Little blue pills or Viagra (Sildenafil) is the first medication and one of the most well-known to treat Erectile Dysfunction (ED).
Erectile Dysfunction or impotence is an inability in males to attain and sustain an erection.
Insufficient blood circulation to the penis can induce ED in men.
Viagra or Sildenafil is the first approved Phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) Inhibitor.
This inhibition of PDE5 aids in improving blood flow to the penile region, resulting in an erection.
Therefore, PDE5 inhibitors like the blue pill are effective in treating impotence.
Let us dive into the article and learn What is the blue pill and how it works.
Table of Contents
What is the blue pill or Viagra
Viagra is nicknamed “the blue pill” due to its color.
The main ingredient in Viagra is Sildenafil.
This medication was initially formulated to treat the heart condition known as Angina; however, many men got an erection during the clinical trials after its consumption.
Later on, in 1998 FDA approved it for treating Erectile Dysfunction.
However, the patent for the brand name Viagra expired in 2020, after which generic Viagra came into the market.
Generic Sildenafil is much cheaper than the original Viagra.
Kamagra, Cenforce, and Fildena are all examples of generic Viagra medications, as they all contain Sildenafil as an active ingredient.
How erection works
The Corpora Cavernosa are two chambers that extend down the length of the penis. Each has intricate blood vessel networks that form sponge-like spaces.
An erection is induced when the blood vessels of the penis dilate and fill with blood.
To maintain a firm penis, blood is trapped by a membrane surrounding the Corpora Cavernosa.
Though the penis is involved, erections include more than simply the penis. Your brain is also a crucial component.
When you are sexually stimulated, your brain sends signals to your penile region that relax its muscles and allows blood to enter.
How blue pills work in inducing an erection
During an erection, the penile nerve releases Nitric Oxide.
It improves the production of cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate (cGMP). cGMP relaxes the smooth muscles, resulting in a rise in blood flow to the penile area.
However, the PDE5 enzyme is known to break down the level of cGMP in males suffering impotence.
As mentioned, blue pills belong to the PDE5 group of inhibitors.
This inhibition of PDE5 raises the level of cGMP in a male, which in turn expands the blood vessels letting the blood inside the penile area.
This increase in blood flow helps a man obtain an erection when sexual stimulation occurs.
You should consume the blue pill at least 30 minutes but not more than 4 hours before engaging in sexual intercourse.
Recommended read: The Effects of Little Blue Pill on Men’s Erection
Side effects of blue pills
Sildenafil might cause some common to rare side effects, such as:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Heartburn
- Dizziness
- Blurry vision
- Flushing
- Lightheadedness
In case of an allergic reaction or Priapism (prolonged erection), kindly contact your healthcare provider immediately.
Can Viagra induce interactions
Yes, Viagra contains Sildenafil that can interact with some drugs, diseases, and food
Drug interactions
Avoid the intake of the following medication when consuming blue pills:
- Alpha-blocker medications
- Nitrates
- Antifungal medicines
- Anticoagulants
- HIV protease inhibitors
- Alpha-adrenergic antagonists
- Other ED and Pulmonary Hypertension medications
Disease interactions
Declare your medical history to your physician before consuming Sildenafil.
Do not consume these blue pills in case you have any of the following:
- Heart disease
- Retinitis Pigmentosa
- Low or high blood pressure
- Liver or kidney disease
- Bleeding issues
- Blood cell disorder
- Peyronie’s disease
- Ulcer in stomach
Food interactions
Consuming high-fat meals reduces the efficiency of Viagra. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid eating high-fat meals before taking this medication.
Due to the risk of adverse effects, you should avoid alcohol, grapefruit, and grapefruit juice when taking this medicine.
You can read about the interaction between alcohol and Viagra here: Can Viagra and Alcohol Be Consumed at The Same Time?
Ultimately
Little blue pills treat ED effectively.
It helps a man attain or maintain a firm erection to indulge in sexual intercourse.
However, the generic version of Viagra is now available worldwide.
These generic Sildenafil medications are way cheaper and can be purchased online on pharmaceuticals websites like CheapMedicineShop.
These medicines include Fildena, Kamagra, and Phallus Power.
Viagra, or blue pills, is not composed for women; nevertheless, they can consider taking a female variant of Viagra, Lovegra, after consulting their doctor. Lovegra also contains Sildenafil Citrate as an active component.
