Sildenafil citrate 100 mg starting dose in men with erectile dysfunction in an international, double-blind, placebo-controlled study: effect on the sexual experience and reducing feelings of anxiety about the next intercourse attempt

Talk to your care team about

Pregnancy & Lactation

Store over the counter drugs containing sildenafil the suspension at room temperature or in a refrigerator, but do not freeze it. Dispose of any unused suspension after 60 days. Keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant. Place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. Dispose of unneeded medications in a way so that pets, children, and other people cannot take them.

Other Medical Problems

Do not flush this medication down the toilet. Talk to your pharmacist about take-back programs in your community. Visit the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website for more information. In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

What dose should be taken?

Do not let anyone else take women sildenafil your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription. Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies. the use of this medication in children.

This medication is not used in children for this condition.

How Rex MD Can Help

If you become pregnant while taking sildenafil, call your doctor. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking sildenafil. if you are taking sildenafil to treat erectile dysfunction, tell your doctor if you have ever been advised by a healthcare professional to avoid sexual activity for medical reasons or if you have ever experienced chest pain during sexual activity. Sexual activity may be a strain on your heart, especially if you have heart disease. If you experience chest pain, dizziness, or nausea during sexual activity, call your doctor immediately and avoid sexual activity until your doctor tells you otherwise.

Are you currently using Sildenafil (Viagra, Revatio)?

tell all your healthcare providers that you are taking sildenafil. If you ever need emergency medical treatment for a heart problem, the healthcare providers who treat you will need to know when you last took sildenafil. Talk to your doctor about eating grapefruit and drinking grapefruit juice while taking this medicine. If you are taking sildenafil for erectile dysfunction, you are unlikely to miss a dose since this medication is taken as needed, not on a regular dosing schedule. If you are taking sildenafil for PAH, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it.

Dosage for erectile dysfunction (ED)

However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. numbness, burning, or tingling in the arms, hands, feet, or legs pain in muscles, back, arms, or legs changes in color vision (seeing a blue tinge on objects or having difficulty telling the difference between blue and green) sudden severe loss of vision (see below for more information) erection that is painful or lasts longer than 4 hours rash; itching; hives; difficulty breathing or swallowing; swelling of the eyes, face, throat, tongue, or lips Some patients experienced a sudden loss of some or all of their vision after they took sildenafil or other medications that are similar to sildenafil. The vision loss was permanent in some cases. It is not known if the vision loss was caused by the medication. Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this

What other information should I know?

If you experience a sudden loss of vision while you are taking sildenafil, call your doctor immediately. Do not take any more doses of sildenafil or similar medications such as tadalafil (Cialis) or vardenafil (Levitra) until you talk to your doctor. There have been reports of heart attack, stroke, irregular heartbeat, bleeding in the brain or lungs, high blood pressure, and sudden death in men who took sildenafil for erectile dysfunction. Most, but not all, of these people had heart problems before taking sildenafil. It is not known whether these events were caused by sildenafil, sexual activity, heart disease, or a combination of these and other causes.

Oral Administration

Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking sildenafil. Some patients experienced a sudden decrease or loss of hearing after they took sildenafil or other medications that are similar to sildenafil. It is not known if the hearing loss was caused by the medication. If you experience a sudden loss of hearing, sometimes with ringing in the ears or dizziness, while you are taking sildenafil, call your doctor immediately. If you are taking sildenafil (Viagra) for erectile dysfunction, do not take any more doses of sildenafil (Viagra) or similar medications such as tadalafil (Cialis) or vardenafil (Levitra) until you talk to your doctor.

What should happen if a dose is missed?

If you are taking sildenafil (Liqrev, Revatio) for PAH, do not stop taking your medication until you talk to your doctor. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while you are taking this medication. If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online ( or by phone (1-800-332-1088). Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store the tablets at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

• Sildenafil molecules work by relaxing smooth muscle tissue.
• This relaxation allows increased blood flow in blood vessels.
• It is less effective without sexual arousal.
• Some common brand names include Viagra, Revatio, and Kamagra.
• Sildenafil's patent expired, leading to numerous generics.
• Generic versions are usually more affordable.
• It’s important to follow prescription instructions strictly.
• Using more than the recommended dose can be dangerous.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. SILDENAFIL (sil DEN a fil) treats erectile dysfunction (ED). It works by increasing blood flow to the penis, which helps to maintain an erection. This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions. Do not share this medicine with others.

