Are The Side Effects Of Viagra Permanent



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What Are The Long-Term Effects of Viagra

Viagra affects the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and the genito-urinary tract (GU). Long-term use can increase the frequencies of dyspepsia and intestinal problems, such as diarrhoea and gastritis. Additional side effects can include issues relating to urinary tract functions, for example, incontinence, increase the risk for urinary tract infections, and cystitis. Some reports of anorgasmia or the inability to ejaculate, including abnormal ejaculation, have been documented. Drugs.com cited some relationship between Viagra use and anorgasmia in less than 2% of patients on Viagra clinical trials.

Side Effects of Viagra: What You Need to Know

If you have erectile dysfunction (ED) your doctor might suggest Viagra (sildenafil) as a treatment option for you.

Viagra is a prescription medication that’s used to treat ED in adult males.*

Viagra comes as a tablet that you take by mouth about an hour before sexual activity. It’s available in three strengths: 25 milligrams (mg), 50 mg, and 100 mg.

For more information about Viagra, see this in-depth article on the drug.

Like other drugs, Viagra can cause mild or serious side effects. Most side effects are mild, but some serious side effects need immediate medical attention. Keep reading to learn more.

* In this article, we use the term “male” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.

Some people may experience mild or serious side effects during their Viagra treatment. Examples of Viagra’s more commonly reported side effects include:

Other side effects are also possible with Viagra. Read on to learn more.

* To learn more about this side effect, see “Side effects explained” below.

Viagra can cause mild side effects in some people. Examples of mild side effects that have been reported with Viagra include:

  • vision-related side effects*
  • headache*
  • flushing
  • stuffy nose
  • indigestion (upset stomach)
  • dizziness
  • nausea
  • back pain
  • muscle aches
  • skin rash

* To learn more about this side effect, see “Side effects explained” below.

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. Some may be easily managed, too. But if you have any symptoms that are ongoing or that bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And do not stop using Viagra unless your doctor recommends it.

Viagra may cause mild side effects other than the ones listed above. See the Viagra patient information for details.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Viagra, visit MedWatch.

In rare cases, Viagra can cause serious side effects. Examples of serious side effects that have been reported with Viagra include:

  • low blood pressure*
  • priapism (long-lasting and sometimes painful erection)*
  • allergic reaction*
  • sudden vision loss*
  • sudden hearing loss, possibly with ringing in your ears or dizziness
  • cardiovascular problems (mainly in people with heart disease), such as chest pain, heart attack, heart failure, or stroke

* To learn more about this side effect, see “Side effects explained” below.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Viagra, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Find out the answers to some frequently asked questions about Viagra’s side effects.

How can I manage side effects from Viagra?

Most side effects from Viagra are mild and easily managed. Here are a few tips for managing some of them:

  • Flushing. To cool down a hot flush, you could open a window, turn on a fan, or have a cold drink. It can also help to lie down and rest. It you have flushing with Viagra, drinking alcohol can make this worse.
  • Indigestion. If Viagra upsets your stomach, it can help to take it with food. But it’s important to note that this might mean the drug takes longer to work. Over-the-counter antacids may help relieve indigestion. You can ask your pharmacist to recommend a suitable product.
  • Dizziness. If you feel dizzy after taking Viagra, this can usually be eased by lying down and resting. Then, get up slowly when the dizziness passes. Drinking plenty of fluids may also help. If you feel dizzy with Viagra, drinking alcohol and smoking can make this side effect worse.
  • Back or muscle pain. If you have body aches after taking Viagra, resting or gentle massage may help. If the pain is troublesome, try an over-the-counter pain reliever. You can ask your pharmacist to recommend a suitable product.

To learn how to manage some other side effects of Viagra, such as headache or vision-related side effects, see “Side effects explained” below.

If you have side effects that you can’t easily manage, talk with your doctor. They may recommend taking a lower dose of Viagra. Or they may suggest trying a different treatment for your condition.

Note that some rare side effects of Viagra need emergency medical attention and should not be managed at home. See your doctor as soon as possible if you have:

  • chest pain, dizziness, or nausea while you’re having sex (if these side effects do not get better when you stop and rest)
  • an erection that does not go away and lasts more than 4 hours
  • sudden decrease in hearing or loss of hearing
  • sudden decrease in vision or loss of vision in one or both eyes

In addition to side effects I might have from taking Viagra, can the drug cause any side effects in my partner?

No, taking Viagra isn’t known to cause any side effects in your sexual partner. It could only cause side effects in your partner if the drug got into your semen. But Viagra doesn’t pass into semen in significant amounts.

However, if your partner takes Viagra themselves, they may experience the possible side effects of Viagra discussed in this article. Your partner should not take Viagra that’s been prescribed for you, because it may not be safe for them.

How do the side effects of Cialis compare with those of Viagra?

Cialis (tadalafil) is another drug that’s used to treat erectile dysfunction. It’s in the same class of drugs as Viagra, which means it works in a similar way.

