Why it is used
Caverta is a generic version of Viagra. It is a sildenafil based oral drug that is most effective in helping curb male impotence.
Using Caverta
Your doctor/healthcare provider will give you complete and comprehensive details about using Caverta. If you haven’t received instructions, then check the patient information booklet.
Caverta is known to work differently for different people. So the time duration in which it starts to work may differ from person to person.
In most cases though, it is best when taken 30 to 60 minutes prior to having sex.
Instructions for Missed Dosage
Caverta is only required if you wish to indulge in sexual intercourse. It is not to be taken regularly. So, there is no chance of a missed dosage problem.
But if you forgot to take the medication before having sexual intercourse, then you can take it as soon as you remember it. You must wait for the right amount of time until Caverta is absorbed in your body.
The maximum permitted dosage is one pill in a 24 hour period.
Storage instructions for Caverta
Medications should possibly be stored at room temperature (59 and 86 degrees) in its original container. Avoid storing it in places with excessive moisture or direct exposure to heat or light.
Keep in a safe place away from pets and children.
What are the overdose symptoms?
You must seek emergency medical care if you consume more than the permitted dosage.
Safety Information/ Warning Precautions
Before you begin therapy, meet your health care provider and discuss in detail your past and current medical history. Include any allergic reactions you have to medicines or food.
Also include a list of over-the-counter medications you are taking, including herbal pills, dietary supplements and prescription drugs.
I have certain health complications. Should I avoid Caverta?
Does your cardiac health restrict you from indulging in vigorous exercise of any sort? Then you must avoid sexual activity also.
Caverta is restricted to you if you have a history of cardiac problems or bad heart health.
While indulging in sexual activity, if you notice symptoms like chest, shoulder, neck, or jaw pain; numbness of an arm or leg; severe dizziness, headache, nausea, stomach pain, or vomiting; fainting; or vision changes, then it might be an indication of a heart attack. Stop immediately and seek emergency medical care.
Caverta is also not allowed for people with one or more of the following conditions:
Liver disease
Kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis)
A blood cell disorder such as sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, or leukemia
A bleeding disorder such as hemophilia
A stomach ulcer; retinitis pigmentosa (an inherited condition of the eye), a physical deformity of the penis (such as Peyronie's disease)
I drink regularly/occassionally. Is alcohol restricted?
While alcohol usage may not directly interfere with the working of the medication, doctors do not recommend using alcohol as it is a muscle relaxant.
Some patients also experience mild giddiness or drowsiness when they first use Caverta. This will fade away as the body starts to adjust to the medication.
If you experience this, then you must avoid undertaking tasks that require an alert mind. Driving, handling heavy machinery etc should be avoided.
If you notice any of these signs, then sit down or lie down immediately.
I have been prescribed certain medications. Can it cause unwanted reactions with Caverta?
Caverta can react adversely when taken simultaneously with certain medications. The reactions can be mild in nature or extremely severe.
These medications include:
Nitrates in any form (Ointments, patches, pills). This includes any and all medications containing nitrates including Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur, Nitro-Bid, Minitran, Deponit, Transderm-Nitro, Dilatrate-SR, Isordil, Sorbitrate, sosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO, Monoket).
Recreational pills called poppers.
Bosentan (Tracleer);
A blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
Cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB);
An antibiotic such as erythromycin (E-Mycin, Eryc, Ery-Tab) or clarithromycin (Biaxin);
Doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin (Minipress), Terazosin (Hytrin);
HIV medicines such as amprenavir (Agenerase), tipranavir (Aptivus), darunavir (Prezista), efavirenz (Sustiva), nevirapine (Viramune), indinavir (Crixivan), saquinavir (Invirase, Fortovase), lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), ritonavir (Norvir), atazanavir (Reyataz), or nelfinavir (Viracept);
An antifungal medication such as itraconazole (Sporanox) or ketoconazole (Nizoral);
Carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenobarbital (Luminal), or phenytoin (Dilantin); or
Rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane) or rifabutin (Mycobutin).
Additional Important Information while using Caverta
If you experience an erection that lasts for more than 6 hours, then you should seek emergency medical care. This erection may occur randomly after taking the medication and will not subside even after you have sex. It may cause permanent damage to your penile tissues.
The usage of other similar ED medications may intensify the side effects and hence should be avoided completely while using Caverta.
It has been noticed that patients over the age of 65 are more prone to the side effects of Caverta. Hence, caution should be exercised in them while using Caverta.
Caverta must not be used in children or women.
Very Important Information
Caverta is not a protective barrier against sexually transmitted diseases like HIV. For that, you must always practice safe sex techniques. Speak to your doctor for more details.
Information for pregnant women/expecting/lactating Mothers
Caverta is an oral therapy for curing male impotency. If you are a woman of childbearing age/pregnant/lactating already, then speak to your health care providers to discuss the potential risk it poses to your unborn/newborn baby.
It may even be secreted in the breast milk. So speak to your health care provider about this.
Side Effects
Every medication takes time to adjust with the body and may show certain side effects that fade away as the body adjusts to Caverta. These include warmth or redness in your face, neck, or chest, stuffy nose, headache, upset stomach; or back pain
But if these side effects do not go away by themselves or become bothersome, then seek medical attention.
On rare occasions, it may also cause severe side effects like sudden vision loss; ringing in your ears, or sudden hearing loss;
chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling; irregular heartbeat; swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet; shortness of breath; vision changes; feeling light-headed, fainting; or penis erection that is painful or lasts 4 hours or longer.
These should be reported immediately to your health care provider.
