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Can You Become Dependent on Viagra? Everything You Need to Know

Many people around the world take Viagra. But can you become dependent on Viagra? Here's everything you need to know about this medication.

does taking viagra make you dependent on it

From January 2022 to June 2022, 3,556 people died of opioid toxicity in Canada. These are just a fraction of the victims of the current opioid crisis. With such a health crisis occurring, it’s understandable that a citizen such as yourself would be thinking about addiction.

Can you become dependent on Viagra? This article will answer this question and many others. Read on!

Table of contents

What Is Viagra?

Viagra or sildenafil is a drug used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). The drug company Pfizer originally developed Viagra to treat high blood pressure and heart disease-related chest pain. During clinical trials, Pfizer clinicians discovered that the drug was more effective at inducing erections.

Read more: Tadalafil Cost: Your Guide to Affordable Treatment

How Does Viagra Work?

Your body should release nitric oxide when you’re aroused. This molecule triggers an erection. However, an enzyme called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) can break down the chemical messengers involved in this process and prevent an erection from occurring.

Viagra is a PDE5 inhibitor. These types of medications block the PDE5 enzyme and may make it easier for you to get an erection.

Read more: How Long Does Viagra Last? Effects, Duration & More

Does Viagra Work For Everyone?

Research shows that Viagra works for 70% of men with ED. But Viagra benefits everyone differently, and it often does not benefit people at all. For example, you may not achieve a hard enough erection after taking Viagra. You may also experience side effects that may not make the Viagra benefits worth it.

The effectiveness of Viagra depends on several factors, including the underlying cause of the ED, the dosage taken, and individual factors such as age and general health. In general, Viagra is more effective in men whose ED is caused by physical factors, such as poor blood flow to the penis, rather than psychological factors, such as anxiety or depression.

Read more: The Top 6 Vitamins to Make You Last Longer In Bed

What Is a Drug Dependency?

If you need one or more drugs to function regularly, you’re experiencing a drug dependency or substance use disorder. This is not always the same as drug addiction. Sometimes you can be dependent on a drug without being addicted to it.

The symptoms of drug addiction include the following:

  • Ignoring work and social obligations
  • Taking the drug despite experiencing consequences
  • Being unable to stop using the drug

If you have a drug dependency, you can experience the following:

  • Addiction symptoms
  • Withdrawal symptoms when not using the drug
  • A tolerance that leads to needing more of the drug

Read more: Taking Viagra (Sildenafil) for Fun: Can It Be Used Recreationally

What Is a Viagra Dependency?

Dependency on Viagra is not a physiological addiction, as Viagra does not cause physical dependence or withdrawal symptoms. However, it can lead to psychological dependence on the medication, which can result in anxiety and other psychological effects if the man is unable to use it for any reason.

It’s important to use Viagra only as prescribed by a healthcare provider and to discuss any concerns or issues related to its use with them. They can provide guidance on the appropriate use of the medication and suggest alternative treatments or approaches if necessary.

Read more: Herbal Viagra: A Natural Way To Boost Your Sexual Health

Can You Become Dependent on Viagra?

So does taking Viagra cause you to become dependent on it? Science has not found any evidence that Viagra can make you physically dependent. However, it can make you mentally dependent.

Viagra Can Cause Mental Dependence

According to a 2017 Ethiopian study, men who use erectile dysfunction medications (EDMs) are at risk of becoming mentally dependent. Men who used EDMs such as Viagra in the study often did so recreationally. That is, they used the drugs not because they had ED but because they wanted to impress their lovers.

Reportedly, this isn’t just a problem in Ethiopia. Western men have also taken the drug recreationally because they feel they need to impress their sexual partners. This has caused these men to develop both dependency and addiction symptoms.

Remember, taking Viagra without having talked to your doctor can be extremely dangerous. Always talk to your doctor first. 

Viagra Mental Dependence Symptoms

The men experiencing a mental dependence on Viagra experienced some of the following symptoms:

  • Struggling to have sex without Viagra
  • Experiencing ED when stopping Viagra use
  • Spending hundreds of dollars on the drug
  • Kept taking the drug despite experiencing side effects

How Can You Prevent Viagra Dependency From Developing in the First Place?

You shouldn’t develop a dependency as long as you don’t use Viagra recreationally. You need to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions and/or use Viagra as recommended. If you do this, Viagra will remain a safe and reliable way to treat ED.

Also, try to set realistic expectations for your performance in bed. If you are unrealistic, you will be more prone to psychological dependence on Viagra. You should also communicate your feelings with your partner so that you feel less pressure or anxiety.

Can Viagra Dependency Lead to Other Health Problems?

Using Viagra can cause the user to develop certain side effects. The more a person uses Viagra, the worse these side effects can become.

Using Viagra recreationally can also cause dangerous mixes of certain substances. Furthermore, users run the risk of getting dangerous counterfeit drugs when purchasing Viagra from non-medical sources.

Viagra Side Effects

People who take Viagra mostly experience mild side effects. However, these side effects can become extreme in certain situations. In the sections below, you’ll see some of the Viagra side effects.

Mild side effects of Viagra:

  • Flushing
  • Back pain
  • Skin rash
  • Headaches
  • Stuffy nose
  • Upset stomach
  • Muscle aches
  • Dizziness
  • Vision-related side effects

Severe side effects of Viagra:

  • Allergic reactions
  • Sudden vision loss
  • Sudden hearing loss
  • Low blood pressure
  • Long-lasting and painful erection
  • Heart problems (stroke, heart failure, chest pain, etc.)

Counterfeit Viagra

Legally, you can only get ED drugs with a medical professional’s prescription. However, people who use ED drugs recreationally will get them through illegal means. Drugs purchased via this underground drug trade can contain anything from filler compounds to dangerous other drugs.

Viagra Drug Interactions

Recreational Viagra drug users likely won’t have the luxury of a physician monitoring their use. Thus, the physician can’t warn the user about possible drug interactions. The user can take certain drugs together and experience severe health effects.

How to Get Help For a Viagra Dependency

As Viagra dependency is usually a psychological issue, therapy may be the best option to treat it.

However, it’s best to talk to your general practitioner about the issue. They will give you the best expert advice.

Learn More About Physical and Mental Health With Our Articles

So is Viagra addictive? The substances in Viagra (sildenafil) cannot get you physically addicted.

Can you become dependent on Viagra? Yes, but only mentally. However, this can still have devastating effects on your health.

Also, are you interested in learning more about mental and physical health topics? If so, you may be interested in our posts. We cover a wide range of these topics.

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