Cialis and Viagra can cause the same serious side effects. These include:

The mild side effects of both drugs are also very similar, but there are a few differences. For example, Viagra can cause changes to your vision (such as blurred vision or increased sensitivity to light), but Cialis doesn’t cause vision-related side effects. On the other hand, Cialis can sometimes cause cough or diarrhea, which have not been reported with Viagra.

It’s important to note that the effects of Cialis last longer than Viagra’s. So any side effects you experience with Cialis may last longer than side effects you experience with Viagra.

If you’d like to know more about how Viagra and Cialis compare, talk with your doctor.

Will the 100-mg dose of Viagra cause more side effects than the 50-mg dose?

It might. Higher doses of most medications tend to cause more side effects than lower doses. But other factors can also affect your risk for side effects. For example, having other medical conditions or taking other medications with Viagra could raise your risk for certain side effects more than taking a higher dose.

In studies of Viagra, some side effects were more common with a 100-mg dose than with a 50-mg dose. These include headache, indigestion, vision changes, and stuffy nose. However, other side effects occurred at similar rates with different doses. So it’s not known if a 100-mg dose is more likely to cause more side effects than a 50-mg dose.

If you’re concerned about the risk for side effects with higher doses of Viagra, talk with your doctor.

What happens if I take too much Viagra?

Taking too much Viagra raises your risk for experiencing side effects from the drug. And any side effects you do have are more likely to be more severe.

Do not take more Viagra than your doctor has prescribed. If the prescribed dose doesn’t work for you, do not take another dose until at least 24 hours later. If you think that Viagra isn’t helping your erectile dysfunction, talk with your doctor. They may recommend trying a different medication.

Most side effects of Viagra are mild and go away quickly as the drug wears off. But in rare cases, some serious side effects can have long-term complications.

For example, Viagra can cause prolonged erection. If not treated, this can lead to permanent erectile dysfunction. Viagra can also cause a serious eye condition called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, which can lead to permanent vision loss. But these side effects were both rare in studies of the drug.

If you’re concerned about long-term side effects with Viagra, talk with your doctor.

Learn more about some of the side effects Viagra may cause.

Low blood pressure

Viagra can lower your blood pressure after you take a dose. This is temporary and should not cause problems for most people.

However, if your blood pressure falls too low, this could make you feel dizzy or lightheaded. In some cases, it could even cause you to faint. You’re more likely to have these problems with Viagra if you take an alpha blocker, a type of blood pressure drug that’s also used for an enlarged prostate. If you take one of these medications, ask your doctor if Viagra is right for you.

Viagra’s effect on blood pressure can be dangerous for some people. For example, if you take riociguat (Adempas) or nitrate drugs, taking Viagra could cause a sudden large drop in your blood pressure. This could lead to a heart attack or stroke. You should not take Viagra if you take riociguat or nitrate drugs.

Low blood pressure caused by Viagra could also be dangerous if you have a heart condition. Low blood pressure, together with sexual activity, could put too much strain on your heart. If you have a heart condition, talk with your doctor about whether Viagra is safe for you.

What might help

To avoid low blood pressure with Viagra, it may help to drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids in the hour before you take a dose. This is because being dehydrated could increase your risk for low blood pressure.

If you feel dizzy, lightheaded, or faint after taking Viagra, lie down until you feel better. When you get up, be sure to do so slowly.

If you have these symptoms of low blood pressure after taking Viagra, talk with your doctor before taking another dose. They may recommend taking a lower dose next time.

Vision-related side effects

Viagra can sometimes cause temporary changes to your vision after you take a dose. The most common effect is a blue tinge to your vision. You may also have blurred vision or increased sensitivity to light. These changes to your vision are usually mild and go away quickly. In studies, they were more common with a 100-mg dose of Viagra, but they were uncommon with lower doses.

In rare cases, Viagra can also cause a serious vision-related side effect called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). This condition can damage your optic nerve and lead to permanent vision loss.

What might help

If you have changes to your vision after taking Viagra, this should usually improve quickly. It may help to turn off or dim any bright lights.

However, if you have a sudden decrease in vision or loss of vision in one or both eyes, call your doctor right away. Vision loss can be a symptom of NAION.

Headache

Some people may get a headache after taking Viagra. In studies, this was a common side effect of the drug. Most headaches are mild and go away quickly.

What might help

If you have a headache after taking Viagra, it should usually go away on its own. It can help to lie down, rest, and turn off bright lights.

If you have a headache that’s troublesome, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). You can ask your pharmacist to recommend a product that’s safe for you.

If you have a severe headache, or a headache that doesn’t go away, talk with your doctor.

Priapism

Like other drugs used for erectile dysfunction, Viagra may cause priapism (long-lasting and sometimes painful erection). But this was a rare side effect in studies of the drug.

