Viagra and its side effects
The main API in Viagra is a sildenafil citrate, is an orally active drug discovered by Pfizer for the treatment of Male Erectile Dysfunction. Sildenafil is an act by a selective inhibitor of (cGMP)-specific phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5), and increasing NO(Nitric Oxide) action in corpus cavernosum.Viagra is an under Schedule H drug (that means to be sold at retail on the prescription of registered medical practitioner only)
Oral Bioavailability of Sildenafil is ~40% and mainly metabolized by the enzyme CYP3A4. Viagra dose recommended in a dose of 50 mg, if it’s not effective then increased in dose i.e. 100 mg before intercourse
NO(Nitric Oxide) is important to regulatory of pulmonary vascular resistances, PDE-5inhibits lower pulmonary atrial pressure. The Sildenafil is only PDE-5 inhibitors shown improve arterial oxygenation in pulmonary hypertension. Because of these the sildenafil/Viagra drug of choice for this condition.
A Side effect of Viagra is mainly due to PDE-5 inhibitor-related such as vasodilation, headache, nasal congestion, dizziness, flushing, fall in B.P.(Blood Pressure), loose motion, skin rashes, vomiting, abnormal vision.
The manufacture advises that sildenafil/Viagra is should not be used in patients with a hereditary retinal degenerative disease because of its weakly inhibits isoenzyme PDE-6 which is involved in photoreceptor transduction in the retina. As such, impairment of color vision, especially blue-green discrimination occurs in recipients. In few cases of sudden loss of vision due to nonarteritic ischemic point neuropathy (NAION) has been reported.
Viagra is contraindicated in Coronary heart disease & those patients taking Nitrate is increasing risk of potentially life threating hypotension
Also, caution is advised in some races which is suffering from sickle cell anemia, myeloma, and in leukemia.
Drug–Drug interactions with Viagra are Antifungal, Antibiotics, Antianginal (Nitrate), some anti-hypertensive medicine
Erectile dysfunction(ED): Causes and Treatments
Erectile dysfunction(ED): Causes and Treatments
Erectile dysfunction (ED), also known as Impotence is the inability of to get or maintain erection during sexual intercourse in human beings. Erection of penis is a natural process during sexual arousal. It is controlled by brain under the influence of various sensory perceptions like touch, visual and smell. This is a hydraulic process commanded by the brain, in which the blood flow to the penis is increased, thus causing the erection. Proper erection ensures successful intercourse.
Causes of erectile dysfunction
Failure to get or maintain erection makes intercourse difficult. This problem might have psychological or physiological causes.
Psychological causes of erectile dysfunction
Psychological reasons of erectile dysfunction include mental stress, lack of adjustment among couples, job pressure, anxiety, lack of privacy, fear of pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and performance anxiety. This can be easily treated by psychological counselling and placebo medicines.
Physiological causes of erectile dysfunction
Physiological or physical causes of erectile dysfunction are those morphological or chemical changes within the body which make proper erection difficult. The main physiological causes of erectile dysfunction are mentioned as under:
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- Diseases like diabetes and multiple sclerosis
- Medicines like anti-depressant and diuretics
- Smoking
- Hormonal imbalances (Testosterone deficiency)
- Nerve disorders
- Prostate surgery
- Ageing
Diagnosis of erectile dysfunction
The cause of erectile dysfunction is diagnosed through the use of various techniques like Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), Corpus cavernosometry, Dynamic infusion cavernosometry (DICC), Penile biothesiometry, Nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT), Penile nerves function, Duplex ultrasound.
Treatment of erectile dysfunction
Once, the reason behind the erectile dysfunction is identified, treatment procedure could be planned. This mainly includes the following
- Hormone replacement therapy (Testosterone injections)
- Medicines like sildenafil (Viagra)
- Use of penis pumps
- Alternative medicines like herbs and libido booster food/aphrodisiacs
- Prosthetic penile implants to maintain erection
- Psychological counselling
- Proper diet
- Regular exercise
