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Highlights
- Viagra is a clinically tested, FDA-approved medication for erectile dysfunction.
- The drug is safe for most men, but like most medications, does have common side effects.
- Most adverse effects of Viagra are of mild to moderate intensity and resolve on their own.
- Always consult with a doctor before trying Viagra.
- Tell your physician of all the medications, supplements, and herbal treatments you’re taking.
Michael DiLeo, MD, has over 30 years of experience in clinical and academic medicine. Through medical school, residency, and private practice, he has functioned as both a specialist and a primary care practitioner. He has twice served as chief of staff of a large regional hospital. He is a published author on women's health for McGraw-Hill. Learn More
Has your doctor prescribed Viagra for erectile dysfunction? Great! Viagra is one of the most effective and easy ED treatments out there. But like nearly all medications, the little blue pill does come with side effects. If you’re asking yourself, “How do I know if Viagra side effects are serious?”, let us put your mind at ease.
Viagra is an FDA-approved medication that’s been proven safe for most men. It’s been clinically tested and is continuously monitored for safety. FDA’s MedWatch Safety Alerts are publicly available to anyone wanting to check the ongoing safety of Viagra.
Looking for answers to questions about Viagra side effects? We’ve got you covered.
Q: Does Viagra Have Side Effects?
A: Very rare indeed is the medication that has no side effects, and Viagra is no exception. The good news is that most common side effects are mild and resolve on their own. Others disappear as your body adjusts to using the medication regularly.
However, Viagra’s more serious side effects, though rare, demand immediate medical attention.
Q: What Are the Most Commonly Observed Viagra Side Effects?
A: According to the Viagra website, common side effects include back pain, dizziness, facial flushing, headache, muscle aches, nausea or upset stomach, rash, and nasal congestion. The little blue pill can also cause heartburn and temporary vision changes, including blurred vision or a bluish tinge to vision.
These side effects are common and not a cause for concern unless they persist even after you’ve been taking Viagra for some time. In such cases, ask your doctor to prescribe an alternative medication. (See Alternatives to Viagra below.)
Read Know the Common Viagra and Sildenafil Side Effects to learn more about the side effects many men experience with Viagra.
Q: What Are Viagra’s More Serious Side Effects?
A: A few Viagra users experience severe side effects of the pill. Rest assured — these complications are very rare. Still, it’s good to know they exist so that you can seek immediate medical help if they appear.
Here are the potentially serious side effects of Viagra:
Priapism
Some Viagra users have reported erections that don’t go away or persist for four hours or more. This is a condition called priapism, and it’s no laughing matter. If you should experience a persistent erection, seek medical attention immediately. Left untreated, priapism can cause permanent penile tissue damage that could conceivably make erection impossible in the future.
Visual Disturbances
In rare cases, Viagra users have experienced a sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes, as well as a sudden decrease or total loss of hearing. Such side effects are extremely serious and require immediate medical attention.
Sudden Hearing Loss
Men who use Viagra to manage their erectile dysfunction are at a higher risk of so-called Viagra deafness. The loss of hearing may occur in one or both ears and can be permanent.
Q: Who Should Not Take Viagra?
The very reason why Viagra has remained so popular over the years is that the drug is safe for most men. There are, however, contraindications which should never be ignored. Always discuss with your physician before taking ED medication.
You should not take Viagra if you:
- Take nitrates for high blood pressure. Mixing these drugs with Viagra can have life-threatening consequences because both types of medication lower blood pressure. Combining them can cause your blood pressure to drop too low.
- Use “poppers” as recreational drugs. These substances contain nitrates, and mixing them with Viagra can prove fatal.
In addition, you should exercise caution and be in regular contact with your healthcare provider if you’re taking a nitrate medication, such as alpha-blockers, antifungals, some antibiotics, and anti-anxiety meds.
Q: Can I Take Viagra With Other Medications?
Viagra is a prescription medication, and it can interact with other drugs. Always inform your doctor of all the pills and supplements you’re taking. According to Viagra’s FDA label, the pill can cause interactions with a number of medicines, including:
- Nitrates, alpha-blockers, and amlodipine (which all lower blood pressure)
- Ritonavir (prescribed to patients with HIV/AIDS) and other CYP3A4 inhibitors (for example certain antibiotics, antifungals, and antidepressants)
Or see a complete list of medications that can interact with Viagra with the Viagra Interaction Checker at Drugs.com. Or you can enter any medication you’re taking to find out if it interacts with Viagra with their Drug Interaction Checker.
Q: Can I Take Viagra With Herbal Supplements?