Priapism is a medical emergency. If it’s not treated right away, it can damage the tissues in your penis and cause permanent nerve damage and erectile dysfunction.

What might help

If you have an erection that lasts more than 4 hours, you should get emergency medical care. Go to your nearest emergency room, or call 911 or your local emergency number.

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, Viagra can cause an allergic reaction in some people.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itchiness
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest an over-the-counter oral antihistamine, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine), or a topical product, such as hydrocortisone cream, to manage your symptoms.

If your doctor confirms you had a mild allergic reaction to Viagra, they’ll decide if you should continue using it.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you had a serious allergic reaction to Viagra, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

  • what dose of drug you were taking when you had the side effect
  • how soon after starting that dose you had the side effect
  • what your symptoms were from the side effect
  • how it affected your daily activities
  • what other medications you were also taking
  • any other information you feel is important

Viagra may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Viagra. The list below includes factors to consider.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Viagra or any of its ingredients, you should not take Viagra. Ask your doctor what other medications are better options for you.

Other medications. If you take Adempas (riociguat) or medications that contain nitrates, you should not take Viagra. Ask your doctor what other medications are better options for you. You should not take nitrate drugs if you’ve taken a dose of Viagra. Doing so could cause a heart attack or stroke. Examples of nitrate drugs include treatments for angina, such as nitroglycerin (Nitromist, Nitro-Dur, Nitrolingual Pumpspray, GoNitro, and others), isosorbide mononitrate (Monoket), isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil), and glyceryl trinitrate. Other nitrate drugs include certain illicit drugs called poppers, such as amyl nitrate.

Heart problems or stroke. If you’ve ever had a stroke or heart problems, Viagra may not be safe for you. Examples of these heart problems include heart failure, angina, heart attack, irregular heartbeat, and aortic valve stenosis. If you’ve ever had these problems, taking Viagra and having sex could put too much strain on your heart. This could cause a heart attack, heart failure, or stroke. Your doctor will determine if it’s safe for you to take Viagra. If you do take it, stop sexual activity if you get any chest pain, dizziness, or nausea. And do not take nitrate medications to treat chest pain (see “Other medications” above). You should call 911 if the symptoms do not go away after resting or if they feel life threatening.

Low blood pressure. If you have low blood pressure, taking Viagra can make your condition worse. This could make you feel dizzy or lightheaded, and it could even make you faint. Talk with your doctor about whether Viagra is right for you. If you do take Viagra, your doctor will prescribe a lower dose for you.

High blood pressure. If you havehigh blood pressure that’s not well managed, Viagra may not be safe for you. Taking Viagra and having sex could put too much strain on your heart. If you have high blood pressure that’s managed with medications, taking Viagra could make your blood pressure fall too low. This could make you feel dizzy or lightheaded, and it could even make you faint. If you have high blood pressure, talk with your doctor about whether Viagra is right for you. If you do take Viagra, your doctor may prescribe a lower dose for you.

Severe kidney problems. If you have certain kidney problems, your body may not be able to get rid of Viagra effectively. This could raise your risk for side effects. If you have severe kidney problems, your doctor may prescribe a lower dose for you.

Liver problems. If you have certain liver problems, Viagra levels could build up in your body. This could raise your risk for side effects. If you have liver problems, your doctor may prescribe a lower dose for you.

Physical problem affecting your penis. If you have certain problems with your penis, such as scarring, bending, or Peyronie’s disease, Viagra may not be safe for you. This is because a rare side effect of Viagra is a prolonged erection. If you already have a physical problem with your penis, this side effect could cause further damage. Talk with your doctor about whether Viagra is right for you.

Blood cell problems. If you have certain conditions that affect your blood cells, such as sickle cell anemia, leukemia, or multiple myeloma, you could be more likely to have a prolonged erection with Viagra. Talk with your doctor about whether Viagra is right for you.

Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). NAION is an eye condition that causes a sudden decrease or loss of vision in one or both eyes. In rare cases, Viagra may cause this side effect. You may have a higher risk for NAION with Viagra if you’ve had this condition in the past. If you’ve had NAION, talk with your doctor about whether Viagra is right for you.

Hereditary retinitis pigmentosa. Viagra hasn’t been studied in people with hereditary retinitis pigmentosa (an eye condition that’s passed down in families). If you have this eye condition, talk with your doctor about whether Viagra is safe for you.

Bleeding problems. It’s not known if Viagra is safe for people with bleeding problems. If you have a bleeding problem, talk with your doctor about whether Viagra is right for you.

Peptic ulcer. It’s not known if Viagra is safe for people with an active peptic ulcer. If you have a peptic ulcer, talk with your doctor about whether Viagra is right for you.

Alcohol use and Viagra

It’s best to avoid drinking alcohol with Viagra. This is because combining Viagra with alcohol can make certain side effects of the drug worse. Examples of these side effects include headaches, dizziness, flushing, and blurred vision. Alcohol can also worsen erectile dysfunction, which Viagra is used to treat.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much (if any) is safe for you to drink while taking Viagra.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Viagra

Viagra is not meant to be used by females.* It’s not known if it’s safe to take Viagra during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

* In this article, we use the term “female” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.

