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Viagra
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Generic Name: sildenafil (oral) (sil DEH na fil)
Brand Names:
Viagra |
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What is the most important information I should know about
sildenafil? |
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Do not take sildenafil if you are using a nitrate drug for chest pain or
heart problems. Nitrates include nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitrolingual,
Nitro-Dur, Nitro-Bid, Minitran, Deponit, Transderm-Nitro, others), isosorbide
dinitrate (Dilatrate-SR, Isordil, Sorbitrate), and isosorbide mononitrate
(Imdur, ISMO, Monoket). Nitrates are also found in some recreational drugs such
as amyl nitrate or nitrite ("poppers"). |
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Contact your doctor or seek emergency medical attention for any erection
that lasts longer than 4 hours. A sustained erection can damage the
penis. |
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Refrain from further sexual activity and notify your doctor it you develop
dizziness, nausea, or angina (pain, tightness, discomfort,
numbness, or tingling in the chest, arms, neck, or jaw) during sexual
activity. |
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Do not take sildenafil more than once a day. |
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Sildenafil relaxes muscles within the penis. This allows increased blood
flow into the penis, necessary to achieve and maintain an
erection. |
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Sildenafil is used to treat erectile dysfunction
(impotence). |
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Sildenafil may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide. |
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
sildenafil? |
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Do not take sildenafil if you are using a nitrate drug for chest pain or
heart problems. Nitrates include nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitrolingual,
Nitro-Dur, Nitro-Bid, Minitran, Deponit, Transderm-Nitro, others), isosorbide
dinitrate (Dilatrate-SR, Isordil, Sorbitrate), and isosorbide mononitrate
(Imdur, ISMO, Monoket). Nitrates are also found in some recreational drugs such
as amyl nitrate or nitrite ("poppers"). |
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Before taking sildenafil, tell your doctor if you |
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have had a heart attack, stroke, or life-threatening irregular heartbeats
within the last six months; |
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have a history of heart failure; |
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have coronary artery disease; |
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have high or low blood pressure; |
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have ever had blood problems, including sickle cell anemia or
leukemia; |
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have a bleeding disorder; |
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have retinitis pigmentosa (an inherited condition of the
eye); |
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have a physical deformity of the penis such as Peyronie's
disease; |
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have a condition that could lead to prolonged and painful erections, such as
a tumor of the bone marrow, sickle cell anemia, or leukemia;
or |
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are taking another medicine to treat impotence, such as alprostadil
(Caverject, Muse, Edex) or yohimbine (Yocon, Yodoxin,
others). |
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You may not be able to take sildenafil, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the
conditions listed above. |
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Although sildenafil is not indicated for use by women, it is in the FDA
pregnancy category B. This means that sildenafil is not expected to be harmful
to an unborn baby. Sildenafil should not be taken by
women. |
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It is not known whether sildenafil passes into breast milk. Sildenafil
should not be taken by women. |
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If you are over 65 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side
effects from sildenafil. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of this
medication. |
How should I take sildenafil? |
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Take sildenafil exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand
these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to
you. |
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Take each dose with a full glass of water. |
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Sildenafil is usually taken when needed. It can be taken anywhere from 4
hours to one-half hour before sexual activity. Generally, it is taken 1 hour
before sexual activity. The medication can help achieve an erection when sexual
stimulation occurs. An erection will not occur just by taking a pill. Follow
your doctor's instructions. |
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Taking sildenafil after eating a high-fat meal (such as a cheeseburger and
french fries) may cause the medication to take a little longer to start
working. |
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Do not take sildenafil more than once a day. |
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If you develop dizziness, nausea, or angina (pain, tightness, discomfort,
numbness, or tingling in the chest, arms, neck, or jaw) during sexual activity,
refrain from further sexual activity and notify your
doctor. |
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Contact your doctor or seek emergency medical attention for any erection
that lasts longer than 4 hours. A sustained erection can damage the
penis. |
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Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with sildenafil. The
interaction could lead to potentially adverse effects. You should discuss the
use of grapefruit and grapefruit juice with your doctor. Do not increase or
decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your
doctor. |
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Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and
heat. |
What happens if I miss a dose? |
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Sildenafil is used as needed, so you are not likely to miss a
dose. |
What happens if I overdose? |
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Seek emergency medical attention. |
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Symptoms of a sildenafil overdose are not known, but are likely to include
chest pain, dizziness, an irregular heartbeat, and swelling of the ankles or
legs. |
What should I avoid while taking sildenafil? |
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Do not take any other drug used to treat impotence, such as alprostadil
(Caverject, Muse, Edex) or yohimbine (Yocon, Yodoxin, others), without first
talking to your doctor. |
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Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with sildenafil. The
interaction could lead to potentially adverse effects. You should discuss the
use of grapefruit and grapefruit juice with your doctor. Do not increase or
decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to
your doctor. |
What are the possible side effects of
sildenafil? |
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If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking
sildenafil and seek emergency medical attention or notify your doctor
immediately: |
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an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling
of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); |
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chest pain or an irregular heartbeat; |
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swelling of the ankles or legs; |
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prolonged or severe dizziness; |
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a prolonged (lasting longer than 4 hours) or painful erection;
or |
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dizziness, nausea, or angina (pain, tightness, discomfort, numbness, or
tingling in the chest, arms, neck, or jaw). |
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Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to
take sildenafil and talk to your doctor if you
experience |
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temporary blue tint in vision or other vision abnormalities;
or |
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Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your
doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially
bothersome. |
What other drugs will affect sildenafil? |
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Do not take sildenafil if you are using a nitrate drug for chest pain or
heart problems. Nitrates include nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitrolingual,
Nitro-Dur, Nitro-Bid, Minitran, Deponit, Transderm-Nitro, others), isosorbide
dinitrate (Dilatrate-SR, Isordil, Sorbitrate), and isosorbide mononitrate
(Imdur, ISMO, Monoket). Nitrates are also found in some recreational drugs such
as amyl nitrate or nitrite ("poppers"). |
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Before taking sildenafil, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the
following medications: |
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any other drug used to treat impotence, such as alprostadil (Caverject,
Muse, Edex) or yohimbine (Yocon, Yodoxin, others); |
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the antibiotic drugs clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E-Mycin, Eryc,
Ery-Tab, others), or troleandomycin (TAO); |
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an antifungal medication such as itraconazole (Sporanox) or ketoconazole
(Nizoral); |
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the HIV medications amprenavir (Agenerase), delavirdine (Rescriptor),
indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir), or saquinavir
(Fortovase, Invirase); |
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cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB); |
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phenobarbital (Luminal); |
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carbamazepine (Tegretol) or phenytoin (Dilantin);
or |
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rifampin (Rifadin, Rifamate) or rifabutin
(Mycobutin). |
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You may not be able to take sildenafil, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the
medicines listed above. |
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Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with sildenafil or
affect your condition. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any
prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products. |
Where can I get more information? |
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Your pharmacist has additional information about sildenafil written for
health professionals that you may
read. | |
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