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:: What is Viagra?
Viagra (Sildenafil Citrate) is a FDA-approved oral prescription drug for men who are experiencing difficulty having and maintaining an erection, a condition known as Erectile Dysfunction (ED). It is manufactured by Pfizer Inc., a global pharmaceutical company based in New York, New York, USA.
You can buy Viagra by going to our Viagra price comparison page  where you can select your preferred online US pharmacy with the lowest online Viagra prices, no prior prescription required.
If this is your first time ordering Viagra online, see our beginner’s guide , where the process of obtaining a prescription online and ordering your medication is explained.
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:: What causes ED (Erectile Dysfunction)?
ED (Erectile Dysfunction) is the inability to get and maintain an erection of the penis for satisfactory sexual intercourse. In most cases, ED is a physical health problem, as opposed to psychological. It is usually caused by or associated with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes, problems that are more often present as we get older.
Smoking, drinking too much alcohol, or stress, are also known to cause ED.
ED can happen to men of all ages. Whether your case is severe or mild, even if it only happens to you once in a while, or even if you can have an erection but not maintain it for a long time, Viagra can help you get and keep a full and strong erection, regardless of your age.
Viagra is an effective treatment option for men who experience erectile dysfunction after having prostate surgery.
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:: How does Viagra work?
When a man is sexually stimulated, signals from the nervous system and the release of chemical messengers within the tissues of the penis allow him to have an erection.
One of these chemical messengers, called cyclic GMP, causes the blood vessels in the penis to widen by relaxing smooth muscle tissue. This results in more blood flow to the penis, making the penis larger and harder until full erection.
Cyclic GMP is normally regulated and constantly broken down by another chemical in the body called PDE-5. When there is more cyclic GMP than PDE-5, an erection results. Once the PDE-5 breaks down the cyclic GMP, the erection goes away.
Men with ED often cannot produce enough cyclic GMP. The little that is made is rapidly broken down by PDE-5, and blood flow is reduced, resulting in erectile failure.
Viagra is a PDE-5 inhibitor. It works by preventing the action of PDE-5, therefore stopping the breakdown of cyclic GMP.
This means that the blood vessels are kept dilated for longer, improving and maintaining blood flow to the penis, and therefore magnifying the natural erectile function.
* It is important to understand that taking Viagra will not just make you have a sudden or unexpected erection at inappropriate times. What happens after taking Viagra is that, if you are not sexually stimulated, your body will not produce any Cyclic GMP and PDE-5, and without those present in your body, Viagra will have nothing to work on and will therefore remain inactive. Similarly, after sex, as sexual stimulation stops, your body will stop the production of Cyclic GMP and PDE-5, and your erection will go away. Viagra will remain in your system for its duration, so if you are stimulated while it’s still present in your body, it will help you have and keep an erection.
Other drugs that operate the same way as Viagra are Cialis and Levitra .
See also: Which one works better, Viagra, Levitra, or Cialis?
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:: How well does Viagra work?
When taken correctly, Viagra works for most men. Studies show that it works for up to 4 out of 5 men (versus 1 out of 4 on sugar pill). Viagra improves erections in most men no matter how long they have had ED, how severe their case is, how often they experience it, what caused it, or how old they are.
Beyond the numerous studies, Viagra has been around for a long time now and has proven itself through real experience and the large number of satisfied patients.
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:: How safe is Viagra?
It has been reported that since it first became available in 1998, the prescription drug Viagra has helped about 16 million men around the world improve their sex lives. It has also been reported that more than 600,000 doctors haved chosen Viagra for their patients who have ED.
Viagra is the most prescribed medicine for ED in the US, and it has been tested in more than 130 controlled studies (completed and ongoing) including over 13,000 men. No other therapy or prescription drug for ED has been studied as much or has had the same amount of real-world experience as Viagra since its launch. Through these studies and its real-world experience, Viagra has been shown to have a strong safety profile.
Viagra has been approved by the FDA to safely and successfully treat ED in many men. However, make sure to read about Who should not take Viagra? .
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:: Who should not take Viagra?
