The potency drug Viagra is currently the best-selling medication for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. However, the dangers are often overlooked for a fulfilling sexual life. What short-term and long-term side effects can be expected?
The potency drug Viagra: How does it work?
Viagra and several generic versions contain so-called PDE-5 inhibitors. These enzymes relax the muscles in the penis, allowing blood to flow in for an erection, provided there is sexual stimulation. Viagra can significantly enhance erectile function for several hours after intake.
The side effects: What problems does the potency drug Viagra cause?
Taking Viagra comes with risks. Numerous short-term side effects occur frequently or very frequently. Therefore, when taken regularly or at high dosages, side effects are to be expected.
Side effects are undesirable accompanying effects when taking a medication. They can range from harmless to life-threatening consequences. In order to better assess the risks associated with side effects, a distinction is made based on the timing and duration of occurrence, as well as the frequency.
Short-term side effects occur sporadically during or shortly after the medication’s effect, such as headaches or visual disturbances. As the effect wears off, the short-term side effects also diminish. Long-term side effects occur over an extended period or even long after the medication has been taken. Regular intake or overdose can particularly lead to long-term effects, such as an increased risk of heart attack or stroke.
The frequency classification provides information on how many people are affected or whether a side effect can be expected:
- Very common: occurring in at least 10% of cases or treatments.
- Common: occurring in 1 to 10% of cases or treatments.
- Occasional: occurring in 0.1 to 1% of cases or treatments.
- Rare: occurring in 0.01 to 0.1% of cases or treatments.
Therefore, very common side effects occur in at least 10 out of 100 cases, while rare side effects occur in up to 10 out of 10,000 cases. Considering how many people take Viagra and how frequently they do so, numerous men and possibly their loved ones may be affected by rare side effects.
Short-term side effects
Very common side effects (occurring in more than 10% of treatments):
- Headaches
Common side effects (occurring in 1 to 10% of treatments):
- Dizziness
- Hot flashes
- Vision problems (blurred vision, altered colour vision)
- Facial flushing
- Stuffy nose
- Nausea and digestive disturbances
Occasional side effects (selected, occurring in 0.1 to 1% of treatments):
- Runny nose (rhinitis), possibly with sneezing
- Nosebleeds (epistaxis)
- Sinus congestion
- Ringing in the ears
- Joint pain
- Muscle pain
- Rapid heartbeat
- High blood pressure
- Low blood pressure
- Eye pain
- Vomiting
- Upper abdominal pain
- Blood in urine (hematuria)
Rare side effects (occurring in 0.01 to 0.1% of treatments):
- Stroke
- Transient ischemic attack
- Heart attack
- Sudden cardiac death
- Irregular heartbeat
- Fainting
- Sudden onset of hearing loss or deafness
- Penile bleeding
- Blood in semen
- Irritability
Long-term side effects
The active ingredient in Viagra is associated with the following long-term consequences, which may particularly affect individuals with pre-existing conditions:
- Angina pectoris, which recurs and initially manifests mainly during physical exertion. Angina pectoris can be an indication of a heart attack.
- Priapism, a painful prolonged erection that can also damage the penis and impair its functions.
Counterfeits: Erectile dysfunction is not recognized as a reimbursable condition by health insurance companies. Therefore, the cost of Viagra must be borne by the buyer themselves. Due to shame and the higher costs, numerous men avoid purchasing Viagra from pharmacies and instead opt to order it online, including generic versions. What may seem affordable, however, is often a counterfeit product. In such cases, the desired effect is not achieved, but the risks and side effects become unpredictable, as the ingredients of counterfeit drugs are unknown.
The self-test: Do I have erectile dysfunction?
In the e.rupt self-test, you will receive initial information about the likelihood of suffering from erectile dysfunction: immediate, free, and anonymous.
Our online self-test is based on the scientifically recognized International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-SCORE)*. It queries the most critical indicators and thus detects a possible erectile dysfunction and its severity. However, the self-test does not replace a comprehensive medical diagnosis.