In one study, a 25 mg dose was shown to cause no significant change in erectile quality, but did reduce the postejaculatory refractory time.
- Sildenafil tablets are used to treat erectile dysfunction by improving blood flow to the penis.
- Common dosages of sildenafil tablets include 25mg, 50mg, and 100mg.
- Always follow a healthcare provider’s instructions when taking sildenafil tablets.
[35] This study also noted a significant placebo effect in the control group. Unprescribed recreational use of sildenafil and other PDE5 inhibitors is noted as particularly high among users of illegal drugs. [36] Sildenafil is sometimes used to counteract the effects of other substances, often illicit.
- Use caution when driving or operating machinery after taking sildenafil tablets.
- Avoid excessive alcohol consumption when using sildenafil tablets, as it can increase side effects.
- Consult your doctor before taking sildenafil if you have heart issues or low blood pressure.
[33] Some users mix it with methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy), other stimulants, or opiates in an attempt to compensate for the common side effect of erectile dysfunction, a combination known as "sextasy", "rockin' and rollin'", "hammerheading", or "trail mix".
| Parameter | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Half-life | 4 hours | Time to reduce plasma concentration by half |
| Maximum plasma concentration | 0.8-1.5 hours | Peak effect timing |
| Absorption rate | Rapid, within 30-60 minutes | After oral administration |
[33] Mixing it with amyl nitrite, another vasodilator, is particularly dangerous and potentially fatal.
Drug Interactions
Care should be exercised by people who are also taking protease inhibitors for the treatment of HIV infection. Protease inhibitors inhibit the metabolism of sildenafil, effectively multiplying the plasma levels of sildenafil, increasing the incidence and severity of side effects. Those using protease inhibitors are recommended to limit their use of sildenafil to no more than one 25 mg dose every 48 hours. [4] Other drugs that interfere with the metabolism of sildenafil include erythromycin and cimetidine, both of which can also lead to prolonged plasma half-life levels. The use of sildenafil and an α1 blocker (typically prescribed for hypertension or for urologic conditions, such as benign prostatic hypertrophy) at the same time may lead to low blood pressure, but this effect does not occur if they are taken at least 4 hours apart.
What are the most common side effects of sildenafil?
Concomitant use of nitric oxide donors, organic nitrites and nitrates,[30] such as: nitroglycerinisosorbide mononitrateisosorbide dinitratesodium nitroprussidealkyl nitrites (commonly known as "poppers") Concomitant use of soluble guanylyl cyclase stimulators, such as riociguat Sildenafil should not be used if sexual activity is inadvisable due to underlying cardiovascular risk factors. Sildenafil's popularity with young adults has increased over the years. [32] Sildenafil's brand name, Viagra, is widely recognized in popular culture, and the drug's association with treating erectile dysfunction has led to its recreational use. [33] The reasons behind such use include the belief that the drug increases libido, improves sexual performance,[33] or permanently increases penis size. [34] Studies on the effects of sildenafil when used recreationally are limited, but suggest it has little effect when used by those who do not have erectile dysfunction. The 2007 Ig Nobel Prize in aviation went to Patricia V.
| Side Effect | Severity | Frequency | Recommendations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headache | Mild | Common | Take analgesics |
| Flushing | Mild | Common | Cool environment |
| Nasal Congestion | Mild | Sometimes | Use decongestants |
| Dizziness | Mild | Less common | Avoid sudden movements |
Agostino, Santiago A.
| Product | Dosage | Quantity + Bonus | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kamagra Oral Jelly | 100mg | 90 + 8 Sachets | 303.56€ 289.10€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 50mg | 60 + 4 Pills | 83.93€ 79.93€ | |
| Kamagra Polo | 100mg | 84 + 4 Pills | 244.49€ 232.85€ | |
| Kamagra Oral Jelly | 100mg | 21 Sachets | 95.92€ 91.35€ | |
| Kamagra | 100mg | 360 + 6 Pills | 839.95€ 799.95€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 200mg | 90 + 6 Pills | 170.79€ 162.66€ | |
| Kamagra | 100mg | 32 Pills | 121.24€ 115.47€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 25mg | 30 + 4 Pills | 47.97€ 45.69€ | |
| Kamagra | 100mg | 180 + 6 Pills | 436.79€ 415.99€ | |
| Kamagra Soft Tabs | 100mg | 60 + 4 Pills | 180.59€ 171.99€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 200mg | 10 Pills | 40.96€ 39.01€ |
Plano, and Diego A.
- Using sildenafil tablets without prescription may be illegal and unsafe.
- Do not use sildenafil tablets if you have experienced a prior adverse reaction.
- Regular check-ups are recommended for long-term use of sildenafil tablets.
Golombek of Universidad Nacional de Quilmes, Argentina, for their discovery that sildenafil helps treat jet lag recovery in hamsters.
Side Effects
For this use, take sildenafil as your healthcare provider recommends, which is usually three times a day. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Ask your healthcare provider if you are unsure what to do after a missed dose. This survey is being conducted by the WebMD marketing sciences department.
Azole Antifungals
Sildenafil, sold under the brand name Viagra among others, is a medication used to treat erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension. [4][8] It is also sometimes used off-label for the treatment of certain symptoms in secondary Raynaud's phenomenon. [9] It is unclear if it is effective for treating sexual dysfunction in females. [8] It can be taken orally (swallowed by mouth), intravenously (injection into a vein), or through the sublingual route (dissolved under the tongue). [8][10] Onset when taken orally is typically within twenty minutes and lasts for about two hours. Professional athletes have been documented using sildenafil, believing the opening of their blood vessels will enrich their muscles.