Viagra works and is well-tolerated by most men. However:
- Men taking any medicines that have nitrates in them (nitroglycerin for chest pains) should not take Viagra, as doing so can cause your blood pressure to suddenly drop to an unsafe (dizziness or fainting) or even life-threatening level (heart attack or stroke). Nitrates are also found in some illegal drugs (such as amyl nitrate, nitrite or "poppers," and others) and have the same dangerous effect as described above when combined with Viagra. If you are not sure if any of your medicines contain nitrates, or if you do not understand what nitrates are, ask your healthcare provider.
- Men whose doctors have advised them not to have sex should not take Viagra.
- You should also not take Viagra if you suffer from severe hepatic impairment (liver disease), severe impairment of renal function (kidney disease), severe hypotension (low blood pressure), if you have recently suffered a stroke or heart attack, or if you have genetic retinal disorders.
Only your healthcare provider can tell you for sure if you should or not take Viagra. Inform your healthcare provider, during either a physical or online consultation, about all the medicines you are taking, prescription or over-the-counter, and about any medical conditions you have or have had, including allergies.
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:: Can Viagra be used by women?
There have been some studies done with women who suffered from some form of sexual arousal disorder, and some of the women did report that taking Viagra did result in an increase in sexual sensitivity, but these studies were not conclusive.
Viagra is currently not recommended for women.
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:: What does Viagra look like?
Viagra, made by Pfizer Inc., comes as blue, film-coated, diamond-shaped oral tablets with the imprint Pfizer on one side and VGR 10, VGR 25, VGR 50, or VGR 100 on the other side depending on the dosage.
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:: How do I take Viagra?
You take Viagra orally, usually once a day as needed, half an hour before sexual activity. Viagra comes as 10 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg tablets. Your healthcare provider will recommend the dosage appropriate for you.
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:: What should I expect after I take Viagra?
Within about half an hour of taking it, Viagra becomes effective inside your body. At that point, if you are sexually stimulated (by either erotic activity or erotic thoughts), you should expect to have a normal erection. If you are not sexually stimulated, you should expect that nothing will happen. Most men after taking it, expect to feel different, but they don’t, and they mistake this as a sign of the drug’s failure. However, although you don’t feel different, Viagra is making things happen inside your body.
Viagra is not an aphrodisiac or a hormone. Knowing that you took one before sexual activity might make you feel more confident about yourself, but it does not alter your mood. In some men, Viagra might take about one hour to reach its peak effectiveness, but in most men, results happen in about 30 minutes. Like many medications, your physician may have to adjust your initial dose if it doesn't produce the desired results, or if you're bothered by side effects.
Viagra helps your body perform what it would do on its own if it didn’t experience difficulties. If a man takes Viagra and has sex, the erection should go away after intercourse just like an erection normally would.
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:: How long will Viagra's effect last?
Viagra starts working in about 30 minutes after you take it. After it becomes active, it lasts for up to 4 hours or more. This gives you plenty of time to take things at your own pace, and be ready for when the time is right.
* Remember, Viagra works by helping you get an erection in response to sexual stimulation. After having sex, the erection will go away just like it would normally. Viagra will remain active in your body for up to 4 hours or more, so during this time, if you decide to have sex, and if you are stimulated, it will help you have and keep an erection.
In the rare event of an erection lasting more than 4 hours, see your doctor.
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:: How much Viagra can I take, and how often?
Usually, the recommended starting dose of Viagra is 50 mg. For men over 65, or for men who have liver problems, a lower starting dose of 25 mg is recommended.
For most men, the recommended Viagra dose is no more than one pill a day and no more than 100mg a day. Your healthcare provider will recommend the best starting dose for you. Taking more than the recommended maximum strength of 100mg per 24 hour will not work any better, and might possibly result in more side effects.
Some men may find various degrees of discomfort at the 25 or 50 mg dosage level, including flushing of the face, headache, or fast heartbeat. For these patients a dosage of 10 mg or 12.5 mg (half a 25 mg pill) may be more appropriate yet effective.
Most Viagra users take 4 to 6 pills a month.
It is best to take the lowest dose of Viagra that works for you. If you can perform at the lower dose, why take more and risk potential side effects?
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:: Can I cut my Viagra pill in half?
Yes. Since the tablets cost relatively the same regardless of dosage (25, 50, or 100mg), if your recommended dose is 50mg, you can save money by buying the 100mg pills and splitting them in half with a pill cutter. Or if your recommeded dose is 25mg, you can buy 50mg tablets and split them in half.
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:: How should Viagra be stored?
