Sildenafil and Cardiovascular Health Considerations

If you take nitrates for any reason. Taking sildenafil with drugs containing nitrates is contraindicated.

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Your doctor can review the risks and benefits of having sex during sildenafil treatment. Nosebleeds are a common side effect of sildenafil, and they’re typically mild. In clinical trials,* people who were taking warfarin (Jantoven) had an increased risk of nosebleeds. Symptoms of nosebleeds include bleeding from one or both nostrils. It also includes feeling as if you have to swallow a lot.

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

If you start to experience nosebleeds often or if they don’t stop, talk with your doctor. They may recommend applying a cold cloth to the bridge of your nose briefly or pinching your nostrils for a short period of time. Your doctor may also recommend medications to help with nosebleeds, such as oxymetazoline (Afrin). It usually happens without sexual stimulation or continues long after sex. Priapism was a rare side effect in clinical trials of sildenafil.* Priapism can become a serious side effect if your erection lasts longer than 4 hours. (A contraindication is a factor or condition that could prevent your doctor from prescribing a drug due to risk of harm.) This is due to sildenafil’s potential to cause severe low blood pressure. * Examples of nitrates include nitroglycerin (Nitrolingual), isosorbide (Isordil), nitroprusside (Nitropress). If you take any of these drugs or any other nitrates, be sure to tell your doctor before starting sildenafil treatment. Sildenafil is contraindicated if you take a GC stimulator, including riociguat (Adempas). This is because these drugs may cause severe low blood pressure.

Be sure to tell your doctor if you take this drug. They’ll likely recommend you do not take riociguat with sildenafil. * For more details about this side effect, see the “Sildenafil: Serious side effects” section above.

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An eye condition called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) may occur in people taking sildenafil. Certain factors can increase your risk of developing NAION during sildenafil treatment. These include previous eye conditions or coronary artery disease. They also include being age 50 years or older or smoking. Before starting sildenafil treatment, be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of these factors.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking sildenafil

They’ll help determine if the drug is right for you. If you have sickle cell anemia, tell your doctor. You may have an increased risk of vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) if you have sickle cell anemia and take sildenafil. With VOC, your blood cells block blood flow to your organs, which can be painful. Be sure to talk with your doctor if you have sickle cell anemia. It’s unknown whether sildenafil is safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding. Animal studies* did not show harm to the fetus when the drug was exposed to pregnant animals. However, keep in mind that animal studies don’t always reflect what will happen in humans. If you’re pregnant or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor. They’ll review the risks and benefits with you and advise whether sildenafil treatment is right for you. In certain cases, your doctor may recommend that you continue taking sildenafil during pregnancy. Sildenafil may pass into breast milk, but it isn’t known how this could affect a child who is breastfed. If you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor.

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If you’ve ever had sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, or leukemia, you may have an increased risk of developing severe priapism. Call 911 (or your local emergency number) and go to the emergency room if you experience an erection that lasts longer than 4 hours. You may experience permanent damage to your penis if this is not treated right away. If your erections are lasting longer than usual, but less than 4 hours, talk with your doctor. They may recommend decreasing your sildenafil dosage.

What should I do if I accidentally use too much sildenafil?

As with most drugs, sildenafil can cause an allergic reaction in some people. However, these reactions were rarely reported in clinical trials.* Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include: For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and help determine whether you should keep taking sildenafil. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take sildenafil. They can review the risks and benefits of taking sildenafil while breastfeeding.

• Sildenafil helps improve erections by relaxing penile muscles.
• The drug's popularity increased rapidly after approval in the late 1990s.
• It is part of a class of medications called PDE5 inhibitors.
• Sildenafil's development marked a breakthrough for men's health.
• There are ongoing studies to expand sildenafil's therapeutic uses.
• Regular medical check-ups are advised for long-term sildenafil use.
• Generic sildenafil has made treatment more affordable worldwide.
• It’s crucial to adhere to prescribed doses to avoid adverse effects.
• The medication is often taken about 30 minutes before sexual activity.
• Using sildenafil responsibly can improve quality of life for many men.

If you are taking sildenafil for erectile dysfunction or pulmonary arterial hypertension, it’s possible to experience side effects. Most side effects are mild to moderate in severity.

Key takeaways about sildenafil

This drug may not be the right treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These are considered drug-condition or drug-factor interactions. The conditions and factors to consider include: If you’ve ever had PVOD, taking sildenafil can lead to heart problems. Your doctor won’t typically recommend taking sildenafil if you’ve ever had PVOD. Talk with your doctor if you develop fluid in your lungs while taking sildenafil.

