Sildenafil for Erectile Dysfunction: A Complete Guide for Indian Men
You have a slightly greater chance of developing NAION if you have heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, certain other eye problems ("crowded disk"), high blood pressure, if you are over 50, or if you smoke.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
When choosing one, tell your doctor or other health care professional what your preferences are, such as cost, ease of use, how long the drug's effects last and side effects. Generic versions of sildenafil, vardenafil and tadalafil are available. Check with your health care team before you take any medicine for erectile dysfunction. Oral ED medicines might not work or might be dangerous if you also take any of the following: Often, these are prescribed for chest pain called angina. Some examples of nitrates are nitroglycerin (Nitro-Dur, Nitrostat, others), isosorbide mononitrate (Monoket) and isosorbide dinitrate (Bidil).
Before taking sildenafil,
These are commonly prescribed for an enlarged prostate or male pattern baldness. They include dutasteride (Avodart, Jalyn) and finasteride (Propecia, Proscar). Medicines that block an enzyme called CYP3A4. Oral medicine for ED also might not be safe or work well if you have: Very low blood pressure, called hypotension, or uncontrolled high blood pressure, called hypertension. Kidney disease that needs to be treated with dialysis.
How to Take Sildenafil
These include a heart attack, stroke or a serious heart rhythm disorder in the past six months. An inherited eye disease that affects the retina. Side effects of oral ED medicines are often mild. Visual changes, such as blue tinge to vision, sensitivity to light or blurred sight. Rarely, more-serious side effects can happen, including: Some people have suddenly lost some of their hearing or vision after taking one of these medicines. Rarely, a sudden decrease or loss of hearing, sometimes with ringing in the ears and dizziness, may occur. Stop taking sildenafil and get medical help right away if these effects occur. Rarely, males may have a painful or prolonged erection lasting 4 or more hours. If this occurs, stop using this drug and get medical help right away, or permanent problems could occur.
| Product | Dosage | Quantity + Bonus | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viagra Generic | 200mg | 120 + 8 Pills | 204.80€ 195.05€ | |
| Kamagra Soft Tabs | 100mg | 272 + 12 Pills | 593.42€ 565.16€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 150mg | 270 + 10 Pills | 326.61€ 311.06€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 50mg | 60 + 4 Pills | 83.93€ 79.93€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 50mg | 360 + 10 Pills | 225.33€ 214.60€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 150mg | 60 + 4 Pills | 111.25€ 105.95€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 100mg | 20 Pills | 45.58€ 43.41€ | |
| Kamagra Soft Tabs | 100mg | 20 Pills | 79.79€ 75.99€ | |
| Kamagra Oral Jelly | 100mg | 30 + 5 Sachets | 136.20€ 129.71€ | |
| Kamagra Polo | 100mg | 272 + 12 Pills | 622.94€ 593.28€ | |
| Kamagra Soft Tabs | 100mg | 12 Pills | 57.55€ 54.81€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 150mg | 30 + 2 Pills | 72.32€ 68.88€ | |
| Kamagra | 100mg | 20 Pills | 86.09€ 81.99€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 200mg | 360 + 10 Pills | 481.98€ 459.03€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 100mg | 360 + 10 Pills | 330.21€ 314.49€ |
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat) This is not a complete list of possible side effects.
- Sildenafil has been shown to aid men with diabetes-related ED.
- The drug may also reduce blood pressure temporarily.
- Some men may not respond to sildenafil due to various health factors.
- It is recommended to take sildenafil on an empty stomach for faster effects.
- Overdose symptoms include dizziness, fainting, and pain in the chest.
- Sildenafil should not be used with other erectile dysfunction medications simultaneously.
- Patients should inform their doctor if they experience prolonged erections.
- Certain medical conditions require cautious use of sildenafil.
- The medication can sometimes cause changes in color perception.
- Always check the expiration date before using sildenafil pills.
If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
Proper Use
But it isn't clear whether these side effects were caused by the medicine or by health conditions that the people already had. Get medical care right away if you take oral ED medicine and have sudden loss of hearing or vision. An erection that doesn't go away on its own. Called priapism, this rare condition can be painful. You need to get treatment for it as soon as possible to help prevent damage to your penis.
Why this range helps:
If you have an erection that lasts more than four hours, call your care team right away. Treatments for erectile dysfunction are big business, and online scams abound. If you do buy medicines over the internet: Check to see if an online pharmacy is legitimate. Never order medicines from an online pharmacy that doesn't list its phone number and physical address, has prices that seem too good to be true, or tells you that no prescription is needed. Also stay away from ones that don't have a licensed pharmacist on staff to answer your questions.
