Can I Take Fildena with Food: Foods to Avoid When Taking It

When it comes to medicines, it is essential to learn how and when to take them to ensure their safety and effectiveness. 

Fildena is a popular medicine for Erectile Dysfunction (ED). If you have erection problems and looking for treatment, Fildena might be a good option.

But there are certain precautions that you should take while taking Fildena, including avoiding certain foods.

If you’re wondering, “Can I take Fildena with food?” this article will provide important insights. We will also discuss foods to avoid when taking this medication.

Can I take Fildena with food

Generally, you can take Fildena with or without food. Unlike other medications, Fildena does not have strict dietary restrictions. But it can interact with high-fat foods such as heavy cream or cheese.

The active salt in Fildena is Sildenafil Citrate, a PDE-5 inhibitor. 

There is no significant loss of efficacy, i.e., no change in effectiveness when taken with food. But the duration of the effects of Sildenafil in such cases may exceed 10 hours.

This means that you have the flexibility to take it on an empty stomach or with a meal.

But it is important to be aware of the foods and beverages that may affect the efficacy or working of Fildena.

Beverages and foods to avoid when taking Fildena

There are certain foods and beverages, such as high-fat meals, alcohol, and grapefruit juice, that you should avoid while taking Fildena.

These foods and beverages can interact with Sildenafil in Fildena when taken together.

High-fat meals

High-fat meals can interact with and reduce the absorption rate of Sildenafil.

The absorption of Sildenafil in Fildena generally starts within 30 minutes of consumption. But a high-fat meal can delay the process.

It can delay the absorption of Sildenafil from 30 minutes to 1 hour or more. High-fat foods can also decrease the concentration of Sildenafil and make the drug less effective.

High-fat foods include cheese, butter, heavy cream, bacon, and fried foods. You should avoid these to ensure effective absorption of Fildena.

Alcohol

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Consumption of alcohol in limited quantities generally does not affect the working of Sildenafil.

But drinking alcohol and taking Fildena together can cause extremely low blood pressure. You may experience fainting, dizziness, flushing, and lightheadedness.

Alcohol is a common cause of Erectile Dysfunction. For this reason, taking ED medicines like Fildena with alcohol is not recommended as it can make the medicine ineffective.

Grapefruit juice

Grapefruit or grapefruit juice can delay the absorption of Sildenafil. It might delay the peak effects of the medicine as well.

Grapefruit juice can also increase the bioavailability of Sildenafil in the body. This can increase the risk of side effects from Sildenafil. 

For this reason, taking Fildena and grapefruit juice is not advisable.

Summing up

Fildena is an effective and popularly used medicine for Erectile Dysfunction (ED).

Understanding how and when to take this medicine is important to ensure its effectiveness.

If you’re considering taking Fildena, you may ask, ‘Can I take Fildena with Food?’.

It is generally safe to take Fildena with food. It does not have strict dietary restrictions, and you can take it on an empty stomach or with a meal.

But there are certain foods and beverages, including alcohol, that you should avoid while taking Fildena.

High-fat meals can slow the absorption of Fildena and delay its effects. You should avoid high-fat foods such as cheese, butter, and heavy cream if you plan to take Fildena.

Grapefruit juice can also interact with Sildenafil, the active salt in Fildena, and increase the risk of side effects.

To ensure safe and effective use of Fildena, you should always consult a medical practitioner first.

Frequently Asked Questions

• nhs.uk
• mayoclinic.org