Viagra is a medication prescribed for erectile dysfunction and is available in multiple dosage strengths. Various factors can determine which dose would be best for males.
What is Viagra?
Viagra has the active ingredient sildenafil which belongs to a group of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5). It is used for erectile dysfunction to improve blood flow to the penis, which helps in achieving and maintaining an erection. Sildenafil is used to treat erectile dysfunction and to treat high blood pressure in some cases.
It should be taken 30 minutes before intended sexual activity. Its duration of effect lasts 4 to 6 hours and Viagra is proven to be effective. An erection will not occur if an individual is not sexually excited. Viagra comes in various strengths and pack sizes suited to individuals requirements. Sildenafil tablets range from 25 mg to 100 mg.
What is Erectile Dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a condition in which males have trouble getting or keeping an erection good enough for sex. It can be a sudden decrease or loss in erection strength. ED can happen because of narrowing of blood vessels causing insufficient blood flow to the penis or impaired nerve function. There can be many physical or psychological causes of ED.
Viagra 50mg
The usual starting dose for healthy young individuals is 50mg and individuals above 65 years of age should begin with 25mg of dose. This is considered as the lower dose and suitable for men with mild to moderate erectile dysfunction and for those with kidney or liver problems.
Viagra 100mg
The higher doses for viagra is 100mg per day. It is recommended for men with moderate to severe erectile dysfunction or for those individuals who do not have an adequate response from the 50mg dose.
Viagra 50mg vs Viagra 100mg
Viagra takes about 30 minutes to start working and the effects typically last 4 to 6 hours. This is with all dosage strengths. There are many factors such as overall health, the severity of your erectile dysfunction and the experience of side effects which determine the strength of the doctor’s prescription.
Depending on the age of the patient, the dose would vary. As people get older, heart, kidneys and liver don’t work as well. A we age, the body breaks down drugs slower which can raise the risk of side effects. An older individual, 65 years old, would need a lower dose of 25mg-50mg whereas a 30 year old may need 100mg.
The dose varies from person to person and is based on how the body responds and the side effects experienced. The doctors initially start patients on 50mg dose and as the body responds, they may increase the dose to maximum 100mg or decrease the dose to 25mg. The higher dose may be too high for people with certain medical conditions and those people on certain medications.
In a study it has been found that men treated with 100 mg of sildenafil compared to 50mg, were more likely to achieve greater improvement within the first 2 weeks. In other studies men were given 50mg for two weeks and then 100mg there after. It was found that no additional side effects were experienced with increased dose however significant rapid improvement was seen in erections.
Side effects
Viagra has been shown to be safe and well tolerated however it is not a one size fits all and there are possible side effects. These can include headaches, flushing, indigestion, dizziness, and nausea.
The lower doses are less likely to have unwanted side effects and only minor side effects if any do occur. It is important to start from lower doses for this reason and if an individual is not getting the response they like, they can request a higher dose. The higher doses are more likely to cause more side effects such as a drop in blood pressure.
There are other serious side effects of Viagra which would warrant a stop to the medication. Experiencing an allergic reaction, sudden hearing or vision loss or any cardiovascular problems in individuals with heart disease could be a few of those.
Consult a doctor
Viagra is meant to be taken as a long term treatment so the key is to find the right balance between individual needs and side effect profile. Working with a team of health professionals, doctors and pharmacists, can ensure individuals make an informed decision on their health and lifestyle. It is also important to have a full discussion before beginning Viagra as ED can be caused due to other medical conditions and it’s important to treat the underlying condition simultaneously.
Consult a doctor
Resources:
Effects of Two Different Dosages of Sildenafil on Patients With Erectile Dysfunction – PMC (nih.gov)
