Case Evaluation

Viagra: Viagra Overview

Viagra Overview

What is Viagra?

Viagra relaxes muscles and increases blood flow to particular areas of the body. Sildenafil under the name Viagra is used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence) in men. Another brand of sildenafil is Revatio, which is used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension and improve exercise capacity in men and women. Sildenafil may also be used for purposes other than those listed here.

ED is a condition where the penis does not harden and expand when a man is sexually excited, or when he cannot keep an erection. Viagra may help a man with ED get and keep an erection when he is sexually excited. Viagra is only for men, not for women and children, and must be used only under a doctor's care.

Viagra does not:

  • Cure ED
  • Increase a man's sexual desire
  • Protect a man or his partner from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV
  • Serve as a male form of birth control.

Viagra was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on March 27, 1998. Viagra was the first oral pill to treat impotence, a dysfunction that affects millions of men in the United States. Viagra is manufactured by Pfizer Pharmaceuticals.

Viagra FDA Alert

In 2005, the FDA issued an alert for men using Viagra, Cialis, or Levitra. A small number of men have lost eyesight in one eye sometime after taking these drugs. This type of vision loss is called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). NAION causes sudden loss of eyesight because blood flow is blocked to the optic nerve.

The FDA still does not know if these drugs cause NAION, since this condition also occurs in men who do not take these medicines. People who have a higher chance of NAION include those who:

  • have heart disease
  • are over 50 years old
  • have diabetes
  • have high blood pressure
  • have high cholesterol
  • smoke
  • have certain eye problems

The FDA has approved new labels for Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra to include information on possible eyesight loss (NAION). If you experience a loss in your eyesight, stop using these medicines, and get medical help right away.

Who Should Not Take Viagra?

You should not take Viagra if you:

  • Take any medicines called "nitrates"
  • Use recreational drugs called "poppers", like amyl nitrate and butyl nitrate
  • Have been told by your healthcare professional to not have sexual activity because of health problems

What Should I Discuss with my Healthcare Provider Before Taking Viagra?

Do not take Viagra if you are also using a nitrate drug for chest pain or heart problems. This includes nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur, Nitro-Bid, and others), isosorbide dinitrate (Dilatrate-SR, Isordil, Sorbitrate), and isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO, Monoket). Nitrates are also found in some recreational drugs such as amyl nitrate or nitrite ("poppers). Taking Viagra with a nitrate medicine can cause a serious decrease in blood pressure, leading to fainting, stroke, or heart attack. A small number of patients have had a sudden loss of eyesight after taking Viagra. This type of vision loss is caused by decreased blood flow to the optic nerve of the eye. It is not clear whether Viagra is the actual cause of such vision loss. Sudden vision loss with Viagra use has occurred most often in people with heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or certain pre-existing eye problems, and in those who smoke or are over 50 years old.

Before taking Viagra, tell your doctor if you have:

  • heart disease or heart rhythm problems;
  • a recent history (in the past 6 months) of a heart attack, stroke, or heart rhythm disorder;
  • congestive heart failure;
  • high or low blood pressure;
  • coronary artery disease;
  • liver disease;
  • kidney disease;
  • a blood cell disorder such as sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, or leukemia;
  • a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia;
  • a stomach ulcer;
  • retinitis pigmentosa (an inherited condition of the eye);
  • a physical deformity of the penis (such as Peyronies disease);
  • or if you have been told you should not have sexual intercourse for health reasons.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use Viagra or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category B: This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use Viagra without telling your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known if Viagra passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Can Other Medicines or Food Affect Viagra?

Viagra and certain other medicines can interact with each other. Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take - including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Dangerous Drug Case Evaluation

* First Name:
* Last Name:
* Zipcode:
* E-Mail:
* Phone:
Okay to call you at this number?
Yes No
Enter any relevant background information or case specifics so that we can best understand your situation:
To Prevent Automated Submissions, Enter the 4 Digit Number Shown Below
(OR YOU MAY CALL US DIRECTLY AT 888-375-7600)
7223

Dangerous Drug Topics

Dangerous Drug Videos

Dangerous Drug Links

Product Liability Resources