What Is Sex Time?
Common side effects include headaches, heartburn, and flushed skin. [8] Caution is advised in those with cardiovascular disease. [8] Rare but serious side effects include vision problems, hearing loss, and prolonged erection (priapism) that can lead to damage to the penis. [8] Sildenafil should not be taken by people on nitric oxide donors such as nitroglycerin, as this may result in a serious drop in blood pressure. Sildenafil acts by blocking phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5), an enzyme that promotes breakdown of cGMP, which regulates blood flow in the penis.
Related treatment guides
[8] It requires sexual arousal to work, and does not by itself cause or increase sexual arousal. [8] It also results in dilation of the blood vessels in the lungs. Pfizer originally discovered the medication in 1989 while looking for a treatment for angina. [11] It was approved for medical use in the United States and in the European Union in 1998. [5][8][11][12] In 2023, it was the 151st most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 3 million prescriptions. In turn, they believe it will enhance their performances.
What happens if I overdose?
[13][14] It is available as a generic medication. [15][16] In the United Kingdom, it is available as a pharmacy medicine. The primary indication of sildenafil is treatment of erectile dysfunction (inability to sustain a satisfactory sildenafil 100 mg tab erection to complete sexual intercourse). Its use is now one of the standard treatments for erectile dysfunction, including for males with diabetes mellitus. Tentative evidence suggests that sildenafil may help males who experience antidepressant-induced erectile dysfunction.
Revatio Tablets
While sildenafil improves some markers of disease in people with pulmonary arterial hypertension, it does not appear to affect the risk of death or serious side effects. Sildenafil and other PDE5 inhibitors are used off-label to alleviate vasospasm and treat severe ischemia and ulcers in fingers and toes for people with secondary Raynaud's phenomenon;[9][21] these drugs have moderate efficacy for reducing the frequency and duration of vasospastic episodes. [9] As of 2016,[update] their role more generally in Raynaud's was not clear. Sildenafil has shown some potential for improving exercise performance at high altitudes. However, its overall efficacy is not clear. Acetildenafil and other synthetic structural analogs of sildenafil which are PDE5 inhibitors have been found as adulterants in a number of "herbal" aphrodisiac products sold over-the-counter. [41] These analogs have not undergone any of the rigorous testing that drugs like sildenafil have passed, and thus have unknown side-effect profiles.
| Misconception | Reality | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Sildenafil cures erectile dysfunction | It does not cure, only treats symptoms | Helps achieve an erection, not a cure |
| Takes effect immediately | Usually takes 30-60 minutes | Depends on individual and food intake |
| Only for older men | Used by men of various ages | Suitable for adult men of different ages |
[42] Some attempts have been made to ban these drugs, but progress has been slow so far, as, even in those jurisdictions that have laws targeting designer drugs, the laws are drafted to ban analogs of illegal drugs of abuse, rather than analogs of prescription medicines.
Warnings & Precautions
Sildenafil has been studied for high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), but its use is currently not recommended for that indication. In clinical trials, the most common adverse effects of sildenafil use included headache, flushing, indigestion, nasal congestion, and impaired vision, including photophobia and blurred vision. [4] Some sildenafil users have complained of seeing everything tinted blue (cyanopsia). [24] This cyanopsia can be explained because sildenafil, while selective for PDE5, does have some affinity for PDE6, which is the phosphodiesterase found in the retina. Patients thus taking the drug may experience colorvision abnormalities.
#1 Lidocaine
Some complained of blurriness and loss of peripheral vision. In July 2005, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated labeling for tadalafil (Cialis), vardenafil (Levitra), and sildenafil (Viagra) to reflect a small number of post-marketing reports of sudden vision loss, while acknowledging that "...it is not possible to determine whether these oral medicines for erectile dysfunction were the cause of the loss of eyesight or whether the problem is related to other factors such as high blood pressure or diabetes, or to a combination of these problems. "[25] A careful review of pooled data from clinical trials containing well documented information about the dose and duration of exposure to the drug for a large number of patients, yields no evidence for an increased risk of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy or other adverse ocular events associated with PDE5 inhibitor use. Rare but serious adverse effects found through postmarketing surveillance include prolonged erections, severe low blood pressure, myocardial infarction (heart attack), ventricular arrhythmias, stroke, 20mg sildenafil increased intraocular pressure, and sudden hearing loss. [4] In October 2007, the FDA announced that the labeling for all PDE5 inhibitors, including sildenafil, required a more prominent warning of the potential risk of sudden hearing loss. However, at least one court case has resulted in a product being taken off the market.
Metrics & Citations
Grapefruit or grapefruit juice can raise sildenafil levels in your body, which can increase the risk of side effects. There are no known interactions between sildenafil and alcohol. Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking sildenafil. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.
More common
This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with sildenafil. If you or someone else has used too much sildenafil, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222. For this use, sildenafil is used only when needed. Take it as your healthcare provider recommends, which is usually between 30 minutes to four hours before planned sexual activity. Do not take double or extra doses. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned numerous products claiming to be Eurycoma longifolia that, in fact, contain only analogs of sildenafil.
- Sildenafil tablets may cause dizziness; avoid sudden movements after taking.
- Combining sildenafil with other medications for erectile dysfunction can increase risks.
- Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications you are using before starting sildenafil.