What Is Sildenafil Citrate?
Sildenafil citrate (
Viagra®) is a prescription medication used for treating problems with obtaining or maintaining an erection.
Who Makes Sildenafil Citrate?
Sildenafil citrate is manufactured by Pfizer.
Sildenafil citrate has been licensed for the treatment of
erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction (
ED), also known as
impotence, can be a total inability to achieve erection, an inconsistent ability to do so, or a tendency to sustain only brief erections. Essentially, erectile dysfunction is the repeated inability to get or keep an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse.
How Does Sildenafil Citrate Work?
Sildenafil citrate works by blocking a chemical that causes blood to flow out of the penis. More blood in the penis means an improved erection.
What are the Effects of Sildenafil Citrate?
In previous clinical studies, up to 88 percent of men reported that sildenafil citrate improved their erections. Sildenafil citrate was also shown to be effective in men with certain medical conditions and following various types of surgeries.
When Does Sildenafil Citrate Start Working?
Many men wonder, "How long do I have to wait for sildenafil citrate to work?" The waiting time varies depending on the individual. In clinical studies, sildenafil citrate began to work in as little as 14 minutes. For most people, though, it begins working within 30 minutes. Sildenafil citrate can continue to work for at least four hours, but on average, the response decreases after about two hours.
When and How Do I Take Sildenafil Citrate?
Here are some general considerations regarding when and how to take sildenafil citrate:
- Sildenafil citrate comes in tablet form. It is taken as needed, usually one hour before sexual activity. However, it is not recommended that you take sildenafil citrate more than once in a day.
- It is recommended that you take your sildenafil citrate dose with a glass of water. You may take it with or without food. If you take your sildenafil citrate dose with food, keep in mind that fatty meals may decrease the levels of sildenafil citrate in the blood.
- Do not break, chew, or crush the sildenafil citrate tablets.
- For sildenafil citrate to work properly, you have to take it as prescribed. Sildenafil citrate will not work if you stop taking it.
Sildenafil Citrate: Dosing
The dose of sildenafil citrate your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
- Your age
- Other medical conditions you may have
- Other medications you may be currently taking.
As always, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
Sildenafil Citrate Side Effects
(The sildenafil citrate side effects listed below are NOT a complete list of possible side effects of sildenafil citrate. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of side effects with you.)
As with any medicine, there are possible side effects with sildenafil citrate. However, not everyone who takes sildenafil citrate will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate sildenafil citrate well. When people do develop side effects, in most cases they are minor, meaning they require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider.
The most common sildenafil citrate side effects include:
- Headache --16 percent of people
- Facial flushing -- 10 percent of people
- Indigestion, known as dyspepsia -- 7 percent of people
- Nasal congestion -- 4 percent of people
- Urinary tract Infections (UTI) -- 3 percent of people
- Vision problems, including trouble telling the difference between blue and green, increased sensitivity to light, or blurred vision -- 3 percent of people
- Diarrhea -- 3 percent of people
- Dizziness -- 2 percent of people
- Unexplained rash -- 2 percent of people.
There are two other rare side effects to be aware of. If you have a heart or blood vessel disease (
cardiovascular disease) or significant
heart disease risk factors, you will have an increased chance of developing serious problems with the heart, brain, and blood vessels. These problems can result in a
heart attack,
stroke, or sudden death.
In people taking sildenafil citrate or other PDE5 inhibitors, there have been rare cases of a condition called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). This condition can lead to sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes. If you experience any loss of vision while taking sildenafil citrate, contact your healthcare provider immediately
(see Viagra and Blindness).
Sildenafil Citrate: Drug Interactions
There are a number of other medicines that sildenafil citrate can potentially interact with.
Sildenafil Citrate: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
Prior to taking sildenafil citrate, you should tell your healthcare provider if you have:
Also, tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines,
antacids, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Who Should Not Take Sildenafil Citrate?
You should not take sildenafil citrate if:
- You are allergic to sildenafil citrate or any component of sildenafil citrate. Your healthcare provider or pharmacist has a list of the inactive ingredients.
- You are taking a nitrate for angina.
Sildenafil Citrate: Overdose
Only a small number of people have overdosed on sildenafil citrate. Therefore, sildenafil citrate overdose symptoms are not well-known. If you happen to overdose on sildenafil citrate, seek medical attention immediately.
Storage Methods for Sildenafil Citrate
Sildenafil citrate should be stored at room temperature.
Keep sildenafil citrate and all medications out of the reach of children.
Sildenafil Citrate: Strengths
There are several strengths of sildenafil citrate available. These include:
- Sildenafil citrate 25 mg
- Sildenafil citrate 50 mg
- Sildenafil citrate 100 mg.
Sildenafil Citrate: Generic
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