Sildenafil Citrate 100mg

Description

Medicine: Sildenafil Citrate

Generic name: Sildenafil

What is the most important thing I should know about Sildenafil?

• Do not take sildenafil if you are taking nitrates for chest pain or heart problems. These include nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur, Nitro-Bid, others), isosorbide dinitrate (Dilatrate-SR, Isordril, Sorbitrate), and isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO, Monoket). Nitrates may also be present in recreational drugs such as amyl nitrate or nitrite (“poppers”). Combining these with sildenafil can cause serious blood pressure problems, fatigue, heart attack, or cardiac arrest.
• If you feel dizzy or nauseous, or have pain, numbness, or tingling in your chest, arms, neck, or jaw during sexual activity, stop taking the medicine and call your doctor right away.
• Do not take sildenafil more than once a day. Leave 24 hours between doses.
• Seek immediate medical attention if you experience an erection that is painful or lasts more than 4 hours. This could be priapism, which can cause permanent damage to the penis.
• Some patients have experienced sudden vision loss while taking sildenafil. This condition, due to reduced blood flow to the optic nerve, commonly affects people with heart problems, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, a history of eye problems, smokers, or those over 50 years of age. If this occurs, stop taking it and seek immediate medical attention.

What is Sildenafil?

Sildenafil relaxes muscles and increases blood flow to specific areas of the body. It is indicated to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence) in men. Another brand name is Revatio, used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension and improve exercise capacity in men and women. Sildenafil can also be used for other purposes prescribed by your doctor.

What should I discuss with my doctor before taking Sildenafil?

• Do not take Sildenafil if you are taking nitrates.
• Tell your doctor if you have had:
  • Heart disease or heart rhythm problems.
  • Recent heart attack or arrest (within the last 6 months).
  • Heart failure.
  • High or low blood pressure.
  • Coronary artery disease.
  • Liver disease.
  • Red blood cell disorders (sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, or leukemia).
  • Bleeding disorders such as hemophilia.
  • Stomach ulcer.
  • Retinitis pigmentosa (hereditary eye disease).
  • Physical deformity of the penis (Peyronie’s disease).
  • Medical recommendation not to have sexual relations.
• If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to take sildenafil or may need a dose adjustment or special tests.
• Pregnancy: FDA Category B. Not expected to cause fetal harm, but consult your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
• Breastfeeding: It is not known whether sildenafil passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before use if you are breastfeeding.

How should I take Sildenafil?

• Take Sildenafil as directed by your doctor. Do not take larger doses or for longer than recommended.
• Revatio is usually taken 3 times a day, 4 to 6 hours apart.
• Viagra is taken as needed, 30 minutes to 1 hour before sexual activity. It can be taken up to 4 hours before. Do not take it more than once a day.
• Erection occurs only during sexual stimulation. Sildenafil does not automatically cause an erection.
• Store the medicine at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I forget to take a dose?

• Viagra is taken when needed, so you don’t miss a missed dose.
• If you miss a dose of Revatio, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s close to your next dose, skip it and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose.

What happens in case of an overdose?

• Seek urgent medical attention if you think you have overdosed.
• Symptoms may include: chest pain, nausea, irregular heartbeat, dizziness, or fainting.

What should I avoid while taking Sildenafil?

• Avoid alcohol, as it can increase side effects.
• Do not take other impotence medications such as alprostadil (Caverject, Muse, Edex) or yohimbine (Yocon, Yodoxin) without consulting your doctor.

What are the possible side effects of Sildenafil?

Serious effects:

• Sudden loss of vision.
• Chest pain or pain radiating to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general malaise.
• Irregular heartbeats.
• Swelling in hands, ankles or feet.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Changes in vision.
• Dizziness or fainting.
• Painful erection or one that lasts more than 4 hours (priapism).
• Allergy symptoms: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Minor effects:

• Redness on the face, neck, or chest.
• Nasal congestion.
• Headache.
• Upset stomach.
• Backache.

Other effects may occur. Consult your doctor if any of them seem unusual or bothersome.

What medications can interact with Sildenafil?

• Before taking Sildenafil, tell your doctor if you are taking:
  • Bosentan (Tracleer)
  • Cimetidine (Tagamet)
  • Antibiotics such as Erythromycin or Clarithromycin
  • Doxazosin, Prazosin, Terazosin
  • HIV medications: amprenavir, tipranavir, darunavir, efavirenz, nevirapine, indinavir, saquinavir, lopinavir/ritonavir, fosamprenavir, ritonavir, atazanavir, nelfinavir
  • Antifungals: Itraconazole, Ketoconazole
  • Carbamazepine, Phenobarbital, Phenytoin
  • Rifampin, Rifabutin
    
• Dose adjustment or special monitoring may be required during treatment.
• Other medications not listed may also interact. Tell your doctor about all the medications you take, including vitamins, herbal supplements, and other treatments.