The blue tablet is a drug used to treat erectile dysfunction. At least two-thirds of men have a better erection after taking this pill. As the doctor Artur Fałek said, this tablet "is not a blue candy for every man, however." He told in an interview with Poradnik Zdrowie about its side effect. Check it out!
Anna Tłustochowicz: Is the blue tablet really "magic"?
Artur Fałek:(laughs). The blue pill containing sildenafil definitely works! However, we must separate two things: drugs and dietary supplements.Of course, it is not the color of the tablet that works, but the active substance contained in it.In the case of drugs, it is sildenafil and when we talk about drugs, then we can be sure that they are produced in accordance with specific procedures, they guarantee appropriate quality, clinical trials are carried out with their participation, etc. And above all, drugs should generally produce the desired effect. It is different with dietary supplements. They are not so controlled and may contain various ingredients: from vitamins, through microelements or various herbal compositions.
So they are less effective?
They will not always have the same effect as drugs. Same power of clinical intervention, expertly speaking.
But they can work great?
If we consider that placebo also works, of course! But that's half a joke, half seriously. Now seriously: if a man buys a dietary supplement and it turns out that the cause of erection problems was a deficiency of vitamins or microelements contained in this supplement, these levels in the body will balance out, the cause of the trouble will disappear and then it may work . Well, if we give the same supplement to a person with the correct levels, the effect will not be there. Maybe beyond the psychological one.
Let's go back to drugs. As you said, they work!
They definitely work, but we must remember that they should be used by people with specific he alth problems
The blue pill is not for everyone who wants to "fall out" better on a date?
No! I always say thatdrugs are not candies, and a blue pill is not a blue candy for everyonea man!At one time, like a large part of the medical community, I had great objections whether drugs for erection and potency should be available without a prescription. That is, to have the OTC availability category precisely because they are active substances that work, but should be taken by specific people.
Who exactly?
The indication for taking this type of medication isinability to get or maintain a penile erection,which prevents sexual activity. The reasons for this situation may be different.
However, I want to clearly say thatall men who have no problems with getting or maintaining an erection should not take these drugs just to be even more fit.
And what are the contraindications for taking Viagra?
Drugs interact with each other. Sildenafil interacts with drugs containing nitric oxide, e.g. nitroglycerin - isosorbide mononitrate, isosorbide dinitrate, amyl nitrite, nicorandil and sodium nitroprusside, i.e.with drugs that are used to relieve chest pain, treat heart failure or lowering blood pressure.Taking such substances is a contraindication to taking the blue tablet, because then the blood pressure lowering effect increases.
It can get scary!
Maybe. These drugs must also not be combined with those containing nitrates, with riociguat used in pulmonary arterial hypertension, and with some drugs used in HIV infection, such as ritonavir. Let's go further:drugs for erection and potency cannot be taken by those patients for whom sexual activity is not recommended due to problems with heart failure.
Simply put: in men whose sex can kill?
Pretty brutally said, but a beautiful death probably would be (laughs). Seriously: drugs for erection and potencycannot be used in patients with heart failure, recently after a heart attack or stroke, in the case of unstable angina.These patients simply, in in general, they should avoid excessive physical exertion.
And emotional?
Too! Also, if you have had blindness due to damage to the optic nerve, the "blue tablet" could risk the incident reappearing.
Sildenafil-containing drugs should also not be taken by thosegentlemen with generally low blood pressure.
A lot of these contraindications!
I repeat: it's notis blue candy and it's not for everyone! As I mentioned, I had considerable objections whether it should be available without a prescription at all, but it was important that we are a member of the European Union and it should not be the case that in other EU countries it is available with the OTC category, and it would not be with us . But let's take the leaflet, as we said before:you always have to read the leaflets before taking your medication!We will read right away that who shouldn't take this drug? Of course, women and men under 18 years of age. And here, as with all other medications, we are warned thatif, despite taking the blue tablet, the problems with potency do not disappear, you need to consult a doctor.This is very important, therefore that these problems may be the result of general diseases: diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diseases of the heart and blood vessels.
What about mental disorders or diseases? Sometimes depression lowers libido, right?
True.
We will also read in the leaflet thatbefore starting treatment, patients should make sure that this drug is suitable for themand that their he alth condition allows them to engage in sexual activity.
How can a patient be sure that he is allowed to have sex?
We have given specific examples: if low to moderate intensity physical activity, such as a 20-minute walk or going to the 2nd floor, causes shortness of breath or chest pain, you should first check that your heart can withstand the activity you expect. there is a sexual act.
Consult a doctor?
Yes. To assess your he alth. The same is true for men who have valves, inflammation of the heart muscle, arrhythmia …
Certainly also of those who are transplanted!
And after by-passes.
By-passes are a contraindication to having sex at all or temporarily?
Individually, each case that I just mentioned has to be assessed by a doctor. After all, patients can be in various conditions and rehabilitated in various ways. On the other hand,men who had an erection lasting longer than 4 hours, i.e. priapism, should not use these tablets at all , because then such an episode may repeat.
What about drugs for prostate enlargement?
When a patient is taking alpha-blockers, a popular group of drugs for prostate enlargement, be careful and consult a doctor.
Can the blue tablet betake regardless of a meal?
Yes.
Also, what if you sip wine with this meal? Alcohol often accompanies dating.
Drinking too much alcohol can temporarily impair your ability to get an erection.
That's clear.
But I will probably surprise you with this:you should not eat grapefruits and drink grapefruit juice.
You told the doctor that the minimum age limit for patients is 18. There is no maximum limit, right? The blue tablet guaranteed the man indefinite sexual performance.
Aside from the he alth restrictions we've already mentioned, it's basically like that.
The most common side effect is headache , but the dosage is very important here!
You should take one tablet a day, and the dose should be chosen individually.The tablet is available in the form of 25, 50 and 100 mg.And you should always start with the lowest dose.
It was a very interesting conversation! To sum up: the blue tablet is not for everyone and should be taken with caution.
For sure.Erection restorants are a valuable help for people who have lost the ability to engage in sexual activities, however, provided that their he alth condition allows their use.And certainly not everyone needs them! Finally, I advise all men to try to implement the golden advice that improves he alth, including sexual performance.
Gentlemen! We quit cigarettes, limit alcohol consumption, find time for physical activity every day and avoid stressful situations.
Thanks to this, we will be he althier, and our life - also sexual - will be more successful.
Dr. Artur Fałek, doctor
He is an expert of the Rafał Piotr Janiszewski Consulting Office in the field of the organization and operation of the he alth care system, the operation of state administration, legislation in the field of he alth care, and an expert in the field of reimbursement and drug management. He worked in the Ministry of He alth as the Director of the Department of Drug Policy and Pharmacy (2007-2015), previously as the Deputy Director (2007), in the National He alth Fund Headquarters as the Director of the Drug Management Department.
From 2005 he was a member and from November 2007 the Chairman of the Drug Management Team. He is the author, co-author of many organizational solutions and legislation in the field of pharmacy and drugs, he was a Deputy Member of the Management Board inThe European Medicines Agency; Senior Project Officer in the "Transparency of the National He alth System Drug Reimbursement Decisions" project (2007-2008); was a representative of Poland in the work of working groups at the European level.
Read more:
- How to read drug leaflets? [EXPLAIN]
- What is included in the discharge from hospital and how to read it?
- What are the side effects of taking paracetamol? Check it out!
- E-prescription and e-referral. What is worth knowing about them?