Vega 100: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Interaction, Warnings
What is Vega 100?
Vega 100 is a brand-name prescription drug that’s approved to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). With ED, you’re unable to have or maintain an erection. Vega 100 is approved for this use in males ages 18 years and older.
Vega 100 contains the drug sildenafil. It belongs to a class of drugs called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. (A class of drugs is a group of medications that act in a similar way.) Vega 100 works by increasing blood flow to your penis, which helps you have and keep an erection. But this drug only works if you’re sexually aroused.
Vega 100 comes as tablets that are taken by mouth. In most cases, it should be taken about an hour before sexual activity, but it can be taken 30 minutes to 4 hours beforehand.
Does Vega 100 work to treat ED?
Yes, it does. In several clinical studies, Vega 100 was effective in treating ED. In these studies, males who used the drug had an improved ability to have and keep erections that allowed for successful sex.
Across the studies, between 43% and 83% of people who took Vega 100 had improved erections. (These rates varied depending on the cause of their ED and the dosage of Vega 100 they took.) In comparison, improved erections occurred in 10% to 24% of people who took a placebo (no active drug).
How Vega 100 is taken
The Vega 100 dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:
- your age
- whether you have liver or kidney problems
- other medical conditions you may have
- other medications you may be taking
The normal dose when starting Vega 100 is 50 mg (Half tablet) as needed. The maximum dose of Vega is 100 mg each day. Doses above the maximum dose, such as 200 mg per day, will increase the risk of side effects. And in some cases, this could be serious.
Your doctor won’t recommend your Vega 100 dosage by weight. But they may recommend a lower dose of the drug if you’re older than 65 years. This is because you may have an increased risk of side effects given your age. So, for example, the dosage for someone 70 years old may be 25 mg as needed, instead of 50 mg as needed.
Is Vega 100’s dosage based on age or weight?
Your dosage of Vega 100 won’t be based on your weight, but it may be based on your age. For example, people ages 65 years and older tend to get higher levels of Vega 100 in their blood after taking a dose. So, if you’re over 65 years of age, your doctor will usually recommend a starting dose of Vega 100 for you that’s lower than the typical starting dose. For example, they may recommend that you take 25 mg of the drug rather than 50 mg.
Can I take Vega 100 just for fun, even if I don’t have ED? If so, how much is safe to take?
No, you should not take Vega 100 if you don’t have ED. Vega 100 is a prescription medication that can have serious side effects. And it’s approved only to treat ED, not to be used recreationally.
You should only take Vega 100 if it’s been prescribed to you by a doctor who knows your medical history.
Will I need to use this drug long-term?
Maybe. If you and your doctor determine that Vega 100 is safe and effective for you, you can likely take it for as long as you continue to need it.
How long does Vega 100 take to work?
Vega 100 typically starts to work between 30 and 60 minutes after you take a dose of the drug. But Vega 100 itself doesn’t give you an erection. Instead, you’ll need to be sexually aroused in order for the drug to work.
Vega 100 keeps working in your body for up to 5 hours. This means that if you’re aroused, you should still be able to achieve an erection up to 4 hours after taking a dose of Vega 100.
Even though Vega 100 keeps working in your body for several hours, your erection shouldn’t last this long. In fact, rarely, Vega 100 can cause priapism. With this condition, you have a long-lasting and sometimes painful erection.
Priapism is a medical emergency that needs to be treated right away. If it’s not treated, the condition can damage the tissues in your penis and cause irreversible ED.
If you have an erection that lasts longer than 4 hours, go to the nearest emergency room or call 911.
Is Vega 100 used in women?
You may wonder if women can take Vega 100. This drug isn’t approved for use in females.* Instead, Vega 100 is approved only to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) in adult males.*
There have been some questions about whether Vega 100 may work in females with decreased libido (low sex drive) or sexual arousal disorder. But the drug is not approved for these uses because there’s not enough information to show if it works for them.
At this time, it’s not known if Vega 100 is a safe or effective medication in females.
What happens if a woman takes Vega 100?
It’s not known exactly what may happen if a female takes Vega 100. Currently, ere are mixed reviews about the effects of the drug in females.
For example, one study showed that Vega 100 increased arousal, lubrication, and orgasm in females. But another study showed that Vega 100 didn’t cause these outcomes.
So currently, there’s not enough information to know for sure if Vega 100 is safe or effective in females. If you’d like to know more about how Vega 100 affects females, talk with your doctor.
How long does Vega 100 take to start working in women?
It’s not known how long it may take Vega 100 to start working in females. This is because the drug is not approved for use in females. It’s also not known if Vega 100 is effective in females.
