Viagra Dosage: Strengths, How to Take and More

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Viagra, containing Sildenafil, is a brand-name medicine for treating Erectile Dysfunction (ED).

ED is a common condition in which males cannot get or maintain a firm erection.

Viagra (Sildenafil) is an effective medicine with an efficacy rate of 82%.

But the effectiveness of Viagra depends on taking the correct dosage. 

This article will provide a comprehensive guide on Viagra dosage. We will also elaborate on how to choose the right dose.

What strengths does Viagra come in

Viagra comes in a tablet form that needs to be taken orally. 

The tablet is rounded-diamond-shaped and film-coated. It is blue in colour, due to which Viagra is popularly known as the “little blue pill.”

It is available in three different strengths for treating Erectile Dysfunction. These include: 

• 25 mg
• 50 mg
• 100 mg

Sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra, is also available as a 20 mg dose. This 20 mg dose is sold under the brand Revatio for treating Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH).

Starting dose of Viagra

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The starting dose of Viagra is 50mg. 

This Viagra dosage gives a good balance between effectiveness and tolerable side effects. 

It is the most recommended dose by doctors for many reasons.

1. Effective and safe 

During clinical trials, a 50mg Viagra dosage has shown effectiveness in 74% of males. It also improves drug tolerability. 

Headache is a common side effect of Viagra. Only 21% of the males experienced it during trials with a 50mg dose of Viagra.

2. Flexible

A 50mg dose of Viagra allows flexible dosing. It can be adjusted based on individual responses. 

For example- if you are not responding to the treatment, you can move up to a 100mg dose. Similarly, if you are experiencing side effects, you can move down to a 25mg dose. 

3. Cost-effective 

If a 50mg dose is found to be effective, there is no need to move up to 100mg. This reduces drug costs as low doses are economical compared to higher doses. 

Many people prefer this as a starting dose from a cost perspective.

Maximum dose of Viagra

As per the FDA, the maximum dose of Viagra is 100mg. 

It is the most effective Viagra dose, with an efficacy rate of 82%. But it may increase the dose-related side effects like vision changes, sensitivity to light, etc. 

Your doctor may prescribe 100mg of Viagra if you have severe ED. The doctor may also recommend using it if you are not responding to a 50mg dose.

The lowest dose of Viagra

25mg is the lowest dose of Viagra that the FDA approves.

Doctors prescribe 25mg of Viagra in the following situations

• If you have a mild Erectile Dysfunction 
• If you experience side effects when taking 50 or 100mg dose of Viagra 
• If you are above 65 years of age
• If you also use other medicines like Alpha-blockers, etc
• If you have kidney or liver impairment

25mg dose of Viagra causes fewer side effects. 

But it might not work if you have moderate to severe ED.

How to take Viagra dosage

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Viagra is a simple medicine to use.

But you should adhere to the basics of using it correctly.

• Take Viagra (Sildenafil) 30-60 minutes before sexual activity
• Swallow the whole pill with a glass of water. Avoid crushing, chewing, and splitting the tablet.
• Do not eat a heavy meal before taking Viagra, as it can delay the absorption by 1 hour
• Be sexually stimulated.

Missed dose

• Try to take the missed dose as soon as you remember
• If your next scheduled dose is approaching, skip the missed dose. And follow your routine dosage schedule

Overdose

• Do not take more than one Viagra pill in 24 hours 
• Overdosing on the medicine could lead to side effects like Priapism, headaches, flushing, etc. 
• Consult your doctor immediately in case of overdosing

Recommended Read- A Guide on How to Use Viagra for Best Results

What factors can affect Viagra dosage

There’s no one-size-fits-all dose of Viagra that works effectively for everyone.

Many factors, like age, the severity of ED, medications, etc., can affect the Viagra dosage.

In these cases, dosage adjustment becomes necessary. 

Here we discuss all the factors in detail.

1. ED Severity

Doctors prescribe dosages as per the severity of ED. 

Males with mild ED may respond well to a 25 mg dose. But people with moderate to severe ED may need higher doses like 50 or 100mg. 

2. Age

As you age, your metabolism and overall health change. 

Older individuals may be experiencing other health complications. 

So, doctors usually prescribe lower doses of Viagra.

3. Health Conditions

Specific conditions, like liver or kidney disease, may affect the metabolism and excretion of Viagra. 

This could lead to the accumulation of medicine in the body. Thus, causing side effects.

So, to avoid this situation, doctors may require to adjust the Viagra dosage. 

4. Medications

If you are taking medicines like Nitrates, they can interact with Viagra and cause adverse effects.

So, you must inform your doctor of all the medicines you are using. He/she may determine the Viagra dosage based on that information.

Conclusion

In summary, there are three doses of Viagra that the FDA approves. These include 25mg, 50mg and 100mg.

Your age, health conditions and severity of ED may affect the dose of Viagra. 

But how to find the right Viagra dosage?

The best way to find the correct dosage is by consulting a doctor. They will diagnose your condition and then prescribe the appropriate dose. 

The doctor may also recommend using other PDE5 inhibitors like Tadalafil or Vardenafil.

Frequently Asked Questions

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• ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
• accessdata.fda.gov