• 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.

Do not take double or extra doses. Do not take this medication with any of the

What special precautions should I follow?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions: History of blood diseases, such as sickle cell anemia or leukemia Stomach ulcers, other stomach or intestine problems An unusual or allergic reaction to sildenafil, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives Take this medication by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. The dose is usually taken 1 hour before sexual activity. You should not take the dose more than once per day. Do not take your medication more often than directed. following: Nitrates, such as

• Sildenafil citrate is a medication used primarily to treat erectile dysfunction.
• It belongs to the class of drugs called phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors.
• Sildenafil was originally developed to treat angina and hypertension.
• The drug works by increasing blood flow to the penis during stimulation.
• It is commonly sold under the brand name Viagra.
• Sildenafil is available by prescription and as generics.
• The typical dose is 50 mg taken about an hour before activity.
• Common side effects include headaches, flushing, and nasal congestion.

amyl nitrite, isosorbide dinitrate, isosorbide

mononitrate, nitroglycerin This medication

• 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.

may also interact with the

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

tell your doctor if you are taking street drugs containing nitrates ('poppers') such as amyl nitrate, amyl nitrite, or butyl nitrate while taking sildenafil. Your doctor will tell you not to take sildenafil if you are taking street drugs containing nitrates. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, and nutritional supplements you are taking or plan to take. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. you should know that sildenafil is available under the brand names Liqrev, Revatio, and Viagra.

Viagra Tablets

You should only be treated with one of these products at a time. The following nonprescription or herbal products may interact with sildenafil: cimetidine (Tagamet HB), St. John's wort. Be sure to let your doctor and pharmacist know that you are taking these medications before you start taking sildenafil. Do not start these medications while taking sildenafil without discussing it with your healthcare provider.

Does sildenafil interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

tell your doctor if you smoke, if you have had heart surgery within the last 6 months, if you have ever had an erection that lasted for more than 4 hours, and if you have recently lost a large amount of body fluids (dehydration). This can happen if you are sick with fever, diarrhea, or vomiting; sweat a lot; or do not drink enough liquids. Also tell your doctor if you have or have ever had pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD; blockage of veins in the lungs); a stomach ulcer; heart, kidney, or liver disease; a heart attack; heart failure; angina (chest pain); an irregular heartbeat; a stroke; chest pain; high or low blood pressure; high cholesterol; a bleeding disorder; blood circulation problems; blood cell problems such as sickle cell anemia (a disease of the red blood cells), multiple myeloma (cancer of the plasma cells), or leukemia (cancer of the white blood cells); conditions affecting the shape of the penis (e.g., angulation, cavernosal fibrosis, or Peyronie's disease); or diabetes. Also tell your doctor if you or any of your family members have or have ever had an eye disease such as retinitis pigmentosa (an inherited eye condition that causes loss of vision) or if you have ever had sudden severe vision loss, especially if you were told that the vision loss was caused by a blockage of blood flow to the nerves that help you see. if you are a woman and you are taking sildenafil to treat PAH, tell your doctor if you sildenafil generic are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. following: Other medications may affect

Medical uses

Skip to main content An official website of the United States government Menu Search Search About Cancer Cancer Types Research Grants & Training News & Events About NCI Home Publications NCI Dictionaries NCI Drug Dictionary Publications Patient Education Publications PDQ® Fact Sheets NCI Dictionaries Dictionary of Cancer Terms Drug Dictionary Dictionary of Genetics Terms Blogs and Newsletters Health Communications Publications Reports You need to enable JavaScript to run this app. Sildenafil is a treatment for erectile dysfunction. It works by increasing blood flow to your penis. The brand name for this medication is Viagra®. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. the way this medication works.