Sildenafil (including Viagra)

1. About sildenafil

Sildenafil is a medication used to treat erectile dysfunction by increasing blood flow to the penis, aiding men in achieving an erection. At least two-thirds of men report improved erections after taking it.

S is also occasionally used to treat pulmonary hypertension, which is high blood pressure in the blood vessels supplying the lungs.

This medication is available by prescription and can also be purchased from most. comes in the form of tablets that you swallow, chewable tablets, and a liquid that you drink.

2. Key facts

It typically takes 30 to 60 minutes for sildenafil to become effective for erectile. It can be taken up to 4 hours before sexual activity.

Taking sildenafil alone will result in an erection. Sexual arousal is necessary for it to be effective.

The most common side effects are headaches, nausea hot flushes, and dizziness. Many men experience no side effects or only mild ones.

It can be dangerous to take sildenafil if you are also taking medications called nitrates (often prescribed for chest pain). The combination can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure. If you are unsure whether are taking a nitrate, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Sildenafil is known by the brand names Viagra (for erectile dysfunction) and Revatio (for pulmonary hypertension).

3 Who can and cannot take sildenafil:

Sildenafil for erectile dysfunction (Viagra) can be taken by men aged 18 and. It is not intended women or children.

Sildenafil for hypertension (Revatio) can be taken by adults and aged1 and overSildenafil is not suitable for some individuals.

not take sildenafil if you:

– Have had an allergic to sildenafil (Viagra) or any other medicines in the past

– Are taking medicines called nitrates for chest pain

– Have a serious heart or liver problem

– Have recently had a stroke or a heart attack

– Have low pressure

– Have a inherited eye disease, such as retinitis pigmentosa

Check with your doctor before taking sildenafil you:

– Have sick cell anemia (an abnormality of red blood cells), leukemia (cancer of cells), or multiple myeloma (cancer bone marrow)

– Have a deformity of your or Peyronie’s disease (curved penis)

Have a heart problem. Your doctor should carefully check whether your heart can take the additional strain of having sex.

– Have a stomach ulcer or a bleeding problem like hemophilia

4. Where to obtain sildenafil:

On the NHS

You can obtain sildenafil on the NHS if you have erectile dysfunction or pulmonary hypertension.

Branded versions of sildenafil, such as Viagra, are not available on the NHS, except in special circumstances.

Private prescription

You can also obtain sildenafil on a private prescription from your doctor. This you will need to pay the full cost of the medicine.

Prices vary, but on average, 4 tablets cost around £20.

From a pharmacy

You can purchase sildenafil from a pharmacy following a discussion with the pharmacist.

They will ask you some questions about your general health to ensure sildenafil is safe for you to take. You can also discuss side effects with them.

If the pharmacist has any concerns about whether sildenafil is safe for you, they may advise you to see your doctor.

Online

You can purchase sildenafil/Viagra over internet. Exercise caution if you do this, as many websites sell counterfeit medicines.

Online medicines are not always regulated, and the ingredients in them can vary from one pack to another. They can cause unpleasant side effects or may not be suitable for you.

It is best to consult your doctor before purchasing medicines online. They know your medical history and can discuss whether you might benefit from treatment.

If you choose to purchase sildenafil/Viagra over the internet, ensure that:

any online pharmacy is registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)

any online doctor service is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC)

all doctors are registered with the General Medical Council (GMC)

5. How and When to Take It

It is essential to take it as advised your doctor or pharmacist.

How Much to Take for Erectile Dysfunction

Sildenafil tablets for erectile dysfunction come in different strengths from 25mg to 100mg.

The usual dose is 50mg, taken as needed (no more than once a day).

The can be increased to 100mg or decreased to 25mg depending on its effect.

Take sildenafil up to 4 hours before you plan to have sex. For sildenafil to work properly, sexual arousal is necessary.

How Much to Take for Pulmonary Hypertension

Sildenafil tablets for pulmonary hypertension come in 10mg and 20mg strengths.

The usual adult dose is 20mg taken three times a day.

Doses for children can range from 10mg to 20mg taken three times a day, depending on their weight.

How to Take It

Swallow tablets whole with a glass of water or juice (but not grapefruit juice).

For erectile dysfunction, it is best to take sildenafil on an empty stomach. It may take longer to work if taken with food.

Liquid Sildenafil

If you or your child are taking sildenafil as a liquid, 1ml is usually equivalent to taking a 10mg tablet, but it is important to always check the medicine label.

Liquid sildenafil will usually be prepared for you by your pharmacist.

The medicine will come with a plastic syringe or spoon to help you take the right amount.

If you do not have a plastic syringe or spoon, ask your pharmacist for one. Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it will not give the correct amount.

What if I forget to take it?

If you have pulmonary hypertension and forget to take a dose of sildenafil, take it as soon as you remember and then continue as usual.

Never take two doses at the same time. Never take an extra dose to make up for a forgotten one.

If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you.

You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.

What if I take too much?

Taking too much sildenafil by accident can cause unpleasant side effects, such as:

headaches

dizziness

igestion

blocked nose

altered vision

Talk to your doctor if you have taken too much and are worried about these side effects.

Like all medicines, sildenafil cause side effects in some people. Many people no side effects or only minor ones.

