Erectile dysfunction or impotence is more common among people within the age group of 40 to 70 years than their younger counterparts. People with this problem find it difficult to get or sustain an erection for satisfactory sexual intercourse. Scientists are of the opinion that this physical condition may occur due to both physical and psychological factors. However, 75 to 80 percent of all cases of impotence in the UK are physical and they are caused due to change in life-style as well as different health conditions, mainly cardiovascular diseases, kidney or liver dysfunction and diabetes.

Viagra, since its inception in March 1998, has retained the position of being a leading medication for treating erectile dysfunction. Sildenafil citrate, the core component of this medication, acts as a PDE-5 inhibitor and helps cGMP to be active for longer so a person suffering from this problem sustains an erection successfully. The Viagra pills are blue coloured, diamond shaped and bear the name of the company as well as dosage strength of sildenafil on either side. Depending on the strength of sildenafil Viagra can be availed in three different dosages – 25mg, 50mg and 100mg.

Viagra is considered to be a very safe medication to treat erectile dysfunction, though in certain cases it may cause physical complications. The most common forms of Viagra side effects are headache, stomach upset, facial flushing, running or stuffy nose and muscle ache. These problems, however, stop occurring once a person’s physical system gets habituated to this medication. However, patients with very serious cardiac problem, kidney or liver dysfunction and blood pressure (high and low) may encounter dangerous consequences if they take this medication incorrectly.