Most side effects are mild to moderate in severity. If you’re experiencing symptoms of severe side effects while taking sildenafil, talk with your doctor right away.
- Sildenafil has been shown to aid men with diabetes-related ED.
- The drug may also reduce blood pressure temporarily.
- Some men may not respond to sildenafil due to various health factors.
- It is recommended to take sildenafil on an empty stomach for faster effects.
- Overdose symptoms include dizziness, fainting, and pain in the chest.
- Sildenafil should not be used with other erectile dysfunction medications simultaneously.
- Patients should inform their doctor if they experience prolonged erections.
- Certain medical conditions require cautious use of sildenafil.
- The medication can sometimes cause changes in color perception.
- Always check the expiration date before using sildenafil pills.
If you’d like to learn more about sildenafil, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from taking the drug. A generic drug and its brand-name version contain the same active ingredient, so they’re expected to have the same side effects. Referring to the following articles about sildenafil and Viagra can provide you with additional information: For details about other aspects of sildenafil, refer to this article. To learn how sildenafil compares with Viagra, read this article. If you’d like to learn about sildenafil and cost, see this article. For details about your condition, see our hypertension hub. You can also view our men’s health hub and this list of erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation articles. Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects.
- Sildenafil is a medication used to treat erectile dysfunction in men.
- It works by increasing blood flow to the penis during arousal.
- Sildenafil is commonly sold under the brand name Viagra.
- The typical dose ranges from 25 mg to 100 mg, taken before sexual activity.
- It usually takes about 30 to 60 minutes to work after ingestion.
- Sildenafil's effects can last for up to 4-6 hours.
- It can cause side effects like headaches, flushing, and nasal congestion.
- Sildenafil should not be used with nitrate medications due to risk of dangerous drops in blood pressure.
- It is available by prescription from a healthcare provider.
- Do not take sildenafil more than once a day to avoid adverse effects.
The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses. Sildenafil is a medication that is taken before sexual activity and allows men with erectile dysfunction (ED) to achieve and maintain an erection. ED or impotence happens when a man is unable to achieve or maintain an erection long enough for sexual intercourse. ED can be caused by medical conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, prostate problems, and heart disease.
What side effects can this medication cause?
This drug may not be the right treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These are considered drug-condition or drug-factor interactions. The conditions and factors to consider include: If you’ve ever had PVOD, taking sildenafil can lead to heart problems. Your doctor won’t typically recommend taking sildenafil if you’ve ever had PVOD. Talk with your doctor if you develop fluid in your lungs while taking sildenafil.
Key takeaways
If you develop PVOD, your doctor will likely recommend another medication for your condition. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to sildenafil or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe sildenafil. Taking sildenafil could cause you to have another allergic reaction. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you. Talk with your doctor if you’ve ever had eye disorders or if you start to experience vision loss while taking sildenafil.
What do I do if my child misses a dose?
An eye condition called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) may occur in people taking sildenafil. Certain factors can increase your risk of developing NAION during sildenafil treatment. These include previous eye conditions or coronary artery disease. They also include being age 50 years or older or smoking. Before starting sildenafil treatment, be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of these factors. It can also be a side effect of the medications taken for these conditions. Personal lifestyle factors such as stress, alcohol, and/or tobacco use can also play a role. During surgery or radiation to the pelvic area (including prostate, bladder, and rectal procedures), there can be damage to the nerves that supply the penis. This can lead to either temporary or permanent impotence. Some surgeons perform "nerve-sparing" surgeries to try to preserve erectile function. Even in these cases, however, the nerves will suffer some injury, and it can take 18-24 months or longer for erectile function to return. These men should be treated aggressively with oral or injectable medications for ED in order to speed the recovery of the nerves and to prevent muscle wasting in the penis. It should be taken around 60 minutes before sex but can be taken as much as four hours or as few as 30 minutes before sex. It works for up to 4 hours. It can be taken with or without food.
| Product | Dosage | Quantity + Bonus | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viagra Generic | 25mg | 20 Pills | 37.74€ 35.94€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 100mg | 10 Pills | 28.91€ 27.53€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 50mg | 360 + 10 Pills | 225.33€ 214.60€ | |
| Kamagra Polo | 100mg | 60 + 4 Pills | 189.39€ 180.37€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 150mg | 60 + 4 Pills | 111.25€ 105.95€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 100mg | 180 + 8 Pills | 199.37€ 189.88€ | |
| Kamagra Soft Tabs | 100mg | 84 + 4 Pills | 233.05€ 221.95€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 25mg | 270 + 8 Pills | 184.26€ 175.49€ | |
| Kamagra Oral Jelly | 100mg | 220 + 18 Sachets | 662.24€ 630.70€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 200mg | 360 + 10 Pills | 481.98€ 459.03€ | |
| Kamagra Oral Jelly | 100mg | 21 Sachets | 95.92€ 91.35€ |
Your provider will find the dose that is best for you. Some men need dose changes to find the dose that works best for them.
Route of administration
If you start to experience nosebleeds often or if they don’t stop, talk with your doctor. They may recommend applying a cold cloth to the bridge of your nose briefly or pinching your nostrils for a short period of time. Your doctor may also recommend medications to help with nosebleeds, such as oxymetazoline (Afrin). It usually happens without sexual stimulation or continues long after sex. Priapism was a rare side effect in clinical trials of sildenafil.* Priapism can become a serious side effect if your erection lasts longer than 4 hours.
