Viagra

Vi·ag·ra (v-gr)

A trademark for the drug sildenafil citrate.

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Viagra

Trade name of an orally administered drug for erectile failure first cleared for marketing in the United States in March 1998. Its generic name is sildenafil citrate.

Mentioned in: Impotence

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Viagra

[vi-ag′rah]

trademark for a preparation of sildenafil citrate, a treatment for erectile dysfunction.

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sildenafil citrate

Revatio, Viagra

Pharmacologic class: Phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor

Therapeutic class: Anti-erectile dysfunction agent

Pregnancy risk category B

Action

Inhibits PDE5, enhancing the effects of nitric oxide released during sexual stimulation. This action inactivates cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), which then increases cGMP levels in corpus cavernosum. Resulting smooth muscle relaxation promotes increased blood flow and subsequent erection.

Availability

Tablets: 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg

⊘Indications and dosages

➣ Erectile dysfunction

Adults: 50 mg P.O., preferably 1 hour before anticipated sexual activity. Range is 25 to 100 mg taken 30 minutes to 4 hours before sexual activity, not to exceed one dose daily.

Dosage adjustment

• Hepatic or renal impairment
• Concurrent use of hepatic isoenzyme inhibitors (such as cimetidine, erythromycin, itraconazole, ketoconazole)
• Elderly patients

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to drug
• Concurrent use of nitrates (nitroglycerin, isosorbide mononitrate or dinitrate)

Precautions

Use cautiously in:
• serious cardiovascular disease (such as history of myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accident, or serious arrhythmia within past 6 months); coronary artery disease (current or previous) with unstable angina; resting blood pressure below 90/50 mm Hg or above 170/110 mm Hg (current or previous); heart failure (current or previous); renal or hepatic impairment (current or previous); bleeding disorder; active peptic ulcer; anatomic penile deformity; retinitis pigmentosa; conditions associated with priapism (sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, leukemia)
• history of uncontrolled hypertension or hypotension
• concurrent use of antihypertensives, erythromycin, ketoconazole, itraconazole, or saquinavir
• patients older than age 65.

Administration

☞ Don't give concurrently with nitrates.
• Administer 30 minutes to 4 hours before sexual activity.

Route	Onset	Peak	Duration
P.O.	Within 1 hr	Unknown	Up to 4 hr

Adverse reactions

CNS: headache, dizziness, anxiety, drowsiness, vertigo, seizures , cerebrovascular hemorrhage, transient ischemic attack

CV: hypertension, myocardial infarction (MI), cardiovascular collapse, ventricular arrhythmias, sudden death

EENT: transient vision loss, blurred or color-tinged vision, increased light sensitivity, ocular redness, retinal bleeding, vitreous detachment or traction, photophobia, nasal congestion

GI: diarrhea, dyspepsia

GU: hematuria, urinary tract infection, priapism

Skin: flushing, rash

Interactions

Drug-drug. Antihypertensives, nitrates: increased risk of hypotension

Enzyme inducers, rifampin: reduced sildenafil blood level

Hepatic isoenzyme inhibitors (such as cimetidine, erythromycin, itraconazole, ketoconazole), protease inhibitors (such as indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir): increased sildenafil blood level and effects

Drug-food. High-fat diet: reduced drug absorption, decreased peak level

Patient monitoring

• Monitor cardiovascular status carefully.
• Evaluate patient's vision.
• Assess for drug efficacy.

Patient teaching

• Advise patient to take 30 minutes to 4 hours before sexual activity.
• Tell patient not to exceed prescribed dosage or take more than one dose daily.
☞ Instruct patient to stop sexual activity and contact prescriber immediately if chest pain, dizziness, or nausea occurs.
☞ Teach patient to recognize and immediately report serious cardiac and vision problems.
• Inform patient that drug can cause serious interactions with many common drugs. Instruct him to tell all prescribers he's taking it.
☞ Caution patient never to take drug with nitrates, because of risk of potentially fatal hypotension.
• Instruct patient to report priapism (persistent, painful erection) or erections lasting more than 4 hours.
• Tell patient that high-fat diet may interfere with drug efficacy.
• Caution patient to avoid driving and other hazardous activities until he knows how drug affects concentration and alertness.
• As appropriate, review all other significant and life-threatening adverse reactions and interactions, especially those related to the drugs and foods mentioned above.

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Viagra^®

Sildenafil citrate Urology An agent used to manage erectile dysfunction–male impotence that enhances the effects of endogenous nitric acid, which relaxes penile smooth muscle allowing an inflow of blood, ergo erection; it is ± 70% effective Indications ED due to DM, HTN, hypercholesterolemia, prostate surgery, spinal cord injuries and psychologic factors Complications Flushed skin, headaches, upset stomach, blue-tinted vision, pregnancy Adverse effects Stroke, MI, priapism Contraindications Nitrate therapy–eg, nitroglycerin. See Erectile dysfunction, Impotence.

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Patient discussion about Viagra.

Q. Does Viagra have any side effects? My boyfriend started taking Viagra and now he has headaches. Could this be caused by the Viagra?

A. Yes, headaches are a side effect of Viagra. Other common side effects are facial flushing, upset stomach and a temporary bluish vision. If this persists, he should consult his Doctor.

Q. What are the risks of taking Viagra? Are there any risks in taking Viagra in the long term?

A. The US Food and Drug Administration identified 50 men with blindness who have taken Viagra, but who also had diabetes and heart disease, which is known to cause blindness. Therefore, it is not certain if it was caused directly from the Viagra.
The FDA informed healthcare professionals in October, 2007 that drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction, including Viagra, may increase risk of sudden hearing loss.

Q. How long does Viagra's effect last? My Husband got Viagra from his Doctor and wants to start taking it. How long does the effect last?

A. Here is a link to a video that answers your question:
http://www.viagra.com/content/how-viagra-ed-medication-works.jsp?setShowOn=../content/about-viagra-ed-treatment.jsp&setShowHighlightOn=../content/how-viagra-ed-medication-works.jsp