Sildenafil
About Sildenafil
Sildenafil or Viagra is the most commonly used drug for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. It also treats other male sexual function problems. The sildenafil citrate is the salt form of the drug. It is generally used to increase blood flow to the penis to help a man sustain his erection to enhance sexual activity.
This drug does not protect users against sexually transmitted diseases ( HIV, hepatitis B, gonorrhea, syphilis). Do not consume more than once daily. A high-calorie diet may delay the effect of the drug. The other condition that the medication is used for is pulmonary arterial hypertension.
The consumption of alcohol should be kept to a minimum level as it may trigger side effects such as dizziness, fainting or fatigue. If you are a heart patient or have undergone bypass surgeries within the past 6 months, you must consult the doctor first.
People suffering from kidney and liver disease must also be careful. If you have fluctuating blood pressure then you are advised to use this drug as it directly interferes with the blood flow.
It is important that you should consult a doctor before using this medication and stick to the dosages given by the doctor. You must never self-medicate such medicines as it can cause some unexpected side effects. For PAH patients, the dosage is thrice a day, but for ED, you may take the medication an hour before indulging in sexual activity and not more than once a day.
Overdosage/Toxicology: In studies with healthy volunteers of single doses up to 800 mg, adverse events were similar to those seen at lower doses but incidence rates were increased.
Inform prescriber of all other medications you are taking; serious side effects can result when sildenafil is used with nitrates and some other medications. Do not combine sildenafil with other approaches to treating erectile dysfunction without consulting prescriber.
Note that sildenafil provides no protection against sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV. You may experience headache, flushing, or abnormal vision (blurred or increased sensitivity to light); use caution when driving at night or in poorly lit environments.
Report immediately acute allergic reactions, chest pain or palpitations, persistent dizziness, sign of urinary tract infection, rash, respiratory difficulties, genital swelling, or other adverse reactions.
Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Sexologist before using this medicine.
What are the uses of Sildenafil
Erectile Dysfunction
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (Pah)
Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Sexologist before using this medicine.
What are the contraindications of Sildenafil ?
Cardiovascular Disease
Kidney Disease
Eye Disorder
Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Sexologist before using this medicine.
What are the side effects of Sildenafil ?
Headache
Flushing
Changes In Vision
Sensitivity To Light
Prolonged And Painful Erection
Fall In Blood Pressure
Dyspepsia
Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Sexologist before using this medicine.
Key highlights of Sildenafil
How long is the duration of effect?
The duration of the effects of the drug lasts about 4 hours after intake.
What is the onset of action?
The onset action starts within thirty minutes after the intake.
Are there any pregnancy warnings?
Pregnant women must consult doctor before using this medication.
Is it habit forming?
The drug is not known to show habit-forming tendencies and is generally safe to use.
Are there any breast-feeding warnings?
This medication is not prescribed to women.
Is It safe with alcohol?
Consult your doctor in case of consuming alcohol.
Is it safe to drive while on this medicine?
You should avoid driving while under this medication.
Does this affect kidney function?
This medication may alter the functioning of the kidney and is not recommended for people who suffer from kidney diseases and other renal problems.
Does this affect liver function?
This medication is not recommended for patients suffering form liver diseases it can lead to other complications. Consult your doctor if you have any queries.
Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Sexologist before using this medicine.
What are the dosage instructions?
Are there any missed dose instructions?
If you miss a dose, skip it and continue with your normal schedule. Do not double the dose.
Are there any overdose instructions?
Consult your doctor in case of overdose.
Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Sexologist before using this medicine.
Where is the Sildenafil approved?
India
United States
Japan
Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Sexologist before using this medicine.
Medicines containing Sildenafil
Below is the list of medicines, which contains Sildenafil as ingredient
- Assurans 20 MG Tablet
Cipla Ltd
- Caverta 50 MG Tablet
Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd
- Manforce 50 MG Tablet
Mankind Pharmaceuticals Ltd
- Caverta 25 MG Tablet
Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd
- Intagra 100 MG Tablet
Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd
- Caverta 100 MG Tablet
Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd
- Intagra 50 MG Tablet
Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd
- Manforce 100 MG Tablet
Mankind Pharmaceuticals Ltd
- Penegra 100 MG Tablet
Zydus Cadila
- Edegra 50 MG Tablet
Sun Pharma Laboratories Ltd
Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Sexologist before using this medicine.
