Viagra is a drug that brought in a sexual revolution in the society. Massive and motivated advertising campaigns launched by Pfizer pharmaceuticals, the proud makers of the drug, forced men to discuss the most hush-hush subject of impotence. Even doctors admit that Viagra helped bring the issue of impotence to the forefront, something that they were miserably failing at, however hard they tried.

According to various health surveys, 1 in 10 men suffer from impotence but before the arrival of Viagra a miniscule number of men 'dared' to discuss the subject with their doctor. However, after the launch of Viagra there was a dramatic change in this scenario. A large number of men started demanding impotence treatment. To be more precise they started demanding Viagra to treat their impotence.

The overwhelming response to the drug shows how desperately people were awaiting a convenient option to treat impotence. As soon as it was launched in March 1998, Viagra was declared a blockbuster drug. It means that this drug alone did a business of over $1bn that year. In fact, Viagra had the most successful first year of any drug that has ever been launched. About 3 million prescriptions for Viagra had been written just in the first 14 weeks of its release in the US alone.

Viagra promises effective treatment for impotence
Dubbed as the "Pfizer riser", Viagra promises effective results for men who suffer from impotence - a condition in which a man faces consistent inability to achieve or maintain an erect penis long enough to complete sexual activity. Traditionally, men have associated sexual prowess with virility. Not being able to perform in bed has a deep impact on the man's self-esteem and his confidence level. Besides, it also severely damages his relationship with his sexual partner. In a worse case scenario, impotence can also lead to a breakdown in relationships.

Though age has no impact on erection function, erectile dysfunction is mostly reported in elderly men who are above the age of 65 years. This is because they are more likely to suffer from a condition(s) that may cause erection problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol etc. In fact men between the ages of 50 and 70 are responsible for a majority of Viagra sales.

Before the launch of Viagra, men chose to suffer silently as impotence treatment options available before them were severely restricted. The only treatment options that doctors could recommend were use of vacuum pumps, penile injections and suppositories as well as surgical implants. All these impotence treatment options were understandably uncomfortable to use and men hesitated in utilizing them. Viagra, on the other hand offered men with an option that was convenient enough to get them firm as well as prolong their erections. Al they had to do was take a pill an hour before anticipated sexual activity. As expected, this idea quite excited the men.

How does Viagra work?
The active ingredient in Viagra is called sildenafil citrate; it is the first in a new class of medicines called phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE5) inhibitors. The drug increases blood flow to the penis by selectively blocking the PDE5 enzyme which is responsible for the break down of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). The cGMP is needed to allow for smooth blood flow into the penis. The good part about Viagra is that it does not embarrass men by causing an erection on its own. Some sort of sexual stimulation is required to cause an erection. This also means that Viagra does not work as an aphrodisiac. Besides, Viagra neither works as a birth control pill nor does it protect you against sexually transmitted diseases.

Viagra doses

Viagra is available in the dosage strengths of 25mg, 50mg or 100mg tablets. Doctors usually begin the treatment with a lower dose. The doctors increase the dosage strength only if the lower dose fails to give the desired results; however, it should be well tolerated by the body. You need to take the prescribed dosage of Viagra an hour before anticipated sexual activity. The effect of Viagra remains in the body for up to 4 hours, allowing you enough time to enjoy sexual intercourse. It is suggested you avoid heavy meals when taking Viagra as it slows down the effect of the drug. Besides, you should avoid alcohol with Viagra as it may double your risk of getting Viagra side effects. Always take Viagra after consulting a doctor and in the dosages prescribed by your doctor. Do not alter the Viagra dosage without consulting your doctor first.