Viagra is an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction. The drug doesn’t cause side effects in most people. However, certain side effects are possible.

If you’re interested in taking Viagra, you may want to know more about whether it will be safe for you. Here are some examples of questions you might want to ask your doctor:

  • Do my other medications increase my risk for side effects with Viagra?
  • Is it safe to take Viagra if I have diabetes?
  • Can taking Viagra cause migraines?
  • Can Viagra cause a heart attack in people who don’t have heart disease?

What Are The Long-Term Effects of Viagra?

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a man’s inability to achieve or maintain an erection suitable for satisfactory sex.
To understand erectile dysfunction, it’s important to understand how erections occur. When a man is sexually aroused, nerves and chemicals work together to relax smooth muscle tissue and widen arteries so that the penis can fill with blood. Veins constrict to keep the blood inside the penis, forming the erection. Once the man ejaculates, the blood is released back into the body.

What causes erectile dysfunction?

  • Hormonal issues;
  • Nerve damage. When a man is sexually aroused, his brain sends messages to his penis to start the erection process. But if there is nerve damage, these messages cannot be transmitted properly;
  • Poor blood flow to the penis;
  • Medication side effects;
  • Peyronie’s disease. Peyronie’s disease is a wound healing disorder marked by a distinct curvature of the penis. Many men with Peyronie’s disease develop erectile dysfunction, although experts aren’t sure exactly why;
  • Psychological and emotional issues;
  • Lifestyle. Smoking, obesity, drug and alcohol abuse, an unhealthy diet, and poor exercise habits can contribute to other health conditions associated with erectile dysfunction.

Erectile dysfunction and age

Age is an independent risk factor for erectile dysfunction from which no males can escape. The relationship between age as an independent risk factor and erectile dysfunction has been well established throughout the medical literature. Among men over 40, 52% will have erectile dysfunction, the severity of which increases with age. As the population is ageing and the aged population is healthier, quality-of-life issues such as erectile dysfunction will need to be addressed. Wagner and colleagues reviewed five double-blind, placebo-controlled studies of the efficacy and tolerability of sildenafil in 482 elderly men (65 years or older). Efficacy was assessed using a GEQ, questions 3 and 4 of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), and the five sexual function domains of the IIEF. All efficacy assessments indicated that sildenafil significantly improved erectile function both in elderly patients with erectile dysfunction of broad-spectrum aetiology and in elderly patients with erectile dysfunction and diabetes. The most common adverse events were a mild-to-moderate headache, flushing, and dyspepsia; rates of discontinuation due to adverse events were low and were comparable to the rates with placebo.

What is Viagra?

Viagra is one of the most commercially successful drugs on record. Within months of its approval, millions of prescriptions had been written, a number of mass-market paperbacks hit the stands, stories were frequent in mainstream media outlets, it was the subject of countless comedy monologues, cartoons and jokes, and hundreds of internet sites emerged which offered online prescriptions and home delivery.
In clinical trials, 74% of patients on Viagra reported improved erections, compared with 16% of those on placebo.

How well does it work?

Initially, there was scepticism as to how an oral pill could work selectively on the penis. The pivotal trials had been purposely designed to reflect a typical practice experience with liberal inclusion criteria. Patients had to have physician documentation of erectile dysfunction for 6 months and be in a steady heterosexual relationship. The heterosexual requirement was necessary because all of the questionnaires used to measure efficacy had been validated with heterosexual couples using vaginal penetration as an endpoint. There were limited restrictions as to aetiology, be they physical, psychological, or both.

What are the possible side effects?

The most common side effects for Viagra are:

  • Headaches;
  • Flushing;
  • Upset stomach;
  • Abnormal vision, such as changes in colour vision (such as having a blue colour tinge) and blurred vision;
  • Stuffy or a runny nose;
  • Back pain;
  • Muscle pain;
  • Nausea;
  • Dizziness;
  • Rash.

Heart attack, stroke, irregular heartbeat and death have happened rarely in men taking Viagra. Most, but not all, of these men had heart problems before taking this medicine. It is not known if Viagra caused these problems.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or does not go away

How does Viagra work?

Viagra works for men with erectile dysfunction (ED) by increasing blood flow to the penis, so you can get and keep an erection hard enough for sex. Viagra usually starts to work within 30-60 minutes. If you take Viagra after a high-fat meal (such as a cheeseburger and French fries), the medicine may take a little longer to start working. Viagra can help you get an erection when you are sexually excited. You may take it up to 4 hours before sexual activity.