6. Common side effects

Common side effects occur in more than 1 in 100 people.

If you experience these side effects, continue taking the medicine, but inform your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or do not go away:

headaches

nauseahot flush, facial flushing

indigestion

a color tinge your vision or blurred vision

stuffy nose

dizzinessSerious side effects

ious side effects are rare and occur in less than 1 in 1,000 people.

Stop taking sildenafil and call a doctor immediately if you:

chest pains – this happens during or after sex, get into a semi-sitting and try to relax; do not use nitrates to treat your chest pain

prolonged and sometimes painful – if you an erection that lasts for more 4 hours, contact a doctor immediately

a sudden decrease or loss of vision

a serious skin reaction – symptoms may include fever, severe peeling and swelling of the skin, blistering of the, genitals, and around the eyes

seizures

Serious allergic reactionIn rare cases, it is possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to sildenafil.

Immediate action required: Call or go to A if:

develop a skin that may itchy, red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin

you are wheezing

you experience tight in the or throat

you have difficulty breathing or talkingyour mouth, face lips, tongue, or throat start

You could be having a severe allergic reaction and may immediate treatment in a hospital.

These are not all the effects of sildenafil.

For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicine packet.

You can report any suspected side effects to the UK safety scheme.

7. Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Sildenafil is not recommended during pregnancy and while breastfeedingNon-urgent advice: Inform doctor if you are:

attempting conceive

pregnant

breastfeeding

8. Cautions with other medicines

Some medicines do not mix well with sildenafil.

Inform your doctor if you are taking these medicines before starting sildenafil:

nitr for chest pain

riociguat for pulmonary hypertension

recreational drugs called poppers, such as amyl nitrite

Mixing sildenafil with herbal remedies and supplements

Certain therapies may contain ingredients that could interfere with sildenafil and side effects.

Important

Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are any other medicines, including herbal remedies, vitamins, or supplements.

Common Questions:

Sildenafil belongs to a group of medicines called phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. It works for problems by temporarily increasing blood flow to the penis when you become sexually excited. In pulmonary hypertension, it works by relaxing blood vessels in the chest, increasing blood supply to the lungs, and reducing the workload of the heart.

Sildenafil is effective for erectile dysfunction. Generally, at least two-thirds of men report having harder erections after taking it. If sildenafil does not work for you, it may be due to:

– Not waiting long enough after taking it before attempting to have sex

– Waiting too long after taking it to have sex

– The dose being high enough

– Not being sexually aroused enough

ildenafil usually starts working within 30 to 60 minutes. It is triggered sexual stimulation, so arousal is necessary for it to work. You should be able to get an erection anytime between 1 and 4 hours after taking sildenafil, and your erection should sub after sex.

For erectile dysfunction, do not take sildenafil more than once a day. For pulmonary hypertension (Revatio), do not take it more than three times a day. Sildenafil is safe for long-term use, with no lasting harmful effects reported from taking it for many months or years.

If sildenafil does not work, other tablets that work similarly include:

– TadalafilCialis) – can be taken up to 36 hours before sex

– Avanafil (Spedra) – can be taken up to around 4 hours before sex

– Vardenafil (Levitra – can be taken up around 4 hours before sex

Alternatively, you could try a medicine called alprostadil, a man-made hormone that helps stimulate blood flow to the penis.

Alprostadil is available as:

– an injection directly into the penis

– a small pellet placed inside the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the of the penis)

If you experience erectile dysfunction due to a hormonal problem, your GP may refer you to an endocrinologist (a specialist in the treatment of hormonal problems). You may benefit from hormone replacement therapy using injections of synthetic hormones to restore normal hormone levels.

Other treatments for erectile dysfunction include:

– a vacuum pump

– psychological treatments

– penile implants pelvic floor muscle exercises

Some complementary therapies, such as acupuncture, claim to treat erectile dysfunction, but there is little evidence to support their effectiveness.

Many treatments claim to be “herbal Viagra.” However, no such product has been approved as a treatment for erectile dysfunction.

Additionally, these treatments may be counterfeit or unsafe.

Women can use sildenafil for pulmonary hypertension.

There is no substantial evidence that sildenafil effective for women with sexual problems.

There is no definitive evidence to suggest that taking sildenafil will reduce fertility in either women or men.

However, consult a pharmacist or your doctor before taking it if you are trying to conceive.

Sildenafil does not affect any type of contraception, including the contraceptive pill and emergency contraception.

A beer or a couple of glasses of wine are unlikely to stop or delay sildenafil from working.

However, large amounts of alcohol can make it more difficult to achieve an erection.

To maximize the benefits of sildenafil, do not drink heavily before taking it.

Taking poppers (amyl nitrite) with sildenafil can have a dangerous effect on your heart.

It can also be potentially dangerous to take sildenafilstimulants like MDMA (ecstasy) or cocaine

hallucinogens like LSD

novel psychoactive substances (formerly known as legal highs) like mephedrone

Sildenafil has not been properly tested with recreational drugs.

Consult your doctor if you think you might use any recreational drugs with sildenafil.

Do not drink grapefruit if you’re taking sildenafil (atio) for pulmonary hypertension. interferes with the way the medicine works.

You can eat and drink normally while sildenafil (Viagra) to get an erection.

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