Erectile Dysfunction

Drug Uses

Sublingual Viagra is to be used for treating men's impotence. It increases body's ability to achieve and maintain an erection by sexual stimulation.

How to use

Sublingual Viagra should be taken 30 minutes to 1 hour before sexual activity. You may take it up to 4 hours before sexual activity.
Do not take Sublingual Viagra more than once per day.
The pill has to be placed under the tongue. It is absorbed directly into the blood stream from the mouth's mucus membrane.

Drug Class and Mechanism

Sublingual Viagra is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor. It works by helping the blood flow into a penis to achieve and maintain an erection.
When you place a medication under the tongue, it comes into contact with the mouth's mucous membranes, which are capable of absorbing material directly into the blood stream.

Missed Dose

Sublingual Viagra is used as needed, so you are not likely to be on a dosing schedule.

Storage

Keep Sublingual Viagra in its original container. Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture, heat and light (between 59 and 86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C)). Keep this medication out of the reach of children.

Warnings/Precautions

Do not take Sublingual Viagra if you are also using a nitrate drug for chest pain or heart problems, including nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur, Nitro-Bid, Minitran, Deponit, Transderm-Nitro), isosorbide dinitrate (Dilatrate-SR, Isordil, Sorbitrate), and isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO, Monoket), or recreational drugs such as amyl nitrate or nitrite ("poppers").

Before taking Sublingual Viagra, tell your doctor about all other medications you use for erectile dysfunction, or if you are using any of the following medications:

bosentan (Tracleer);
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB);
an antibiotic such as erythromycin (E-Mycin, Eryc, Ery-Tab) or clarithromycin (Biaxin);
doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin (Minipress), Terazosin (Hytrin);
HIV medicines such as amprenavir (Agenerase), tipranavir (Aptivus), darunavir (Prezista), efavirenz (Sustiva), nevirapine (Viramune), indinavir (Crixivan), saquinavir (Invirase, Fortovase), lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), ritonavir (Norvir), atazanavir (Reyataz), or nelfinavir (Viracept);
an antifungal medication such as itraconazole (Sporanox) or ketoconazole (Nizoral);
carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenobarbital (Luminal), or phenytoin (Dilantin); or
rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane) or rifabutin (Mycobutin).
Tell your doctor about all the prescriptions and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

If you have heart problems severe enough to make sexual activity a danger, you should avoid using Sublingual Viagra. Use it cautiously if you have had a heart attack, stroke, or life-threatening heart irregularities within the past 6 months. Be equally cautious if you have severe high or low blood pressure, heart failure, or unstable angina.

If you take Sublingual Viagra and develop cardiac symptoms (for example, dizziness, nausea, and chest pain) during sexual activity, do not continue. Alert your doctor to the problem as soon as possible.

If you have a condition that might result in long-lasting erections, such as sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma (a disease of the bone marrow), or leukemia, use Viagra with caution. Also use cautiously if you have a genital problem or deformity such as Peyronie's disease. If an erection lasts more than 4 hours, seek treatment immediately. Permanent damage and impotence could result.

If you have a bleeding disorder, a stomach ulcer, or the inherited eye condition known as retinitis pigmentosa, use Viagra Soft Tabs with caution. Its safety under these circumstances has not yet been studied.

Possible Side Effects

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Sublingual Viagra and seek emergency medical attention or notify your doctor immediately:

sudden vision loss;
ringing in your ears, or sudden hearing loss;
chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;
irregular heartbeat;
swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet;
shortness of breath;
vision changes;
feeling light-headed, fainting; or
penis erection that is painful or lasts 4 hours or longer.

Less serious side effects may include:
warmth or redness in your face, neck, or chest;
stuffy nose;
headache;
upset stomach; or
back pain.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

More Information

If you are over 65 years of age, you are most likely to have Sublingual Viagra side effects. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of this medication.