Mechanism of action

The physiologic mechanism of erection of the penis involves the release of nitric oxide (NO) in the
corpus cavernosum during sexual stimulation. NO then activates the enzyme guanylate cyclase, which results in increased levels of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), producing smooth muscle relaxation in the corpus cavernosum and allowing inflow of blood. Sildenafil has no direct relaxant effect on isolated human corpus cavernosum but enhances the effect of nitric oxide (NO) by inhibiting phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5), which is responsible for degradation of cGMP in the corpus cavernosum. When sexual stimulation causes local release of NO, inhibition of PDE5 by sildenafil causes increased levels of cGMP in the corpus cavernosum, resulting in smooth muscle relaxation and inflow of blood to the corpus cavernosum. Sildenafil at recommended doses has no effect in the absence of sexual stimulation.

Before you take Viagra, tell your doctor if you:

  • have ever had any heart problems (e.g., angina, chest pain, heart failure, irregular heartbeats, heart attack or narrowing of the aortic valve);
  • have ever had a stroke;
  • have low or high blood pressure;
  • have ever had severe vision loss;
  • have a rare inherited eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa;
  • have ever had any kidney problems;
  • have ever had any liver problems;
  • have ever had any blood problems, including sickle cell anaemia or leukaemia;
  • are allergic to sildenafil or any of the other ingredients of Viagra tablets;
  • have a deformed penis, Peyronie’s disease, or ever had an erection that lasted more than 4 hours;
  • have stomach ulcers or any types of bleeding problems;
  • are taking any other medicines.

Warning

There are a few things you can do to make the use of the medicine as safe as possible:
Purchase Viagra from a reliable source. Within manufacturing, quality control measures are in place to ensure that the drug is what it says it is, that the correct amount of drug is present in each individual capsule and that both the active pharmaceutical ingredient (drug) and the excipients (other compounds used in production of a tablet, other than the drug) have limited contamination with potentially harmful impurities or micro-organisms;
Viagra interacts with other drugs. Care should be taken when using Viagra and the above medications together and should any side effects present, the Viagra should be stopped immediately;
Ensure that you take the medicine in accordance with the instructions provided by your doctor or your pharmacist or if all else fails, on the patient information leaflet.

Long-term effects of Viagra

Long-term use of Viagra can potentially increase the risk of psychological dependency.
Because sildenafil citrate is a treatment, not a cure, for erectile dysfunction (ED), many men may choose to use it for an extended period.

Sensory

Long-term use of Viagra has been associated with various problems affecting the auditory (hearing) and visual systems. Loss or decrease of hearing has been reported in association with the use of Viagra. An article published on Newsinferno.com (Oct 2007), cited reports of hearing loss cases in patients taking Viagra prompted the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to add this serious side effect on the warning labels. Long-term use of Viagra can also increase the risks for double vision and temporary vision loss. Dailymed, an online site providing information on FDA approved drugs by the National Library of Medicine, cited retinal haemorrhaging and vascular diseases as potentially serious side effects of Viagra.

Cerebrovascular and Cardiovascular

Short-term serious side effects of Viagra are strokes and heart attacks. Vascular side effects are seen in long-term users of Viagra, such as cerebrovascular haemorrhage and Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA). Cardiomyopathy (enlarged heart), arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), and heart palpitations have been reported. An article published in The Journal of Medical Case Reports, by researcher Jeppe G Rasmussen, concluded that heart arrhythmia like ventricular tachycardia can potentially be an adverse effect of the drug.

Gastrointestinal

Viagra affects the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and the genito-urinary tract (GU). Long-term use can increase the frequencies of dyspepsia and intestinal problems, such as diarrhoea and gastritis. Additional side effects can include issues relating to urinary tract functions, for example, incontinence, increase the risk for urinary tract infections, and cystitis. Some reports of anorgasmia or the inability to ejaculate, including abnormal ejaculation, have been documented. Drugs.com cited some relationship between Viagra use and anorgasmia in less than 2% of patients on Viagra clinical trials.

Psychological

Long-term Viagra use can increase the potential to develop a psychological dependency. An article published on Biopsychiatry.com, dated April 2004, in the Anchorage Daily News, cited that men who do not have erectile dysfunction problems are taking the drug for recreational purposes and are at risk for developing a psychological dependency for the medication.

Will I develop a tolerance to Viagra if I use it long term?

People taking certain medications, such as painkillers, sleeping pills, and antibiotics, gradually develop a tolerance for these drugs and find that they need more of the drug to produce the same results. However, the same phenomenon has not been observed in men using Viagra according to their doctors’ instructions.
A study of men taking Viagra to overcome symptoms of radiation-related erectile dysfunction caused by prostate cancer treatment found that men responded to the drug four years after beginning treatment as well as they had at the start, according to WebMD.com. Michael Zelefsky, M.D led the study, which followed 360 men with radiation-associated erectile dysfunction who had all responded to the drug when they first took it.
Zelefsky and his colleagues tracked these men for up to four years and were surprised to find that 96% of them reported that the drug was still as effective as it had been at first. Zelefsky expressed amazement, saying, “I expected that for many men the effect would diminish with time.”