In males, Vega 100 usually works within about 1 hour after it’s taken. But this doesn’t indicate how soon the drug may work if it’s taken by females.
If you’re interested in knowing more about this, talk with your doctor.
What can I do to make Vega 100 work faster?
Vega 100 may work faster if you take it on an empty stomach. If Vega 100 is taken with food, especially with a high-fat meal, it will take longer to start working. And in this case, it could even be less effective for you.
How long Vega 100 lasts
After taking a dose of Vega 100, the drug’s level in your body will gradually decrease over a period of a few hours. You’ll have low levels of the drug in your body after about 4 hours. (And at this point, the drug won’t be working any longer.) But it can actually take about 24 hours for Vega 100 to be completely removed from your body.
If you have other questions about how long Vega 100 works, talk with your doctor.
Vega 100 side effects
Vega 100 can cause mild or serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Vega 100. These lists don’t include all possible side effects.
For more information on the possible side effects of Vega 100, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to deal with any side effects that may be bothersome.
Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tracks side effects of drugs it has approved. If you would like to report to the FDA a side effect you’ve had with Vega 100, you can do so through MedWatch
Mild side effects
Mild side effects of Vega 100 can include:*
- headache
- flushing
- indigestion
- mild and temporary vision changes, such as a blue tinge in your vision, blurred vision, and sensitivity to light
- nasal congestion (stuffy nose)
- back pain
- muscle pain
- nausea
- dizziness
- rash
Most of these side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. But if they become more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
* This is a partial list of mild side effects from Vega 100. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or view the drug’s patient information.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects from Vega 100 aren’t common, but they can occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.
Serious side effects and their symptoms can include:
- Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), which is an eye condition that causes damage to your optic nerve. Symptoms can include:
- sudden decrease in vision in one or both of your eyes
- sudden loss of vision in one or both of your eyes
- Sudden decrease or loss of hearing. This condition may also involve other symptoms, such as:
- tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in your ears)
- dizziness
Other serious side effects, which are explained in more detail below in “Side effect details,” include:
- allergic reaction
- priapism (long-lasting and sometimes painful erection)
- low blood pressure, if Vega 100 is taken with certain other medications
- cardiovascular problems, such as heart attack, irregular heartbeat, or stroke, all of which occur mainly in people with heart disease
Side effect details
You may wonder how often certain side effects occur with this drug. Here’s some detail on several of the side effects this drug may cause.
Allergic reaction
As with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction after taking Vega 100. In clinical studies, less than 2% of people who took Vega 100 had an allergic reaction. It’s not known how often allergic reactions occurred in people who took a placebo (no active drug).
Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:
- skin rash
- itchiness
- flushing
A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include:
- swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat
- trouble breathing
Call your doctor right away if you have a severe allergic reaction to Vega 100. But call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.
Priapism
Rarely, Vega 100 can cause priapism, which is a long-lasting and sometimes painful erection. But it’s not known how often priapism occurs in men who take Vega 100.
Priapism is a medical emergency that needs to be treated right away. If it’s left untreated, the condition can damage the tissues in your penis and cause irreversible erectile dysfunction (ED).
If you have an erection that lasts longer than 4 hours, go to the nearest emergency room or call 911.
Low blood pressure
Vega 100 can temporarily lower your blood pressure after you take the drug. But this isn’t a problem for most people. In clinical studies, less than 2% of people who took Vega 100 had low blood pressure after taking the drug. It’s not known how often low blood pressure occurred in people who took a placebo (no active drug).
But keep in mind that a sudden drop in your blood pressure could be dangerous if you have certain heart conditions. Sudden low blood pressure may also be dangerous if you’re taking certain other medications.
For example, you should not take Vega 100 if you take nitrate medications to treat chest pain. You should also avoid taking Vega 100 if you take a drug called riociguat (Adempas). Taking Vega 100 with these medications can cause a dangerous drop in your blood pressure that leads to heart attack or stroke.
If you have low blood pressure, taking Vega 100 could make you feel dizzy or lightheaded, or cause you to faint. You’re also more likely to have these problems if you take Vega 100 with certain drugs used to treat high blood pressure or enlarged prostate. If you feel dizzy or faint after taking Vega 100, lie down until this feeling passes.
If you have a heart problem or low blood pressure, talk with your doctor about whether Vega 100 is safe for you.
Heart attack, irregular heartbeat, and stroke
On rare occasions, some people taking Vega 100 have had a heart attack, stroke, or an irregular heartbeat. These conditions mainly occurred in people who already had a heart problem. But sometimes these conditions occurred in people who didn’t have a heart problem. It’s not known for sure if Vega 100 caused the side effects.
