6 ADVERSE REACTIONS

If you miss doses or don’t take the drug on schedule: For ED: Your ED symptoms won’t improve. For PAH: This medication may not work as well or may stop working completely. For this drug to work well, a certain amount needs to be in your body at all times.

• Common adverse reactions (≥2%) include headache, flushing, and dyspepsia.
• Nasal congestion, back pain, and myalgia are also frequently reported.
• Diarrhea, dizziness, and rash occur in a smaller percentage of users.
• Visual disturbances (color tinge, blurred vision) are dose-related.
• These effects are usually mild to moderate and transient in nature.
• Serious cardiovascular events are rare but possible, especially in at-risk patients.
• Priapism is a urological emergency that requires immediate treatment.
• Sudden hearing loss, often accompanied by tinnitus and dizziness, is rare.
• Allergic reactions, including skin rash and itching, can occur.
• There have been reports of seizures and anxiety in post-marketing experience.
• Most side effects diminish with continued use or dose adjustment.

If you take too much: You could have dangerous levels of the drug in your body. Symptoms of an overdose of this drug can include: If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor or local poison control center.

Side Effects

Side effects from sildenafil: Taking sildenafil with certain medications raises your risk for side effects from sildenafil. This is because the amount of sildenafil in your body is increased. HIV drugs, such as ritonavir, indinavir, saquinavir, or atazanavir.Increased side effects can include low blood pressure, dizziness, or vision problems. They can also include erections that last longer than normal. Increased side effects can include low blood pressure, dizziness, or vision problems.

6.2 Postmarketing Experience

Certain antibiotics, such as clarithromycin or erythromycin.Increased side effects can include low blood pressure, dizziness, or vision problems. Certain antifungals, such as ketoconazole or itraconazole.Increased side effects can include low blood pressure, dizziness, or vision problems. Side effects from other drugs: Taking sildenafil with certain medications raises your risk for side effects from these drugs. Alpha-blockers, such as terazosin, tamsulosin, doxazosin, alfuzosin, or silodosin.Increased side effects can include a drop in blood pressure, or fainting. Increased side effects can include a drop in blood pressure, or fainting.

5.2 Prolonged Erection and Priapism

Blood pressure drugs, such as amlodipine.Increased side effects can include blood pressure that’s too low. Increased side effects can include blood pressure that’s too low. Other drugs for erectile dysfunction, such as avanafil, tadalafil, or vardenafil.Increased side effects can include low blood pressure or erections that last longer than normal Increased side effects can include low blood pressure or erections that last longer than normal Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. If your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

What to do if you miss a dose: For ED: Take your dose 30 minutes to 4 hours before your next sexual activity.

For PAH: Take your dose as soon as you remember. But if you remember just a few hours before your next scheduled dose, take only one dose. Never try to catch up by taking two doses at once. This could result in dangerous side effects.

How do you want your item?

If you’ve already had NAION or have crowded optic disc, you may have a higher risk for NAION and vision changes with this drug. For people with problems with the shape of their penis: If you have a problem with the shape of your penis, such as Peyronie’s disease, this drug raises your risk for having an erection that lasts more than 4 hours. For people with a history of stomach ulcers or bleeding: This drug raises your risk for stomach bleeding, ulcers, or small holes in the lining of your digestive system. These events can be fatal (cause death). They can happen at any time, with or without symptoms.

Erectile Dysfunction

For people with sickle cell anemia: This drug may cause a common painful complication of sickle cell anemia called vaso-occlusive crisis. If you have sickle cell anemia, ask your doctor whether this drug is safe for you. For pregnant women: Research in animals has not shown a risk to the fetus when the mother takes the drug. However, there aren’t enough studies done in humans using the drug for PAH to show if the drug poses a risk to the fetus. Talk with your doctor if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

Warnings for people with certain health conditions

It appears unlikely that this drug will harm a pregnancy. However, this drug should only be used during pregnancy if clearly needed. Viagra or generic sildenafil for ED should not be used in women. For women who are breastfeeding: When used for PAH, sildenafil may pass into breast milk and may cause side effects in a child who is breastfed. Talk with your doctor if you breastfeed your child. How to tell if the drug is working: For ED: You should be able to get and maintain an erection when sexually aroused. For PAH: You should be able to exercise more easily. Your doctor will also check you to determine if this drug is working. Keep these considerations in mind if your doctor prescribes sildenafil for you. You can take this drug with or without food. You can cut or crush the tablet. When you take the drug depends on the condition being treated:For ED: You can take this drug at any time of day.For PAH: Take this drug three times per day about 4–6 hours apart. Take it at the same time every day.

