Reviewed by: Daniel Williams, MD
Viagra (Sildenafil Citrate) is FDA-Approved for Men
Because Viagra was developed for men, not much is known about the potential side effects if women were to begin taking it. There are, however, several logical conclusions about the risks and benefits for women that we can make bases on existing knowledge. Let me explain.
Risk to Benefit Analysis for Viagra
In medicine, physicians make thousands of small decisions per day – many of them are cost-benefit decisions. Does this medication’s potential benefit outweigh the known risks? This is the million-dollar question. When it comes to women taking Viagra, not much is known at all about the benefits. So physicians that prescribe this medication to women are doing so outside of the approval of the FDA.
Alternatives to Viagra Available for Women
There are products available for women designed to enhance the sensitivity in her erogenous zones. Stimula for Women is a water-based, water-soluble, orderless gel that works as a highly effective lubricant for women. You can purchase Stimula for Women right on eDrugstore.com for only $19.
Side Effects of Viagra for Women
The side effects of Viagra have been described for men and it is very possible that women might experience different symptoms and unwanted effects. It would be expected that many of the side effects would be the same for both sexes, such as runny nose, stuffy nose, mild headache, upset stomach, diarrhea, facial flushing (reddening of the face), blurry vision, and a temporary blue-tint or haze in vision. Rare, transient blindness and deafness have also been reported.
Side Effects of Viagra (for men)
| Headaches |
| Upset Stomach |
| Stuffy Nose |
| Flushing of the Face |
Viagra Drug Interactions
More serious side effects occur when Viagra is taken in combination with certain other cardiovascular medications such as beta-blockers (B-blockers) or beta-adrenergic blocking compounds and nitrates. The blood pressure can drop precipitously and be very difficult to regain, even under ideal conditions.
Common Beta Blockers Should not be taken with Viagra
| acebutolol (Sectral) |
| metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL) |
| propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran) |
| Carvedilol(Coreg) |
| bisoprolol fumarate(Zebeta) |
| atenolol(Tenormin) |
Viagra and Depression in Women
Some antidepressant nature has been observed with Viagra, leading researchers to wonder if Viagra can help with depression related sexual dysfunction in women. There are reports of research suggesting some results in this area. Further clinical investigation into women’s use of Viagra and the impact on depression (especially depression-associated sexual dysfunction) is needed.
Viagra and Headaches in Women
Headaches are one of the side effects associated with Viagra use by women, currently under review.
Skin Flush (reddening of skin) with Viagra in Women
Skin flush, or reddening of the skin, is a potential side effect being reviewed for Viagra.
Nausea with Viagra
Nasea (upset stomach, queezy feeling) is a possible side effect of Viagra use, currently under review.
Indigestion with Viagra
Indigestion (acid reflux, upset stomach, acid stomach) are all possible side effects, under study with Viagra use.
Vision/Hearing Problems and Viagra (in women)
The FDA found a total of 29 reports of sudden hearing loss concurrent with sildenafil (Viagram Cialis, Levitra) use. Sometimes the hearing loss was paired with vestibular symptoms (tinnitus, vertigo or dizziness).
An indirect danger to women taking Viagra is that no physician expects women to be taking Viagra. The point here is that no Emergency Physician would suspect that an unconscious, female heart attack victim has taken Viagra. Because nitrates and beta-blockers are given for myocardial infractions, there is potential for a deadly medication interaction.
In summary, there appears to be all risk and no validated benefit for women taking Viagra. It is an area of current and future study so let’s revisit this question in a few years.
About the author
Dr. Daniel Williams, MD, is part of the eDrugstore.com medical writing and editing team. Dr. Williams has been on advancing multimedia healthcare education and developing medical education and career web sites.
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