Sildenafil Citrate

What is sildenafil citrate used for?

Sildenafil citrate is used for treating erectile dysfunction or impotence in men. Erectile dysfunction is a sexual disorder that causes trouble for a man to attain and maintain firm erections during sexual intercourse.

Sildenafil citrate improves the blood flow through the male sexual organ and promotes a hard erection when combined with sexual arousal. During sexual intercourse, this medication aids men in achieving and maintaining a hard erection, treating ED disorder.

How does sildenafil citrate work?

Sildenafil is a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor. PDE-5 is a protein in a man's body that is responsible for breaking down the molecules which cause an erection.

When PDE-5 is blocked, sildenafil helps an erection to occur by permitting certain muscles in the male sexual organ to relax. This further promotes firm erections.

Dosage

It is best to take a sildenafil tablet almost 1 hour before the planned sexual activity. However, you can also take this medicine between 30 minutes and 4 hours before sexual intercourse.

You can take sildenafil with or without food, but this medicine works even faster when you take it on an empty stomach. High-fat meals can impact the benefits of sildenafil citrate. So, avoid consuming it when taking this medicine.

However, do not take more than one dose of sildenafil a day. Doing so can increase the chances of serious side effects like vision loss and low blood pressure.

The dosage of sildenafil citrate is available in different strengths and is determined by the patient’s medical history, age, and seriousness of the problem.

Who can take a sildenafil citrate tablet?

Men above 18 and older experiencing erectile dysfunction can safely take sildenafil citrate. However, this medicine should not be used by females or children.

What are the side effects of Sildenafil citrate?

During the treatment with sildenafil, you might experience some side effects. However, these side effects improve with time as your body adjusts to the medicine.

Common side effects of sildenafil

• Stuffy nose
• Headache
• Indigestion
• Flushing
• Changes in vision or light sensitivity

Other side effects of sildenafil

• Rash
• Back pain
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Muscle ache

Seek medical help if you continue to experience any of these symptoms or if they worsen with time.

Precautions and warnings

• Inform the doctor if you are allergic to sildenafil citrate or any other inactive ingredients present in the medicine.
• Do not take sildenafil if you use nitrate medicines like nitroglycerin, isosorbide mononitrate, and isosorbide dinitrate to treat chest pain or heart problems.
• Do not consume alcohol and avoid smoking during the treatment with Sildenafil citrate.
• During the treatment with sildenafil, you can experience dizziness. So, avoid driving and using heavy machines when using sildenafil.
• Inform the doctor about your medical history, like heart disorders, blood pressure problems, liver disease, and others, before you take sildenafil.

Drug interactions

There are some medicines which interact with sildenafil citrate and cause harmful effects. Inform the doctor beforehand about all other medicines you take, especially about:

• Antifungal drugs
• Nitrates
• Diuretics
• Medications for treating AIDS

You should avoid intake of other ED drugs such as Vardenafil and Tadalafil as this can result in an overdose.

Supplement and herbal supplements might also cause a reaction when taken with sildenafil citrate. So, discuss it with your doctor once.

Disease interactions

There are also a few disease interactions with sildenafil citrate, including:

• Liver problems
• Renal dysfunction
• Retinitis pigmentosa
• Seizure disorders
• Priapism
• Alcoholism
• Cardiovascular disease

Food and beverage interactions

Sildenafil tablet interaction with certain foods & beverages can increase your risk of experiencing side effects. Avoid the following food & beverages:

• Alcohol
• Pomelo juice
• Tobacco
• Grapefruit juice
• Grapefruit

Storage

You can store sildenafil citrate at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and moisture.

Frequently asked questions about Sildenafil citrate (FAQs)

How long does sildenafil citrate take to work?

Typically, men start to experience the effects of sildenafil in an hour after taking the medicine. However, you should avoid the consumption of a high-fat meal as it can make the medicine take a little time to show its effects.

Can females use sildenafil citrate?

Sildenafil citrate tablet is FDA-approved only for men to treat erectile dysfunction. Females and children should not take this medicine strictly, as it can cause unwanted side effects.

Is it safe to take sildenafil citrate if I don’t have erectile dysfunction?

Sildenafil is only recommended for men with ED. If you are not diagnosed with ED by the doctor, do not take sildenafil citrate to improve your sexual performance. This medicine might put you at risk for serious side effects like vision loss and dangerously low blood pressure.

What if I miss a dose of sildenafil?

Sildenafil tablet is taken as needed, so it is not likely to miss a dose of this medicine.

How long do the effects of sildenafil citrate last?

The effects of sildenafil last for 8 hours for some men. However, some men might have more than one erection during this time. But this does not mean that your erection lasts for eight long hours.

You should meet the doctor immediately if you experience an erection that lasts for more than 4 hours. Such type of erection can cause tissue damage to the male sexual organ.

Can you purchase a sildenafil tablet over the counter in the USA?

No valid prescription from the doctor is required to buy sildenafil tablets and other ED drugs. This is why sildenafil is not sold without a prescription in the USA.

What happens if I take sildenafil with alcohol?

When alcohol and sildenafil are taken together, they can lead to dangerously low blood pressure. You can also experience dizziness and palpitations.