What Is Sildenafil? Benefits, Uses, Dosage & Side Effects

Sildenafil is a commonly prescribed medication for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). It is a type of drug called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors that work by increasing blood flow to a certain area of the body. Sildenafil is the generic name for the well-known drug Viagra and comes in the form of sildenafil 100mg tablets, among others. In this blog, we explain how sildenafil works, its indications, dosage, side effects, and comparisons with other drugs of the same class like tadalafil and vardenafil.

What is Sildenafil?

What is sildenafil? Sildenafil is a prescription drug that is primarily utilized to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) in men. Sildenafil widens the blood vessels and allows increased blood flow to the penis, making it possible for men to achieve and maintain an erection when sexually stimulated. Sildenafil is also utilized to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) to decrease the pressure in the lungs and enhance exercise capacity. Sildenafil citrate is the complete chemical name of the drug.

How Sildenafil Works?

How sildenafil works: Sildenafil works by inhibiting the activity of the enzyme phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5). PDE5 is the enzyme responsible for breaking down cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), which is responsible for relaxing the blood vessels. Inhibition of PDE5 by sildenafil increases the levels of cGMP, leading to increased blood flow to the penis, which makes it easier to achieve an erection.

In PAH patients, sildenafil causes the pulmonary blood vessels to relax, lowering the heart’s workload and facilitating improved oxygenation. The mode of action is the basis for its effectiveness for the treatment of both ED and PAH, although the dosing of both conditions varies.

Sildenafil Applications

Sildenafil applications are as follows:

Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

Sildenafil helps men achieve and maintain an erection during sexual stimulation. Sildenafil will not work without sexual stimulation – it increases the natural response of erection rather than causing a fake one. The drug takes usually 30-60 minutes to start taking effect after dosing, thus being well suited for planned intercourse.

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)

During PAH management, sildenafil reduces pulmonary blood pressure and increases oxygen delivery. In individuals suffering from this condition, sildenafil has been proven to improve exercise capacity and quality of life significantly by improving the heart’s function to circulate blood to the lungs.

Other Experimental Applications

Some research suggests sildenafil may be used for altitude sickness, Raynaud’s syndrome, and heart failure treatment, but these are not yet researched further. Research continues to examine other indications of the drug, but these are current off-label uses until sufficient evidence is collected to support their safety and efficacy.

Sildenafil Dosage

Sildenafil dosage depends on the specific medical conditions, treatment response, and physician recommendation.

Regarding Erectile Dysfunction (ED):

Sildenafil 25mg – Best for beginners and the elderly. Lower dosage is typically indicated for men above 65 years or men with kidney or liver conditions.
Sildenafil 50mg – Standard starting dose for the majority of men. This dose is a balance of effectiveness and minimizing side effects.
Sildenafil 100mg – Stronger dose for those who require stronger effects. The higher standard dose is generally reserved for those who are not responding best to a lower dose.

Is it safe to take 200 mg of sildenafil? More than 100mg is not advisable except on doctor‘s prescription since more intake causes more side effects without enhancing effectiveness.

For Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH):

20mg three times a day (as directed by a doctor).
Timing of administration is important for both. Administration of sildenafil around an hour before sexual activity yields optimum results with ED.

Even interval dosing during the day with consistent maintenance of timing with PAH provides sustained plasma levels of the drug.

How Long Does Sildenafil Last

How long does sildenafil last? Sildenafil typically becomes effective 30-60 minutes after administration and lasts for 4-6 hours. The effects, though, could vary based on such factors as:

Metabolism
Food consumption (extended absorption by fatty foods)
Age and overall health
Simultaneous use of other drugs.

For optimal effect, take sildenafil on an empty stomach 1 hour before intercourse. This will ensure maximum absorption and have the drug in its maximum effect when you need it. Effects are reported to last up to 12 hours, but the most significant effects are in the 4-6 hour range.

Sildenafil Side Effects

Sildenafil side effects may be experienced by certain consumers. While sildenafil is safe for consumption, side effects include:

Cephalalgia
Erythema of the facial and cervical areas.
Dizziness
Nasal blockage
Indigestion
Blurred vision

These side effects are usually temporary and minor, sometimes resolving as the body adapts to the drug. For the majority of users, the benefits of sildenafil far outweigh the minor disadvantages.

