Sildenafil Citrate
Brand Names: Viagra, RevatioRelated Medications: Androderm, Caverject Impulse, Cialis, Levitra, Staxyn, Stendra, , Uptravi
Nowadays, many men have different erectile issues caused by both physical and psychological factors. Sildenafil offers an effective ED solution as this oral medication belongs to PDE-5 inhibitors, and it is designed to treat male impotence or their inability to achieve and maintain erections. Its intake inhibits PDE-5, a chemical that destroys cGMP, thus, allowing it to persist and accumulate for longer, and this is what results in stronger and lasting erections. That’s why Sildenafil is approved and prescribed to treat erectile dysfunction of both psychogenic and physical causes in addition to pulmonary arterial hypertension. This medication is available as film-coated, blue, diamond-shaped and round pills that come in a variety of strengths, from 25 mg to 100 mg.
Unwanted symptoms are experienced by less than 15% of patients who take this ED medication, and the most common ones include:
Sometimes, patients report their hearing changes while taking Sildenafil and other similar meds. Once they notice relevant symptoms, they need to call their doctors immediately. In rare cases they also report irregular heartbeats, heart attacks and other heart problems, including such symptoms as:
If erections are prolonged, painful and last for more than 4 hours, this means that patients have priapism that also requires immediate medical attention. Besides, the intake of Sildenafil may result in edema, which is characterized by swelling in feet, ankles and hands.
A standard Sildenafil dose is based on different factors, such as individual response, and it may vary from 25 mg to 100 mg taken about 1 hour before planned sexual activities. However, men are not allowed to take more than 1 pill or 100 mg on a daily basis to avoid certain health risks. For older patients, it’s advisable to start their ED treatment with a lower dose.
Before taking this ED medicine, patients should be aware of those meds that shouldn’t be combined with it. Otherwise, they risk ending up with an increased risk of having adverse effects and its reduced effectiveness. Sildenafil shouldn’t be taken together with nitrates, other PDE-5 inhibitors, MAO inhibitors and some others. They need to make a list of other pills that they are taking and show it to their doctors to ensure that these meds don’t interact with Sildenafil. In addition, before starting this ED treatment, they need to inform physicians about other pre-existing conditions that they have, especially when it comes to diabetes, heart problems, liver difficulties and so on.
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