According to the good people at Brand New, Pfizer has a new logo:
Halloween's almost here, so we figured we'd get crafty a bit and put together a new project for you all to try. The result? Doctor and nurse pez dispensers with Viagra-shaped candy:
Detailed new study shows that Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra do, in fact, work better than hormone treatments for treating erectile dysfunction:
Published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, the new clinical practice guideline finds that for most men who complain of erectile dysfunction, one of the phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors -- sildenafil, tadalafil and vardenafil -- is a more effective treatment than pills, creams, gels or patches containing testosterone.This isn't very surprising, of course. These drugs (so-called PDE5 inhibitors) really work at the plumbing level. They enhance the mechanism the body uses to produce an erection, and so are very effective in producing that result.
Another case of beverages super-powered with Viagra has been uncovered in Malaysia. First it was coffee and now it's fruit juice.
The motivation behind this is obvious. "Generic Viagra" is cheap and easy to produce. Mix it with whatever, and you have a tonic of undeniable effectiveness - a veritable potion of youth. Similarly, "Herbal Viagra" is often nothing more than a few traditional herbs spiked with real Vitamin V.
The main problem with all these concoctions, of course, is that you don't know precisely what dose you're getting. That's why it's best to go with the pharmaceutical-grade varieties. It's important to know exactly what you're taking so you can minimize side effects and maximize effectiveness.
The motivation behind this is obvious. "Generic Viagra" is cheap and easy to produce. Mix it with whatever, and you have a tonic of undeniable effectiveness - a veritable potion of youth. Similarly, "Herbal Viagra" is often nothing more than a few traditional herbs spiked with real Vitamin V.
The main problem with all these concoctions, of course, is that you don't know precisely what dose you're getting. That's why it's best to go with the pharmaceutical-grade varieties. It's important to know exactly what you're taking so you can minimize side effects and maximize effectiveness.
How does grapefruit juice affect how Viagra works? Is it safe to take them together?
There is a well-known effect where grapefruit juice can interact with medications. It may increase the "bioavailability" of Viagra, increasing its effectiveness.
In effect, what you are doing is mixing drugs, which can have unpredictable effects. When you drink the grapefruit juice (or eat the grapefruit), how much you drink or eat, what type it is, etc. can all play a factor. What else you've eaten, your weight, etc. can also have an effect. So there's just no way to predict how your body will react.
So, generally, it's not recommended to mix the two.
If you are determined to try this combination, we recommend trying it at home, in a safe environment, with a very low dose of Viagra at first - at most 25mg, and perhaps even less. That way you can test the drug interaction. You may experience better effectiveness, but you also may experience increased side effects like headache, stuffiness, etc.
Note: if you are taking any other medications, or have any other serious health issues, you should consult with your doctor before even considering this. The grapefruit juice could interact with some other medication you are taking, with truly unpredictable, and perhaps dangerous, results.
There is a well-known effect where grapefruit juice can interact with medications. It may increase the "bioavailability" of Viagra, increasing its effectiveness.
In effect, what you are doing is mixing drugs, which can have unpredictable effects. When you drink the grapefruit juice (or eat the grapefruit), how much you drink or eat, what type it is, etc. can all play a factor. What else you've eaten, your weight, etc. can also have an effect. So there's just no way to predict how your body will react.
So, generally, it's not recommended to mix the two.
If you are determined to try this combination, we recommend trying it at home, in a safe environment, with a very low dose of Viagra at first - at most 25mg, and perhaps even less. That way you can test the drug interaction. You may experience better effectiveness, but you also may experience increased side effects like headache, stuffiness, etc.
Note: if you are taking any other medications, or have any other serious health issues, you should consult with your doctor before even considering this. The grapefruit juice could interact with some other medication you are taking, with truly unpredictable, and perhaps dangerous, results.
I've heard that Viagra can actually increase penis size. Is that true?
First, let's be clear. Viagra is not a penis enlargement pill. It is an erection-inducing pill.
However, for years we've received reports from readers that they felt like Viagra made them longer or thicker than usual. Here are just a few of the dozens of reports we've received:
"My wife said that the Viagra made my dick bigger than it has ever been."
"She noticed I was both longer and thicker."
"I am bigger and harder than ever before, and i shoot my load farther than I have ever seen."
"Lasted much,much longer than usual. Bigger and longer in size also."
What is going on here? Could Viagra actually be increasing penis size?
We think there are two things going on. A full erection is likely to be larger than the partial erection many men get without Viagra; in this case, men may actually be bigger on Viagra. They probably aren't bigger than they were when they didn't have erectile difficulties, but they may in fact be bigger than the have been since suffering from ED.
Another factor is that Viagra does make men harder than usual, often even harder than they were before they had ED. Being so hard can feel to their partner like they are bigger. In other words, they may be making a bigger impression, even though the actual size may not be increased.
We don't know of any clinical studies of this issue, so we're left with this anecdotal evidence and our best guesses. But these consistent reports should not be ignored.
First, let's be clear. Viagra is not a penis enlargement pill. It is an erection-inducing pill.
However, for years we've received reports from readers that they felt like Viagra made them longer or thicker than usual. Here are just a few of the dozens of reports we've received:
"My wife said that the Viagra made my dick bigger than it has ever been."
"She noticed I was both longer and thicker."
"I am bigger and harder than ever before, and i shoot my load farther than I have ever seen."
"Lasted much,much longer than usual. Bigger and longer in size also."
What is going on here? Could Viagra actually be increasing penis size?
