[ Information for the User ]

VIAGRA

25mg, 50mg or 100mg film-coated tablets

1. WHAT VIAGRA IS AND WHAT IT IS USED FOR

VIAGRA belongs to a group of medicines called phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors. It works by helping to relax the blood vessels in your penis, allowing blood to flow into your penis when you get sexually excited. VIAGRA will only help you to get an erection if you are sexually stimulated. You should not take VIAGRA if you do not have erectile dysfunction. You should not take VIAGRA if you are a woman.

VIAGRA is a treatment for men with erectile dysfunction, sometimes known as impotence. This is when a man cannot get, or keep a hard, erect penis suitable for sexual activity.

2. BEFORE YOU TAKE VIAGRA

Do not take VIAGRA

• If you are taking medicines containing nitrates, or nitric oxide donors such as amyl nitrite ("poppers"). These medicines are often given for relief of angina pectoris (or "chest pain"). VIAGRA can cause a serious increase in the effects of these medicines. Tell your doctor if you are taking any of these medicines. If you are not certain, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

• If you are allergic (hypersensitive) to sildenafil or any of the other ingredients of VIAGRA.

• If you have a severe heart or liver problem.

• If you have recently had a stroke or a heart attack, or if you have low blood pressure.

• If you have certain rare inherited eye diseases (such as retinitis pigmentosa).

• If you have ever had loss of vision because of non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION)

Take special care with VIAGRA

Tell your doctor

• if you have sickle cell anaemia (an abnormality of red blood cells), leukaemia (cancer of blood cells), multiple myeloma (cancer of bone marrow) or any disease or deformity of your penis. These conditions may require special care when taking medicines for erectile dysfunction.

• if you have problems with your heart. Your doctor should in that case carefully check whether your heart can take the additional strain of having sex.

• if you currently have a stomach ulcer, or a bleeding disorder (such as haemophilia).

• if you experience sudden decrease or loss of vision, stop taking VIAGRA and contact your doctor immediately.

You should not use VIAGRA with any other treatment for erectile dysfunction.

Special considerations for children

VIAGRA should not be given to children under the age of 18.

Special considerations for patients with kidney or liver problems

You should tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver problems. Your doctor may decide on a lower dose for you.

Using other medicines

Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken other medicines, including medicines obtained without prescription.

VIAGRA tablets may interfere with some medicines, especially those used to treat chest pain. In the event of a medical emergency, you should tell anyone treating your condition that you have taken VIAGRA. Do not take VIAGRA with other medicines unless your doctor tells you that you can.

VIAGRA may cause a serious increase in the effects of medicines called nitrates, nitric oxide donors such as amyl nitrite ("poppers"). These are often used for the relief of angina pectoris (or "chest pain"). You should NOT take VIAGRA if you are taking these medicines.

If you are taking protease inhibitors, such as for the treatment of HIV, your doctor may start you on the lowest dose (25 mg) of VIAGRA.

Some patients who take alpha-blocker therapy for the treatment of high blood pressure or prostate problems may experience dizziness or light-headedness upon standing. These are symptoms of postural hypotension which is low blood pressure upon sitting or standing up quickly. Certain patients have experienced these symptoms when taking VIAGRA with alpha-blockers. This is most likely to occur within 4 hours after taking VIAGRA. In order to reduce the likelihood that these symptoms occur, you should be on a regular daily dose of your alphablocker before you start VIAGRA. Your doctor may start you on a 25 mg dose of VIAGRA.

Using VIAGRA with food and drink

When VIAGRA is taken with food, it may take a little longer for VIAGRA to work.

Pregnancy and Breast-feeding

VIAGRA is not indicated for use by women

Driving and using machines

VIAGRA can cause dizziness and can affect vision. You should be aware of how you react to VIAGRA before you drive or use machinery.

Important information about some of the ingredients of VIAGRA

If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, such as lactose, contact your doctor before taking VIAGRA.

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