Viagra 200mg (Sildenafil Citrate) Tablets

How Viagra 200mg Works

Viagra 200mg falls under the class of drugs known as PDE5 inhibitors. It contains sildenafil citrate, which works by improving blood flow in the body, including the penis. Sometimes, an enzyme known as PDE5 works very fast. This shrinks the blood vessels on the walls of the penis. As a result, blood can’t reach the penis easily, and the erection gets soft during sex, or the erection does not last as long as desired.

The medicine blocks the effects of PDE5 and relaxes the walls of the blood vessels. This allows more blood to reach the penis. As more blood flows, it results in an erection. It takes effect only when there’s enough sexual stimulation. This medication cannot work without sexual stimulation (e.g., physical intimacy).

Uses of Viagra 200mg Tablets

Erectile Dysfunction (ED) 

Inability to achieve or sustain an erection, making it difficult to have sexual intercourse.

Benefits

• Improves erection quality, chances of successful intercourse 
• Restores erectile function
• Builds sexual confidence
• Increases self-esteem in men with ED
• Improves quality of life and relationships

Viagra Effectiveness

Sildenafil citrate, the active ingredient in this medication, is shown to work well in 70% of men.

Dosage

The recommended Viagra dosage 200 mg is 1 tablet taken once in 24 hours. Do not take it more than once in 24 hours. Take it exactly as your doctor tells you to. You can take this pill with a light snack or an empty stomach. Take it 30 minutes to 1 hour before planned sexual activity. The effects of this medicine can last for around 4 to 5 hours.

Missed Dose

People with ED take Viagra 200mg tablets on an “on-demand” or “as-needed” basis. So, you are unlikely to miss a dose. However, if you are using it as a prescribed ED treatment on a regular basis, skip the missed dose. Then, continue with your dosing schedule as usual. 

Overdose

If you believe you’ve taken too much Viagra, call your healthcare provider right away. Overdosing can cause serious side effects, e.g., heart attack, uneven heartbeats, stroke, and fainting. 

Safety Advice

Alcohol : UNSAFE
It is unsafe to drink alcohol with Viagra 200mg (sildenafil) Tablets.

Pregnancy:  POSSIBLY UNSAFE
This medicine is not approved for use in women. It’s for male sexual health problems (impotence or ED).

Breastfeeding : POSSIBLY UNSAFE
This medicine is not approved for use in women. Information regarding the use of Viagra 200mg Tablet during pregnancy or breastfeeding is not available. Consult your doctor for further information.

Driving : UNSAFE
This drug can make you dizzy or affect your vision. Do not drive or use hazardous machinery until you are fully aware of its effects on you.

Kidney : POSSIBLY SAFE
Sildenafil is not known to impair kidney health. Use caution if you have severe kidney disease. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine.

Liver:  CAUTION
This medication will be processed by your liver, so use caution if you have an existing liver problem. Consult your doctor for further advice. Your doctor will probably adjust the dosage for you.

Other Precautions

Before you take 200 mg of Viagra, tell your doctor:

• If you are allergic to certain medications.
• If you take nitrates for chest pain.
• If you have a medical history of irregular heartbeat, heart attack, heart disease, and chest pain.
• If you suffer from epilepsy or seizures.
• If you suffer from diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, etc.
• If you have a physical deformity of the penis or Peyronie’s disease.
• If you have a retinal disorder such as retinitis pigmentosa.
• If you have blood circulation problems.
• If you take other drugs that treat ED or prostate disorders.

This medication is only for adult men with ED, not for women or children.

Viagra Side Effects

Some common side effects include:

• Headache
• Vomiting
• Rash 
• Temporary problems with vision or seeing colors 
• Motion sickness
• Palpitations
• Nausea
• Facial flushing
• Low blood pressure
• Stuffy nose
• Nosebleed
• Indigestion

In some rare cases, serious symptoms can occur, such as:

• Heart problems
• Irregular heartbeat
• Extremely low blood pressure
• NAION (sudden vision loss in one or both eyes)
• Priapism (a prolonged penile erection of more than 4 hours) 
• Sudden hearing or vision loss
• Serious allergic reaction

Seek medical attention if you see a severe symptom or a side effect that gets worse over time.

Drug Interactions

Tell your doctor if you take any herbal, OTC, recreational, or any other medicine. Also, inform your healthcare provider of your full medical history, e.g., current condition and all medications you are taking, to make sure Viagra dosage 200 mg is safe for you. 

These drugs can affect the way it works.

• Alpha-blockers such as alfuzosin, doxazosin, prazosin, tamsulosin, and terazosin
• Amlodipine
• Antifungal medications such as itraconazole and ketoconazole
• Blood thinners such as warfarin
• Cimetidine
• Antibiotics such as erythromycin and clarithromycin
• Blood pressure medications
• Efavirenz
• Nitrates
• Beta-blockers such as atenolol, labetalol, metoprolol, and nadolol
• HIV medications such as indinavir, darunavir, lopinavir, saquinavir, and ritonavir
• Medications for seizures, such as phenytoin
• Other medicines to treat ED
• Medications for blood pressure

Viagra and alcohol

Alcohol can increase the blood pressure-lowering effect when taken along with this pill. Avoid drinking alcohol along with this medicine to protect yourself from side effects.

Interaction with Grapefruit Juice

It is not advisable to take grapefruit juice when taking sildenafil 200mg. The combination increases the risk of side effects. Do not take a Viagra pill for at least 24 hours after consuming grapefruit or its juice.

Viagra Storage Instructions

• Store the Viagra 200mg tablets in their original packaging.
• Keep the pills away from direct heat, moisture, and light.
• Do not repack or keep them in a vial with other medicines. 
• Keep the pills away from the reach of children and pets.
• Store in a cool, dry place, as mentioned on the label.

References

1. Irwin, G. M. (2019). Erectile dysfunction. Primary Care Clinics in Office Practice, 46(2), 249–255. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pop.2019.02.006
2. Fink, H. A., Mac Donald, R., Rutks, I. R., Nelson, D. B., & Wilt, T. J. (2002d). Sildenafil for male erectile dysfunction. Archives of Internal Medicine, 162(12), 1349. https://doi.org/10.1001/archinte.162.12.1349
3. Paige, N. M., Hays, R. D., Litwin, M. S., Rajfer, J., & Shapiro, M. F. (2001). IMPROVEMENT IN EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING AND RELATIONSHIPS OF USERS OF SILDENAFIL. The Journal of Urology, 166(5), 1774–1778. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0022-5347(05)65673-x
4. O’Leary, M. P., Althof, S. E., Cappelleri, J. C., Crowley, A., Sherman, N., & Duttagupta, S. (2006b). Self-Esteem, confidence and relationship satisfaction of men with erectile dysfunction Treated with Sildenafil citrate: a multicenter, randomized, parallel group, Double-Blind, placebo controlled study in the United States. The Journal of Urology, 175(3), 1058–1062. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0022-5347(05)00418-0
5. Moore, R. A., Edwards, J. E., & McQuay, H. J. (2002). Sildenafil (Viagra) for male erectile dysfunction: a meta-analysis of clinical trial reports. BMC Urology, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2490-2-6
6. Sildenafil: MedlinePlus drug information. (n.d.). https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a699015.html