Sildenafil, known by its brand name Viagra, is a prescription medication used to treat Erectile Dysfunction (ED) in men or Assigned Males at Birth (AMAB). It is also sold under the brand name Revatio to treat symptoms of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH).
Sildenafil helps men obtain and sustain an erection in cases of ED by increasing blood flow to the penis.
Similarly, it also lowers blood pressure in the lungs, relieving symptoms and boosting exercise capacity in PAH patients. Its efficacy and mechanism of action make it an excellent therapy for ED and PAH.
Read further to know in detail about what is Sildenafil used for, its potential side effects, safety considerations, and how to use it for maximum effectiveness.
Know What is Sildenafil Used For
Although Sildenafil is primarily used for treating ED in men, overcoming PAH symptoms is another use of Sildenafil. Let’s delve into the details of how Sildenafil is used to treat these conditions.
Get and stay hard at 98% less cost than Viagra
Sildenafil for ED
Erectile Dysfunction is defined as the inability of a man to gain or maintain an erection sufficient to achieve satisfactory sexual performance. Sildenafil treats ED by increasing the erectile response when a man is sexually aroused.
Sildenafil (Viagra) is a Phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor and works by inhibiting the PDE5 enzyme. This enzyme controls the blood flow in your penis and other body parts.
When a man is sexually aroused, Nitric Oxide is produced in the erectile tissue of the penis. Nitric oxide activates an enzyme called Guanylate Cyclase, which raises levels of Cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate (cGMP), a substance that relaxes the smooth muscles of the penis and allows blood to flow into the spongy erectile tissues, resulting in an erection.
However, the PDE5 enzyme degrades cGMP, causing the erection to cease prematurely. Sildenafil inhibits the PDE5 enzyme, which boosts the concentration of cGMP. This, in turn, promotes smooth muscle relaxation and blood flow to the penis, hence achieving and maintaining an erection.
Sildenafil for PAH
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension is a medical condition that causes elevated blood pressure in the arteries that carry blood to the lungs. This might result in symptoms such as shortness of breath, dizziness, and weariness.
Sildenafil acts by suppressing PDE5 in the pulmonary arteries, similar to how it treats ED symptoms. This causes a rise in cGMP levels, which relaxes the blood vessels.
As a result, pulmonary blood pressure is lowered, and the heart’s ability to pump blood through the lungs improves, increasing exercise capacity and decreasing PAH symptoms.
Apart from treating ED and PAH, Sildenafil can be used off-label to treat Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD). However, sufficient evidence is not available to support the safety and efficacy of Sildenafil for women.
To learn more about the effectiveness and safety of Sildenafil for women, read Sildenafil for Women: Understanding in Detail.
Possible Side Effects of Sildenafil
Besides being highly effective, Sildenafil can lead to some side effects, just like any other medication. These side effects may range from common to rare, depending on their severity.
Some of the common side effects of Sildenafil include:
- Body/ muscle pain
- Dizziness
- Flushing
- Headache
- Indigestion
- Nausea
In rare cases, Sildenafil can lead to irregular heartbeat, allergic reactions or Pripiasm (prolonged and painful erection lasting more than four hours).
How to Take Sildenafil For Maximum Effectiveness
Like other medications, Sildenafil should be consumed appropriately as directed by your doctor to achieve the desired results and maximum effectiveness.
Take sildenafil on an empty stomach about 30 minutes to 4 hours before sexual activity, with 1 hour being the most effective period. This permits the medication to reach its optimal blood levels.
Have the medicine as a whole without breaking or crushing it, as breaking the tablet may affect its dosage.
Additionally, keep the following things in mind to get maximum benefit from Sildenafil:
Dosage: Take the dosage advised by your healthcare professional. Starting with the appropriate dosage is critical for safety and efficacy. Sildenafil is available in 25mg, 50mg, and 100mg dosages to treat ED. For PAH, the usual dose of 20 mg is taken three times each day, 4-6 hours apart
Avoid heavy meals: Large meals, particularly those heavy in fat, might slow the absorption of Sildenafil and reduce its efficacy. Eat a light meal before taking the medicine
Sexual stimulation: Sildenafil is most effective when sexual excitement occurs. Foreplay or other types of sexual stimulation might help you get an erection
Possible interactions: Sildenafil should not be used with Nitrates (often recommended for chest discomfort) and Alpha-blockers (used to treat high blood pressure or prostate issues), as the combination can cause severely low blood pressure, leading to fainting.
Want to know more about the interaction of Sildenafil with other medicines and food items? read Sildenafil Interactions: How does it react with Food, Alcohol, and Medicine
Key Notes
Sildenafil is a frequently prescribed medicine used to treat Erectile Dysfunction (ED) and Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH). Sildenafil helps men with ED obtain and sustain an erection by boosting blood flow to particular parts of the body, and it also helps people with PAH by reducing blood pressure in the lungs.
However, just like any other medicine, Sildenafil can lead to potential side effects like dizziness and headache and may interact with other medications. Hence, it is always advisable to consult a certified medical professional before considering Sildenafil.
Taking the medication as directed by your doctor can aid in the management of intended health conditions, thus improving the quality of life for many patients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sildenafil better than Viagra?
No, Viagra and its generic equivalent, Sildenafil, are the same medicines. If you have Erectile Dysfunction, both medications should significantly enhance your erections and sexual performance.
Can I use expired Sildenafil?
No, using expired Sildenafil is typically not advisable. Medication efficacy and safety can decline with time; thus, expired Sildenafil may not act as intended and could be hazardous.
Can I use Sildenafil daily?
Yes, Sildenafil can be taken daily. However, this depends on the condition being treated and the dosage advised by a healthcare expert. For treating ED symptoms, Sildenafil is usually consumed as required, around 30 minutes to 1 hour prior to sexual activity.
Can I use Sildenafil for Premature Ejaculation?
No, Sildenafil is primarily used to treat ED and Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, not Premature Ejaculation. While Sildenafil aids in achieving and sustaining erections, its efficacy in treating PE is not well established.
Can I use Sildenafil to lower my blood pressure?
No, Sildenafil is not intended to lower blood pressure. However, if you take it with Nitrates and other medicines for treating heart conditions, it can severely lower your blood pressure, leading to dizziness.
Cheap Medicine Shop only refers to credible, authoritative sources for our content. If you’re curious about how we ensure the integrity of our content, we encourage you to read our Content Information Policy.
