Sildenafil Patient Tips
Tentative evidence suggests that sildenafil may help males who experience antidepressant-induced erectile dysfunction. While sildenafil improves some markers of disease in people with pulmonary arterial hypertension, it does not appear to affect the risk of death or serious side effects.
2. Upsides
[8][10] Onset when taken orally is typically within twenty minutes and lasts for about two hours. Common side effects include headaches, heartburn, and flushed skin. [8] Caution is advised in those with cardiovascular disease. [8] Rare but serious side effects include vision problems, hearing loss, and prolonged erection (priapism) that can lead to damage to the penis. [8] Sildenafil should not be taken by people on nitric oxide donors such as nitroglycerin, as this may result in a serious drop in blood pressure.
Does sildenafil interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?
Sildenafil acts by blocking phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5), an enzyme that promotes breakdown of cGMP, which regulates blood flow in the penis. [8] It requires sexual arousal to work, and does not by itself cause or increase sexual arousal. [8] It also results in dilation of the blood vessels in the lungs. Pfizer originally discovered the medication in 1989 while looking for a treatment for angina. [11] It was approved for medical use in the United States and in the sildenafil 100mg hexal European Union in 1998. Sildenafil and other PDE5 inhibitors are used off-label to alleviate vasospasm and treat severe ischemia and ulcers in fingers and toes for people with secondary Raynaud's phenomenon;[9][21] these drugs have moderate efficacy for reducing the frequency and duration of vasospastic episodes.
- Sildenafil citrate can be combined with lifestyle changes.
- Exercise and weight management improve erectile function.
- Quitting smoking enhances medication effectiveness.
- Reducing alcohol intake minimizes side effects.
- Psychological therapy may support ED treatment.
- Counseling can address underlying emotional issues.
- Regular medical check-ups are recommended.
- Patient education improves safe and effective use.
[9] As of 2016,[update] their role more generally in Raynaud's was not clear. Sildenafil has shown some potential for improving exercise performance at high altitudes.
| Form | Strengths | Route of Administration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tablets | 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg | Oral | Most common form |
| Sublingual Tablets | 25 mg, 50 mg | Sublingual | Faster absorption |
| Extended-release Capsules | 100 mg | Oral | Less common |
| Oral Suspension | Customizable doses | Oral | Experimental/clinical use |
However, its overall efficacy is not clear. Sildenafil has been studied for high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), but its use is currently not recommended for that indication. In clinical trials, the most common adverse effects of sildenafil use included headache, flushing, indigestion, nasal congestion, and impaired vision, including photophobia and blurred vision. [4] Some sildenafil users have complained of seeing everything tinted blue (cyanopsia). [24] This cyanopsia can be explained because sildenafil, while selective for PDE5, does have some affinity for PDE6, which is the phosphodiesterase found in the retina. Patients thus taking the drug may experience colorvision abnormalities.
| Product | Dosage | Quantity + Bonus | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viagra Generic | 50mg | 20 Pills | 40.52€ 38.59€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 50mg | 180 + 8 Pills | 158.82€ 151.26€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 25mg | 270 + 8 Pills | 184.26€ 175.49€ | |
| Kamagra Soft Tabs | 100mg | 180 + 8 Pills | 425.45€ 405.19€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 200mg | 10 Pills | 40.96€ 39.01€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 25mg | 30 + 4 Pills | 47.97€ 45.69€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 50mg | 60 + 4 Pills | 83.93€ 79.93€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 200mg | 30 + 2 Pills | 83.07€ 79.11€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 25mg | 360 + 10 Pills | 213.68€ 203.50€ | |
| Kamagra | 100mg | 360 + 6 Pills | 839.95€ 799.95€ | |
| Kamagra Soft Tabs | 100mg | 60 + 4 Pills | 180.59€ 171.99€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 150mg | 180 + 10 Pills | 236.46€ 225.20€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 150mg | 30 + 2 Pills | 72.32€ 68.88€ | |
| Kamagra Oral Jelly | 100mg | 10 Sachets | 54.55€ 51.95€ | |
| Kamagra Polo | 100mg | 12 Pills | 60.21€ 57.34€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 200mg | 90 + 6 Pills | 170.79€ 162.66€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 200mg | 20 Pills | 61.69€ 58.75€ |
Some complained of blurriness and loss of peripheral vision.