8.4 Pediatric Use

This can help prevent levels of this drug from building up in your body. Typical dosage: 5 or 20 mg, taken three times per day about 4 to 6 hours apart Maximum dosage: 20 mg, taken three times per day about 4 to 6 hours apart This drug shouldn’t be used in children younger than 18 years of age. Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. Always speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you. For ED: You can take this drug at any time of day. For PAH: Take this drug three times per day about 4–6 hours apart. Store sildenafil tablets at room temperature between 59°F and 86°F (15°C and 30°C). Don’t store this medication in moist or damp areas, such as bathrooms. A prescription for this medication is refillable.

• The societal impact of sildenafil has been profound since its introduction.
• It helped destigmatize the discussion and treatment of erectile dysfunction.
• It spawned a multi-billion dollar market for sexual health pharmaceuticals.
• The "Viagra" brand name became one of the most recognized in the world.
• It led to increased research and development in urology and sexual medicine.
• It also raised important questions about medicalization and lifestyle drugs.
• Direct-to-consumer advertising for ED treatments became widespread.
• It prompted debates about insurance coverage for quality-of-life medications.
• The success of sildenafil accelerated research into other PDE5 inhibitors.
• It highlighted the importance of serendipity in drug discovery.
• Its impact extends beyond medicine into cultural and social spheres.

You should not need a new prescription for this medication to be refilled. Your doctor will write the number of refills authorized on your prescription. When flying, never put it into a checked bag. Keep it in your carry-on bag. Don’t worry about airport X-ray machines. You may need to show airport staff the pharmacy label for your medication.

What is sildenafil?

Always speak with your healthcare provider about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking. Sildenafil can cause a severe allergic reaction. If you develop these symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Don’t take this drug again if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it. Taking it again could be fatal (cause death).

Before taking sildenafil,

The use of drinks that contain alcohol raises your risk for low blood pressure from sildenafil. If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor. You may need to have your blood pressure monitored while you take this drug. For people with heart problems: This drug can lower your blood pressure. If you’ve had certain heart problems in the last 6 months, ask your doctor whether this drug is safe for you.

How it works

These problems include a heart attack, stroke, or life threatening heart rhythm problem. Also talk with your doctor if you have a low or high resting blood pressure, or a history of heart failure or coronary artery disease. For people with pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD): Taking this drug may worsen your heart function. For people with eye problems: This drug may cause sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes. This may be a sign of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). Always carry the original prescription-labeled container with you.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

You may need sildenafil 25 mg tablets to decide whether to stop breastfeeding or stop taking this medication. For seniors: The kidneys, liver, or heart of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, a higher amount of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This raises your risk for side effects.

FAQs About Sildenafil Dosage

For children: This drug isn’t recommended in children younger than 18 years. In one study, children with PAH who took this drug had an increased chance for death. All possible dosages and drug forms may not be included here. Your dosage, drug form, and how often you take the drug will depend on: how you react to the first dose Strengths: 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg Strengths: 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg Typical dosage: 50 mg, taken as needed about 1 hour before sexual activity. It can be taken 30 minutes to 4 hours before sexual activity.

8.7 Hepatic Impairment

Maximum dosage: 100 mg once per day. This drug has not been confirmed to be safe or effective in children younger than 18 years. Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older) The kidneys, liver, or heart of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This raises your risk of side effects. Your doctor may start you on a lowered dosage of sildenafil. Don’t put this medication in your car’s glove compartment or leave it in the car.

Other uses for this medicine

Sildenafil oral tablet is used for short-term treatment of ED and long-term treatment of PAH. It comes with serious risks if you don’t take it as prescribed. If you stop taking the drug suddenly or don’t take it at all: For ED: Your ED symptoms won’t improve. For PAH: Your condition sildenafil 200 mg won’t improve and may get worse. Also, you won’t be able to exercise. Be sure to avoid doing this when the weather is very hot or very cold. If you’re taking this drug for PAH, your doctor may monitor your blood pressure and pulse regularly. When filling your prescription, be sure to call ahead to make sure your pharmacy carries it.

Many insurance companies require prior authorization for this drug. This means your doctor may need to get approval from your insurance company before your insurance company will pay for the prescription. Sildenafil under the brand name Viagra is prescribed to treat erectile dysfunction by increasing blood flow to the penis during arousal. Sildenafil under the brand name Revatio is often prescribed to help adults with PAH get more exercise by treating their condition. What if I forget to take it?