Viagra Side Effects

Written by: Staci Kilpatrick
Published 09/12/2016
Updated: 10/28/2024

What Are Some of the Side Effects of Viagra?

Short Answer: Viagra may cause mild side effects such as a flushing of your neck and chest, a stuffy nose, upset stomach, and backache. More serious side effects include chest pain, sudden changes in your vision or hearing, or an erection that is very painful or lasts for more than four hours.

Long Answer: Like all prescription medications, Viagra does carry the risk of side effects. Most of them are mild, and do not last for a very long time; others can be more serious.

"Flushing"—the feeling of heat in a man’s neck and chest, sometimes accompanied by redness in those areas—is one of the mild side effects. So is experiencing a stuffy nose, just as though the man were catching or had a cold. Some men notice that Viagra causes mild stomach upset; others complain of backache after having taken Viagra.

All these mild side effects usually disappear in a very short time. Further, they may not appear each time a man uses Viagra, and not all men will have all the side effects. A few lucky men will have no side effects at all.

Men who do suffer mild side effects such as those listed above can continue to take Viagra; however, they will want to mention them to their doctor at their next visit.

There are other, much more serious, side effects such as chest pain, sudden vision or hearing, or an erection that lasts over four hours or is extremely painful. If you experience any of these side effects, you should stop taking Viagra and notify your physician immediately One of the most serious—but, fortunately, one of the rarest—side effects is a loss of vision called nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). This condition can cause permanent vision loss.

Therefore, if you have any eye problem that affects the retina of the eye, you should consult your doctor BEFORE taking any medication for erectile dysfunction.

Viagra contraindications

You cannot take Viagra if you take nitric oxide donor medications like nitroglycerin, isosorbide, dinitrate, or nitroprusside. Before taking Viagra, tell your doctor about all your prescription and non-prescription medications. If you are currently taking quinidine, cimetidine, antifungals, niacin, erythromycin, high blood pressure medications, or medication used to treat an HIV infection, do not start taking Viagra.

See your doctor to discuss your erectile dysfunction treatment options.

A warning about counterfeit Viagra Since Viagra is so popular, there are many counterfeit versions sold illegally online. Use caution when buying Viagra online, especially if the website is offering a generic version of Viagra or medications with large discounts. These medications can be ineffective and can sometimes be dangerous. At eDrugstore, you’re guaranteed to receive genuine Viagra made in the United States of America by Pfizer. A United States licensed pharmacist dispenses all medications sold by eDrugstore.