It's not as simple as popping a pill and then an erection happens. Sometimes Viagra doesn’t work for you because you shouldn’t be taking it in the first place or you’re taking it the wrong way. To get the best results from Pfizer’s phenomenal blue pill, you should take your doctor’s instructions by heart. Better yet, educate yourself about what ED drugs can and cannot do.
Top reasons that could prevent you from getting the best results from Viagra
One study in 2004 revealed that men are more distressed about their ED when Viagra failed to work. A successful treatment boosted their confidence, but if the drug did not work on the first try, the impact to their self-esteem was so great it drove some men to depression. But, there are many reasons why Viagra doesn’t work for some people. Some drugs can have negative interactions with Viagra. Likewise, if you have certain medical conditions, Viagra will do more harm than good. So do not take any medications with sildenafil if:
You take nitrates
Nitrates are often prescribed to treat chest pain (angina). When you take Viagra with nitrates, your blood pressure may drop to an unsafe level and you may feel dizzy or have heart attack or stroke.
You are using “poppers” or “rush” (amyl nitrite)
Amyl nitrite/nitrate is a street drug that is inhaled for recreational purposes. Similar to taking nitrates for angina, it is dangerous to mix poppers with Viagra because your blood pressure may drop to very low levels that can be fatal. How about other recreational drugs? It could also be dangerous to take cocaine, ecstasy, or methamphetamines especially in large amounts. These drugs can also cause unwanted changes to sexual function, from delayed ejaculation times to difficulty achieving an erection.
You have diabetes
If you have a poorly controlled diabetes, it can wreak havoc to the nerves in your penis. It will be hard to get an erection with damaged nerves no matter how many pills you pop.
You don’t want to have sex
Sildenafil is a PDE5 inhibitor and these compounds rely on nitric oxide (NO) to work. NO is released during sexual arousal. Viagra is not an aphrodisiac, so if you are not in the mood or if you just don’t want to have sex, it won’t work.
Tips for achieving the best results when taking Viagra
Researchers found that Sildenafil failures might be tied to inadequate patient instructions and follow-up. Many patients who are taking Viagra the wrong way will deem their treatment a failure if their first prescription did not work. The study showed the importance of receiving dose titration and proper instructions from clinicians, so it you think your knowledge of sildenafil is inadequate or if something is not clear about your prescription, ask your doctor.
From the official website, there are tips on how to use Viagra for best results. But, that’s not all you need to know.
- You need to be sexually stimulated for it to work. If you suffer from low libido or lack of sexual desire, you need to have it checked and treated first.
- Take it with an empty stomach. If it can’t be avoided, choose light meals that are not high in fat. The drug’s absorption is affected by food intake, so it may take longer for it to work after a high-fat meal.
- Take the right dose prescribed by your doctor. Do not double your dose or take a half dose without consulting your doctor.
- Be patient and give it time to work. There are no ED drugs on the market that can give you an erection right away. It will take about 30 minutes for Viagra to work (about 2 hours for Cialis), and the effect lasts about 4 hours.
- Limit your alcohol intake. Alcohol may not have an effect on Viagra or your blood vessels, but it may have an effect on some people’s ability to get an erection. You may take a little alcohol to get into the mood, but not too much, if you want a better performance.
- Lastly, you can only take it once a day. Taking more won’t boost or prolong your erection; it might send you to the emergency room.