Viagra has been on the market for ten years and there have been more than one hundred clinical trials. It is safe and effective. But, like all other medicines, it is not for everyone. It is never a good idea to self-medicate. You should always ask a doctor to give you a check-up before you begin any new treatment. Erectile dysfunction can be a symptom of more serious diseases and disorders. Finding out why you have this problem could save your life.
When you see a doctor, answer all questions honestly. This is not a time to be embarrassed. For example, if you do recreational drugs, admit it and describe what you take. Similarly, if you smoke tobacco and drink alcohol, you need to give reasonably accurate estimates of the amount consumed.
Particular conditions to highlight
There is a cluster of conditions relating to your cardiovascular system that needs to be considered. If you have been diagnosed with any disease or disorder affecting the blood vessels or the blood itself from high cholesterol levels to serious disorders like leukaemia, you must remind the doctor. Similarly, if you have high or low blood pressure, or have recently had a stroke or a heart attack, there are serious issues to discuss. Allied to this is the need to mention any problems with bleeding. This may be because your blood does not clot properly or you have ulcers that bleed into your stomach or intestines. Problems with the kidneys and liver may also affect the time medicines are held in the blood before being expelled from the body. Finally, you should mention any problems with your eyesight.
What other medications will affect Viagra?
The first and most important warning affects any other medication or drug which includes a nitrate. Many of the medicines used to treat heart problems and some street drugs contain nitrates. When combined with viagra, this can produce a sudden and dangerous loss of blood pressure, and may cause you to feel dizzy or faint. If untreated, it can result in a stroke or heart attack. The same effect is caused by mixing medications used to treat high or low blood pressure, pulmonary arterial hypertension such as bosentan, and clotting disorders. The other most common problem to beware is use of any antibiotic based on erythromycin. There are other potential interactions. Your doctor will be able to give the best advice on what to avoid.