6 Things You Did Not Know About Viagra – The Miracle Drug for Men

Facts about viagra and health tips on taking it.

Monday, September 25, 2017, 17:19

Ever since it was released in 1998, Viagra (a.k.a the little blue pill) has brought a lot of happiness and sexual satisfaction in the lives of men (and likewise women) all over the world.

But did you know that it was accidentally discovered while clinically testing the drug sildenafil for treating angina in heart disease patients?

Or that taking viagra with illegal drugs can give you a painful erection that lasts for more than 4 hours?

Read on to find out more.

#1 Accidental Discovery

When the drug magnate, Pfizer was clinically testing its newest drug sildenafil citrate for effectiveness in reducing blood pressure and angina in heart disease patients, an embarrassing incident occurred in one of their male volunteer batches.

All the men developed erections after taking the drug. And these erections were longer, harder, and firmer than they had ever experienced before.

And though it took Pfizer some time to capitalize on the golden duck that had just landed on their lap, eventually they did start selling sildenafil (Viagra) as a cure for erectile dysfunction and impotence. Something that has consistently earned the company between 1.5 - 2 billion dollars in revenues every year since it was released in 1998.

#2 What Does Viagra Do?

Viagra cannot give you an erection if you are not sexually aroused.

But when you are stimulated sexually, the drug increases the blood flow to your penis and helps you to maintain a longer and stronger erection for almost 2 - 3 hours.

Image source - Tim.Reckmann

#3 How Long Does It Take to Start Working?

On an average, viagra takes around half an hour to enter your blood-stream after you take the pill orally. But this time can vary depending upon your age, if you have any concomitant diseases, and what you ate before you took the pill.

For example, if you eat a meal rich in fats just before you take the blue pill, you can rest assured that it will take more than an hour for the drug to reach your system and start working.
This is because fats are difficult for your gut to digest, and therefore, slow down the digestion of everything else you take along with them.

Image source

#4 How Long Do the Effects of Viagra Last?

On an average, viagra can give you a strong erection for at least 2 - 3 hours. But in some people, it has been documented to last up to 5 hours.

In fact, the latter tends to happen in men who are significantly older (above 65 years of age), as their bodies take a long time to metabolize the active drug and pass it out of their system (which stops the effects of the drug).

#5 Drinking Alcohol Works Against Viagra

Having a small glass of wine or a bottle of beer won't affect this drug. But if you drink more than 2 units of alcohol after taking viagra, the drug fails to work and can instead, give rise to many side effects.

#6 Viagra and Other Drugs

If you are a healthy man and don't take any other medicines, viagra can do wonders for your sex life (especially if you are impotent). But if you regularly take medicines for certain diseases or conditions, it's best if you ask your doctor before you take viagra on your own.

This is because viagra can have adverse effects when taken with other drugs. Like increasing their toxicity, decreasing their effect, etc.

In fact, if you take viagra along with illegal drugs, you can end up with a painful erection that lasts for more than 4 hours (a.k.a Priapism).