Viagra is a brand name drug that is used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). ED is defined as the inability to get and/or maintain an erection. The generic name of Viagra is sildenafil. Other names used to refer to the drug include Vedafil, Vasafil, Silaran, Silerec, Sildanil, Sildaccord, Syzum, Revatio, Filtrox, Denalix, Mecfil, Caveroz and Alisoz. The drug is classified as a phosphodiesterase-5-inhibitor, as it works by disrupting the naturally-occurring enzyme phosphodiesterase. This causes artery walls to relax, making the arteries bigger and thus allowing increased blood flow to the penis.

Viagra was first approved for use in Australia in 1998. The medication costs $6.20 for a packet of four tablets. The Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme subsidizes the drug. The recommended use is one pill per day, taken 30-60 minutes before engaging in sex. The effects of the drug are delayed if it is taken with food. The medication is sold exclusively as an oral tablet, with varying dosages between 25 and 100 milligrams. Your doctor will prescribe the proper dose for you, taking into account your age, underlying causes of sexual dysfunction and your kidney function.

Viagra side effects

Common side effects of Viagra include rash, diarrhea, and an increased susceptibility to urinary tract infections. Approximately one in ten patients taking Viagra experience these symptoms. A less common side effect is abnormal vision. While rare, some patients who take Viagra experience blurred vision, light sensitivity or color discolorations. Higher doses of Viagra increase the risk of developing these side effects.

Viagra is one of the most popular generic drugs in the world. The generic drug market is currently a roughly $75 billion operation, and Viagra makes up a lot of those sales. One of the primary reasons behind the generic demand is the fact that Viagra is a schedule four drug in Australia, meaning that it is only obtainable with a prescription from a licensed physician.

Some men purchase Viagra from illegitimate internet pharmacies, which studies estimate to number more than 1800 different online storefronts. The generic products sold by these sites pose significant health risks to users, and in some cases the pills have been reported to contain blue printer ink to give them a genuine Viagra look. There are many risks associated with using generic Viagra. Generic pills can contain too much or too little Viagra and may contain harmful substances or illegal drugs such as amphetamines.

Viagra prescription

The best way to ensure that you are getting genuine Viagra is to get a prescription from your doctor and have the prescription filled by a reputable pharmacist. If you need to buy the medication over the internet, make sure that the writing stamped on the tablets is clear and without smudging or smearing. Also make sure that the tablets are uniformly blue in color and do not have any color variation. Finally, make sure that the tablets feel smooth to the touch and are not rough or misshapen in any way.

You can also tell if your Viagra is generic by making sure that it comes in packs of exactly four tablets, and that they are solid tablets for oral ingestion. Genuine Viagra is only sold as an oral tablet – soft tablets, gel capsules and chewable tablets are generics.

John Rogers

I have been working in General Practice since 2006.