Generic Viagra, which often goes by the name sildenafil, is a complete analog of the branded medication ordered for the treatment of the impaired erectile function in adult men. Just like its brand-name counterpart, generic Viagra helps men recover their reduced sexual potency by altering the balance of certain chemical substances responsible for relaxation of the smooth muscle and dilation of the blood vessels in the penis. Following sexual stimulation, the male penile organ is quickly filled with blood, which remains there long enough to trigger a hard and lasting erection.
Having the same active drug substance – sildenafil citrate, generic and branded Viagra are therapeutically equivalent. It means that their medical uses, expected outcomes, safety parameters, possible side effects, and contraindications are identical. The only thing that makes them different from each other is their price, which can be tens of times lower for the generic drug.
What is the role of sildenafil citrate in the development of erections?
Sildenafil citrate is an inhibitor that performs a blocking action on the phosphodiesterase type 5 enzyme and prevents it from participating in the breakdown of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). A too early breakdown of cGMP is what causes men to experience weak and unstable erections.
Generic Viagra slows down the cGMP degradation process and elevates the levels of this cyclic nucleotide, which results in a firm and steadfast erection. Sometime after the man has had an orgasm, the PDE5 enzyme activates again and starts breaking down cGMP. It helps restore the regular blood circulation in the corpus cavernosum of the penis, bringing this organ to its normal flaccid state.
Men who are diagnosed with erectile dysfunction and prescribed to take generic Viagra need to remember that this medication should not be expected to boost their sexual drive or trigger an erection by itself. Sildenafil is an enabler here; in other words, if there is no erotic stimulation present, sildenafil will not be able to make men sexually erect.
How to take generic Viagra safely?
To ensure that their therapeutic benefits are maximized, and the possibility of harmful side effects remains low, all medicinal drugs, generic Viagra included, should be taken precisely as advised by your prescribing physician. It means you cannot increase the recommended dosage or administration frequency of the medication at your sole discretion.
When some dosage of generic Viagra fails to help you a few times in a row, consult your doctor to see whether it can be increased or if, perhaps, you should switch to another erectile dysfunction medication.
Generic Viagra comes in a broader spectrum of dosage strengths compared to the brand-name drug, so doctors and patients will have greater flexibility in choosing a suitable amount of this medication. The commonly accepted and approved starting dose of sildenafil ranges between 25-60mg per intake, which should kick in within 30-60 minutes and last you for around 4-6 hours. If it is not powerful enough, your prescribing doctor may choose to increase the dose up to 100mg per time. Anything above 100mg is considered unsafe and potentially leading to severe side effects.
Possible side effects from taking generic Viagra
The use of generic Viagra by ED patients implies the possibility of their developing unwanted symptoms in response to such medical treatment, especially if the patient does not take the medication as advised by his doctor. These symptoms are called side effects, and they may vary in their frequency and severity from patient to patient.
Among the most commonly observed side effects, there are stuffy or runny nose, headache, mildly altered vision, ringing in the ears, dizzy spells, stomachache, diarrhea, feeling nauseous or vomiting, and back pain. All these symptoms are usually harmless and go away soon after the drug wears off. However, in some cases, symptomatic treatment may be advised.
Other, rarer but more troublesome side effects include:
- prolonged erections that cause you pain (priapism);
- complete loss of vision or hearing;
- difficulty in breathing;
- sharp pain in the chest or arm;
- extreme dizziness that can even cause the patient to pass out;
- cardiac irregularities;
- convulsions.
If any of these symptoms start manifesting themselves after the use of generic Viagra, seeking urgent medical assistance is strongly advised. Do not try to self-medicate your condition without consulting your prescribing physician or a medical practitioner first.
Unsafe drug interactions and contraindications for the use of generic Viagra
Patients who have or have recently had any of the following problems with their health should avoid taking generic Viagra or use the drug under permission and control of their physician:
- cardiac disorders and heart surgeries;
- strokes;
- diabetes;
- low blood pressure or hypertension;
- blood disorders like leukemia or conditions in which there is an increased risk of hemorrhaging;
- renal or hepatic problems;
- peptic ulcers.
There are also some medical preparations – Rx and OTC, as well as herbal supplements that should not be taken alongside generic Viagra, for they can form dangerous interactions with this medicine. These include:
- organic nitrates, which act as NO prodrugs;
- alpha-blockers;
- anticoagulants;
- some barbiturates;
- beta-blockers;
- some antifungals;
- HIV protease inhibitor medications;
- other ED meds;
- drugs that treat high BP;
- antiepileptic drugs;
- certain antibiotics;
- the common St. John’s wort plant.
This list is lacking in detail and does not cover all the medications that should not be taken with sildenafil. Tell your prescribing doctor about all prescription, OTC, and herbal drugs you are taking so that he can carefully assess the fitness of generic Viagra for your ED condition.
Safety precautions
Here are some basic recommendations and safety precautions that you should keep in mind when using generic Viagra. If some of the instructions are not clear, contact your physician for more detail before you start your ED treatment with Viagra.
Do not take generic Viagra or other sildenafil-based medications more frequently than once every 24 hours. One full day is how long it takes sildenafil to leave your system, so using it more often will have a negative impact on your kidneys and increase the risk of adverse side effects.
Do not mix generic Viagra with alcohol or fatty meals. Eating food rich in fats before the use of generic Viagra may cause the drug to lose in its efficiency or delay the onset of its action. Mixing generic Viagra with alcohol may lead to the development of severe side effects like a sudden and critical drop in BP.
Do not take grapefruit juice or grapefruit with generic Viagra. Such a combination can significantly increase the concentration of sildenafil in your blood and elevate the risk of adverse reactions.
Do not use generic Viagra as a substitute for Revatio (another sildenafil-based drug) to treat PAH in children unless ordered to do so by the prescribing pediatrician.
Product disclaimer:
The information provided here is for informational purposes only. This article shouldn’t be used as a substitute for a one-on-one consultation with a medical professional. It is important to analyze the risks before consuming Viagra and make sure that there aren’t any contraindications. You may need to undergo a physical examination and/or certain laboratory tests to assess the state of your health. While this drug is tolerated well by most patients, it should be safe in your particular situation. Being monitored by a medical specialist is the best way to avoid any unwanted adverse effects and complications.