Blogspam Blog

Viagra
sildenafil (oral) (sil DEH na fil)
Revatio, Viagra

What is the most important information I should know about Viagra?
� A small number of patients have lost eyesight in one eye after taking Viagra. This type of vision loss is called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). NAION causes a sudden loss of eyesight because blood flow is blocked to the optic nerve. It is not clear at this time if Viagra causes NAION. NAION also happens in patients who do not take this medicine. People who have a higher chance for NAION include those who:
� have heart disease;
� are over 50 years old;
� have diabetes;
� have high blood pressure;
� have high cholesterol;
� smoke; or
� have certain eye problems.
� Stop using Viagra if you have any loss in your eyesight and seek medical help right away.
� Do not take Viagra if you are using a nitrate drug for chest pain or heart problems. Nitrates include nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur, Nitro-Bid, Minitran, Deponit, Transderm-Nitro, others), isosorbide dinitrate (Dilatrate-SR, Isordil, Sorbitrate), and isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO, Monoket). Nitrates are also found in some recreational drugs such as amyl nitrate or nitrite (\”poppers\”).
� Contact your doctor or seek emergency medical attention for any erection that lasts longer than 4 hours. A sustained erection can damage the penis.
� Refrain from further sexual activity and notify your doctor it you develop dizziness, nausea, or angina (pain, tightness, discomfort, numbness, or tingling in the chest, arms, neck, or jaw) during sexual activity.
� Do not take Viagra more than once a day.

What is Viagra?
� Viagra relaxes muscles and increases blood flow to particular areas of the body.
� Viagra is used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence) and for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension.
� Viagra may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Viagra?
� A small number of patients have lost eyesight in one eye after taking Viagra. This type of vision loss is called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). NAION causes a sudden loss of eyesight because blood flow is blocked to the optic nerve. It is not clear at this time if Viagra causes NAION. NAION also happens in patients who do not take this medicine. People who have a higher chance for NAION include those who:
� have heart disease;
� are over 50 years old;
� have diabetes;
� have high blood pressure;
� have high cholesterol;
� smoke; or
� have certain eye problems.
� Stop using Viagra if you have any loss in your eyesight and seek medical help right away.
� Do not take Viagra if you are using a nitrate drug for chest pain or heart problems. Nitrates include nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur, Nitro-Bid, Minitran, Deponit, Transderm-Nitro, others), isosorbide dinitrate (Dilatrate-SR, Isordil, Sorbitrate), and isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO, Monoket). Nitrates are also found in some recreational drugs such as amyl nitrate or nitrite (\”poppers\”).
� Before taking Viagra, tell your doctor if you
� have had a heart attack, stroke, or life-threatening irregular heartbeats within the last six months;
� have a history of heart failure;
� have coronary artery disease;
� have angina;
� have high or low blood pressure;
� have liver problems;
� have kidney problems;
� have ever had blood problems, including sickle cell anemia or leukemia;
� have a bleeding disorder;
� have a stomach ulcer;
� have retinitis pigmentosa (an inherited condition of the eye);
� have a physical deformity of the penis such as Peyronie\’s disease;
� have a condition that could lead to prolonged and painful erections, such as a tumor of the bone marrow, sickle cell anemia, or leukemia; or
� are taking another medicine to treat impotence, such as alprostadil (Caverject, Muse, Edex) or yohimbine (Yocon, Yodoxin, others).
� You may not be able to take Viagra, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
� Although Viagra is not indicated for use by women, it is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that Viagra is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Viagra should not be taken by women.
� It is not known whether Viagra passes into breast milk. Viagra should not be taken by women.
� If you are over 65 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects from Viagra. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of this medication.