Viagra

AKA

Blue, bluey, Mr Blue, little blue pill and the chemical name is sildenafil citrate

Viagra factoid Sextasy - ecstasy plus Viagra - users are at risk of causing injury to their penis' with erections that last for four hours or more. Anatomical damage has been reported in a number of cases.
(Drugscope)

What is it?

Viagra comes in the form of little blue, diamond shaped pills. They are prescribed on the NHS for men who have problems getting an erection. They work by increasing the blood flow to the penis.

Since it hit the market in 1998, Viagra and viagra counterfeits have become available over the internet. People use them with club drugs, like crystal meth, E, coke and speed, to give them an erection that lasts hours. Viagra has become especially popular on the gay club scene.

How does it make you feel?

Viagra won't just give you a hard on, you need to be turned on for the drug to work. A single pill takes about half an hour to kick in and lasts for up to four hours.

Viagra is mainly used by men, but some women use it to boost their sexual performance as well.

What are the health effects?

Some people get short term side effects like headaches, flushed skin, stomach upsets, blurred vision and achey muscles.

Viagra works by relaxing the muscles in blood vessels so that more blood can pass through. Anyone with heart problems should avoid drugs that do this as they put more pressure on the heart.

Always avoid using Viagra with poppers, or any other nitrate drugs as they can lower your blood pressure to dangerous levels when combined.

The law

Viagra is a prescription-only drug. If you buy unprescribed Viagra over the internet, it is illegal.

Written by Kate Roach

Last updated July 2007

Further help and advice

Royal Pharmaceutical Society: Advice on buying prescription drugs online
Drugscope: Viagra

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