This summary contains
important information about VIAGRA®. It is not meant to
take the place of your doctor's instructions. Read this information
carefully before you start taking VIAGRA. Ask your doctor or pharmacist
if you do not understand any of this information or if you want to know
more about VIAGRA.
This medicine can help many men
when it is used as prescribed by their doctors. However, VIAGRA is not
for everyone. It is intended for use only by men who have a condition
called erectile dysfunction. VIAGRA must never be used by men who are
taking medicines that contain nitrates of any kind, at any time. This
includes nitroglycerin. If you take VIAGRA with any nitrate medicine
your blood pressure could suddenly drop to an unsafe or life threatening
level.
What Is
VIAGRA?
VIAGRA is a pill used to treat
erectile dysfunction (impotence) in men. It can help many men who have
erectile dysfunction get and keep an erection when they become sexually
excited (stimulated).
You will not get an erection just
by taking this medicine. VIAGRA helps a man with erectile dysfunction
get an erection only when he is sexually excited.
How Sex
Affects the Body
When a man is sexually excited,
the penis rapidly fills with more blood than usual. The penis then
expands and hardens. This is called an erection. After the man is done
having sex, this extra blood flows out of the penis back into the body.
The erection goes away. If an erection lasts for a long time (more than
6 hours), it can permanently damage your penis. You should call a doctor
immediately if you ever have a prolonged erection that lasts more than 4
hours.
Some conditions and medicines
interfere with this natural erection process. The penis cannot fill with
enough blood. The man cannot have an erection. This is called erectile
dysfunction if it becomes a frequent problem.
During sex, your heart works
harder. Therefore sexual activity may not be advisable for people who
have heart problems. Before you start any treatment for erectile
dysfunction, ask your doctor if your heart is healthy enough to handle
the extra strain of having sex. If you have chest pains, dizziness or
nausea during sex, stop having sex and immediately tell your doctor you
have had this problem.
How VIAGRA
Works
VIAGRA enables many men with
erectile dysfunction to respond to sexual stimulation. When a man is
sexually excited, VIAGRA helps the penis fill with enough blood to cause
an erection. After sex is over, the erection goes away.
VIAGRA Is Not
for Everyone
As noted above (How
Sex Affects the Body), ask your doctor if your heart is healthy
enough for sexual activity.
If you take any medicines that
contain nitrates - either regularly or as needed - you should never take
VIAGRA.If you take VIAGRA with any nitrate medicine or recreational
drug containing nitrates, your blood pressure could suddenly drop to an
unsafe level. You could get dizzy, faint, or even have a heart attack or
stroke. Nitrates are found in many prescription medicines that are used
to treat angina (chest pain due to heart disease) such as:
- nitroglycerin (sprays,
ointments, skin patches or pastes, and tablets that are swallowed or
dissolved in the mouth)
- isosorbide mononitrate and
isosorbide dinitrate (tablets that are swallowed, chewed, or
dissolved in the mouth)
Nitrates are also found in
recreational drugs such as amyl nitrate or nitrite
("poppers"). If you are not sure if any of your medicines
contain nitrates, or if you do not understand what nitrates are, ask
your doctor or pharmacist.
VIAGRA is only for patients with
erectile dysfunction. VIAGRA is not for newborns, children, or women. Do
not let anyone else take your VIAGRA. VIAGRA must be used only under a
doctor's supervision.
What VIAGRA
Does Not Do
- VIAGRA does not cure erectile
dysfunction. It is a treatment for erectile dysfunction.
- VIAGRA does not protect you or
your partner from getting sexually transmitted diseases, including
HIV-the virus that causes AIDS.
- VIAGRA is not a hormone or an
aphrodisiac.
What To Tell
Your Doctor Before You Begin VIAGRA
Only your doctor can decide if
VIAGRA is right for you. VIAGRA can cause mild, temporary lowering of
your blood pressure. You will need to have a thorough medical exam to
diagnose your erectile dysfunction and to find out if you can safely
take VIAGRA alone or with your other medicines. Your doctor should
determine if your heart is healthy enough to handle the extra strain of
having sex.
