Key Points
- Sildenafil primarily treats sexual impotence in men. It is a commonly used, FDA-approved pill by males with penile conditions. You can buy it as a tablet; taken through the oral route
- It is a low-cost drug when compared to its branded formulation i.e., Viagra
- Urologists / endocrinologists often prescribe a lower dose of 25 mg sildenafil and gradually increase the strength, only if required
- A 200 mg of sildenafil is not a recommendation but is available as an off-label medication
Sildenafil is a popular medication for treating Erectile Dysfunction (ED) in men. This drug causes your penis to turn stiff and erect in 30 – 45 minutes form the time of dosing.
Can I take 200 mg of Sildenafil?
A 200 mg of sildenafil is not a recommended dosage for men living with erectile dysfunction. Healthcare experts generally refrain from prescribing a 200-mg dose of sildenafil. However, 200 mg sildenafil is available as an off-label medication. A drug turns off-label when it is used for a different medical purpose than it is actually intended for.
Even if consumed in low strengths, you should keep a watch over your health condition, as the drug might trigger unwanted health complications depending on your system’s tolerance level. Therefore, urologists generally prescribe a low dose of 25 mg of sildenafil, and recommend elders above 65 years of age to use the same dosage strength. However, a 50 mg or a maximum of 100 mg sildenafil helps men below this age group.
Therefore, if you take a 200 mg sildenafil, it is highly dangerous and is equal to doubling the dose. This significantly increases the risk of alarming side effects that might require you to seek immediate emergency care.
You should never alter the doses without proper medical consultation with your physician. Even if you feel you are consuming a lower dose, you should still take only one tablet a day. If you plan to increase the dose, you should only do it after consulting a proper urologist.
It is not necessary that you should take sildenafil with food. You can consume the pill even without any food intake. You can just swallow the pill directly along with water. Moreover, even a cup of milk will do. Preferably, a light snack will help. However, the drug functions effectively when you are on an empty stomach. You must swallow sildenafil without crushing it into a powder form or breaking it into pieces.
Recommended Dosage Strength Of Sildenafil
According to reports, sildenafil is a well-tolerated medication when you use a 50 mg or 100 mg to treat erectile dysfunction in men aged above 65 years and 75 years. However, urologists/endocrinologists recommend a 100 mg dose per day to treat symptoms and conditions of erectile dysfunction.
A single dose of sildenafil per day is what doctors recommend. You should never double the dose in any case during the same day. It will directly result in an overdose. You must exercise proper care, if you have other health-related problems or if you are already consuming other medications to treat any existing medical condition. It is best to inform your caregiver about everything so that they will have a first-hand information about your personal health and advise you to take sildenafil only if you need it.
Precautions needed while taking sildenafil
You need to check with your caregiver regarding the use of sildenafil and its potential side effects. You also must inform your caregiving doctor if you are under treatment, for any other medical condition and also to know if sildenafil interacts adversely with drugs you are currently taking.
Combining other erectile dysfunction meds with sildenafil would result in serious side effects. Hence, you should always consult with your caregiver regarding the safety measures you need to follow. Sildenafil can even cause serious side effects – especially among men who have heart ailments like myocardial infarction, etc.
You should not take other drugs without your caregiver’s approval. This includes both your prescription meds and non-prescription drugs i.e. Over-the-Counter (OTC) medicines. In addition, you should avoid taking any herbal or vitamin supplements as it might react against sildenafil and cause certain counter effects.
With the drug, a patient information leaflet with every pack is available for consumer reference. You need to carefully read the printed information and follow the instructions regarding the drug’s usage and disposal. However, you can always consult with your endocrinologist if you are unsure about how much of sildenafil is right for you.
Side effects of 200 mg Sildenafil
The common side effects of sildenafil are same for both men and women. It depends on the individual. For some the symptoms are mild and for others it will be moderate. The dosage strength you take, your system’s tolerance towards the drug, all play a key role in causing side effects.
Headache, nausea, visual disturbances, flushing, and nasal congestion are some of the common side effects one may experience while using sildenafil. Enhanced clitoral responsiveness, increased vaginal vascular engorgement, and improved lubrication are a few side effects that women may encounter.
Taking a high dose of sildenafil like a 100 mg or 200 mg will cause adverse side effects that include severe headache, low blood pressure, and lead to a medical condition called Orthostasis or Orthostatic Hypotension (OH) (a sudden drop in your blood pressure when you stand) that can lead to fainting.
A 200 mg dose can result in priapism – a painful erection that lasts longer than 4 hours. This leads to a condition called fibrosis (scarring) in your penile tissue by causing scarring and tissue damage in your penis. In addition, prolonged priapism causes uncontrollable and continuous penile erection, which is the main reason for Peyronie’s disease.
Higher doses like a 200 mg sildenafil can trigger cardiovascular problems like heart attack and stroke. Patients already with a heart ailment or past medical history of heart attacks should never take sildenafil without their caregiver’s approval.
Referred Sources
https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/ps.50.8.1076
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12494291
FAQs
Taking 200mg of sildenafil is not usually recommended without a doctor’s advice. The typical maximum dose is 100mg per day. Higher doses may increase the risk of side effects like headaches, dizziness, or vision changes. Always follow your healthcare provider’s instructions before increasing your dosage.
A 200mg dose of sildenafil may cause stronger effects but also raises the risk of serious side effects. This includes low blood pressure, priapism (a prolonged erection), and heart-related complications. Use only the dose prescribed to you, as higher amounts don’t always improve performance.
Not necessarily. For most men, 100mg is the highest effective dose. Going beyond that may not enhance results but will likely increase side effects. Always consult a healthcare provider before changing your dose, especially with potent medications like sildenafil.
Doubling up on sildenafil without medical guidance is risky. While two 100mg tablets equal 200mg, this dose can be dangerous. It’s essential to take only what your doctor prescribes to avoid harmful health outcomes.
If 100mg doesn’t work, talk to your doctor. Sometimes, timing, food intake, or underlying health issues may affect how sildenafil works. Do not increase the dose on your own. Your doctor can explore other options or adjust treatment safely.
Edward S is a dedicated health writer specializing in men's sexual wellness and relationship dynamics. With a passion for demystifying topics like erectile dysfunction, performance anxiety, and intimacy, Edward S provides readers with accurate and relatable information to support informed decision-making.