Sildenafil

What is Sildenafil?

Sildenafil, also known as Viagra by Pfizer, is a medication used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) that 20 million men worldwide take. To explain how it works briefly: it increases blood flow to the penis which makes it easier for men to get and sustain an erection. Usually, results can be seen within 30-60 minutes of taking the pill and it’s effective for up to five hours.

How does Sildenafil work?

ED in men occurs when blood flow to the penis is limited which prevents a strong enough erection for sexual activity. There is an excess of the enzyme phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5). Sildenafil citrate) is part of a group of drugs called PDE-5 inhibitors, which also includes Cialis (Tadalafil) and Levitra (Vardenafil). This group of medications work by relaxing the blood vessels in your penis, allowing for increased blood flow when you become sexually aroused.

Sildenafil alters the levels of cyclic GMP (cGMP), which are chemical messengers, in your body. This means that you must be aroused within five hours of taking the tablet to experience its effects. ED medication like Sildenafil doesn’t mean you have an erection for five hours nonstop—it just allows you to get and keep an erection during sex.

cause of how it works as well as being a treatment of erectile dysfunction, Sildenafil is also sometimes used to treat a lung condition caled pulmonary arterial hypertension. It is a sthe lungs.

Who can take Sildenafil?

Sildenafil is safe for most men over 18 to take. However, there are certain groups of people who should not use this medication, including:

• If you recently had a stroke or heart attack,
• have liver or heart problems
• have low blood pressure
• are taking nitrates for chest pain
• have a rare inherited eye disease like retinitis pigmentosa

Women, children, and those with allergies to Sildenafil or Viagra should not take the medication.

The following groups of men should take caution when taking Sildenafil:

• sickle cell anemia, leukemia (blood cancer) or multiple myeloma (bone marrow cancer)
• heart or cardiovascular problems of any kind
• a stomach ulcer or a bleeding disorder like haemophilia
• a penis deformity or Peyronie’s disease (curved penis)

It’s essential that you fill out the online consultation form correctly so our doctors can ensure Sildenafil is appropriate for you. If you’re unsure about which category you fall into, speak to your GP.

What dosage should I take?

Here at Medicade, we offer Sildenafil tablets in three different doses (25mg, 50mg and 100mg). The recommended starting dose is 50mg, which has been proven to be effective with minimal side effects. If you find that the 50mg dosage is ineffective, you can try the higher dosage of 100mg. If you have experienced side effects with the 50mh dose, your doctor may prescribe 25 mg for you instead.

How should I take it?

You should take Sildenafil about one hour before you plan to have sexual intercourse. Make sure to take the tablet with a glass of water and swallowing it whole.

The recommended dosage for this medication is one tablet per day. If you find that the strength of the dose is not adequate in helping you achieve or sustain an erection, talk to your doctor about potentially increasing the dosage. Similarly, if you experience any negative side effects from taking the drug, your doctor may need to lower your dose or prescribe a different medication.

Diet & alcohol

If you consume grapefruit juice, the levels of sildenafil citrate in your blood will increase. This can also lower blood pressure drastically and cause more severe side effects.

Sildenafil can be taken with or without food; however, to reduce your risk of side effects, it is best to take the medication with a meal. Also, you should avoid high-fat meals as they may make the drug less effective.

Drinking alcohol before taking Sildenafil is not recommended as it leads to a range of other issues like increased risks for side effects, lower testosterone levels, and dehydration – all of which can lead to erectile dysfunction.

Could Sildenafil interfere with other drugs?

Sildenafil might not mix well with other drugs, so always speak to your doctor before taking it.

Sildenafil can dangerously lower blood pressure when taken with certain other medicines. These include:

• Nitrates are often prescribed to provide relief from angina or chest pain.
• nitric oxide donors such as amyl nitrite, often referred to by the slang term “poppers” – recreational drugs that also cause blood vessels to dilate, specifically in the smooth muscles like the anus or vagina
• alpha-blockers – used to treat high blood pressure and prostate enlargement. Those who take alpha-blockers may experience dizziness and light-headedness if taken with Sildenafil

Protease inhibitors, which are antiretroviral medicines usually used to treat HIV, can also react with sildenafil. You should also tell your doctor if you’re taking riociguat, a medicine for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension.

Please consult a healthcare professional if you are unsure of whether any medicine you take interacts with these drugs.

What are the side effects of Sildenafil?

Though side effects from Sildenafil are rare, temporary, and manageable if they do occur, some common ones (that will affect 1 in 10 people) include:

• Common:Headache
• Facial flushing
• Hot flush
• Indigestion
• Visual disturbance (including colour tinge or blurred vision)
• Nasal congestion
• Dizziness