How Sildenafil works

Sildenafil is a phosphodiesterase (PDE-5) inhibitor. It works by increasing blood flow to the penis by relaxing the muscles in penile blood vessels.

Side Effects

Headache, Diarrhoea, Dyspepsia, Flushing (sense of warmth in the face, ears, neck and trunk), Pain in extremity

Usage

Sildenafil is used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How does Sildenafil work?

Sildenafil is a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor which works by relaxing the penile smooth muscles and by increasing the blood flow to the penis. It helps to achieve and maintain an erection but only if there is sexual stimulation.

Q. Is Sildenafil safe?

Yes, Sildenafil is safe if taken for prescribed duration in prescribed doses as advised by your doctor. However, there are some very common side effects that you can experience at effective doses like Headache, Diarrhoea, Dyspepsia, Flushing (sense of warmth in the face, ears, neck and trunk), Pain in Extremity.

Q. Is Sildenafil a steroid?

No, Sildenafil is not a steroid. It belongs to a group of medicines called phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

Q. Is Sildenafil an over the counter product?

No, Sildenafil is not an over-the-counter product. You can buy it when it is prescribed by a doctor.

Q. Is Sildenafil a blood thinner?

No, Sildenafil is not a blood thinner. It belongs to a group of medicines called phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

Q. Can I take Sildenafil for premature ejaculation?

Sildenafil is not known to have any beneficial effects of treating premature ejaculation. It is used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

Q. Can I take Sildenafil for the rest of my life?

Sildenafil is a prescription drug and should only be taken for the duration as advised by your doctor.

Q. Can I take Sildenafil in my twenties?

Yes, Sildenafil can be taken in the twenties. It is approved for use in adult men above the age of 18 who have erectile dysfunction. It should be taken after consulting a doctor and strictly as advised.

Q. Can I take Sildenafil with dapoxetine?

Yes, Sildenafil can be safely taken with dapoxetine. Sildenafil is useful for treating erectile dysfunction and dapoxetine is for premature ejaculation. A fixed dose combination of these medicines is available which is useful in patients suffering from both erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. No drug-drug interactions or any harmful effects have been reported when they are used together.

Q. Can I take Sildenafil with warfarin?

Sildenafil can be taken with warfarin, no significant drug interactions have been seen between the two. However, there have been some clinical reports of penile fracture in patients using Sildenafil with warfarin. Inform your doctor before taking the two drugs together.

Q. Can I take Sildenafil if I am also having high blood pressure?

Sildenafil can be taken in patients with high blood pressure. However, if you are taking medicines for high blood pressure, taking Sildenafil along with them can cause a significant fall in blood pressure which could be harmful. Sildenafil is absolutely contraindicated in patients taking nitrates. Inform your doctor before taking them together.

Q. Can I take Sildenafil with lisinopril?

Yes, Sildenafil can be taken with lisinopril. However, there could be an excessive fall in blood pressure when taken together and you can experience symptoms like dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, flushing, headache, or an increased heart rate. So, special caution must be taken when taking both the drugs together and inform your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.

Q. Can I take Sildenafil with ramipril?

Yes, Sildenafil can be taken with ramipril. However, there could be an excessive fall in blood pressure when taken together and you can experience symptoms like dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, flushing, headache, or an increased heart rate. So, special caution must be taken when taking both the drugs together and inform your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.

Q. Can I take Sildenafil with beta blockers?

Yes, Sildenafil can be taken with beta-blockers. However, there could be an excessive fall in blood pressure when taken together and you can experience symptoms like dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, flushing, headache, or an increased heart rate. So, special caution must be taken when taking both the drugs together and inform your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.

Q. Can I take Sildenafil with amlodipine?

Yes, Sildenafil can be taken with amlodipine. However, there could be an excessive fall in blood pressure when taken together and you can experience symptoms like dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, flushing, headache, or an increased heart rate. So, special caution must be taken when taking both the drugs together and inform your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.

Q. Does Sildenafil affect fertility?

No, Sildenafil is not known to affect fertility. It is used only for erectile dysfunction. For treatment of any fertility-related problems, please consult a doctor.

Q. Does Sildenafil affect sperm?

Sildenafil is not known to affect sperm (number or movement of sperms). It is a drug which is used for erectile dysfunction.

Q. Does Sildenafil increase blood pressure?

No, Sildenafil is not associated with an increase in blood pressure. It can cause a decrease in blood pressure especially if taken with other blood-pressure-lowering medications. Please consult your doctor before taking Sildenafil with any other medicine.

Q. Does Sildenafil delay ejaculation?

No, Sildenafil is not known to affect ejaculation.

Q. Does Sildenafil expire?

Sildenafil like any other medicine has an expiry date and should not be used beyond the date mentioned on the package.

