Viagra, or Sildenafil, is a drug taken orally for impotence, or erectile dysfunction (ED). It has been around for a long time and has a good track record of being safe and effective. Within 30 minutes of taking it, the effects of this drug have been known to last for up to 5 hours.

Viagra is in a group of medications that slow down the working process of enzymes called phosphodiesterase and this decrease helps in maintaining an erection. Many men, regardless of age, feel like they have been given a new lease on their sex life because of it. However, just like all other medications, it too has some side effects because these drugs are absorbed into the bloodstream and flow through your entire body.

Patients should be aware of the following possible side effects of Viagra.

• 1. Vision changes. Some people have reported changes in how they see the colors blue and green. This is a reason why pilots should not use Viagra at least 12 hours before flying.
• 2. Problems resulting from mixing medications. Nitroglycerin and Viagra can have adverse effects on each other because they both generally increase blood flow.
• 3. Heart attacks.
• 4. Headaches due to increased blood flow to the brain.
• 5. Occasionally have a painful erection that lasts too long.

If you should experience any of these side effects, you should consider getting medical attention. Some of these side effects have the potential to be very serious which is why Viagra is a prescription-only drug and should be discussed with a physician first. There is also a concern that some men, mainly younger men, will take Viagra even though they do not physically need it to achieve an erection. This recreational use could cause them to become dependent on it and it could also render them incapable of getting or keeping an erection without it.