Viagra Side Effects

By Andrew Kline MD Medical Consultant
June 14, 2012

Very few drugs work perfectly and there is no difference with Viagra, and any medication can have side effects. Many people experience none or sometimes just minor side effects. It is always good to ask your doctor or pharmacist about the most common side effects that you can expect. If you do experience side effects that continue over time or become troublesome while using Viagra, you should contact your doctor to discuss these.

When Viagra was approved for use in 1998, it seemed to be the “end all be all” for men with erectile dysfunction (ED). ED is defined as a condition that causes an inability to achieve and sustain an erection with sexual stimulation. Most men watched the commercials and heard the information, both good and bad. However, for some men with ED, they heard only that this pill could be taken to reverse their barrier to having a great sex life. The rest of the information was just “blah, blah, blah”. For these men it wouldn’t even matter if the side effects were bothersome. They rushed out to see their doctors to see if they would prescribe it for them. Other men were cautious and even doubtful.

The second group may have been thinking with their head and not another part of their body. Some were worried about how it actually worked and the possible consequences. There are possible side effects with Viagra and it is not a bad idea to think twice about taking it. Most importantly, you should talk about the drug, your medical history and your concerns with your doctor. You may have a good reason to think twice about using Viagra. One concern is if you take nitroglycerin for angina. The use of the two together can cause work against each other and could lead to problems. The second concern is that Viagra opens up arteries in the brain lining and can cause excess pressure causing a headache or even a heart attack. Finally, it is specifically a prescription drug to help prevent younger men from using it as a recreational drug when they don’t really need it. The concern here is that they may end up becoming dependent on the drug and not be able to achieve an erection without the use of Viagra.

The second group may have been thinking with their head and not another part of their body. Some were worried about how it actually worked and the possible consequences. There are possible side effects with Viagra and it is not a bad idea to think twice about taking it. Most importantly, you should talk about the drug, your medical history and your concerns with your doctor. You may have a good reason to think twice about using Viagra. One concern is if you take nitroglycerin for angina. The use of the two together can cause work against each other and could lead to problems. The second concern is that Viagra opens up arteries in the brain lining and can cause excess pressure causing a headache or even a heart attack. Finally, it is specifically a prescription drug to help prevent younger men from using it as a recreational drug when they don’t really need it. The concern here is that they may end up becoming dependent on the drug and not be able to achieve an erection without the use of Viagra.

The effects that the “average” man may experience are often mild. These include flushing, hot feeling in the face, neck and chest (very similar to when you blush) in about 10%, headaches can be experienced in about 16% of the men taking Viagra, as well as nasal congestion, difficulty breathing or indigestion (accompanied by pain and heartburn). There are some less common side effects that affect 2-3% of men. These include blurred vision or changes in color perception, sensitivity to light, bladder pain, urinary tract infection, diarrhea and rashes. The change in color perception includes a chemical trigger that causes men to have difficulty distinguishing greens and blues. Because of this, male pilots are not allowed to take Viagra within six hours of a flight. The rare side effects can include loss of vision/blindness, and a prolonged erection (greater than 4 hours). Medical professionals recommend that you contact your doctor if you experience mild to moderate side effects. It is also recommended that you go to an emergency room immediately if you have an erection for more than 4 hours (that can be very painful) and if you are experiencing any eye/vision problems.

So, what if you do not have a good experience with Viagra or you do not even qualify medically? There are other medical options. Men can even find natural alternative ways to achieve male enhancement. Men can continue to live a life with sexual satisfaction without the exposure to a medication(s) like Viagra, which can cause possible bad side effects. A bad side effect is just that and should not be ignored. Your body is reacting unfavorably and that can endanger your overall health.