Q. Why does Sildenafil cause a fall in blood pressure (hypotension)?

Sildenafil has the property of relaxing the smooth muscle of the blood vessels and widening them which can cause a fall in blood pressure (hypotension). So, when used with blood pressure lowering drugs or nitrates, it can cause a severe fall in blood pressure, which could be fatal. Sildenafil should not be taken if you are taking nitrates for chest pain or you have a history of heart attack or stroke in the past six months.

Q. Is Sildenafil safe to use in patients with diabetes?

Yes, Sildenafil is safe to use in patients with diabetes. Erectile dysfunction and is commonly reported by diabetic patients as diabetes is one of the most common causes of this condition. Long standing diabetes can damage the nerves in the body (neuropathy) including the nerves of the penis. It also harden and narrow the blood vessels which decreases the blood flow to the penis causing erectile dysfunction. Sildenafil is seen to be beneficial in treating erectile dysfunction (ED) in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Q. Why is the use of Sildenafil contraindicated with nitrates?

Use of Sildenafil is not recommended in patients taking nitrates (organic nitrates or organic nitrites) as their combined use can cause a severe fall in blood pressure, which can also result in death. It is advisable to keep a time gap of 24 hours between the intake of Sildenafil and any nitrate substance.

Q. What are the serious side effects of Sildenafil?

Sildenafil can cause serious side effects like heart attack, sudden cardiac death, abnormal heart beat and bleeding in the brain tissues that can cause temporary or permanent brain damage. A patient can have chest pain during the intercourse and if this occurs, try to relax in a semi-sitting position and do not use any nitrate to relieve the chest pain. Rarely a sudden loss in vision and serious allergic skin reactions with fever, peeling and swelling of the skin, blistering of the mouth, genitals and around the eyes can occur.

Q. Can I take Sildenafil for treating piles (hemorrhoids)?

No, Sildenafil is not indicated for the treatment of piles (hemorrhoids). Rather, its use has been reported to cause piles (hemorrhoids).

Q. Can Sildenafil be taken with losartan?

Yes, Sildenafil can be taken along with losartan. However, there could be an excessive fall in blood pressure when taken together and you can experience symptoms like dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, flushing, headache, or an increased heart rate. So, special caution must be taken when taking both the drugs together and inform your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.

Q. Can I take Sildenafil with paracetamol?

Yes, Sildenafil can be taken with paracetamol. No drug-drug interactions or any harmful effects have been reported when they are used together.

Q. Can I take Sildenafil with aspirin?

Yes, Sildenafil can be taken with aspirin. No drug-drug interactions or any harmful effects have been reported when they are used together.

Q. Can Sildenafil increase the level of testosterone?

Yes, Sildenafil can increase the testosterone levels. It has a direct effect on the testes which can lead to an increase in the blood testosterone levels.

Q. Can Sildenafil cause persistent and painful erection of the penis (priapism)?

Sildenafil and other drugs used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction have been seen to cause prolonged erections and persistent and painful erection of the penis(priapism). In case the erection persists for more than 4 hours, immediately seek medical attention. If it is not treated immediately, penile tissue damage and permanent loss of potency can occur.

Q. Can Sildenafil be taken with itraconazole?

Sildenafil can be taken with itraconzole, however, a dose adjustment would be needed before taking them together. Sildenafil is metabolized (degraded) by an enzyme known as CYP3A4. Itraconazole decreases the working of this enzyme causing increased blood levels of Sildenafil and higher chances of having side effects.

Q. Can I take Sildenafil with tadalafil?

Both tadalafil and Sildenafil are phosphodiesterase inhibitors and act by dilating the blood vessels. Using them together would not give any additional benefit, rather they may cause a severe fall in blood pressure and a prolonged painful erection. Therefore, these two drugs should not be taken together.

Q. What is the benefit of taking Sildenafil with finasteride?

Yes, Sildenafil can be taken along with finasteride. This combination is beneficial in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Finasteride is also known to cause erectile dysfunction as one of its side effects and Sildenafil can be used for the treatment of this problem along with finasteride.

Q. Can I take Sildenafil with Tamsulosin?

Special caution needs to be taken when Sildenafil is taken along with Tamsulosin. Both are known to decrease blood pressure and can also cause orthostatic hypotension (fall in blood pressure when standing from a sitting position). So, when taken together they can cause a severe fall in blood pressure which can be harmful.

Q. Is Sildenafil a prescription medicine?

Yes, Sildenafil is a prescription medicine and can be taken only when prescribed by the doctor.

Q. Can I take Sildenafil for fun?

Sildenafil is a prescription drug and should only be taken for the appropriate indication as prescribed by a doctor as it may be associated with its own side effects.