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Sildenafil is one of the popular and most effective oral drug for the treatment of Erectile Dysfunction (ED). Sildenafil triggers a penetrative erection in some men as early as 20 minutes, and for most-others in about 30 – 45 minutes after taking a dose.
Key Points
- Sildenafil remains active in your system with complete effect for four hours from the time you consume the pill. You should swallow the tablet without crushing or breaking it into pieces
- Sildenafil is a standard Viagra pill available in tablet or powder suspension form
- It is a low-cost drug when compared to Viagra, commonly preferred by doctors as an ideal option
You can take sildenafil with food or without any food intake. You can swallow the pill by having some water or even a cup of milk will do. A light snack at times is a best option with the medication. However, on an empty stomach, the drug functions effectively. You must swallow the whole pill without crushing or breaking it into pieces or powder form.
Sildenafil remains active and its full-effects are experienced during the initial 4 hours, which is the drug’s ‘half-life’. Sildenafil loses almost half its original strength soon after this period and the drug’s efficacy gradually dips in your bloodstream. The remnant strength of this drug remains in your system for an added duration.
After a timeframe of 24 hours, the traces of this med in your bloodstream almost completely go away. However, a few men tend to experience satisfactory erection even after 10 hours, but only for a lesser duration.
Sildenafil also treats a severe medical condition known as Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH), a condition where high blood pressure exists in your lungs.
Sildenafil (Viagra) also treats and prevents High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) – altitude sickness. This is a serious health complication that well responds to this drug. However, research is underway to prove its overall efficacy.
Is sildenafil and Viagra the same?
Sildenafil and Viagra are essentially the same drugs but Sildenafil is just the generic form of Viagra and Viagra the brand equivalent.
Both these drugs help in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Both sildenafil and Viagra contain the same active ingredient – sildenafil citrate. However, cost is a primary factor. Sildenafil is a more affordable and relatively a much cheaper drug than Viagra. Viagra’s brand name and popularity among other erectile dysfunction treatment drugs make it a high-cost (expensive) drug.
Research reveals that sildenafil is equally effective as Viagra in the treatment of erectile dysfunction when consumed at the same dosage strengths. In addition, the side effects of both Sildenafil and Viagra are same. Some of them include common symptoms like flushing, stomach upset and indigestion, and headaches.
Dosage forms of Sildenafil
Caregivers recommended a 100 mg dose of sildenafil as the maximum quantity you can consume per day to treat erectile dysfunction symptoms. This is a recommendation by the drug manufacturer themselves.
There are also dosage strengths like 150 or 200mg available as off-label medications. These drugs are used for treating an entirely different medical condition for which it is not designed for, as per the manufacturer’s protocol. Caregivers too do not recommend the use of such drugs, as they are not FDA approved.
Moreover, you must take only one dose of sildenafil in a day. You should never double the dose i.e. take two doses of this drug during the same day i.e. within a 24 hours timeframe. It will directly lead to an overdose. You should also not take it often.
In addition, if you have other health ailments or already consuming medications of a different kind, you should inform your caregiver. They might advise you to take sildenafil only if you need it to avoid any complications.
Can women take Sildenafil?
There is no FDA approval for sildenafil (the active ingredient in Viagra) for use in women. Women suffering from certain sexual dysfunctions particularly sexual arousal disorder benefit from taking sildenafil according to few reports. However, research is underway to determine its complete safety and efficacy for use in women.
It is very essential for you to consult with your healthcare provider regarding consuming sildenafil, as it may not be suitable for all kinds of women. Like any other medication, sildenafil also can cause potential side effects in your system.
Sildenafil essentially increases blood flow to the genitals, which could potentially improve orgasmic function in some women, sexual arousal, and sensitivity.
Precautions to take while consuming sildenafil
You need to consult with your caregiver before taking Sildenafil. You should not use sildenafil as a combination with any other medicine. You should also not take sildenafil with any other device that causes erections.
It is vital to share all the information about your health to your healthcare provider relating to your heart condition that if you currently have a cardiovascular condition, or if you had one in the past and so on. Sildenafil can cause serious side effects if not taken with proper care especially in patients with heart ailments.
You should not take other medicines 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 also avoid taking any herbal or vitamin supplements without properly analysing the drug’s (Sildenafil’s) counter effects.
If you consume sildenafil more often and more than the prescribed quantity, or along with certain drugs, you might end up facing serious health consequences. Your caregiver will guide you on how to use the drug and you should strictly follow his/her instructions without any fuss.
Side effects of Sildenafil
Sildenafil’s side effects are same for both men and women. The side effects are sometimes mild or moderate depending on factors like the dosage strength you have taken or your tolerance level towards the medication. Some of them are headaches, nausea, visual disturbances, flushing, and nasal congestion. Women may also tend to experience enhanced clitoral responsiveness, increased vaginal vascular engorgement, and improved lubrication.
URLs Referred
https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/ps.50.8.1076
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12494291
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12823089/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1874258/
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.
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