Viagra

What’s the Score?

Viagra is also known as sildenafil or sildenafil citrate. There are other erection drugs similar to Viagra, such as Cialis (tadalafil) and Levitra (vardenafil). ‘Generic Viagra’ is an almost identical version of the drug but it’s not sold under these well known brand names. One well known generic version is Kamagra. The information here is true for both Viagra and the other types of erection drugs. They work by increasing the flow of blood to the dick, giving a harder, longer lasting hard-on. Effects last around four hours. Cialis tends to last longer (up to one or two days for some men).

Sex on Viagra

Erection drugs don’t make you horny or cause instant hard-ons. They only start working after you get turned on. Some men say their hard-ons have less feeling and that coming is more difficult, but that after they’ve come they can get hard again quicker.

Taking Viagra

A pill (or half of one) is swallowed about half an hour before sex. Viagra doesn’t work as well if you’ve had a fatty meal or alcohol. A higher dose often doesn’t mean better hard-ons, just more side effects. More than one dose shouldn’t be taken over 24 hours.

Highs and Lows

Viagra offers a quick fix for many men with erection problems, whether the cause is physical or psychological. Men with no real problems getting hard use these drugs too, to boost their sexual performance, especially if they are on chems that make getting erections difficult. Side effects can be a blocked nose, headache, a red face and chest, upset stomach or short-lived slight changes in vision. They’re less likely to work if you’re anxious or your hard-on difficulties have a physical cause like diabetes, circulation or prostate problems. Rare side effects include blindness, stroke, heart attack or death but this is more likely to happen to older men or those who have existing health problems, especially if they’re already on nitrate-based drugs for a heart condition.

Viagra with Other Drugs

HIV drugs – protease inhibitors push up levels of the erection drug in the body, so a lower dose of Viagra will be needed. It is important to check what dose you should take with your HIV doctor as there has been one reported death of a man using Viagra and also taking ritonavir and saquinavir.

Poppers – some makers of erection drugs warn against using them with poppers, as both lower blood pressure. Poppers are nitrites. Similar drugs called nitrates are taken by people with heart conditions. Taking Viagra and similar drugs while on nitrates has killed men by causing a fatal drop in blood pressure. So to be on the safe side, caution is advised with poppers (nitrites) too.

Ecstasy – Viagra and E together (called ‘sextasy’) could strain the heart and has been known to cause a hard-on that won’t go down. An erection lasting over 4 hours can damage a dick. Get medical help straight away.

Cocaine, crystal meth and speed, or chems that might have speed in them such as ecstasy tablets - when taken together with Viagra these put extra pressure on the heart.

Useful to Know

Pills sold over the internet may be fakes. Check with a doctor before taking erection drugs, especially if you’re in one of these groups of men more likely to have a dangerous reaction. These are men who are:

• older
• overweight
• being treated for heart problems (especially with nitrate-based drugs)
• have abnormal blood pressure (and/or are taking alpha blockers for this)
• are on HIV drugs (protease inhibitors)
• have had a stroke/heart attack
• have glaucoma (high blood pressure in the eye) or diabetes.

The Law

Generally you can only get Viagra-type drugs with a doctor’s prescription or after an assessment by a pharmacist at some pharmacies or supermarkets. They can also be bought on the internet or from drug dealers. Possession of the drug without a prescription isn’t illegal but people have been prosecuted for selling the pills.

Following a pilot scheme in 2007, Viagra can now be bought at some chemists and supermarkets without a prescription, but only after a health check.