Who Should NOT Take Sildenafil

If you develop PVOD, your doctor will likely recommend another medication for your condition. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to sildenafil or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe sildenafil. Taking sildenafil could cause you to have another allergic reaction. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you. Talk with your doctor if you’ve ever had eye disorders or if you start to experience vision loss while taking sildenafil. If you’re experiencing symptoms of severe side effects while taking sildenafil, talk with your doctor right away. If you’d like to learn more about sildenafil, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from taking the drug. A generic drug and its brand-name version contain the same active ingredient, so they’re expected to have the same side effects. Referring to the following articles about sildenafil and Viagra can provide you with additional information: For details about other aspects of sildenafil, refer to this article. To learn how sildenafil compares with Viagra, read this article. If you’d like to learn about sildenafil and cost, see this article. For details about your condition, see our hypertension hub.

• Sildenafil can sometimes cause flushing and nasal congestion.
• It is not a cure for erectile dysfunction, only a treatment option.
• Psychological factors can also affect erectile performance alongside medication.
• Sildenafil may sometimes interact with foods that contain high fat content.
• Regular exercise and stress management can complement treatment with sildenafil.
• The medication should be stored safely out of children's reach.
• Reporting side effects to a healthcare provider is important for safety.
• Sildenafil is typically started at a low dose, gradually increased if needed.
• It is important to follow the prescribed timing for medication intake.
• Discontinuing sildenafil should be discussed with a healthcare professional.

You can also view our men’s health hub and this list of erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation articles.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date.

However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional.

You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses. Sildenafil is a medication that is taken before sexual activity and allows men with erectile dysfunction (ED) to achieve and maintain an erection. ED or impotence happens when a man is unable to achieve or maintain an erection long enough for sexual intercourse. ED can be caused by medical conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, prostate problems, and heart disease. It can also be a side effect of the medications taken for these conditions. Personal lifestyle factors such as stress, alcohol, and/or tobacco use can also play a role.

• Do not take sildenafil if you have a history of heart attack or stroke.
• Women and children should not use sildenafil products.
• The medication can cause temporary vision disturbances, including blue-tinted vision.
• Always consult a healthcare provider before starting sildenafil therapy.
• Use caution when driving or operating machinery after taking sildenafil.
• Sildenafil is contraindicated in people with hypersensitivity to the drug.
• Some users report improved erectile function within 15 minutes.
• It is essential to stay hydrated, but avoid consuming large amounts of alcohol.
• Men with certain health conditions should undergo a medical exam before use.
• Overuse or misuse of sildenafil can lead to serious health complications.

During surgery or radiation to the pelvic area (including prostate, bladder, and rectal procedures), there can be damage to the nerves that supply the penis. This can lead to either temporary or permanent impotence. Some surgeons perform "nerve-sparing" surgeries to try to preserve erectile function. Even in these cases, however, the nerves will suffer some injury, and it can take 18-24 months or longer for erectile function to return. These men should be treated aggressively with oral or injectable medications for ED in order to speed the recovery of the nerves and to prevent muscle wasting in the penis. It should be taken around 60 minutes before sex but can be taken as much as four hours or as few as 30 minutes before sex. It works for up to 4 hours. It can be taken with or without food. Your provider will find the dose that is best for you. Some men need dose changes to find the dose that works best for them. Men who take sildenafil will not have an erection without sexual stimulation.

• Sildenafil has been shown to aid men with diabetes-related ED.
• The drug may also reduce blood pressure temporarily.
• Some men may not respond to sildenafil due to various health factors.
• It is recommended to take sildenafil on an empty stomach for faster effects.
• Overdose symptoms include dizziness, fainting, and pain in the chest.
• Sildenafil should not be used with other erectile dysfunction medications simultaneously.
• Patients should inform their doctor if they experience prolonged erections.
• Certain medical conditions require cautious use of sildenafil.
• The medication can sometimes cause changes in color perception.
• Always check the expiration date before using sildenafil pills.

This drug is not an aphrodisiac and does not affect libido or desire. Having multiple intercourse sessions with one dose has not been studied. You should not adjust your dose without talking to your provider first. Men who take nitrates, such as nitroglycerin, Nitro-Bid, Isordil, or Deponit should not take sildenafil.

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They’ll advise if sildenafil is right for you. Conditions related to the shape of your penis. If you have conditions related to the shape of your penis, such as Peyronie’s disease, tell your doctor. These conditions may increase your risk of severe priapism* during sildenafil tablets lp 100 mg sildenafil treatment. If you experience an erection lasting longer than 4 hours, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. Men who take Cardura, Flomax, or Hytrin for urinary symptoms should not take sildenafil. This medication can affect how other medications work. Be sure your provider and pharmacist know all the medications (prescription and over-the-counter) and supplements you take. Store your medication in the original, labeled container at room temperature and in a dry location (unless otherwise directed by your healthcare provider or pharmacist).