow out of the penis, causing an erection. Although erectile dysfunction was originally thought to be purely psychological, the discovery of Viagra refuted this and it is now common fact that the nerves and blood vessels play a key role. If the nerves and blood vessels that facilitate the process of an erection do not work then erectile dysfunction occurs.

How Long Does it work for?

Viagra is seen to work on about 80% of patients and is active within an hour; it is thought to be one of the quickest medications on the market to work, however it only lasts up to 4 hours. UK Medix has seen this to be a bit of a problem to some patients as an element of planning is required. Other medications now out, such as Cialis, show lasting effects up to 36 hours but again they all have their problems, some patients have siad that Cialis, for example, does not start to work as quickly as Viagra.

Viagra Dosage

Viagra comes in 3 different dosages; 25mg, 50mg and 100mg. The starting dosage recommended by Pfizer is 50mg and we here at UK Medix we agree with this; always start at this dosage and adjust accordingly if needs be. However, as with all medications ensure to follow the advice of your prescribing doctor on any of these matters.

Viagra should be taken as one tablet, with or without meals, up to one hour before sexual activity and it should not then be take again for 24 hours. UK Medix recommend that you read carefully any leaflets that come supplied with your medication.