Generic Viagra: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Alternatives

What is the difference between Generic Viagra and Viagra?

Both medicines have the same active ingredient (sildenafil citrate), strength, route of administration, performance characteristics, indications for use, uses, side effects, contraindications, etc. Both of these drugs have been proven to be equally effective for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. The only difference is that the generic version is much cheaper than the branded medicine. This is due to the fact that the manufacturers of brand-name drugs have to conduct clinical trials, to prove that their medicine is safe and works exactly the way it should. These trials are very expensive, and drug manufacturers pass on some of these costs to the buyer.

Is Generic Viagra as good as brand-name Viagra?

According to the FDA, drug manufacturers must prove that generic drugs can be substituted for brand-name ones and offer the same benefits as their branded counterparts. Generics work the same as brand-name medicines. In other words, you can buy this generic medicine as an equal substitute for its brand-name counterpart.

Who should take Generic Viagra?

You should understand right away that sildenafil and similar drugs do not stimulate libido and do not solve psychological problems. You can’t take a pill and get aroused just like that – you need to be sexually aroused and really want sex. It is only on this condition that the medicine will speed up the rest of the process.

“Blue pills” only solve erectile dysfunction issues. However, keep in mind that this medicine may not “work” if you have endocrinological problems or systemic diseases. If you have complexes, psychological traumas, psychological stiffness – you should contact a psychologist instead of taking medicine right away.

Can I take this drug to “enhance the sensation”?

Theoretically, you can do it. At the moment, there is no scientific evidence that the constant use of sildenafil can have cause erection problems in a healthy man. At the same time, the medical community does not recommend taking sildenafil medicine “just in case.” You must take this medication only when necessary! The drug does not cause physical dependence but it can cause psychological addiction: when sexual sensations seem pale and uninteresting without stimulants.

Dosage guidelines

What dosage should I take?

Generic Viagra is sold in various dosages (25mg, 50mg, 100mg, 120mg, 130mg, 150mg, 200mg). It is recommended to take medicine no more than once a day. Take 1 pill 30-60 minutes before sex. This drug is most effective when taken in advance and exactly 30-60 minutes before sexual intercourse – that is how much time it takes for the active substance sildenafil to prepare the body for the upcoming sexual intercourse. However, there are cases when pills were taken 4 hours before sexual intercourse and everything was fine.

The doctor will help you determine the best dosage and method of application, or you can calculate the dosage yourself by reading the instructions for you. Typically, the daily dose is one 50 mg tablet. Particular care should be taken by men over 65 years old and those who suffer from heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, drug addiction.

Can I overdose on this medicine?

The golden rule of using sildenafil drugs is that you need to take no more than one tablet a day. The main active ingredient of the drug is sildenafil. The maximum daily dose is 100 mg. Sildenafil usually starts working in 30-90 minutes after administration and lasts for about 5-6 hours.

If the dosage is exceeded, you may experience bowel disorders, headaches, dizziness, weakness. In addition, the drug can affect color perception: change the brightness and shades of colors. This must be taken into account if you intend to drive a car after taking medication.

How does Generic Viagra work?

For you to have an erection, the nerves in the penis need stimulation, which becomes a kind of signal to relax the muscles of the cavernous body and fill the penis with blood. However, erectile dysfunction negatively affects communication between the brain and nerves. As a result, blood does not enter the corpus cavernosum at the “crucial moment”.

And this is where sildenafil comes into play. It relaxes the walls of the blood vessels and makes it easier for the blood to reach the parts of the penis that cause an erection.

So, ED pills act exclusively on the natural mechanisms of erection, but not on sexual desire. Therefore, if you are not sexually excited, pills may simply not work.

Who cannot take Generic Viagra?

The drug is intended for adult men who have difficulty getting and keeping an erection.

The list of contraindications includes the following situations and conditions:

• Age under 18 years old;
• Female sex;
• Excessive sensitivity to sildenafil or other auxiliary components of the drug;
• The use of medicinal products that contain nitrogen oxides, nitrites and nitrates;
• The use of other PDE-5 blockers, or sexual stimulants;
• Disorders associated with lactose intolerance (its deficiency, as well as malabsorption);
• Severe forms of liver failure (starting from class C);
• Ritonavir treatment;
• Complex forms of cardiovascular diseases, including recent heart attack or stroke, heart failure, angina pectoris, hypotension, hypertension, arrhythmia;
• Vision problems (partial loss of vision, neuropathy of the optic nerve);
• Hereditary retinitis pigmentosa.

There are also a number of cases when a man should take sildenafil tablets with caution:

• Anatomical deformity of the penis (Peyronie’s disease, angulation and cavernous fibrosis);
• Diseases that can cause priapism (myeloma, anemia and leukemia);
• Diseases in which bleeding is possible;
• Ulcers of the stomach and duodenum in acute form;
• Liver dysfunctions;
• Severe renal failure;
• The use of α-adrenergic receptor blockers.

If you have any of the listed diseases or are taking appropriate medications, be sure to consult your doctor before using sildenafil pills.