We don’t fully understand how herbal treatments and Viagra interact, but there’s good reason to proceed with caution if you take any herbal supplements along with your prescribed Viagra.
Of particular concern are supplements that lower blood pressure. As discussed above, Viagra also has this effect, and combining it with any other substance that does the same can lead to dangerous drops in blood pressure.
What’s more, because herbal supplements are not regulated by the FDA, it’s hard to be sure what you’re getting. The FDA maintains a list of supplements that have been found to be tainted with substances not listed on the label.
Our best advice is to check with your doctor to be sure the supplements you are taking are safe to use with ED medications. And be sure you’re buying those supplements from a nationally known, trustworthy source.
Q: How Long Do Viagra Side Effects Last?
Most Viagra side effects are mild and last only as long as it takes for the drug to clear out of your system. Some minor discomforts, such as heartburn, may subside after a few minutes.
The most common complication of taking the ED drug is headaches. For the majority of men who experience them, they only last a few hours. Men who are prone to cluster headaches may suffer a bout lasting up to a few days, but those cases are rare.
Viagra can, in very rare cases, lead to permanent damage to eyesight or hearing, but the odds of having such a severe reaction are extremely low.
For more information, read How Long Do Viagra Side Effects Last?.
Q: Will My Body Adjust to Viagra Side Effects?
If you’ve ever been prescribed a treatment for regular use, your physician may have mentioned the adjustment period. You’re introducing new chemicals to your body, and it’s only natural if your system has some unusual reactions.
The good news is, in many cases, mild side effects will diminish or subside as your body adjusts to the medication.
If your side effects are not mild or don’t resolve, double-check with your provider before taking Viagra again.
Q: Are There Any Foods or Drinks That Interact With Viagra?
When using any erectile dysfunction medication, take food and drink interactions into consideration. For example, drinking alcohol in excess can cause a dangerous drop in your blood pressure. If you’re drinking alcohol while taking Viagra, limit yourself to one or two drinks.
And if you order that drink, make sure it doesn’t contain grapefruit juice! Consuming grapefruit juice may prolong your side effects, should they occur. Another possible scenario is that the juice will reduce the effectiveness of your ED medication.
Caffeine and Viagra are also not an ideal combination. Taking the medication with coffee or energy drinks may even reduce the effects of ED medication.
Q: Are There Other Viagra Warnings and Precautions I Should Know About?
For some men, Viagra must be introduced slowly, starting with the smallest dose of 25 milligrams. This pertains especially to men over 65 and those with liver problems or severe kidney impairment.
If you show a hypersensitivity (allergy) to sildenafil, don’t continue taking the medication. Symptoms of hypersensitivity include rash and hives.
Men with serious cardiovascular disease who are generally advised to avoid sexual stimulation should not use Viagra. If you’ve had a stroke, heart attack, or life-threatening arrhythmia within the past six months, your doctor may refuse to prescribe the medication.
A final warning — don’t take Viagra more often than once a day. If your initial dose doesn’t work well for you, your doctor may increase it up to 100 milligrams.
Q: When Should I See a Doctor for a Viagra Side Effect?
Most side effects of Viagra are not life threatening and cause only mild discomfort. Educate yourself about potential side effects and observe your body after taking the medication, especially if you’re a new Viagra user.
If you notice a sudden and severe change in your well-being, don’t hesitate to call a doctor or an emergency number. If you develop vision or hearing problems, or your blood pressure drops significantly, get medical help immediately.
Q: Is It Safe To Buy Viagra Online?
Genuine Viagra is available for purchase online from reputable sellers such as eDrugstore. You will always be asked to provide a valid prescription or take a telemedicine consultation before placing an order.
Beware of online stores offering “Viagra alternatives” and selling the drugs without prescription. In the best case scenario you’ll receive pills that don’t work. But the consequences of taking tainted drugs can be very serious.
Viagra is also a popular target of counterfeiters, who can put anything they like in their “medications” because they illegally bypass the FDA.
To protect yourself from the risk of serious side effects from what is offered as Viagra, learn how to spot fake ED medication websites, and always buy your ED meds from a trustworthy source.
When you receive your Viagra, make sure to read the enclosed patient information before taking the medicine.
Also, check out The Comprehensive Guide to Viagra and Sildenafil Side Effects to be sure you know what to look out for while your body adjusts to Viagra.
What Are the Alternatives to Viagra?
If you’re having side effects from Viagra that you’d rather not live with, you have other options. While all phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors work in the same way, they are slightly different and affect individuals in different ways.
You may have a better experience with another ED medication, such as Cialis, Levitra, or Staxyn, or their generic equivalents tadalafil or vardenafil.
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