Who should not take sildenafil?
If you’ve ever had sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, or leukemia, you may have an increased risk of developing severe priapism. Call 911 (or your local emergency number) and go to the emergency room if you experience an erection that lasts longer than 4 hours. You may experience permanent damage to your penis if this is not treated right away. If your erections are lasting longer than usual, but less than 4 hours, talk with your doctor. They may recommend decreasing your sildenafil dosage.
How does sildenafil work (mechanism of action)?
As with most drugs, sildenafil can cause an allergic reaction in some people. However, these reactions were rarely reported in clinical trials.* Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include: For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and help determine whether you should keep taking sildenafil. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take sildenafil. Men who take sildenafil will not have an erection without sexual stimulation. This drug is not an aphrodisiac and does not affect libido or desire.
The Real Reasons Sildenafil Doesn’t Work
They’ll help determine if the drug is right for you. If you have sickle cell anemia, tell your doctor. You may have an increased risk of vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) if you have sickle cell anemia and take sildenafil. With VOC, your blood cells block blood flow to your organs, which can be painful. Be sure to talk with your doctor if you have sickle cell anemia.
Are you currently using Sildenafil (Viagra, Revatio)?
They’ll advise if sildenafil is right for you. Conditions related to the shape of your penis. If you have conditions related to the shape of your penis, such as Peyronie’s disease, tell your doctor. These conditions may increase your risk of severe priapism* during sildenafil treatment. If you experience an erection lasting longer than 4 hours, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.
Revatio for Oral Suspension
If you take nitrates for any reason. Taking sildenafil with drugs containing nitrates is contraindicated. (A contraindication is a factor or condition that could prevent your doctor from prescribing a drug due to risk of harm.) This is due to sildenafil’s potential to cause severe low blood pressure. * Examples of nitrates include nitroglycerin (Nitrolingual), isosorbide (Isordil), nitroprusside (Nitropress). If you take any of these drugs or any other nitrates, be sure to tell your doctor before starting sildenafil treatment. Having multiple intercourse sessions with one dose has not been studied. You should not adjust your dose without talking to your provider first. Men who take nitrates, such as nitroglycerin, Nitro-Bid, Isordil, or Deponit should not take sildenafil. Men who take Cardura, Flomax, or Hytrin for urinary symptoms should not take sildenafil.
- Sildenafil is a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor.
- The drug was first approved by the FDA in 1998.
- It can be purchased online but requires a prescription in most countries.
- Generic versions of sildenafil are typically cheaper than brand-name Viagra.
- Proper storage involves keeping it at room temperature away from moisture.
- Sildenafil does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases.
- Lifestyle changes like exercise and healthy eating can enhance results.
- Combining sildenafil with other ED treatments should be discussed with a doctor.
- It's important to inform your doctor about all medications you take.
- Sildenafil is not an aphrodisiac and requires sexual stimulation to work.
This medication can affect how other medications work.
- Sildenafil is a popular choice for men seeking non-invasive ED therapy.
- It's important to have realistic expectations about sildenafil's effects.
- The medication does not increase libido but improves blood flow.
- Patients should limit alcohol consumption when using sildenafil.
- It is recommended to consult a doctor if ED persists despite medication.
- Sildenafil can be used as part of a comprehensive ED treatment plan.
- The medication should be taken approximately an hour before planned activity.
- Some patients experience no side effects at prescribed doses.
- Always confirm that sildenafil is stored properly to maintain efficacy.
- Report any unusual symptoms, such as chest pain or vision loss, immediately.
Be sure your provider and pharmacist know all the medications (prescription and over-the-counter) and supplements you take.
When to See a Doctor
Sildenafil is contraindicated if you take a GC stimulator, including riociguat (Adempas). This is because these drugs may cause severe low blood pressure. Be sure to tell your doctor if you take this drug. They’ll likely recommend you do not take riociguat with sildenafil. * For more details about this side effect, see the “Sildenafil: Serious side effects” section above.
Vybrique Oral Film
It’s unknown whether sildenafil is safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding. Animal studies* did not show harm to the fetus when the drug was exposed to pregnant animals. However, keep in mind that animal studies don’t always reflect what will happen in humans. If you’re pregnant or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor. They’ll review the risks and benefits with you and advise whether sildenafil treatment is right for you. Store your medication in the original, labeled container at room temperature and in a dry location (unless otherwise directed by your healthcare provider or pharmacist). This medication should not be stored in a pillbox since it should only be taken prior to sexual activity. Keep containers out of reach of children and pets.
| Brand Name | Manufacturer | Price Range (per pill) | Availability | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viagra | Pfizer | $10 - $30 | Widely available | Most popular brand |
| Kamagra | Ajanta Pharma | $2 - $8 | Online, some stores | Cheaper alternative |
| Sildenafil Citrate | Generic | $1 - $5 | Online, pharmacies | Generic form available |
Ask your care team where to return any unused medication for disposal. Do not flush down the toilet or throw it in the trash. This medication may be covered under your prescription drug plan.
Detection in biological fluids
In certain cases, your doctor may recommend that you continue taking sildenafil during pregnancy. Sildenafil may pass into breast milk, but it isn’t known how this could affect a child who is breastfed. If you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor. They sildenafil oral strips can review the risks and benefits of taking sildenafil while breastfeeding. If you are taking sildenafil for erectile dysfunction or pulmonary arterial hypertension, it’s possible to experience side effects.