Store Viagra at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Keep Viagra and all medications out of the reach of children.
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:: Can I take Viagra if I drink alcohol?
Yes. However, drinking too much alcohol can temporarily lower your ability to have an erection. For best results, you should not drink large amounts of alcohol before taking Viagra.
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:: Can I take Viagra after I eat?
Yes. Viagra can be taken with or without food. However, taking Viagra after having a high-fat meal may delay the absorbtion of the drug by your body, causing the drug to take slightly longer to work. For best results, do not take Viagra after having a high-fat meal.
Also, you should avoid eating grapefruits or drinking grapefruit juice while taking Viagra. Viagra is metabolized predominently by the hepatic enzyme known as CYP3A4. Grapefruit juice is an inhibitor of this CYP3A4 enzyme, and can therefore interfere with the normal breakdown process of the medication, leading first, to delays in absorption of Viagra, and second, to the prolonged, unnecessary, and potentially harmful presence of the drug in your body.
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:: What are the possible side-effects of taking Viagra?
The most common side effects of Viagra are facial flushing, headache, indigestion, and nasal congestion. Viagra is a PDE-5 inhibitor, but is also a weak inhibitor of the chemical PDE-6, which is involved in the visual mechanism in the retina. Therefore Viagra may briefly cause bluish or blurred vision as well as sensitivity to light. These side effects are usually mild and don't last very long.
Indigestion and abnormal vision are less common, and more likely to happen at 100 mg than at lower doses. Also, the occurrence of side effects diminishes with use.
In the rare event of an erection lasting more than 4 hours, see your doctor.
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:: What are Viagra's possible drug interactions?
Inform your healthcare provider, during either a physical or online consultation, about all prescription and non-prescription medications you use, especially any nitrate medications (e.g., nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate), nitroprusside (any "nitric oxide donor" medicines), cimetidine, erythromycin, azole antifungals (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole), mibefradil, rifamycins (e.g., rifampin), high blood pressure medicines, alpha-blockers, or HIV protease inhibitors. Do not start or stop any medicine without your healthcare provider’s approval.
If you are taking certain alpha-blockers for the treatment of heart disease, such as Hytrin (terazosin) or Flomox (tamsulosin), or if you are taking certain protease inhibitors for the treatment of HIV, such as saquinavir, ritonavir, or amprenavir, it is recommended not to exceed a maximum single dose of 25 mg of Viagra in a 48-hour period, because the combination of Viagra with such drugs may lower blood pressure to an unsafe or life-threatening level. Be sure to consult your healthcare provider about this.
Viagra is not recommended for people taking commonly prescribed short and long-acting nitrates because the combination may lower blood pressure.
Commonly prescribed short and long-acting nitrates available in the US are: Nitroglycerin, Deponit, Minitran, Nitrek, Nitro-Bid, Nitrocine, Nitro-Derm, Nitro Disc, Nitro-Dur, Nitrogard, Nitroglycerin, Nitroglycerin T/R, Nitroglyn, Nitrol Ointment, Nitrolan, Nitrolingual Spray, Nitrong, Nitropar, Nitropress, Nitroprex, Nitro S.A., Nitrospan, Nitrostat, Nitro-Trans System, Nitro Transdermal, Nitro-Time, Transderm-Nitro, Tridil, Isosorbide Mononitrate, Imdur, ISMO, Isosorbide Mononitrate, Monoket, Isosorbide Nitrate, Dilatrate-SR, Iso-bid, Isordil, Isordil Tembids, Isosorbide Dinitrate, Isosorbide Dinitrate LA, Sorbitrate, Sorbitrate SA, Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate, Peritrate, Peritrate SA, Erythrityl Tetranitrate, Cardilate, Isosorbide Dinitrate/Phenobarbital, Isordil w/PB.
Illegal drugs containing organic nitrates are: amyl nitrate or nitrite (also known by various other names, including "poppers"), butyl nitrate.
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:: What other precautions should I take when using Viagra?
Before using Viagra, tell your doctor your medical history, including any allergies (especially drug allergies), any penis conditions such as fibrosis/scarring (e.g., Peyronie's disease), history of painful/prolonged erection (priapism), sickle cell anemia, blood system cancers (such as leukemia or myeloma), eye problems (retinal diseases), kidney or liver disease, bleeding disorders or active stomach ulcers, heart diseases, stroke or severe high or low blood pressure.