If you have chest pain after taking Vega 100, you should stop having sexual activity right away. But call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening, or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.
And if you have a heart problem, talk with your doctor before starting Vega 100. They can discuss with you whether it’s safe for you to use this drug.
Headaches
Headaches are a common side effect of Vega 100. Headaches, as well as flushing and dizziness, occur because Vega 100 widens certain blood vessels in your body. (The drug doesn’t just affect the blood vessels in your penis.)
In clinical studies, headaches were reported in 16% to 28% of people who took Vega 100. (This percentage varied depending on the dose of Vega 100 they took and how often they took it.) In comparison, 4% to 7% of people who took a placebo (no active drug) reported headaches.
If you have a headache after taking Vega 100, it should go away fairly quickly. But if it’s bothersome, you can take a pain reliever containing acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to recommend a medication that’s safe for you to use.
If you have a severe headache or a headache that won’t go away, call your doctor. They’ll help determine the best treatment for your headache.
Side effects in older people
People ages 65 years and older tend to get higher levels of Vega 100 in their blood after taking a dose than younger people do. Having a higher level of the drug in your body could increase your risk of side effects. Because of this, older people are usually prescribed a dosage of Vega 100 that’s lower than the dosage given to younger people.
In clinical studies of Vega 100, there weren’t any differences in side effects seen in people ages 65 years and older compared with those in people younger than 65 years.
If you have concerns about using Vega 100 given your age, talk with your doctor.
Erectile dysfunction (ED)
Taking Vega 100 doesn’t cause new or worsening ED. However, Vega 100 can sometimes cause priapism, which is a long-lasting and sometimes painful erection.
Priapism is a medical emergency that needs to be treated right away. If it’s left untreated, priapism can damage the tissues in your penis and cause irreversible ED.
If you have an erection that lasts longer than 4 hours, you should immediately go to an emergency room or call 911.
How to relieve Vega 100 side effects
Most of the mild side effects of Vega 100 either tend to go away within a few hours of taking your dose or can be easily relieved.
For example, headaches, flushing, and dizziness can often be eased by lying down and resting. Avoiding alcohol will also help reduce these side effects. Headaches and sensitivity to light can also be improved by turning off any bright lights around you. If you have bothersome headaches with Vega 100, ask your doctor or pharmacist to recommend a pain reliever that’s safe for you to use.
If you get indigestion after taking Vega 100, try taking your dose of Vega 100 with a snack or light meal. Just be aware that if you do this, Vega 100 may take slightly longer to start working for you. (This is especially true if you eat a high-fat meal with your dose.) If your indigestion is bothersome, ask your doctor or pharmacist to recommend medication to help reduce your discomfort.
Also keep in mind that certain side effects occur more often with higher doses of Vega 100. These side effects include headaches, flushing, indigestion, nasal congestion, and changes in your vision. So if these side effects are a problem for you, talk with your doctor about taking a lower dosage of Vega 100.
When to call your doctor
Don’t forget that some of Vega 100’s rare side effects need immediate medical attention. For example, you should call your doctor right away if you have:
- an erection that doesn’t go away and lasts for more than 4 hours
- chest pain, dizziness, or nausea while you’re having sex, and these symptoms don’t go away when you stop having sex and begin to rest
- sudden loss of vision in one or both of your eyes
- sudden decrease or loss of hearing
Both Vega 100, Figral 100, and Degra are all generic versions of Viagra , a generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers generics to be just as safe and effective as the original drug.
Other drugs are available that can treat erectile dysfunction (ED). Some may be a better fit for you than others. If you’re interested in finding an alternative to Vega 100, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that may work well for you.
Examples of other drugs that may be used to treat ED include:
- tadalafil (Cialis)
- vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn)
- avanafil (Stendra)
- alprostadil (Caverject, Caverject Impulse, Edex, Muse)
- testosterone therapy, which is only used if you have low levels of testosterone
Natural and over-the-counter alternatives for ED
Natural and over-the-counter (OTC) products and herbs for treating ED are widely available, especially on the Internet. However, none of these products has been tested for safety or effectiveness by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
And because the products aren’t regulated, the FDA warns that there’s no way to be certain of what these products actually contain. If you want to try a natural or OTC product for ED, you should first discuss it with your doctor.
The American Urological Association doesn’t recommend using products that contain yohimbine, ginseng, and l-arginine for ED treatment. (This includes products that contain these ingredients either alone or in combination with other ingredients.) This is because there’s not enough evidence to say whether the products work. And these products may cause harmful side effects. Examples of products that contain one or more of these ingredients include Libido-Max and Extenze.