Medical uses
Both sildenafil and its active metabolite have terminal half-lives of about 4 hours. Sildenafil concentrations at 24 hours post a single 100 mg oral dose average 2 ng/mL (compared to peak plasma concentrations of approximately 440 ng/mL). While similar pharmacokinetic parameters were observed in healthy volunteers and patients with erectile dysfunction, the average steady-state concentrations were 20% to 50% higher and Cmin levels doubled in patients with PAH compared to healthy volunteers. Affected cytochrome P450 isoenzymes: CYP3A4 and CYP2C9Sildenafil is metabolized principally by the hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4; CYP2C9 is also involved to a lesser degree. Dosage reductions are recommended for patients receiving potent cytochrome CYP3A4 inhibitors.
Serious Side Effects
Sildenafil is rapidly absorbed after oral administration, with a mean absolute bioavailability of about 41% (25% to 63%). Its pharmacokinetics are dose-proportional over the recommended dose range. Maximum observed plasma concentrations are reached within 30 to 120 minutes (median 60 minutes) of oral dosing in the fasted state. Oral Suspension (Liqrev):When sildenafil is taken with a high fat meal, the rate of absorption is reduced, with a mean delay in Tmax of 60 minutes and a mean reduction in Cmax of 53%; the extent of absorption (AUC) is increased by 11%.Oral tablets and oral powder for suspension (Revatio, Viagra):When sildenafil is taken with a high fat meal, the rate of absorption is reduced, with a mean delay in Tmax of 60 minutes and a mean reduction in Cmax of 29%. A 10 mg IV dose is predicted to provide a pharmacological effect of sildenafil and its N-desmethyl metabolite equivalent to that of a 20 mg PO dose. In July 2005, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated labeling for tadalafil (Cialis), vardenafil (Levitra), and sildenafil (Viagra) to reflect a small number of post-marketing reports of sudden vision loss, while acknowledging that "...it is not possible to determine whether these oral medicines for erectile dysfunction were the cause of the loss of eyesight or whether the problem is related to other factors such as high blood pressure or diabetes, or to a combination of these problems.
- Sildenafil citrate is sometimes used off-label for other conditions.
- Off-label uses include altitude sickness and Raynaud’s phenomenon.
- Research continues into additional therapeutic effects.
- The drug’s development was led by Pfizer.
- It is often used in combination with other ED treatments.
- Patients should avoid grapefruit juice, which can affect drug levels.
- Some formulations include chewable or dissolvable tablets.
- Ongoing studies investigate its cardiovascular benefits.
"[25] A careful review of pooled data from clinical trials containing well documented information about the dose and duration of sildenafil from canada exposure to the drug for a large number of patients, yields no evidence for an increased risk of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy or other adverse ocular events associated with PDE5 inhibitor use.
Society and culture
Sildenafil and its major circulating N-desmethyl metabolite are both approximately 96% bound to plasma proteins. Protein binding is independent of total drug concentrations. Based upon measurements of sildenafil in semen of healthy volunteers 90 minutes after dosing, less than 0.001% of the administered dose may appear in the semen of patients. Sildenafil is predominantly metabolized by hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes. One active metabolite with properties similar to the parent drug has been identified and is formed by N-desmethylation of sildenafil.
Revatio for Oral Suspension
This metabolite has a PDE selectivity profile similar to sildenafil and an in vitro potency for PDE5 approximately 50% of the parent drug. Plasma concentrations of this metabolite are approximately 40% of those seen for sildenafil and accounts for about 20% of the pharmacologic effects of sildenafil. However, the ratio of the metabolite to sildenafil is higher in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The metabolite is further metabolized to inactive compounds. Sildenafil is excreted as metabolites primarily in the feces (approximately 80% of administered oral dose) and to a lesser extent in the urine (approximately 13% of the administered oral dose). Rare but serious adverse effects found through postmarketing surveillance include prolonged erections, severe low blood pressure, myocardial infarction (heart attack), ventricular arrhythmias, stroke, increased intraocular pressure, and sudden hearing loss. [4] In October 2007, the FDA announced that the labeling for all PDE5 inhibitors, including sildenafil, required a more prominent warning of the potential risk of sudden hearing loss.