  1. http://www.issm.info/sexual-health-qa/what-is-erectile-dysfunction1/;
  2. Andrew R McCullough. Four-Year Review of Sildenafil Citrate. Rev Urol. 2002; 4(Suppl 3): S26–S38; PMCID: PMC1476025. PubMed PMID: 16986012;
  3. https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/abs/10.1377/hlthaff.19.2.147;
  4. www.viagra.com;
  5. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2010/020895s033lbl.pdf;
  6. https://www.livestrong.com/article/75866-longterm-effects-using-viagra/.

Mens Pharmacy is not liable for the currency or accuracy of the information contained in this blog post. For specific information about your personal medical condition, please contact our doctors or pharmacists for advice on [email protected] .

Study: Viagra may have devastating consequences for one vital human function

Unexpected side effects are linked to the little blue pill.

Erectile dysfunction can be distressing for then men affected by it, impacting intimate relationships and mental health. One solution? The little blue pill. Viagra is the fastest-selling drug in American history and is a brand name for the medication sildenafil. But before swallowing Viagra before sex, men may want to take a beat and consider their dose carefully, according to a new study.

Viagra is generally considered safe. While the drug can cause temporary color blindness and blurred vision, these side effects typically disappear within hours of taking the pill. However, Dr. Cüneyt Karaarslan, a physician at the Dünyagöz Adana hospital in Turkey, suggests the drug may pose lasting risks to people’s sight, especially if taken at the highest recommended dose.

According to Karaarslan’s research, in rare cases, the medication can cause an individual’s sight to turn blue, abnormally dilate pupils, drive light sensitivity, and blur vision for days. This remains true when the drug is out of a person’s system.

Karaarslan was inspired to explore this subject after 17 of his patients came to the hospital after taking Viagra for the first time. They also each consumed it at its highest recommended dose: 100 milligrams. Each of these patients came to his hospital within two years.

While the study population is small, the timeframe that these cases occurred in suggests that the issue is significant, notes Karaaslan. His findings were published Thursday in the journal Frontiers in Neurology.

“For the vast majority of men, any side-effects [from Viagra] will be temporary and mild,” Karaarslan says. “However, I wanted to highlight that persistent eye and vision problems may be encountered for a small number of users.”

Seeing blue

Sildenafil helps sexual performance because it relaxes the muscles of the penis and increases blood flow. This helps men maintain an erection during sex. In turn, it’s a popular choice for when a man wants to treat erectile dysfunction — it can help erections happen for about three to five hours after the pill is taken. Viagra, the brand name of sildenafil, is incredibly popular and brings in an estimated 1.8 billion dollars to its parent company, Pfizer.

However, sometimes side effects can happen: People can experience back pain, headaches, skin flushes, nausea, and yes, visual changes, such as a blue tinge to vision, sensitivity to light, or blurred vision. These symptoms usually resolve within a few hours of taking the drug.

The drug is widely considered safe and effective. Long term toxicology studies in animals haven’t found any adverse long term health effects of taking sildenafil. Researchers have also systematically tested whether the drug induces changes to the visual function of volunteers and patients with eye disease, and seen no adverse effects.

This study does not mention the possibility that the patients took counterfeit viagra. However, Dr. Andrew Lee, a clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Opthalmology, tells Inverse that, while erectile dysfunction drugs are usually prescribed by and under the supervision of a trained health care professional, unfortunately, “bootleg” versions of the drug do exist, and are not subject to the rigorous quality and safety controls mandated by the FDA.

He notes that “it is important for users of these ED agents to be aware of the risks of both transient and permanent visual loss” and emphasizes that people should report any visual side effects to their doctor.

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This small new study complicates the medical consensus that Viagra doesn’t change eye structure or function in the long term. Between 2017 and 2019, Karaarslan noticed an unusual pattern among his healthy male patients. Seventeen men showed up to his clinic seeking care for vision-related symptoms within 48 hours of taking sildenafil for the first time. They were between the ages of 38 and 57, with no history of ocular or eye-related problems.

None of these men were prescribed the drug, and each took the highest recommended dose (100 milligrams). Typically, patients are advised to take 50 milligrams to start, with the option to boost their dose up to 100 milligrams or decrease to 25 milligrams, depending on their experience with the medication.

Karaarslan put the patients through a battery of eye and vision tests, evaluated after 10 days, and then tested them again 11 days later. Overall, the patients suffered a mix of symptoms: color blindness, light sensitivity, blurred vision, and abnormal pupil dilation, as well as headaches, heartburn, and skin flushing. Nine out of 17 patients experienced photophobia, or light sensitivity. Thirteen had disrupted color perception, intensely blue-tinted vision, and red/green color blindness. Nine also experienced disrupted visual acuity, which reduced the clarity of their vision.

