What is Sildenafil?
Sildenafil is a treatment for erectile dysfunction in male adults. This is when a man cannot achieve or maintain a hard, erected penis for satisfactory sexual activity.
It is important to note that sildenafil works only with sexual stimulation. Sildenafil alone does not increase your sex drive.
For more resources, including a full list of the risks and benefits of sildenafil, please review the product monograph.
How does Sildenafil work?
Sildenafil belongs to a class of medicine called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors.
Following sexual stimulation, sildenafil works by helping to relax the blood vessels in your penis by allowing blood to flow into your penis. This results in improved erectile function.
It’s important to note that sexual stimulation is still needed for Sildenafil to function.
What is Sildenafil used to treat?
Sildenafil is primarily used as a treatment for men with erectile dysfunction, who are having trouble getting or maintaining an erection that lasts long enough to perform sexual activities.
How do you take Sildenafil?
Sildenafil should be taken 30-60 minutes before planning to start sexual activities. However, it can be taken 30 minutes to 4 hours prior to sexual activity.
Dosage will depend on what your healthcare practitioner believes is the best choice for you. The most common dosages are 50mg or 100mg, but in some cases, 25mg doses are used.
Never take more than the recommended dosage of sildenafil, and don’t take more than one dose within a 24-hour period. I
f you have questions about how to use sildenafil safely and effectively, talk to your healthcare practitioner at Felix. They’ll be able to give you any guidance you need.
How long does Sildenafil last after you take it?
What are the common side effects of Sildenafil?
The most common side effects from taking sildenafil include:
- Headache
- Flushing
- Indigestion (dyspepsia)
- Nasal congestion
- Respiratory tract infections
- Flu syndrome
- Urinary tract infection’
- Abnormal vision
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Rash
- Back pain
- Joint pain (arthralgia)
If you start to experience any serious side effects when taking sildenafil, you should talk to your healthcare practitioner at Felix immediately. They may be able to suggest alternative medications or dosages that may work better for you.
In rare cases, patients may experience priapism (an erection lasting more than 4 hours). If this occurs, you should seek immediate medical attention to ensure your safety.
Who shouldn't take Sildenafil?
There are a number of people who shouldn’t use sildenafil prescriptions, such as:
- People taking medications that include nitrates
- People under the age of 18
- People who have had an allergic reaction to sildenafil in the past
- People who have previously experienced a condition called non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION)
- People taking guanylate cyclase stimulators (i.e., riociguat)
- People who have been advised against sexual activity
In addition to these people, there are others that should be cautious about using sildenafil, because of other underlying conditions.
You should talk to your healthcare practitioner at Felix if you:
- Have heart disease
- Have had a heart attack or stroke
- Are over the age of 65
- Have low or uncontrolled high blood pressure
- Have kidney or liver problems
- Have sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, or leukemia
- Have a deformed penis
- Have Peyronie’s disease
- Have ever had a priapism (an erection that lasts more than 4 hours)
- Have stomach ulcers or other bleeding problems
- Have retinitis pigmentosa
- Have ever had temporary or permanently loss of vision in one or both eyes
Sildenafil is not intended for use in women or people assigned female at birth.