With all of the publicity surrounding ‘the little blue pill’, it may seem as though you could just borrow one from a friend to help you regain your sex life. But while Viagra is effective, and has relatively few side effects, it is a prescription-only medicine and must be taken under a doctor’s care.
UPDATE APRIL 2018: Viagra Connect contains sildenafil 50mg and is now available over the counter from a pharmacist.
Some patients are not good candidates for Viagra; due to certain medical conditions or other medications they are taking they may be at higher risk of side effects. Erectile dysfunction can be indicative of an underlying health condition that should be treated before considering Viagra, and still other cases of ED are psychological, requiring counselling and therapy instead of medication.
Learn why it is important that Viagra, and all other PDE5 inhibitors, be taken only under a doctor’s care.Read in full
Along with cold temperatures and wardrobe changes, winter brings its own set of skincare challenges. And if you have a skin condition like acne or rosacea you are probably keenly aware of how the cold winds and indoor heating can exacerbate them.
Before redness, chapped skin or further breakouts set in, why not overhaul your skincare routine for winter? With a few simple changes you can beat the discomfort and ensure the weather doesn’t wreak havoc on your skin. Read in full
One of the most common questions associated with sildenafil (Viagra) and other PDE5 inhibitors is how long does it last?
The simple answer is usually around 4 hours, with the maximum effect between 30 mins and 2.5 hours after taking – see graph below. However several factors will have an effect on how quickly the drug is absorbed and expelled from the bloodstream.
The following timeline has been collated from several studies:
First responders: 12 minutes Some men report achieving an erection as quickly as 12 minutes.
Average responders: 27 minutes Most men start to feel the benefit of sildenafil after 27 minutes.
Maximum effect: 57 minutes After 1 hour, the maximum concentration of the drug is in the bloodstream (this may increase by another hour if food was eaten prior to taking sildenafil).
Half mast: 4 hours Sildenafil has a 4-hour ‘half-life’, meaning half of the drug has left the bloodstream after 4 hours.
Still effective?: 10 hours Some men may still be able to achieve a satisfactory erection after 10 hours, although the duration will become shorter.
All gone: 24 hours After 24 hours all traces of the drug in the bloodstream has practically gone.
As soon as a potential patient thinks of taking medicine for erectile dysfunction, these practical questions come into play:
who can take it?
what is the drug composed of?
when should you take it?
how long does it last?
Though specific questions or concerns should always be discussed with a doctor, it never hurts to be informed about any medicine you are thinking of taking. Read in full
What’s going on beneath your skin? Acne is a common skin condition that causes oily skin, spots, burning, irritation and pain. It arises when pores become blocked, and secretions, or sebum, build up in the skin. Different symptoms and types of spots may require different treatment, and it can be good to know which category your acne falls into.
When the cold winds start to blow, out comes the winter health advice too. But which of these commonly held beliefs are based on fact and which ones are myth? Read in full
There is a growing problem in the United States and Canada which is likely to become more of an issue in the UK and Europe: Fentanyl overdose.
What is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a synthetic (manufactured) opioid and is the most potent opioid available for medical treatment. Used to relieve pain in cancer patients, it is 50-100 times stronger than morphine, and usually administered in the form of patches or lozenges. Fentanyl is also used in certain emergency situations when stopping a patients breathing, where medics need to take over the breathing for the patient. Read in full
Erectile dysfunction is widely recognised as a quality-of-life issue that affects self-confidence and relationships, but experts agree that erections, or erection problems, can also be a measure of mens’ general wellbeing.
Some go so far as to claim that the penis is the barometer of a man’s health. And though it can be argued that due to the large number of possible causes of erectile dysfunction (ranging from psychological issues to the side effects of medication), a man’s ability to achieve an erection is not always indicative of his overall state of health, a number of studies prove that in otherwise healthy men erectile dysfunction can be an early sign of heart disease. Read in full
It’s something you probably wouldn’t even discuss with your best mates, let alone face the embarrassment of describing it to a doctor, which makes thrush the perfect condition to treat through an online consultation.
Do you have thrush?
Thrush manifests itself in men as soreness, inflammation, or itching usually at the head of the penis. It can also cause discharge. First-time sufferers should seek a professional diagnosis, as the condition shares symptoms with certain STIs and you’ll want to rule these out before beginning treatment. Those with compromised immune systems should also ensure they consult with their GP, as the infection could progress to invasive candidiasis. Read in full
With all of the publicity surrounding ‘the little blue pill’, it may seem as though you could just borrow one from a friend to help you regain your sex life. But while Viagra is effective, and has relatively few side effects, it is a prescription-only medicine and must be taken under a doctor’s care.
Along with cold temperatures and wardrobe changes, winter brings its own set of skincare challenges. And if you have a skin condition like acne or rosacea you are probably keenly aware of how the cold winds and indoor heating can exacerbate them.
One of the most common questions associated with sildenafil (Viagra) and other PDE5 inhibitors is how long does it last?
There is a 
Erectile dysfunction is widely recognised as a quality-of-life issue that affects self-confidence and relationships, but experts agree that erections, or erection problems, can also be a measure of mens’ general wellbeing.
It’s something you probably wouldn’t even discuss with your best mates, let alone face the embarrassment of describing it to a doctor, which makes thrush the perfect condition to treat through an online consultation.