- Sildenafil works by inhibiting phosphodiesterase type 5 enzyme.
- This inhibition increases cGMP levels in the body.
- Elevated cGMP leads to smooth muscle relaxation.
- It promotes vasodilation in the corpus cavernosum.
- This process facilitates an erection during sexual activity.
- The drug’s pharmacokinetics allow for rapid absorption.
- Food intake can influence absorption rate.
- It is effective in men of various ages.
Care should be exercised by people who are also taking protease inhibitors for the treatment of HIV infection.
| Property | Description | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Molecular Formula | - | C22H30N6O4S | Chemical composition |
| Molecular Weight | - | 474.6 g/mol | Molar mass |
| Melting Point | - | 195-198°C | Crystalline form |
| Solubility in Water | - | Slightly soluble | At room temperature |
| pH of Aqueous Solution | - | 3.5 - 4.0 | Depends on concentration |
Protease inhibitors inhibit the metabolism of sildenafil, effectively multiplying the plasma levels of sildenafil, increasing the incidence and severity of side effects. Those using protease inhibitors are recommended to limit their use of sildenafil to no more than one 25 mg dose every 48 hours.
Viagra et environnement
[5][8][11][12] In 2023, it was the 151st most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 3 million prescriptions. [13][14] It is available as a generic medication. [15][16] In the United Kingdom, it is available as a pharmacy medicine. The primary indication of sildenafil is treatment of erectile dysfunction (inability to sustain a satisfactory erection to complete sexual intercourse). Its use is now one of the standard treatments for erectile dysfunction, including for males with diabetes mellitus. [4] Other drugs that interfere with the metabolism of sildenafil include erythromycin and cimetidine, both of which can also lead to prolonged plasma half-life levels. The use of sildenafil and an α1 blocker (typically prescribed for hypertension or for urologic conditions, such as benign prostatic hypertrophy) at the same time may lead to low blood pressure, but this effect does not occur if they are taken at least 4 hours apart. Concomitant use of nitric oxide donors, organic nitrites and nitrates,[30] such as: nitroglycerinisosorbide mononitrateisosorbide dinitratesodium nitroprussidealkyl nitrites (commonly known as "poppers") Concomitant use of soluble guanylyl cyclase stimulators, such as riociguat Sildenafil should not be used if sexual activity is inadvisable due to underlying cardiovascular risk factors.
6. Response and effectiveness
Limited data do not report a clear association with the use of sildenafil and major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes when sildenafil is used during pregnancy. No evidence of teratogenicity or embryofetal toxicity was observed in animal reproduction studies using sildenafil at doses 32- and 65-times the recommended human dose. There are risks to the mother and fetus tablet sildenafil 50 mg from untreated pulmonary arterial hypertension. Limited clinical data preclude a clear determination of the risk of sildenafil to an infant during breast-feeding. Data from a case report describe the presence of sildenafil and its active metabolite in human milk.
Recreational use
There is insufficient information on the effects of sildenafil on the breast-fed infant and no information on the effects of sildenafil on milk production. Sildenafil, sold under the brand name Viagra among others, is a medication used to treat erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension. [4][8] It is also sometimes used off-label for the treatment of certain symptoms in secondary Raynaud's phenomenon. [9] It is unclear if it is effective for treating sexual dysfunction in females. [8] It can be taken orally (swallowed by mouth), intravenously (injection into a vein), or through the sublingual route (dissolved under the tongue). Sildenafil's popularity with young adults has increased over the years. [32] Sildenafil's brand name, Viagra, is widely recognized in popular culture, and the drug's association with treating erectile dysfunction has led to its recreational use.
