Viagra, or sildenafil, is a medication in a classification of drugs known as phosphodiesterase inhibitors. Viagra is used to treat erectile dysfunction in adult men. According to Medline Plus, Viagra treats erectile dysfunction by increasing blood flow to the penis during sexual stimulation, which can cause an erection. There are some dangerous side effects associated with Viagra that patients should be aware of.
Low Blood Pressure and Heart Attack
Patients with a history of cardiac disease who take nitrates for chest pain or heart problems should not take Viagra. Taking Viagra with a nitrate medicine can cause a serious decrease in blood pressure, leading to fainting, stroke or heart attack, reports Drugs.com. A physician should be notified immediately if dizziness, nausea, pain or numbness in the chest, or pain radiating to the jaw or arm occur during sexual activity. These symptoms may indicate a dangerous reaction to Viagra.
Permanent Vision Loss
Some patients taking Viagra have experienced a loss of vision due to a decrease in blood flow to the optic nerve in the eye. According to Drugs.com, this has occurred in a small number of people taking Viagra, most of whom also had heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or certain pre-existing eye problems, and in those who smoke or are over 50 years old. Patients who experience changes in vision while taking Viagra should seek immediate medical attention.
Priapism
A dangerous side effect of Viagra is priapism. Priapism is the development of an erection that is painful, or lasts longer than four hours, says Medline Plus. If left untreated, penile damage may occur. A prolonged or painful erection should be brought to the attention of a physician immediately.
Decrease or Loss of Hearing
Some patients taking Viagra may experience a sudden decrease in, or loss of, hearing, states Drugs.com. Accoring to Dr. Sapna Parikh, a medical reporter for Fox 5 News in New York, a study by the University of Alabama at Birmingham looked at more than 11,000 men over the age of 40 and noted that those who took Viagra, Cialis and Levitra were twice as likely to report hearing loss. Men who experience a decrease in hearing or experience a ringing in the ears should report these symptoms to a doctor.