How does this medication work?
This medication relaxes the smooth muscles by inhibiting Phosphodiesterase type-5. This results in the increase of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), which relaxes the smooth muscles and increases the flow of blood.
Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Sexologist before using this medicine.
What are the interactions of Sildenafil ?
Whenever you take more than one medicine, or mix it with certain foods or beverages, you"re at risk of a drug interaction.
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Interaction with Alcohol
The drug is not recommended with alcohol as it can lead to complications, you should try and keep the amount of intake of alcohol to a minimum as it may interfere with the working of the drug.
Interaction with Medicine
- Increased effect/toxicity: Cimetidine, erythromycin, ketoconazole, itraconazole, mibefradil, nitroglycerin, protease inhibitors. A reduction in sildenafil's dose is recommended when used with ritonavir, a protease inhibitor, (no more than 25 mg per dose; no more than 25 mg in 48 hours).
- Decreased effect: Rifampin
Interaction with Disease
- There is a degree of cardiac risk associated with sexual activity; therefore, physicians may wish to consider the cardiovascular status of their patients prior to initiating any treatment for erectile dysfunction.
- Agents for the treatment of erectile dysfunction should be used with caution in patients with anatomical deformation of the penis (angulation, cavernosal fibrosis, or Peyronie's disease), or in patients who have conditions which may predispose them to priapism (sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, leukemia).
- A minority of patients with retinitis pigmentosa have generic disorders of retinal phosphodiesterases. There is no safety information on the administration of sildenafil to these patients and sildenafil should be administered with caution.
Interaction with Food
The patient should avoid food saturated in high fats as it will delay the effect of the drug.
FAQs about Sildenafil
Ques : Why is the use of Sildenafil contraindicated with nitrates?
Ans : The use of Sildenafil is harmful to patients taking nitrates or blood pressure-lowering medicines as their combined use can cause a severe fall in blood pressure, which can also result in death.
Ques : Can I get Sildenafil without a prescription?
Ans : No, you need a doctor's prescription to get this drug since it is a prescription medicine. Your doctor will prescribe it only if they judge that it would be beneficial for you.
Ques : Can I take Sildenafil for premature ejaculation?
Ans : No, this medication is not known to have any beneficial effects in treating premature ejaculation. It is used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.
Ques : Is Sildenafil safe to use in patients with diabetes?
Ans : Yes, if prescribed by your doctor then this medication is safe to use in patients with diabetes.
Ques : Can I take Sildenafil with paracetamol?
Ans : Yes, it can be taken with paracetamol.
Ques : Can I take Sildenafil for the rest of my life?
Ans : Sildenafil is a prescription medicine and should only be taken for the duration that is advised by your doctor.
Ques : Can I take Sildenafil in my 20s?
Ans : Yes, if prescribed by your doctor then this drug can be taken in your twenties.
Ques : Does Sildenafil affect fertility?
Ans : No, this drug does not affect fertility, neither negatively nor positively.
Ques : Does Sildenafil affect sperm?
Ans : It does not affect sperm count or its health. It is a medicine that is used to treat erectile dysfunction.
Ques : Does Sildenafil increase BP?
Ans : No, this drug is not associated with an increase in blood pressure. However, it can cause a decrease in blood pressure especially if taken with other blood pressure-lowering medications. Please consult your doctor before taking this drug with any other medicine.
References
Sildenafil-Drug Information portal [Internet].druginfo.nlm.nih.gov 2022 [Cited 10 May 2022].Available from:
https://druginfo.nlm.nih.gov/drugportal/name/sildenafil
Sildenafil-DrugBank Online [Internet].go.drugbank.com 2022 [Cited 10 May 2022].Available from:
https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB00203
SILDENAFIL Tablet,solution-DailyMed.[Internet].dailymed.nlm.nih.gov 2022 [Cited 10 May 2022].Available from:
https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/search.cfm?labeltype=all&query=SILDENAFIL
Lybrate is a medium to provide our audience with the common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. Even if there is no mention of a warning for any drug or combination, it never means that we are claiming that the drug or combination is safe for consumption without any proper consultation with an expert.
Lybrate does not take responsibility for any aspect of medicines or treatments. If you have any doubts about your medication, we strongly recommend you to see a doctor immediately.
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