Be sure to tell your doctor if
you:
- have ever had any heart
problems (e.g., angina, chest pain, heart failure, irregular heart
beats, or heart attack)
- have ever had a stroke
- have low or high blood pressure
- have a rare inherited eye
disease called retinitis pigmentosa
- have ever had any kidney
problems
- have ever had any liver
problems
- have ever had any blood
problems, including sickle cell anemia or leukemia
- are allergic to sildenafil or
any of the other ingredients of VIAGRA tablets
- have a deformed penis,
Peyronie's disease, or ever had an erection that lasted more than 4
hours
- have stomach ulcers or any
types of bleeding problems
- are taking any other medicines
VIAGRA and
Other Medicines
Some medicines can change the way
VIAGRA works. Tell your doctor about any medicines you are taking. Do
not start or stop taking any medicines before checking with your doctor
or pharmacist. This includes prescription and nonprescription medicines
or remedies. Remember, VIAGRA should never be used with medicines that
contain nitrates (see VIAGRA Is Not for Everyone).
If you are taking a protease inhibitor, your dose may be adjusted
(please see Finding the Right Dose for You.)VIAGRA
should not be used with any other medical treatments that cause
erections. These treatments include pills, medicines that are injected
or inserted into the penis, implants or vacuum pumps.
Finding the
Right Dose for You
VIAGRA comes in different doses
(25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg). If you do not get the results you expect,
talk with your doctor. You and your doctor can determine the dose that
works best for you.
- Do not take more VIAGRA than
your doctor prescribes.
- If you think you need a larger
dose of VIAGRA, check with your doctor.
- VIAGRA should not be taken more
than once a day.
If you are older than age 65, or have
serious liver or kidney problems, your doctor may start you at the
lowest dose (25 mg) of VIAGRA. If you are taking protease inhibitors,
such as for the treatment of HIV, your doctor may recommend a 25 mg dose
and may limit you to a maximum single dose of 25mg of VIAGRA in a 48
hour period.
How To Take
VIAGRA
Take VIAGRA about one hour before
you plan to have sex. Beginning in about 30 minutes and for up to 4
hours, VIAGRA can help you get an erection if you are sexually excited.
If you take VIAGRA after a high-fat meal (such as a cheeseburger and
french fries), the medicine may take a little longer to start working.
VIAGRA can help you get an erection when you are sexually excited. You
will not get an erection just by taking the pill.
Possible Side
Effects
Like all medicines, VIAGRA can
cause some side effects. These effects are usually mild to moderate and
usually don't last longer than a few hours. Some of these side effects
are more likely to occur with higher doses. The most common side effects
of VIAGRA are headache, flushing of the face, and upset stomach. Less
common side effects that may occur are temporary changes in color vision
(such as trouble telling the difference between blue and green objects
or having a blue color tinge to them), eyes being more sensitive to
light, or blurred vision.
In rare instances, men have
reported an erection that lasts many hours. You should call a doctor
immediately if you ever have an erection that lasts more than 4 hours.
If not treated right away, permanent damage to your penis could occur
(see How Sex Affects the Body).
Heart attack, stroke, irregular
heart beats, and death have been reported rarely in men taking VIAGRA.
Most, but not all, of these men had heart problems before taking this
medicine. It is not possible to determine whether these events were
directly related to VIAGRA.
VIAGRA may cause other side
effects besides those listed on this sheet. If you want more information
or develop any side effects or symptoms you are concerned about, call
your doctor.
Accidental
Overdose
In case of accidental overdose,
call your doctor right away.
Storing
VIAGRA
Keep VIAGRA out of the reach of
children. Keep VIAGRA in its original container. Store at room
temperature, 59¡-86¡F (15¡-30¡C).
For More
Information on VIAGRA
VIAGRA is a prescription medicine
used to treat erectile dysfunction. Only your doctor can decide if it is
right for you. This sheet is only a summary. If you have any questions
or want more information about VIAGRA, talk with your doctor or
pharmacist, visit www.viagra.com, or call 1-888-4VIAGRA.
