Sildenafil is used to treat men with erectile dysfunction (also called sexual impotence). Sildenafil belongs to a group of medicines called phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors. These drugs prevent an enzyme called phosphodiesterase type 5 from acting too quickly. The penis is one of the areas where this enzyme works. Erectile dysfunction is a condition in which the penis does not harden or expand when a man becomes sexually aroused or when he is unable to maintain an erection.
When a man is sexually stimulated, his body’s normal response is to increase blood flow to his penis to produce an erection. By controlling the enzyme, Sildenafil helps maintain an erection after penile stroking. Without physical action on the penis, such as that occurring during intercourse, sildenafil will not produce an erection. Sildenafil is also used in women to treat the symptoms of pulmonary arterial hypertension.
This is a type of high blood pressure that occurs between the heart and lungs. When high blood pressure occurs in the lungs, the heart has to work harder to pump enough blood through the lungs. Sildenafil acts on the PDE5 enzyme in the lungs to relax blood vessels. This increases blood flow to the lungs and reduces the workload on the heart. This drug is only available by prescription.
Before You Take It
When you decide to take a drug, you must weigh the risks of taking it against the benefits it brings. This is a decision you and your doctor will make.
The following should be considered with this drug:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you’ve ever had an unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, tell your doctor if you have other allergies, such as B. against food, dyes, pres, and derivative animals. For non-prescription products, carefully read the label or package ingredients.
Pediatric
sildenafil should never be used in children for erectile dysfunction. In general, sildenafil should not be used in pediatric pulmonary arterial hypertension, particularly chronic use.
Summary
Commonly reported side effects of sildenafil include: dyspepsia, headache, visual disturbance, and flushing. Other side effects include epistaxis, insomnia, nasal congestion, and rhinitis. Continue reading for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.
Less Common
- Bladder pain
- Burning feeling in the chest or stomach
- Burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, “pins and needles”, or tingling feelings
- Cloudy or bloody urine
- Dizziness
- Increased frequency of urination
- Indigestion
- Pain in urination
- Stomach upset
- Tenderness in the stomach area
Serious Side Effects Of Sildenafil
In addition to its necessary effects, Sildenafil can have some undesirable effects. Although not all of these side effects can occur, they may require medical attention. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following side effects while taking sildenafil:
Other Side Effects Of Sildenafil
Some side effects of sildenafil can occur and usually do not require medical attention. Moreover, These side effects may go away during treatment as your body gets used to the medicine. Also, your healthcare professional may be able to advise you on ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Contact your doctor if any of the following side effects persist or bother you, or if you have any questions:
More Common
- Aches or pains in the muscles
- Bloody nose
- Diarrhea
- Difficult or labored breathing
- Flushing
- Headache
- Pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
- Redness of the skin
- Sneezing
- Stomach discomfort following meals
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Trouble sleeping
- Unusually warm skin
Rare
- Abnormal vision
- Anxiety
- Behavior change similar to drunkenness
- Bleeding of the eye
- Blurred vision
- Bone pain
- Breast enlargement
- Chest pain
- Chills
- Cold sweats
- Confusion
- Convulsions (seizures)
- Cool and pale skin
- Deafness or hearing loss
- Decrease in the amount of urine or the frequency of urination
- Difficulty in concentrating
- Decreased vision
- Increase in the size of the pupil
- Increased sweating
- Dizziness or light-headedness, especially when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- Double vision
- Drowsiness
- Dry eyes
- Feeling of something in the eye
- Dry mouth
- Dryness, redness, scaling, or peeling of the skin
- Excessive hunger
- Eye pain
- Fainting or faintness
- Fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat
- Fever or chills
- Headache (severe or continuing)
- Redness, itching, or tearing of the eyes
- Increased thirst
- Lower back or side pain
- Migraine headache
- Nausea (severe or continuing)
- Nervousness
- Nightmares
- Numbness of the hands
- Painful, swollen joints
- Prolonged, painful erection of penisthe
- Redness, burning, or swelling of the eyes
- Skin rash, hives, or itching
- Skin ulcers
- Restless sleep
- Seeing shades of colors differently than before
- Sensitivity to light
- Shakiness
- Skin lesions with swelling
- Skin paleness
- Vision loss, temporary
- Slurred speech
- Sore throat
- Sudden weakness
- Swelling of the face, hands, feet, or lower legs
- Trouble breathing
- Twitching of the muscles
- Unusual feeling of burning or stinging of the skin
- Unusual tiredness or weakness
- Vision changes
For healthcare professionals
Applies to sildenafil: intravenous solution, oral powder for reconstitution, oral tablet, dizziness, and rash.
Cardiovascular
Very common (10% or more): Flushing (10%)
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Heart rate increased, palpitations, tachycardia, hypertension, hypotension
Rare (less than 0.1%): Myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation, sudden cardiac death, ventricular arrhythmia, unstable angina
Frequency not reported: ventricular arrhythmia, sudden cardiac death, angina pectoris, atrioventricular block, tachycardia, palpitations, hypotension, postural hypotension, myocardial ischemia, cerebral thrombosis, cardiac arrest, congestive heart failure, electrocardiogram abnormal, cardiomyopathy, shock
Post-Marketing Reports
Serious cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and vascular events including myocardial infarction; sudden cardiac death; ventricular arrhythmia; cerebrovascular hemorrhage; Transient ischemic attack; Hypertension; Subarachnoid, intracerebral, and pulmonary hemorrhages have been reported in temporal association with the use of this drug.