Importantly Karaarslan didn’t actually treat the patients for any of these distressing visual changes, advising the patients that they should clear up within 10 days. In turn, by the end of the three-week observation period, all of the patient’s symptoms had spontaneously gone away.

It’s not known whether any vision-related symptoms occurred later — this study did not include a follow-up evaluation. Karaarslan notes that a long-term follow-up is warranted for visual side-effects of sildenafil.

Karaarslan also isn’t sure why these particular patients suffered long-lived vision changes from a single dose of Viagra. In the paper, he speculates that age or metabolism may be factors impacting how quickly the men cleared the drug from their systems.

So should men avoid Viagra?

Ultimately, Karaarslan doesn’t say everyone needs to panic and toss out their Viagra. Instead, he suggests people taking the drug for the first time take it slow and carefully — starting with a moderate dose, then seeing whether any symptoms show up.

People may also want to be wary of trying “bootleg” or counterfeit Viagra, a move that poses serious risks, not only to people’s eyes. These knock-off pills are often purchased online, due to people’s embarrassment around sexual performance issues or their desire for a cheaper alternative. They can have serious risks to people’s heart, blood pressure, and vision.

Sexual performance-enhancing drugs should always be taken with a health professional’s guidance, experts say. Or you could end up seeing the world differently than before.

Abstract: Acute secondary effects of sildenafil, a first-line pharmacotherapy for erectile dysfunction (ED), include headache, heartburn, skin flush, and vision changes. Generally, these effects subside within 5 hours. This is a retrospective report of 17 cases in which patients experienced visual disturbances following 100-mg sildenafil use that persisted for more than 24 hours. All 17 patients were healthy men taking sildenafil for the first time without prescriptions who sought consultation at our clinic within 48 hours of taking the drug. Diagnostic tests indicated that out of the 17 patients, nine had photophobia, 13 had disrupted color perception, nine had impaired visual acuity, three had deficiencies in stereopsis, six had disrupted contrast sensitivity, and eight had abnormally dilated pupils. These disturbances resolved within 21 days in all 17 cases. There was near-full case overlap between photophobia and color vision impairment. In conclusion, because some individuals have heightened sensitivity to sildenafil, perhaps due to metabolic variance, patients should be started on a modest trial dose.

Can Viagra Cause Permanent Erectile Dysfunction?

Beyond the potential for priapism (according to Medical News Today), or erections that last longer than four hours, male enhancement pills including VIAGRA® can cause a number of other side effects of which a man would want to be aware. Many people are concerned and if VIAGRA® causes permanent erectile dysfunction. Male enhancement pills aren’t the only option for improving sexual performance, however.

There’s No Shame in Erectile Dysfunction, But Many Men Want a Solution

Erectile dysfunction (ED) and other forms of diminished sexual health affect the male population, and a man shouldn’t let anyone tell him that it’s only a problem that he experiences once he’s older.

A study published in the journal of Translational Andrology and Urology found that erectile dysfunction in young males is likely to be dismissed or overlooked, leaving many of them to suffer or resort to treatments that aren’t completely safe.

There are many possible causes of erectile dysfunction, including but not limited to:

  • Stress
  • Genetic factors
  • Diabetes
  • Cardiovascular problems, including heart disease
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Depression
  • Obesity
  • Low testosterone
  • Sleep disorders
  • Drug or tobacco use
  • Damage to the pelvic region
  • Age

Many of these causes of erectile dysfunction can and do affect the young male population. Whether a man considers himself young, middle-aged, old, healthy, or out of shape, there may be a cure for his erectile dysfunction. As important as knowing which treatment to pursue is which treatments to avoid.

A Deeper Dive Into the Dangers of Male Enhancement Pills

Commercials for male enhancement pills such as VIAGRA® make it seem as if it’s a cure-all with all the benefits of healthy sexual performance and none of the downsides. An assertion like this couldn’t be further from the truth, as even the most “reputable” male enhancement pills come with a number of side effects that will have men thinking twice before taking them. Though there isn’t evidence that VIAGRA® can cause permanent erectile dysfunction, it is important to understand the side effects that may come from such medications.

The most common compounds that medications for erectile dysfunction are:

Some side effects of these popular erectile dysfunction medications, according to Healthline, may include:

  • Aches and pains throughout the body, specifically in the back
  • Headaches, which are the most common side effect associated with male enhancement pills
  • Problems with the digestive system, which may include nausea, indigestion, and diarrhea
  • Dizziness that may lead to fainting
  • Changes in eyesight, such as blurry vision, a colored tinge to vision, or complete vision loss
  • Blotchy skin or rashes that extend across the body
  • Congestion
  • An erection that lasts more than four hours, which is also known as priapism
  • Sudden changes in hearing

A man should take each of the side effects seriously, and seek medical attention if they become severe enough that a man is concerned for his immediate or long-term health. These side effects may scare some people from taking oral pills that purport to improve male sexual health, but there are other options.

