Medication Usage
Viagra (Sildenafil) is used to treat impotence in men. Sildenafil increases the body's ability to achieve and maintain an erection during sexual stimulation. Sildenafil does not protect you from getting sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.
Medication Consumption
Sildenafil comes as a tablet to take it orally. It should be taken as needed about 1 hour before sexual activity. However, Sildenafil can be taken anytime from 4 hours to 30 minutes before sexual activity. Sildenafil should not be taken more than once a day. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Warnings/Cautions
Before taking Sildenafil, tell your doctor if you have had a heart attack, stroke, or life-threatening irregular heartbeats within the last six months; have a history of heart failure; have coronary artery disease; have angina; have high or low blood pressure; have liver problems; have kidney problems; have ever had blood problems, including sickle cell anemia or leukemia;
have a bleeding disorder; have a stomach ulcer; have retinitis pigmentosa (an inherited condition of the eye); have a physical deformity of the penis such as Peyronie's disease; have a condition that could lead to prolonged and painful erections, such as a tumor of the bone marrow, sickle cell anemia, or leukemia; or are taking another medicine to treat impotence.
You may not be able to take Sildenafil, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Although Sildenafil is not indicated for use by women, it is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that Sildenafil is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Women should not take Sildenafil.
It is not known whether Sildenafil passes into breast milk.
If you are over 65 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects from Sildenafil. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of this medication.
Missed Dose
Sildenafil is used as needed, so you are not likely to miss a dose.
Serious Side Effects
Like all medicines, Sildenafil can cause some side effects. These effects are usually mild to moderate and usually don't last longer than a few hours. Some of these side effects are more likely to occur with higher doses. The most common side effects of Sildenafil are headache, flushing of the face, and upset stomach. Less common side effects that may occur are temporary changes in color vision (such as trouble telling the difference between blue and green objects or having a blue color tinge to them), eyes being more sensitive to light, or blurred vision.
In rare instances, men have reported an erection that lasts many hours. You should call a doctor immediately if you ever have an erection that lasts more than 4 hours. If not treated right away, permanent damage to your penis could occur.
Heart attack, stroke, irregular heartbeats, and death have been reported rarely in men taking Sildenafil. Most, but not all, of these men had heart problems before taking this medicine. It is not possible to determine whether these events were directly related to Sildenafil.
How Kept
Keep Sildenafil out of the reach of children. Keep Sildenafil in its original container. Store at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15-30°C (59-86°F).
Possible Overdose
Seek emergency medical attention. Symptoms of a Sildenafil overdose are not known, but are likely to include chest pain, dizziness, an irregular heartbeat, and swelling of the ankles or legs.
Special Information
If you take any medicines that contain nitrates - either regularly or as needed - you should never take Sildenafil. If you take Sildenafil with any nitrate medicine or recreational drug containing nitrates, your blood pressure could suddenly drop to an unsafe level. You could get dizzy, faint, or even have a heart attack or stroke. Nitrates are found in many prescription medicines that are used to treat angina.
Sildenafil is only for patients with erectile dysfunction. Sildenafil is not for newborns, children, or women. Do not let anyone else take your Sildenafil. Sildenafil must be used only under a doctor's supervision.
Information Disclaimer
This drug information is for your information purposes only. No warranty, either expressed or implied, is made in regards to this information.