Viagra should not be taken simultaneously with other ED treatments.
Limit alcohol intake, as it may aggravate side effects of Viagra. Since this drug may cause dizziness, caution is advised when performing tasks requiring alertness (e.g., driving). To avoid dizziness and lightheadedness when rising from a seated or lying position, get up slowly.
Also, you should avoid eating grapefruits or drinking grapefruit juice while taking Viagra. Viagra is metabolized predominently by the hepatic enzyme known as CYP3A4. Grapefruit juice is an inhibitor of this CYP3A4 enzyme, and can therefore interfere with the normal breakdown process of the medication, leading first, to delays in absorption of Viagra, and second, to the prolonged, unnecessary, and potentially harmful presence of the drug in your body.
Viagra is not to be used in women or children. Older men may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, therefore caution is advised.
It's important to tell your doctor about any medicines you take, both prescription and nonprescription. A medicine you are taking for another health problem might be causing your ED. Talk with your doctor about the medicines you are taking. And never stop taking any medicine before talking to your doctor.
Do not share Viagra with others, since they may have a problem that is not effectively treated by this drug. Worse yet, sharing with someone who should not take Viagra may put their health and life at risk. They may be taking other drugs and this could create adverse drug interactions.
Viagra does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases (e.g., HIV, Hepatitis B, gonorrhea). Remember to protect yourself and your partner from sexually transmitted diseases.
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:: Is Viagra available over the counter?
No. Viagra is currently available by prescription only.
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:: How can I get a Viagra prescription online?
Go to our Viagra price comparison page where you can select your preferred online US pharmacy with the lowest Viagra prices, no prior prescription required.
Our featured US-based online pharmacies work with US-licensed doctors and pharmacists to provide you with your prescriptions through an online consultation.
If this is your first time ordering Viagra online, see our beginner’s guide , where the process of obtaining a prescription online and ordering your medication is explained.
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:: How much does Viagra cost?
Some companies charge less per pill but charge you separately for their consultation and pharmacy dispensing fees. Others include these fees into their final pricing.
RxPriceCheck's featured pharmacies give you a free online medical consultation with your order. Be sure to compare Viagra prices before buying.
Usually, the more tablets you buy, the cheaper the price per tablet is. Also, the tablets cost relatively the same regardless of dosage (25, 50, or 100mg), so for example, if your recommended dosage is 50mg, you can save money by buying the 100mg pills and splitting them in half with a pill cutter.
See our Viagra price comparison page where you can select your preferred online US pharmacy with the lowest Viagra prices, no prior prescription required.
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:: What is generic Viagra and why should I not buy it?
Generic Viagra is currently illegal and potentially dangerous. You should not buy generic Viagra because it is not approved or regulated by the FDA. Therefore,
- It may be filled with other ingredients that may harm you.
- It may be fake, sold as Viagra, but not containing the active ingredient.
- You will have no guarantee of quality, effectiveness, and safety.
- It is not legal to sell or buy generic Viagra in the United States.
Here are some signs to help you identify illegal generic Viagra:
- The site sells "generic Viagra" or "generic sildenafil citrate".
- The site claims to sell a cheaper form of Viagra.
- The price is cheaper than Viagra, by as much as 70%.
- The pill looks different from Viagra’s blue diamond shaped tablet.
- The product goes by other brand names than "Viagra".
This web site only affiliates with online US pharmacies that work with US licensed physicians and pharmacists, and sell brand Viagra approved by the FDA and manufactured by Pfizer. You can therefore choose from our list of online pharmacies with confidence.
See our Viagra price comparison page where you can select your preferred online US pharmacy with the lowest costing Viagra, no prior prescription needed.
If this is your first time ordering Viagra online, see our beginner’s guide , where the process of obtaining a prescription online and ordering your medication is explained.
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:: Is it safe to order Viagra or other medications from non-US
pharmacies?
Purchasing Viagra from non-US pharmacies can be potentially dangerous. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) does not recommend ordering medications online from pharmacies located outside the US, because it cannot guarantee the origin, quality or safety of the medication, or regulate the manufacturers. Therefore, it may be filled with other ingredients that may harm you, or it may be fake, sold as Viagra, but not contain the active ingredient sildenafil citrate.
