Viagra is an effective medication for treating Erectile Dysfunction (ED) in men or AMAB.
Your doctor may suggest Viagra if you have ED symptoms. But using Viagra can also result in side effects in some people.
It is essential to inform your doctor about prevailing health conditions and medicines you are taking to avoid such Viagra side effects.
There can be temporary or long-term side effects of Viagra, including Priapism, vision changes, and heart problems.
This article will discuss in detail Viagra side effects to help you get a better understanding of the potential risks of taking Viagra.
Table of Contents
Low blood pressure
Source: Getty-imagesA common side effect of Viagra is low blood pressure.
It is not one of the long-term side effects of Viagra and does not cause problems for most people.
The active salt in Viagra is Sildenafil citrate. It helps treat erection problems by relaxing the blood vessels in the penile region to increase blood flow.
This may result in the blood pressure dropping to extremely low levels. It can make you feel dizzy or lightheaded.
Sometimes it may also cause you to faint.
Taking Viagra if you have a heart condition can put extra stress on your heart- WebMD.
Extremely low blood pressure may sometimes lead to heart attack or stroke.
Allergic reaction
Some people may have an allergic reaction after taking Viagra. This might be because they are allergic to Sildenafil or other contents of the pill.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include
- Itchiness
- Rashes
- Flushing
- Swelling of the skin, mostly in eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- Swelling of the mouth, throat, or tongue, making it difficult to breathe
If you have a mild allergic reaction, consult your doctor. They may prescribe antihistamines to reduce allergy symptoms.
The doctor may suggest other ED medications that do not contain Sildenafil, such as Vidalista, Tadarise, and Avaforce.
Seek medical help immediately in case of a severe allergic reaction, as it can be life-threatening sometimes.
Priapism
Priapism is an erection that lasts for 4 hours or more. It is sometimes painful.
Like other ED pills, Viagra may also cause Priapism in rare cases.
It is a medical emergency and needs immediate medical attention.
If proper treatment is not received, it may damage penile tissues and cause nerve damage.
Heart problems
Source: natrotViagra is usually safe for most men to treat their erection problems. But people with prevailing health conditions may be at an enhanced risk of facing side effects of Viagra.
This does not necessarily mean that Viagra will result in adverse side effects in people with underlying health issues.
Viagra does not play a direct role in causing heart problems such as myocardial fraction and stroke.
But the medication may interact with other medicines, such as nitrates, to cause extremely low blood pressure.
Severely low blood pressure may cause dizziness or lightheadedness. It may cause heart attack or stroke in rare cases due to extremely low blood pressure.
A study suggests that Sildenafil in Viagra may cause serious cardiovascular events. The incidence of such events is small and mostly in certain at-risk populations.
Vision problems
Viagra’s side effects may sometimes involve vision changes. The most common vision change is usually a blue tinge in your vision.
Side effects of Viagra related to vision are usually mild and temporary. In rare cases, long-term side effects of Viagra may include sudden vision loss.
Viagra may cause a serious eye condition called Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION). It can damage the optic nerve resulting in permanent vision loss.
A paper supports the theory that Viagra can play a role in causing serious eye conditions, including NAION.
Hearing problems
Viagra may lead to hearing problems such as ringing in the ear or hearing loss.
In a study, doctors have called this hearing loss “Viagra deafness.” The studies suggest that PDE-5 inhibitors like Sildenafil may induce Sensorineural hearing loss.
Damage to the inner ear may result in this type of hearing loss which may be permanent.
There needs to be more awareness about this side effect of Viagra among consumers as well as doctors prescribing this medication.
Headache
Headache is a common side effect of ED pills. They are usually temporary and go away within 1 to 3 hours.
Like other ED medications, Viagra may also lead to headaches. This can be off-putting and may impact your sexual performance.
A common cause of headaches is dehydration. Several factors may cause dehydration, including physical activity and medications.
Doctors may suggest drinking lots of water to avoid dehydration.
You may also take painkillers or hot or cold compresses to reduce the intensity of such headaches.
Stomach problems
Long-term use of Viagra may cause stomach problems such as indigestion. It may also lead to stomach problems such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, gastritis, and vomiting.
Viagra may also worsen existing health conditions. It may increase the chance of bleeding if you have a stomach ulcer.
It is necessary to consult your doctor before taking Viagra or other medications to avoid the potential side effects of Viagra.
Viagra side effects: at a glance
Mild to moderate side effects of Viagra are common in people taking Viagra.
Sometimes, taking Viagra may also result in serious side effects, which may need immediate medical attention.
Here’s a list of potential side effects of taking Viagra.
| Common side effects | Serious side effects |
|---|---|
| Headache | Low blood pressure |
| Nausea | Fainting |
| Flushing | Allergic reaction |
| Stuffy nose | Burning and itching during urination |
| Dizziness | Blurred vision or severe, sudden loss of vision |
| Indigestion | Ringing in ears or hearing problems |
| Difficulty differentiating blue or green colors | shortness of breath that worsens |
| Difficulty differentiating blue or green color sensitivity to light | Heart problems |
| Muscle pain | Priapism |
This is not a complete list of Viagra side effects you may encounter after taking Viagra. It is not necessary for you to face any or all of these side effects.
You should remember that your doctor may prescribe Viagra because, in their opinion, the benefit of Viagra is more than the risk of potential side effects.
Most of these side effects may last a few hours and are temporary. Mostly, they go away on their own and do not require medical attention.
Consult your doctor if the side effects persist for a long period or start to bother you.
If you develop any serious side effects from Viagra, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
Last words
Viagra is usually safe for most men or AMAB. Sometimes taking Viagra may result in some adverse effects, such as low blood pressure or stomach problems.
Headache is one of the most common Viagra side effects. People who are allergic to Sildenafil should also avoid taking Viagra.
It may also lead to Priapism which requires immediate medical attention.
It is essential to keep a check on your health and the potential side effects of Viagra that you may face.
Consult your healthcare provider before taking Viagra or any other medication. They might suggest other ED pills, such as Cenforce and Vidalista if Viagra is not suitable for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do Viagra side effects last?
Side effects of Viagra usually last 1 hour in most men. Almost all Viagra side effects go away after 12 hours.
Side effects of Viagra are usually temporary.
Who should not take Viagra?
Viagra is usually safe for most males to take. People with heart or liver problems should exercise caution while taking Viagra.
Viagra may be unsuitable for people taking nitrates as medicines or allergic to Sildenafil.
Does Viagra have long-term side effects?
Taking Viagra in the long term may cause indigestion and stomach problems.
It may lead to stomach problems such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, gastritis, and abdominal pain.
