Viagra

Viagra (sildenafil citrate) is a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor taken for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) in men. ED is a condition where the penis does not harden and expand when a man is sexually excited or when he cannot keep an erection.

Viagra helps a man with ED get and keep an erection. This prescription drug is only for men, not for women and children. Patients must use the drug under a doctor's care.

Viagra's Limited Uses

Viagra can help a man sustain an erection. It can even help men who typically have trouble achieving an erect penis, even with sufficient sexual stimulation. But there are certain things Viagra does not do.

Specifically, Viagra does not:

• Cure ED
• Increase sexual desire
• Protect you or your partner from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV
• Serve as a form of birth control

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Viagra on March 27, 1998. It was one of the first oral pills to treat impotence, a dysfunction that affects millions of men in the United States. Pfizer Pharmaceuticals manufactures Viagra and has sold millions of prescriptions since the drug's approval by the FDA.

Viagra Is Not for Everybody

Viagra is beneficial for many men suffering from ED. But some people should avoid taking this medication.

You should not take Viagra if:

• You take nitrates such as nitroglycerin
• You use recreational drugs called poppers, like amyl nitrate and butyl nitrate
• Your healthcare professional told you to avoid sexual activity due to health problems

Always talk to your healthcare provider before taking any new medications. This applies to both prescription and over-the-counter drugs. This is especially true if you suffer from any of the following health conditions:

• Angina (chest pain)
• Heart failure
• Cardiovascular conditions
• Pulmonary arterial hypertension
• Irregular heartbeat

People with these conditions are at a higher risk of developing serious side effects from taking Viagra.

Viagra can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure to an unsafe level if taken with certain other medicines, such as nitrites, recreational drugs that contain nitrates, and alpha-blockers.

Sudden drops in blood pressure can cause dizziness, fainting, heart attack, or stroke. Even a small dose of Viagra can have a devastating impact on your health if you aren't careful.

Tell Your Healthcare Professional You Take Viagra

Tell all your healthcare providers that you take Viagra. If you need emergency medical care for a heart problem, it will be necessary for your healthcare professionals to know when you last took Viagra.

Before using Viagra, tell your healthcare professional if you have any of the following conditions:

• Heart problems
• Uncontrolled low blood pressure or high blood pressure
• Stroke
• Liver problems
• Severe vision loss
• Kidney problems (or if you require dialysis)
• Retinitis pigmentosa, a rare genetic (runs in families) eye disease
• Stomach ulcers
• Bleeding problem
• Deformed penis shape or Peyronie's disease
• Erection that lasted more than four hours
• Sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, or leukemia
• Taken a protease inhibitor for the treatment of HIV
• Taken alpha-blockers

Any of these things can cause adverse reactions in people taking Viagra. It's also not advised to take Viagra at the same time as certain antibiotic and antifungal medications, like ketoconazole, erythromycin, or itraconazole.

Viagra's Side Effects

Most drugs have adverse side effects. You must know these before you start taking the drug. The use of Viagra can cause severe and unpleasant side effects. Some of the most common side effects of Viagra use include:

• Headache
• Flushing
• Upset stomach
• Indigestion
• Stuffy or runny nose
• Urinary tract infection
• Diarrhea

Rarer side effects of Viagra include:

• An erection that will not go away (priapism)
• Vision changes, such as seeing a blue tinge to objects or having difficulty telling the difference between the colors blue and green

If these side effects persist, contact your doctor immediately. You may need to stop taking Viagra and find an alternate solution.

Viagra FDA Alert

In 2005, the FDA issued an alert for men using Viagra, Cialis, or Levitra. A small number of men taking the drug lost eyesight in one eye sometime after taking these drugs. This type of vision loss is non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION).

The FDA still does not know if these drugs cause NAION since this condition also occurs in men who don't take these medicines.

Other Vision Issues for Viagra Patients

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, people taking high doses of Viagra can experience other vision problems as well. The way Viagra works is by increasing blood flow to the penis. The drug turns off an enzyme called phosphodiesterase-5.

The problem is that this change interferes with an enzyme in the retina. The damage Viagra causes to these retina cells can be permanent. Men taking high doses of Viagra reported the following issues:

• Blurred vision
• Colorblindness
• Blue-tinted vision
• Light sensitivity

These symptoms lasted for up to three weeks for some patients.

Age and certain medical conditions can make you more prone to serious side effects. People who have a higher chance of vision damage include those who:

• Have heart disease
• Are over 50 years old
• Have diabetes
• Have high blood pressure
• Have high cholesterol
• Smoke
• Have certain eye problems

The FDA has approved new labels for Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra to include information on possible eyesight loss (like NAION). If you experience a loss in your eyesight, stop using these medicines and get medical help immediately.

Dangerous Drugs and Product Liability

While all medications have specific anticipated side effects, drug manufacturers must ensure their products are safe. They must also inform the medical community and the public of a drug's known risks.

If a manufacturer fails to do these things, the courts can hold them legally responsible if patients get hurt. Under product liability law, manufacturers are liable for inadequate warnings or the unreasonably dangerous nature of a drug.

What To Do if You Believe Viagra Caused Your Injuries

If you believe that Viagra has harmed you, contact your doctor. You may want to consult a product liability attorney to discuss your legal options. Visit FindLaw.com's attorney directory to schedule your free case evaluation.