What Viagra is and What it isn't?

Twenty years ago, who knew that a little blue pill called Viagra can change the lives of thousands of men from the troublesome experience of erectile dysfunction?

When the Pfizer scientists originally discovered Sildenafil Citrate, it was thought to treat the symptoms of pulmonary arterial hypertension and angina, a chest pain associated with coronary heart disease. Instead of its initial objective, this medication showed improvements in the erection capability in many men, throwing light on the condition of erectile dysfunction which millions of men struggle with.

This condition is quite complicated as there is a decreased blood flow to the penile nerve that inhibits one from obtaining an erection. Various physical, as well as psychological conditions were associated with this condition.

It was then that more trials were conducted and finally in 1998, this little blue pill was approved by the Food and Drug Administration to be used as an erectile dysfunction medicine.

Today Viagra accounts for 45% of the erectile dysfunction market share with other popular ED pills such as Cialis and Levitra closing in.

Let us find out what this medication can do to treat this male sexual health condition that it has gained so much popularity.

What can Viagra do?

Viagra, a brand version of Sildenafil, is a PDE5 inhibitor.

In men with erectile dysfunction, there is an enzyme called PDE5 (phosphodiesterase type 5) which can cause trouble in the regular function of cGMP (cyclic guanosine monophosphate), an important molecule.

This cGMP helps dilate the blood vessels causing more blood to flow into the penile nerve. When there is a limited amount of this chemical in the body and on top of that, it gets degraded by PDE5, there can be the contraction of blood vessels as a result of which the blood flow to the penile nerve is obstructed.

Viagra simply binds to the PDE5 enzyme and inhibits it from degrading cGMP. As a result, it facilitates cGMP to help relax the blood vessels and the blood flows into the erectile tissue, causing an erection.

If you are looking for availing Viagra online, make sure to get an approval from your doctor before getting it from any medical pharmacy of your choice.

What does Viagra not do?

•    Viagra does not cause or induce any sexual stimulation. In order for this ED pill to work effectively, there needs to be a sexual stimulation present already.

•    This ED pill also does not protect one from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and therefore precautions for that should be taken separately.

•    This medication might not work well if taken with food. It might take longer to kick in if you take it after a high-fat meal.

What is the right dosage for Viagra?

•    The ideal dose for this medication is 50 mg. Your doctor may also ask you to start from 25 mg.

•    The maximum recommended dose is 100 mg which you can take only if your doctor approves.

•    This medication is not meant for everyday use.

•    You should take this pill anywhere between 1-4 hours before any sexual activity. The ideally recommended time is 30 minutes before a physical intercourse.

•    The effects start showing quickly within 30 to 60 minutes after its intake.

•    This medicine is said to work the best if you take it without food.

•    Also, do not take this medication more than once in a day.