Shockwave Therapy Has Proven Effective in Improving Male Sexual Health

Shockwave therapy involves low-intensity, high-frequency soundwaves pulsating through the penis. The goal of this treatment is to improve blood flow to the penis while clearing micro-plaque that may be preventing healthy blood flow that can lead to strong, lasting erections.

Various studies, including one published in Therapeutic Advances in Urology, have found that shockwave therapy stimulates significant improvement in patients’ ability to get and maintain erections. Research has found that patients who undergo low-intensity, high-frequency shockwave therapy experience few to no side effects as the result of treatment.

Also Consider the P-Shot® as a Course of Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction

Another treatment option for males who want to improve their sexual health is the P-Shot®, a form of stem cell therapy through which a man’s own platelet-enriched plasma is drawn from his body and re-injected into his penis (with an assist from numbing cream). The P-Shot® re-routes growth factors into the penis, with the desired effect being longer, stronger erections, increased stamina, and a larger penis.

A peer-reviewed study published in The Journal Of Sexual Medicine found that platelet-rich plasma treatments similar to the P-Shot® produced significant improvements in erectile function amongst the patients studied.

Consider these results, and weigh the potential side effects of alternative treatments such as male enhancement pills when choosing the course of treatment for ED.

Men Can Call GAINSWave® Today to Set Up an Appointment

A man can’t go on living a life without reliable sexual health, can he?

Interested men can find a provider of GAINSWave® Therapy or the P-Shot® today in this directory, and get on their way to improved sexual health.

Can Viagra permanently damage vision?

For the first time ever, researchers investigate — in cellular detail — the damage that high levels of Viagra can do to the retina. Taking too much might threaten color vision.

There are few drugs as well-known as sildenafil citrate, commonly sold under the brand name Viagra.

Scientists initially trialed the drug as a potential treatment for angina and other cardiovascular problems.

Though it had little effect on angina, they noted that it induced significant penile erections. So, the most successful erectile dysfunction drug was born.

Viagra is pharmaceutical giant — Pfizer’s best selling product, generating the company more than $1 billion in revenue each year.

The drug has, no doubt, improved the lives of many of its users; but, according to a new study, it may have a negative impact on vision if used incorrectly.

Researchers from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, NY, have recently published a case study in the journal Retinal Cases and Brief Reports. They conclude that using higher doses of Viagra could eventually lead to significant long-term vision damage.

Lead investigator Dr. Richard Rosen claims, “People live by the philosophy that if a little bit is good, a lot is better. This study shows how dangerous a large dose of a commonly used medication can be.” In particular, the researchers showed that the drug might impact color vision most heavily.

“ People who depend on colored vision for their livelihood need to realize there could be a long-lasting impact of overindulging on this drug.”

Dr. Richard Rosen

The researchers made their conclusions based on a study on a 31-year-old male “who arrived at an urgent care clinic complaining of red-tinted vision in both eyes” that had not improved for 2 days.

His vision changes had started soon after taking sildenafil citrate, which he had purchased from the Internet. The patient had taken well over the recommended 50-milligram dose.

Although the side effects of sildenafil citrate can include vision disturbances, they do not persist for longer than 1 day. However, despite various treatments, his vision did not return to normal after 1 year.

In order to investigate the man and uncover the details of his vision changes, the researchers used cutting-edge techniques including adaptive optics (AO) and optical coherence tomography (OCT).

AO allows clinicians to study the microscopic structures of the eye in living tissue in real-time. It makes it possible to view the individual rods and cones of the retina. AO has already led to significant improvements in our understanding of how the retina functions.

OCT, first used to image a retina in a live animal in the 1990s, allows physicians to view the retina in cross-section, giving a clear picture of its layered structure. Today, it is used to help diagnose conditions such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.

Using these techniques, the team looked in detail at the cellular makeup of the man’s retina and investigated it for Viagra-induced damage.

They saw that the cones of the eye — which are responsible for color vision — were damaged. The changes that they measured were similar to those seen in animal models of retinitis pigmentosa or cone-rod dystrophy, both of which are hereditary diseases of the retina.

The changes came as a surprise to Dr. Rosen, who says, “To actually see these types of structural changes was unexpected, but it explained the symptoms that the patient suffered from.”

“While we know colored vision disturbance is a well-described side effect of this medication,” he notes, “we have never been able to visualize the structural effect of the drug on the retina until now.”

The scientists hopes that their findings will be useful for clinicians when they are talking to their patients about the potential dangers associated with Viagra.

As Dr. Rosen continues, “Our findings should help doctors become aware of potential cellular changes in patients who might use the drug excessively, so they can better educate patients about the risks of using too much.”

As the paper is an in-depth study of just one person, further studies — using more participants — will be important. However, the study does bring a new level of detail and provides a unique picture of the damage that high doses of Viagra can cause.

Although these findings are concerning, it is worth remembering that millions of men use Viagra worldwide. When taken as advised by a doctor, serious side effects are rare.