Can that Viagra be dangerous?

So much has been said about the benefits of Viagra since its introduction into the market that the demand for the diamond-shaped blue pills, allied with the ease of its availability especially on the internet, is overwhelming.

Quite right, Viagra has not only brought about a revolution in the treatment of erectile dysfunction, it has use in a number of other applications. It is quite normal for anyone reading about the miracles performed by the little blue pills to be enchanted about what we are reading, but have we ever paused to think about what the side effects of Viagra pills. Has it not ever occurred to us that whatever has a good side normally has a bad side – that is the two dimensional aspect to issues.

There is an African proverb that says, ‘A sweet thing can also kill.’ Analogising this to the Viagra issue, is it possible that such a drug that has been such a success in not only solving erectile issues among men, but also the emotional trauma that is always the consequent effect of such problem, could be a danger to its users?

Attempting to answer this is not as straightforward as it seems. But taking us through a learning course would help us answer this question better.

Pfizer, the world’s biggest pharmaceutical company, is the maker of real Viagra tablets, and this product is approved for use as a prescription drug to help men who have problem with their erection to solve this problem.

Viagra pills are manufactured to be taken as an oral drug, once daily and usually an hour before engaging in sexual activity.

Considered to be a relatively easy drug to use, Viagra tablets are generally well tolerated and also have a proven track record of safety.

However, Viagra is a medication that should be taken with caution because of the side effects it can produce.

To minimise the risk of side effects, which could be from mild to severe, Viagra tablets should be taken on prescription by a doctor, either through an online consultation or meeting directly with the doctor. In addition to getting the prescription, apprise your doctor of all non-prescription and prescription medication you are currently using, especially if you are taking any nitrate medications (e.g isosorbide dinitrate, nitroglycerin), or alpha blockers like treatments for high blood pressure medicines and benign hyperplasia.

Furthermore, Viagra could be dangerous if mixed with such medications like prostaglandin injections and Ecstasy, a kind of a recreational drug.

Viagra tablets are also contraindicated for some underlying medical conditions such as sickle cell anaemia, multiple myeloma and cardiovascular problems.

Viagra is not an aphrodisiac and it should also be borne in mind that the use of the diamond-shaped blues does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases (e.g., syphilis, HIV, gonorrhoea, Hepatitis B).

Because the production of generic Viagra – produced by different companies, which is unlike its brand counterpart that is exclusively produced by Pfizer – is unregulated, it is also possible that the Viagra tablets produced by some of these companies are not safe.

There are some side effects that are associated with Viagra. These effects are normally mild and they include the following:

• Flushing of the face
• Headache
• Upset stomach.
• Temporary changes in colour vision which makes the patient to have difficulty in telling apart the difference between green and blue objects, or seeing things in a tinge of blue.