We think there are two things going on. A full erection is likely to be larger than the partial erection many men get without Viagra; in this case, men may actually be bigger on Viagra. They probably aren't bigger than they were when they didn't have erectile difficulties, but they may in fact be bigger than the have been since suffering from ED.
Another factor is that Viagra does make men harder than usual, often even harder than they were before they had ED. Being so hard can feel to their partner like they are bigger. In other words, they may be making a bigger impression, even though the actual size may not be increased.
We don't know of any clinical studies of this issue, so we're left with this anecdotal evidence and our best guesses. But these consistent reports should not be ignored.
The blogosphere is abuzz with talk of a "Viagra effect" in Brazil, where older men are marrying much younger woman. This is a problem for the pension system, since the women continue receiving benefits after the man dies.
Of course, as the all of the news articles about this issue make plain, this trend started way before the advent of Viagra.
Fact is, a very young woman looking for sex is going to look to someone about her age. Viagra doesn't turn a 50 year-old man into a 19 year-old man; it only gives him a strong erection. That's a benefit, to be sure, but it isn't some magical love potion. Women marrying much older men are doing so for economic reasons, not carnal ones.
Viagra isn't likely to have demographic effects in this way. Its effects are more small-scale. They are psychological, giving men confidence and removing strain from marriages.
Is it harder to cum when taking VIagra?
Some men do find it more difficult to ejaculate when taking Viagra. They can maintain an erection, but find that their sensitivity is decreased, and so it is difficult to reach climax. For men who suffer from premature ejaculation, of course, this can be a godsend. For other men, however, it can be a problem.
The main thing we recommend in this kind of situation is taking a lower dose of the drug. Too high of a dose can make you feel "too hard" which decreases sensitivity. Try halving the dose, even if you're only taking 25mg. You may find this works better.
The other thing you can try is masturbating by yourself with Viagra. That way, you can get used to the sensations and learn how to bring yourself to orgasm on the drug without the pressure of performing with someone else. This may help things go easier when you are later with a partner.
I've been taking Viagra for two years but recently it's stopped working. What can I do?
In a situation like this, the first thing we'd recommend is going to see your doctor, Whatever is the underlying cause of your ED may be getting worse, or some new problem may have developed, so you want to get a full physical to make sure everything is OK.
If that doesn't turn up anything, try to figure out if anything else has changed. If you are taking Viagra at a different time of day, after different foods or alcohol, etc. that may have an effect. Try taking it on an empty stomach and without any alcohol to see if that is more effective.
You can always try increasing your dose; 100mg is the maximum dose per day. The downside of a higher dose is that you're likely to experience more side effects.
The other option is to try another drug like Levitra or Cialis; those may be more effective.
It's important to remember, though, that all of these drugs require sufficient stimulation. If for some reason you aren't being excited like you were before, that could be the culprit. It could be a psychological or emotional issue and have nothing to do with the drug at all.
In a situation like this, the first thing we'd recommend is going to see your doctor, Whatever is the underlying cause of your ED may be getting worse, or some new problem may have developed, so you want to get a full physical to make sure everything is OK.
If that doesn't turn up anything, try to figure out if anything else has changed. If you are taking Viagra at a different time of day, after different foods or alcohol, etc. that may have an effect. Try taking it on an empty stomach and without any alcohol to see if that is more effective.
You can always try increasing your dose; 100mg is the maximum dose per day. The downside of a higher dose is that you're likely to experience more side effects.
The other option is to try another drug like Levitra or Cialis; those may be more effective.
It's important to remember, though, that all of these drugs require sufficient stimulation. If for some reason you aren't being excited like you were before, that could be the culprit. It could be a psychological or emotional issue and have nothing to do with the drug at all.
Health officials have called off a promising trial that used Viagra to treat
a complication of sickle cell anemia. The study, known as "walk-PHaSST"
(Treatment of Pulmonary Hypertension and Sickle Cell Disease with Sildenafil
Treatment), was stopped dead in its tracks this month. The drug was making
some patients worse instead of better; 38 percent of the subjects
experienced serious side effects, compared to 8 percent of those taking the
placebo.
The study seemed like a good idea on paper. Sildenafil is approved under the name Revatio to treat pulmonary hypertension, one of the major killers of sickle cell patients.
However, a high number of the patients on Revatio experienced painful "sickle cell crises", in which sickle-shaped blood cells become backed up in blood vessels.
Interestingly, Viagra has had mixed results with regard to another sickle cell complication: priapism. While Viagra has been known to precipitate priapism in men with sickle cell anemia, the drug has also been shown to relieve the condition in other sickle cell patients when given in a steady low dose.
Ultimately, Viagra may prove to have some benefit for certain patients with sickle cell anemia, perhaps when combined with other treatments, but the failure of this study is a major setback.
The study seemed like a good idea on paper. Sildenafil is approved under the name Revatio to treat pulmonary hypertension, one of the major killers of sickle cell patients.
However, a high number of the patients on Revatio experienced painful "sickle cell crises", in which sickle-shaped blood cells become backed up in blood vessels.
Interestingly, Viagra has had mixed results with regard to another sickle cell complication: priapism. While Viagra has been known to precipitate priapism in men with sickle cell anemia, the drug has also been shown to relieve the condition in other sickle cell patients when given in a steady low dose.
Ultimately, Viagra may prove to have some benefit for certain patients with sickle cell anemia, perhaps when combined with other treatments, but the failure of this study is a major setback.
