This Is What Happens When You Take Too Much Viagra

If you think Viagra is considered an "old man's drug" then your assumption may be outdated. According to WebMD, the use of the magic blue pill exploded 312% among men aged 18-45 between 1998 and 2002 making it more of an "any man" drug. And per Fortune, the drug first developed to help with blood pressure — and quickly turned into a miracle for erectile dysfunction — has reached tens of billions of dollars in sales.

The popularity and mainstream acceptance of Viagra are undeniable. But just like every other drug, it comes with side effects. Healthline states the most common side effects linked to the drug include headache, stuffy nose, and upset stomach. Perhaps more surprisingly, taking Viagra can sometimes lead to sensitivity to light and temporary blurred vision, but this generally happens when people take large doses. If you take too much Viagra, whether on purpose or by accident, you can expect some alarming side effects. 

According to Forbes, sildenafil citrate — more popularly known as Viagra — works by causing blood vessels to dilate, helping blood rush to the place you need it most. However, the dilated blood vessels can also increase the blood flow to your retina and optic nerve, causing vision problems.

In addition to vision problems, Medical Daily reports that taking too much Viagra at once can lead to a prolonged erection or an erection that lasts longer than four hours. This may be a comical premise for films, but in reality, prolonged erection can lead to permanent penile tissue damage. Unfortunately, abuse of sildenafil citrate is not uncommon. Men of any age start taking it because sexual performance is a high priority, leading to a high number of overdoses. The little blue pill may be magic, but be careful to take only the prescribed amount. Blurred vision and permanent penile damage aren't worth trying to make the real magic happen.