RxPriceCheck.com only affiliates with online US pharmacies that work with US licensed physicians and pharmacists, and sell brand Viagra approved by the FDA and manufactured by Pfizer. You can therefore choose from our list of online pharmacies with confidence.
See our Viagra price comparison page where you can select your preferred online US pharmacy with the lowest Viagra prices, no prior prescription required.
If this is your first time ordering Viagra online, see our beginner’s guide , where the process of obtaining a prescription online and ordering your medication is explained.
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:: What if Viagra doesn't work?
According to Pfizer, the manufacturer of Viagra, the number of times men should try Viagra before giving up is eight. For most men, Viagra works the first or second time they try it. Some men find that Viagra works better after the third or fourth try, as they become more familiar with the medication. Viagra might work better for you over time, so keep trying.
While Viagra is effective in up to 4 of 5 men (versus 1 out of 4 taking sugar pills), it's not effective for everyone. If it doesn't work for you, talk to your healthcare provider about changing your dose or treatment.
If Viagra gives you too many side effects, or if it does not work for you, you might get better results with Cialis or Levitra , two other drugs that operate the same way as Viagra.
* Remember: In order for Viagra to work, you must wait about half an hour for it to activate in your body, and then you must be sexually stimulated while it’s active. For a detailed explanation, be sure to read: How does Viagra work? , and
What should I expect after I take Viagra? .
See also: Which one works better, Viagra, Levitra, or Cialis?
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:: Which one works better, Viagra, Levitra, or Cialis?
Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis are all three excellent medications that have dramatically improved millions of men’s life. Although all three drugs essentially function in the same way, they are chemically different and can affect each person differently.
The differences between Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis have to do with:
- how fast does the medication start working?
- how long does it stay active in your body?
- what if any side effects do you experience and to what degree?
Viagra has been around the longest, and therefore has a better safety and efficacy profile, maintained by the numerous studies as well as real-world experience.
Levitra and Cialis are both more targeted drugs than Viagra, therefore, it takes a smaller dose of Levitra or Cialis to achieve the same effect as Viagra:
Levitra and Cialis are very selective in attacking PDE-5 without affecting other isoenzymes (more targeted), therefore the smaller 10mg average dose of Levitra or Cialis has the same results as the larger 50mg average Viagra dose, even though the three drugs essentially function the same way.
Viagra is very fast-acting as it takes effect in about only 30 minutes for most men and the effects last for 4 hours or more.
Levitra is also fast-acting as it generally takes effect in about 30 to 60 minutes for most men, and it stays active in your body for up to 4 hours.
Cialis on the other hand is slow-acting, reaching maximum concentration in about 2 hours for most men, and long-lasting, staying active in the body for up to 36 hours.
Most importantly, the answer to this question depends on how well your body responds to each brand. You might be satisfied with any of the three brands and not notice a difference. On the other hand, one brand might produce better erection results for you, but at the same time might bother you with a side effect. Similarly, the erection you got from taking one brand was not that good or didn’t last as long compared to the other brand, but at least it was free of side effects.
The best is therefore to experiment with each brand and find out which one your body responds best to. It is however not safe to take two different brands together at the same time. Try all three, but on different occasions.
Also, it is a good idea to get a full physical examination before trying any of these medications, to first find out the cause of your ED, and make sure you are healthy enough for sexual activity. Your ED may be caused by another medication you are currently taking, or it may be resolved by your doctor without having to resort to medication.
Another difference between Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis, might be cost, although the price differences are usually small. The most cost effective way to buy these medications is to buy the maximum dose available (100 mg for Viagra, 20mg for Levitra, 20mg for Cialis), and use a pill-cutter to split the pills in half.
To learn more about Levitra and Cialis, see our Levitra FAQ and Cialis FAQ .
If you never tried Viagra before, eDrugstore offers 3 Viagra pills for only $89 shipping included, so you can give it a try and decide if it's right for you.
Take a look at our comparison pages for Viagra prices , Levitra prices ,
and Cialis prices , where you can select your preferred online US pharmacy with the lowest prices, no prior prescription required.
If this is your first time ordering your prescription medications online, see our beginner’s guide , where the process of obtaining a prescription online and ordering your medication is explained.
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* The information contained in RxPriceCheck.com is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider regarding your medical condition. All product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. View our terms of use .
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