Sildenafil is a drug that can only be bought with a doctor’s prescription. It comes as a tablet and a liquid suspension (liquid). They are both eaten. Doctors can also give this medicine through an IV.
Viagra and Revatio are brand names for the oral tablet form of Sildenafil, which you can get from online stores like GoodRxmedicine. There is also a generic drug for it. Most of the time, generic drugs cost less than brand-name drugs. Sometimes, they may not be available in the same doses or forms as the brand-name drug.
Why is Sildenafil used?
The oral tablet form of Sildenafil is used to treat Erectile Dysfunction and Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. For both conditions, generic oral tablets are available, but brand-name drugs only treat one of the conditions.
Viagra is used to treat impotence. When you have ED, you can’t get or keep an erection.
The drug Revatio is used to treat PAH. With PAH, your lungs have too much blood pressure. Your heart has to work very hard to pump blood to your lungs.
How does Sildenafil work?
Sildenafil is a Phosphodiesterase Type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor, which is a type of drug. A group of drugs that work similarly is called a “class.” These medicines often treat the same kinds of health problems.
Depending on what is the usage, Sildenafil works differently.
For erectile dysfunction, Sildenafil works by sending more blood to the penis. This helps you get an erection or keep one going. Sildenafil only works for ED if you are sexually aroused.
For PAH, Sildenafil relaxes your muscles and opens your lungs’ blood vessels. The blood pressure in your lungs goes down when you do this. Sildenafil slows down how fast your illness gets worse. It also helps you work out better.
How is Sildenafil used?
Sildenafil can be taken up to 30 minutes before sex or up to 4 hours before sex. But it is best to take this drug about an hour before having sex.
It would help if you didn’t take Sildenafil more than once daily to treat ED; you can get medicines from GoodRxmedicine, an online pharmacy for medicines that treat ED and PAH. But if you have specific health problems or take other medicines, your doctor may tell you to take this medicine less than once a day.
You can take Sildenafil with or without food. It’s important to know that some foods, especially those with a lot of fat, can make the drug work slower than usual.
Warnings before taking Sildenafil
Warning about priapism
This drug can cause priapism, which is a long-lasting erection. If you have an erection that lasts longer than 4 hours, go to the nearest emergency room. If you don’t treat this right away, it can damage your penis in a way that can’t be fixed.
Sudden vision loss warning
This drug can cause sudden vision loss in one or both eyes. This could mean you have a severe problem with your eyes. Stop taking Sildenafil and call your doctor right away if this happens.
Sudden hearing loss
This drug can cause hearing loss, ringing in the ears, or feeling dizzy. Stop taking Sildenafil and call your doctor right away if you have sudden hearing loss with or without ringing in your ears or feeling dizzy.
Use in Children
Sildenafil is not usually safe for children to take, but there are times when it is the best way to treat the problem. Talk to your child’s doctor to learn more about this treatment option’s pros and cons.
Warnings for people with health conditions
Those who have heart problems
With this drug, your blood pressure can go down. Ask your doctor if this drug is safe for you if you’ve had specific heart problems in the last six months. Some of these problems are a heart attack, a stroke, or a heart rhythm problem that could kill you. Tell your doctor if you have a history of heart failure or coronary artery disease or if your blood pressure is low or high when resting.
For people who have a pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD)
Taking this drug could make your heart work less well. Don’t take this medicine.
How does Sildenafil work?
Sildenafil is a Phosphodiesterase Type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor, which is a type of drug. A group of drugs that work similarly is called a “class.” These medicines often treat the same kinds of health problems.
Depending on what is the usage, Sildenafil works differently.
For erectile dysfunction, Sildenafil works by sending more blood to the penis. This helps you get an erection or keep one going. Sildenafil only works for ED if you are sexually aroused.
For PAH, Sildenafil relaxes your muscles and opens your lungs’ blood vessels. The blood pressure in your lungs goes down when you do this. Sildenafil slows down how fast your illness gets worse. It also helps you work out better.
How is Sildenafil used?
Sildenafil can be taken up to 30 minutes before sex or up to 4 hours before sex. But it is best to take this drug about an hour before having sex.
It would help if you didn’t take Sildenafil more than once daily to treat ED; you can get medicines from GoodRxmedicine, an online pharmacy for medicines that treat ED and PAH. But if you have specific health problems or take other medicines, your doctor may tell you to take this medicine less than once a day.
You can take Sildenafil with or without food. It’s important to know that some foods, especially those with a lot of fat, can make the drug work slower than usual.
Warnings before taking Sildenafil
Warning about priapism
This drug can cause priapism, which is a long-lasting erection. If you have an erection that lasts longer than 4 hours, go to the nearest emergency room. If you don’t treat this right away, it can damage your penis in a way that can’t be fixed.
Sudden vision loss warning
This drug can cause sudden vision loss in one or both eyes. This could mean you have a severe problem with your eyes. Stop taking Sildenafil and call your doctor right away if this happens.
Warnings for people with health condition
For people who have trouble seeing
This drug could suddenly make one or both eyes go blind. This could signify non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). If you’ve had NAION before or have a crowded optic disc, you may be more likely to get it again or have your vision change while taking this drug.
For people who have trouble with how their penis looks
If you have Peyronie’s disease or another problem with the shape of your penis, this drug makes it more compelling that you will have an erection that lasts longer than 4 hours.
For people who have had stomach ulcers or bleeds in the past
You are more likely to get stomach bleeding, ulcers, or small holes in the lining of your digestive system if you take this drug. These things can kill (cause death). They can happen at any time, even if there are no signs.
When it comes to sickle cell anaemia
A vaso-occlusive crisis is a painful complication of sickle cell anaemia that this drug may cause. If you have sickle cell anaemia, you should ask your doctor if you can take this drug.