Severe Adverse Reactions (Needs Immediate Medical Care)

Priapism – Prolonged and aching erection lasting over 4 hours.
Abrupt loss of hearing or sight
Chest pain or irregular heartbeat
Severe dizziness or syncope

If you have severe sildenafil side effects, discontinue sildenafil and get medical help right away. These severe but infrequent complications need to be treated by a doctor right away to avoid long-term health consequences.

Sildenafil Vs. Viagra: What's the Difference?

Sildenafil and Viagra: Sildenafil is generic Viagra, i.e., it has the same active ingredient but at a lower price. The most significant differences are the following:

Brand Name vs. Generic: The brand name version of sildenafil is Viagra, while sildenafil tablets are generic.
Cost: Sildenafil is cheaper than Viagra, on average 80-85% less.
Sildenafil is sold under different brand names, whereas Viagra is sold exclusively by Pfizer.
Appearance: Viagra is usually blue diamond-shaped tablets, but generic sildenafil is usually different colors and shapes.

Although there are these differences, both drugs have the same active ingredients and mechanisms of action. The two are usually chosen based on which one a person can afford and their preferred brand.

Tadalafil vs Sildenafil

The majority of individuals compare sildenafil and tadalafil when selecting an ED drug. The comparison between sildenafil and tadalafil is as follows:

Feature	Sildenafil	Tadalafil
Brand	Viagra	Cialis
Duration	4-6 hours	24-36 hours
Onset Time	30-60	30
Dosage Options	25mg, 50mg, 100mg	2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg, 20mg
Best For	Occasional use	Daily/long-term use
Food Interactions	Affected by high-fat meals	Minimal food interaction
Pricing	Generally less expensive	Often more expensive

If you require a longer time frame, then tadalafil is the better option. But for those who need flexibility and a short time frame, sildenafil is best. Tadalafil’s longer time frame is the reason it is also commonly referred to as the “weekend pill,” as one dose will last you the entire weekend.

Vardenafil and Sildenafil

Vardenafil vs sildenafil: Vardenafil (Levitra) is a PDE5 inhibitor like sildenafil. Vardenafil is a bit longer in action and has fewer side effects in certain patients.

Some of the main differences are:

Vardenafil may work slightly faster than sildenafil
Vardenafil is less influenced by food intake.
Some studies suggest that vardenafil is more effective at lower doses.
Vardenafil generally works 5-7 hours more than sildenafil’s 4-6 hours

The selection of these medications is usually based on response in individuals, with certain men experiencing one medication to be more effective than the other for their varying physiological characteristics.

What is an overdose of Sildenafil?

How much sildenafil is too much? Taking over the prescribed dose (100 mg per day) can lead to serious side effects like low blood pressure, loss of vision, and priapism. Never exceed what your physician prescribed.

Sildenafil likewise has a “ceiling effect,” where dosage levels above 100 mg won’t usually prove useful but will heavily weigh in favor of triggering side effects. If 100mg is too low, speak with your doctor about other treatments instead of the increased dose.

Where to Purchase Sildenafil?

Sildenafil is available in drug stores on prescription. In addition, sildenafil is available from online suppliers. Buy Cenforce 200mg is also available, which is another generic version of sildenafil with a higher strength option.

When purchasing sildenafil, consider these important factors:

Always get a prescription from a qualified medical doctor
Buy from reputable online stores or pharmacies
Beware of unusually low prices as they may be a sign of fake products
Verify proper packaging and authenticity checks
Steer clear of websites selling sildenafil without a prescription

Sildenafil and Lifestyle Concerns

For best effects with sildenafil, keep these lifestyle considerations in mind:

Timing with Meals
Taking sildenafil on an empty stomach will optimize absorption. Delayed onset and reduced efficacy can occur with high-fat meals.

Alcohol Use Heavy drinking of alcohol can reverse the effect of sildenafil and enhance the side effects. Restrict consumption of alcohol during sildenafil intake.

Exercise

Routine exercise may improve the efficacy of sildenafil by augmenting cardiovascular health.
Smoking: Smoking harms blood vessels and can decrease the effectiveness of sildenafil. Smoking cessation can enhance the therapeutic effect.
Pharmaceutical Interactions with Sildenafil Sildenafil can interact with several medications, including: Nitrates (used for chest pain) Alpha-blockers (for hypertension and for prostatic disease)

Other ED drugs Certain antifungal and antibiotic medications Some HIV protease inhibitors Always inform your doctor of all medications you are taking before you start taking sildenafil to avoid potentially dangerous interactions.