Sildenafil
Generic Name: Sildenafil
Brand Name: Viagra
Sildenafil is used for:
Treating sexual function problems in men, such as impotence or erectile dysfunction, and other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Sildenafil is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor. It works by helping the blood flow into the penis to achieve and maintain an erection.
Do NOT use Sildenafil if:
* you are allergic to any ingredient in Sildenafil
* you are taking or using azole antifungals (eg, itraconazole), nitroglycerin (eg, tablet, patch, ointment), nitrates (eg, isosorbide), nitroprusside, or ritonavir
* you have or have had heart disease, including heart attack or angina pectoris; a stroke; low blood pressure; or severe liver problems
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Sildenafil :
Some medical conditions may interact with Sildenafil . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
* if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
* if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
* if you have life-threatening irregular heartbeat, uncontrolled high blood pressure, cancer of the blood (eg, leukemia, myeloma), bleeding disorders, or an active stomach ulcer
* if you have a deformed penis or conditions that may cause a prolonged erection (eg, sickle cell anemia)
* if you have kidney problems, bleeding disorders, active stomach ulcers, eye problems (eg, retina diseases like retinitis pigmentosa), or if you have ever had severe loss of vision
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Sildenafil . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
* Alpha-blockers (eg, prazosin), azole antifungals (eg, itraconazole), barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), carbamazepine, delavirdine, H2 antagonists (eg, famotidine), HIV protease inhibitors (eg, indinavir), hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), ketolides (eg, telithromycin), macrolides (eg, erythromycin), mibefradil, nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (eg, efavirenz), rifabutin, rifampin, or ritonavir because side effects of Sildenafil may be increased
* Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), nitrates (eg, isosorbide ), nitroglycerin (eg, tablet, patch, ointment), or nitroprusside because the risk of side effects such as bleeding or severe low blood pressure may be increased
* Bosentan because side effects may be increased by Sildenafil
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Sildenafil may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Sildenafil :
Use Sildenafil as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
* Sildenafil comes with an additional patient leaflet. Read it carefully and reread it each time you get Sildenafil refilled.
* Taking Sildenafil with a high-fat meal may delay the time of onset of Sildenafil .
* Take Sildenafil by mouth as needed between 4 hours and 30 minutes before sexual activity (about 1 hour before is most effective).
* Do not take Sildenafil more often than once daily as needed.
* If you are taking Sildenafil in doses greater than 25 mg, do not take an alpha-blocker (eg, doxazosin) within 4 hours of taking Sildenafil . Taking these medicines at the same time may cause very serious side effects such as severe low blood pressure.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Sildenafil .
Important safety information:
* Sildenafil may cause dizziness, blurred vision, fainting, or lightheadedness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Sildenafil . Using Sildenafil alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
* To minimize dizziness or lightheadedness, sit up or stand slowly when rising from a seated or lying position.
* Sildenafil may rarely cause a painful penile erection, which can last for long periods of time and is not related to sexual activity. If not treated immediately, this may lead to permanent erectile dysfunction or impotence (not being able to have or maintain an erection for sexual purposes.
* Do not use Sildenafil if your doctor has advised you to avoid sexual activity because of heart problems.
* Sildenafil does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection. Use “safe sex” practices such as latex condoms.
* Use Sildenafil with caution in the ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to its effects.
* Sildenafil is not recommended for use in CHILDREN.
* PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: It is not known if Sildenafil can cause harm to the developing fetus. If you become pregnant while taking Sildenafil , discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Sildenafil during pregnancy. It is unknown if Sildenafil is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Sildenafil , check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of Sildenafil :
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Back pain; diarrhea; dizziness; flushing; headache; indigestion; joint pain; lightheadedness; nasal stuffiness; vision changes (eg, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, impaired blue/green color discrimination).
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); changes in heartbeat; chest pain; fainting; nausea; painful or prolonged erection (lasting more than 4 hours); severe dizziness; sudden decrease or loss of vision in one or both eyes; urinary tract infection.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Proper storage of Sildenafil :
Store Sildenafil at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Keep Sildenafil out of the reach of children and away from pets.
