Sildenafil

Generic Name: Sildenafil (oral) [ sil-DEN-a-fil ]

Drug Classes:

• Agents for pulmonary hypertension
• Impotence agents

What is Sildenafil?

Sildenafil is a medication that relaxes the muscles in blood vessels and increases blood flow to specific areas of the body. It is used for different conditions under different brand names:

• Viagra: Treats erectile dysfunction (impotence) in men.
• Revatio: Treats pulmonary arterial hypertension and improves exercise capacity in both men and women.

Important: Do not use Viagra if you are taking Revatio.

Warnings:

• Nitrate Drugs: Do not take sildenafil if you are using nitrate medications (e.g., nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate) or certain recreational drugs (e.g., “poppers”). Combining sildenafil with nitrates can cause a severe and sudden decrease in blood pressure.
• Riociguat: Avoid using sildenafil with riociguat (Adempas) due to potential dangerous interactions.
• Prolonged Erection: Seek emergency medical help if an erection is painful or lasts longer than 4 hours (priapism), as it can cause permanent damage.
• Vision Loss: Stop using sildenafil and seek immediate medical attention if you experience sudden vision loss.

Before Taking Sildenafil:

• Allergies: Do not use sildenafil if you are allergic to it.
• Health Conditions: Inform your doctor if you have:
  • Heart problems (e.g., chest pain, heart attack)
  • High or low blood pressure
  • Retinitis pigmentosa
  • Liver or kidney disease
  • Blood cell disorders (e.g., sickle cell anemia)
  • Physical deformities of the penis (e.g., Peyronie’s disease)
• Pregnancy & Breastfeeding: Sildenafil is not expected to harm an unborn baby, but consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Women with pulmonary arterial hypertension should not stop sildenafil without consulting their doctor.

How to Take Sildenafil:

• Revatio: Usually taken three times a day, 4 to 6 hours apart.
• Viagra: Take 30 minutes to 1 hour before sexual activity, up to 4 hours in advance. Do not take more than once per day.
• Oral Suspension: Shake before use; measure doses with the provided dosing syringe or a medicine dose-measuring device.

Note: Viagra requires sexual stimulation to work; it will not cause an erection without it.

Missed Dose:

• Viagra: Not applicable, as it is used on an as-needed basis.
• Revatio: If a dose is missed, take it as soon as possible unless it’s nearly time for the next dose. Do not double the dose.

Overdose:

• Seek emergency medical help or contact the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 if an overdose is suspected.

What to Avoid:

• Alcohol: Can increase side effects.
• Grapefruit: May interact with sildenafil, potentially leading to unwanted effects.
• Other ED Medications: Avoid using other impotence treatments without consulting your doctor.

Side Effects:

Emergency Medical Help Needed If:

• Symptoms of an allergic reaction (e.g., hives, difficulty breathing)
• Signs of a heart attack (e.g., chest pain, pain spreading to jaw/shoulder)
• Vision changes or sudden vision loss
• Prolonged erection (priapism)
• Hearing loss or ringing in the ears
• Irregular heartbeat or swelling

Common Side Effects:

• Flushing
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Heartburn
• Nausea or upset stomach
• Blurred vision or color vision changes
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Insomnia
• Muscle or back pain

Report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Drug Interactions:

• Other ED Drugs: Avoid using with avanafil (Stendra), tadalafil (Cialis), or vardenafil (Levitra).
• Nitrate Drugs: Avoid if taking nitrates.
• Other Medications: Inform your doctor about all other medications, particularly:
  • High blood pressure or prostate disorder treatments
  • Antifungal medicines (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole)
  • HIV/AIDS medications (e.g., ritonavir)

Note: 

The brand name displayed above is specific to this product. Brand names can vary depending on the manufacturer.