Effects on sexual dysfunction
Some illegal businesses sell fake versions of real medicines, which can be dangerous or might not work. In the United States, the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy can tell you whether an online pharmacy is licensed and in good standing. If you live in another country, check to see if pharmacy association or regulation agencies offer services like these. Make sure you get the right prescription and dose. When you order medicines and when you receive them in the mail, make sure they're the exact dose and type prescribed by your doctor or other health care professional. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
| Advice Item | Explanation | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Take on an empty stomach | Food, especially fatty meals, can delay absorption | Medical guidelines |
| Avoid alcohol | Can impair effectiveness and increase side effects | Doctor advice |
| Do not exceed prescribed dose | Increased risk of side effects | Pharmaceutical recommendation |
| Report unexpected side effects | Such as vision changes, prolonged erections | Healthcare provider |
Before taking sildenafil, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems.
What is Sildenafil for Erectile Dysfunction?
Take sildenafil at least 30 minutes, but no sildenafil tables more than 4 hours, before sexual activity (1 hour before works best). This medication may take longer to start working if you take it with a high-fat meal. Do not take more than once daily as needed. The dosage is based on your medical condition, response to treatment, and other medications you may be taking. Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
Cardiovascular problems
Tell your doctor if your condition does not get better. Dizziness, headache, flushing, or stomach upset may occur. Vision changes such as increased sensitivity to light, blurred vision, or trouble telling blue and green colors apart may also occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. To reduce the risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.
Other Interactions
Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Sexual activity may put extra strain on your heart, especially if you have heart problems. If you have heart problems and experience any of these serious side effects while having sex, stop and get medical help right away: Rarely, sudden decreased vision, or even permanent blindness, may occur in one or both eyes (NAION). If this serious problem occurs, stop taking sildenafil and get medical help right away. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: heart problems (such as heart attack or life-threatening irregular heartbeat in the past 6 months, chest pain/angina, heart failure) penis conditions (such as angulation, fibrosis/scarring, Peyronie's disease) conditions that may increase the risk of priapism (such as sickle cell anemia, leukemia, multiple myeloma) eye problems (such as retinitis pigmentosa, sudden decreased vision, NAION) This drug may make you dizzy or cause vision problems. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness or clear vision until you can do it safely. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis). Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). During pregnancy, sildenafil should be used only when clearly needed. Since high blood pressure in the lungs is a serious condition that can harm both a pregnant woman and her unborn baby, do not stop taking this medication unless directed by your doctor.
| Dose (mg) | Typical Usage | Onset Time (minutes) | Duration (hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | Mild ED | 30 | 4 |
| 50 | Moderate ED | 30-60 | 4-6 |
| 100 | Severe ED | 30-60 | 4-6 |
| 20 | Off-label use | 45 | 4 |
If you are planning pregnancy, become pregnant, or think you may be pregnant, discuss with your doctor right away the benefits and risks of using this medication during pregnancy. Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Further information
The dose is the amount of medicine you take. Don't be fooled into buying "herbal viagra." Never take any medicines that claim to be the "herbal" or nonprescription version of an oral medicine for ED. These aren't an effective option, and some contain harmful substances. Our caring team of Mayo Clinic experts can help you with your health concerns. Visit Mayo Clinic Men's Health to get started.
Dosage Forms & Strengths
Sildenafil is used to treat male sexual function problems (impotence or erectile dysfunction-ED). In combination with sexual stimulation, sildenafil works by increasing blood flow to the penis to help a person get and keep an erection. This drug does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases (such as HIV, hepatitis B, gonorrhea, syphilis). Using an effective barrier method (latex or polyurethane condom/dental dams) during sexual activity will help to decrease your risk of infection. This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional.
How is this drug best given?
Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional. Sildenafil is also available in other brands and strengths for high blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary hypertension). Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking sildenafil and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. To treat erectile dysfunction-ED, take this drug by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually as needed. Some products that may interact with this drug are: Sildenafil can cause a serious drop in your blood pressure when used with nitrates.
- Sildenafil is available in different strengths to tailor treatment.
- It is often used in clinical settings for ED diagnosis and management.
- Men taking sildenafil should avoid heavy meals shortly before dosing.
- The drug's effectiveness can be influenced by age and overall health.
- Combining sildenafil with recreational drugs can be dangerous.
- Some users report that sildenafil enhances spontaneous sexual activity.
- It is important to only use sildenafil that has been prescribed by a healthcare provider.
- The medication’s cost varies based on brand, dosage, and pharmacy.
- Sildenafil may cause transient eye color changes due to blood vessel effects.
- Patients should keep track of dosage and side effects experienced.
A serious drop in blood pressure can lead to dizziness, fainting, and rarely heart attack or stroke.
| Form | Description | Advantages |
|---|---|---|
| Tablets | Standard pill | Easy to dose, portable |
| Orally Disintegrating Tablets | Dissolves on tongue | No water needed, discreet |
| Liquid | Sildenafil solution | Easier for those with swallowing issues |
| Topical Gel | External application (experimental) | Potential local effects |
Do not use sildenafil with any of the following: certain drugs used to treat chest pain/angina (nitrates such as nitroglycerin, isosorbide) recreational drugs called "poppers" containing amyl or butyl nitrite If you are also taking an alpha blocker medication (such as doxazosin, tamsulosin) to treat an enlarged prostate/BPH or high blood pressure, your blood pressure may get too low which can lead to dizziness or fainting.