What happens if a woman takes Generic Viagra?

Scientific studies that have tested the effect of sildenafil on women are not very encouraging. While the drug increases blood flow to the genitals, it does not appear to have any effect on sexual desire.

This means that if a woman has problems with libido, this medicine will not help her. Taking sildenafil by women can even be harmful – a female patient can suffer from side effects, such as headaches, upset stomach, skin redness, dizziness and diarrhea.

There has been little scientific research on the negative effects of sildenafil on women and it is possible that there may be other gender-specific effects that women face more often than men and the medium / long-term risks are still unknown. Good news – today women can purchase Female Viagra – a medication that was designed exclusively for women.

Compatibility with alcohol

Is Viagra compatible with alcohol? For many men, drinking a little alcohol before intercourse is considered normal. Everyone has their own reasons for this.

Some men drink for courage, others for mood. But you must remember that alcohol reduces potency. Sildenafil is a remedy that solves this problem.

What actually happens when you mix alcoholic beverages with this medicine? The experts who studied this issue came to the conclusion that the maximum dose of alcohol that can cause minor side effects is 100 g of whiskey/vodka/cognac/rum. This dose is equivalent to 40 g of pure alcohol. If you recalculate this amount of alcohol for other alcohol-containing drinks, you get the following:

• table wine – 450 ml;
• beer – 700 ml;
• gin and tonic – 600 ml.

What are the potential side effects?

Viagra side effects are usually not dangerous and do require a doctor’s consultation. This is just a signal from the body that it makes sense to either reduce the dose or stop using this medicine. These side effects include:

• Redness and sensation of heat in the neck and face;
• Headache;
• Nasal congestion;
• Memory problems;
• Pain in the upper abdomen or back.

Seek medical attention immediately if you experience severe side effects. In rare cases, the side effects are so strong that they require medical assistance. These side effects include:

• Prolonged (more than 4 hours) or painful erection;
• Loss of vision;
• Chest pain;
• Irregular heartbeat;
• Feeling of lightness in the head;
• Swelling of the palms, ankles and feet;
• Nausea or a feeling of general malaise.

How should I take Viagra for best results?

To take Viagra as safely and effectively as possible, it is necessary to approach the treatment process with full responsibility. Here are some tips to help you avoid unnecessary risks and protect yourself from force majeure:

• Before using sildenafil medicine, be sure to read the instructions for use. The risks and side effects may differ slightly depending on the current dosage of tablets;
• Use the recommended dosages. An excessive dose of sildenafil is unlikely to bring you the best effect but will cause problems. Do not use more than one tablet per day;
• Get a general check-up for other conditions besides erectile dysfunction. Perhaps you have non-critical ailments that can cause you a lot of discomfort under the influence of the drug. A comprehensive analysis of your body will help protect yourself from unforeseen events;
• Consult an experienced healthcare professional to determine the optimal dosage. An expert will consider your individual case and suggest an effective course that will improve the general condition of the reproductive system;
• Do not combine the medicine with alcoholic beverages. Alcohol can cause increased side reactions and general intoxication of the body.

What are the alternatives for Generic Viagra?

The most popular alternatives to this medicine are Cialis and Levitra. They are similar in action to sildenafil but contain different active ingredients, have different rates of absorption and speed of elimination from the body. The active ingredient of Cialis is tadalafil. Cialis starts working in about 1.5-2 hours after administration. But at the same time, it lasts longer – up to 36 hours. Levitra is the fastest acting ED medicine: the active ingredient vardenafil starts working within 20 minutes after entering the body. However, it lasts only for 4-5 hours.

How to store this drug?

The optimal temperature regime is room temperature, which does not rise above 30° C (86°F). Under such conditions, the drug can maintain optimal conditions for a long time. In some sources, you can find information that the tablets should be kept in refrigerators. But you are unlikely to find such advice in official information resources.

In fact, the main requirements for storing sildenafil medicine are as follows:

• Try to provide room temperature conditions for the place where the drug package will be stored;
• The tablets should be stored in a place with a low level of humidity;
• The best option would be to keep the packaging in a plastic bag, especially when it comes to storage in a refrigerator;
• If you still decide to keep the tablets in the refrigerator, use the space on the doors for this, not near the back wall (the temperature is too low there);
• Avoid potential direct sunlight on tablets. Keep the package in a dark place;
• It is also very important to keep the medicine away from children and pets.

As you can see, the rules for storing the drug are not complicated, and any man can easily remember them.

Advantages of Generic Viagra

The drug is as effective as the original product but has a lower price. It has many significant advantages:

• Price. Generic drugs produced on the basis of the original medicine are much cheaper;
• Availability. Any adult man can buy Generic Viagra on our website. He only needs to go to the site, place an order and pay for it;
• Efficiency. Generics have the same active substance as the original medicine;
• Speed of action. The tablets start working 30 minutes after ingestion;
• Convenience. The effect of the use of the drug is permanent, thanks to which a man can enjoy the quality of his sex life;
• Compatibility. Although it is not recommended to combine sildenafil with alcohol, trials have not shown significant harm to the body.