This list of frequently asked questions and answers on Viagra has been developed from various sources, primarily: the Food and Drug Administration, CDER's Drug Information Branch and Arnot Ogden Medical Center.
1. What is Viagra for?
Viagra is approved for the treatment of men who have difficulty having and maintaining an erect penis for satisfactory sexual performance. This is called erectile dysfunction or impotence.
2. Is Viagra available to pharmacies?
Viagra is available to most online and offline pharmacies. The decision of availability is completely up to the company marketing the product, Pfizer, Inc. For further information contact your pharmacist or Pfizer, Inc. directly.
There are many counterfeit products claiming to be Viagra that don't work. Real Viagra is a blue pill that has 'Pfizer' on the front and 'vgr' followed by the pill strength in milligrams on the back.
To see images, for an idea of what real brand name Viagra looks like, see this. The only thing that works exactly like Viagra, is sildenafil citrate (Viagra without the brand name, otherwise known as generic Viagra). For more information, see this.
3. How much does Viagra cost?
The FDA has no input into or legal control over the pricing of any drug product. Some pharmacies sell Viagra far above what most others charge.
The more you buy, the less the cost per does will be. If you have tried Viagra and know it works for you, buying in larger quantities is recommended. If you have never used Viagra, you should get a smaller quantity to see if it works for you.
4. Does insurance cover the cost of Viagra?
The FDA has no input into or legal control over whether an insurance company does or does not cover the cost of drugs. Some insurance plans do cover Viagra, others don't. Please call you insurance company if you have questions about whether your particular insurance provider will cover the cost of this product for you.
5. How does Viagra work?
An erection is the result of an increase in blood flow into certain internal areas of the penis. Viagra and other PDE5 inhibitors (like caulis and levitra) work by enhancing the effects of one of the chemicals the body normally releases into the penis during sexual arousal. This allows an increase of blood flow into the penis.
6. How do I take Viagra?
Viagra pills are taken orally (maximum once per twenty-four hour period) about one hour before sexual activity. For more detailed information consult with your health care provider.
7. How long does it take for Viagra to be effective?
When consumed orally on an empty stomach, maximum observed plasma concentrations are reached within 30 to 120 minutes (60 minutes is average for the maximum level to be seen in the blood stream).
The effects of Viagra can last up to 4-6 hours, but the response at 4 hours is less than it was 2 hours after consumption. When Viagra is taken with alcohol, the rate of effectiveness is reduced. Delayed onset may result when consumed with food.
If a longer lasting medication is required, caulis should be considered. It works in the same way as Viagra (it is a PDE5 inhibitor), but the effects of caulis have been shown to last 24 to 36 hours in a majority of users.
8. How is Viagra supplied?
Viagra is available as oral tablets in 25mg, 50mg and 100mg strengths. 50mg is the recommended dose size. If you are paying for medication yourself, you can buy the 100mg size and split the pill into 50mg doses. This is because 50mg and 100mg pills usually cost about the same amount of money.
Some people don't like splitting pills because there is no guarantee that each half will contain exactly 50 milligrams. If you want a dose that is guaranteed to be 50 milligrams, get 50 milligram pills.
Viagra, a film-coated tablet, should be stored in a cool, dry place. There are reports of people leaving Viagra in their vehicles, only to return to find the tablets melted together.
9. Is Viagra available over the counter?
No, Viagra is available by prescription only.
