What is sildenafil (oral)?
Sildenafil relaxes muscles and increases blood flow to particular areas of the body.
Sildenafil under the name Viagra is used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence) in men.
Another brand of sildenafil is Revatio, which is used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension and
improve exercise capacity in men and women.
Sildenafil may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking sildenafil (oral)?
Do not take sildenafil if you are also using a nitrate drug for chest pain or heart problems.
This includes nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur, Nitro-Bid, and 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"). Taking
sildenafil with a nitrate medicine can cause a serious decrease in blood pressure, leading to fainting,
stroke, or heart attack.
Before taking sildenafil, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
-
heart disease or heart rhythm problems;
-
a recent history (in the past 6 months) of a heart attack,
stroke, or heart rhythm disorder;
-
congestive heart failure;
-
high or low blood pressure;
-
coronary artery disease;
-
liver disease;
-
kidney disease;
-
a blood cell disorder such as sickle cell anemia, multiple
myeloma, or leukemia;
-
a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia;
-
a stomach ulcer;
-
retinitis pigmentosa (an inherited condition of the eye);
-
a physical deformity of the penis (such as Peyronie's
disease); or
-
if you have been told you should not have sexual
intercourse for health reasons.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or
special tests to safely take sildenafil.
Sildenafil can decrease blood flow to the optic nerve of the eye, causing sudden vision loss.
This has occurred in a small number of people taking sildenafil, most of whom also had heart disease,
diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or certain pre-existing eye problems, and in those who
smoke or are over 50 years old. It is not clear whether sildenafil is the actual cause of vision loss.
Stop using sildenafil and get emergency medical help if you have sudden vision loss.
FDA pregnancy category B: This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn
baby. Do not use sildenafil without telling your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
during treatment.
It is not known if sildenafil passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do
not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take sildenafil (oral)?
Take sildenafil exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take it in larger doses or for longer
than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Revatio is usually taken three times each day, about 4 to 6 hours apart.
Viagra is usually taken only when needed, 30 minutes to 1 hour before sexual activity. You
may take it up to 4 hours before sexual activity. Do not take Viagra more than once per day.
Viagra can help you have an erection when sexual stimulation occurs. An erection will not occur
just by taking a pill. Follow your doctor's instructions.
During sexual activity, if you become dizzy or nauseated, or have pain, numbness, or tingling
in your chest, arms, neck, or jaw, stop and call your doctor right away. You could be having a serious
side effect of sildenafil.
Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of sildenafil (oral)?
Viagra is used as needed, so you are not likely to be on a dosing schedule.
If you miss a dose of Revatio, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost
time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled
time.
Do not
take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about sildenafil (oral)?
Your pharmacist has information about sildenafil (oral) written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of sildenafil (oral)?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
During sexual activity, if you become dizzy or nauseated, or have pain, numbness, or tingling
in your chest, arms, neck, or jaw, stop and call your doctor right away. You could be having a serious
side effect of sildenafil.
Stop using sildenafil and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
-
sudden vision loss;
-
ringing in your ears, or sudden hearing loss;
-
chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or
shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;
-
irregular heartbeat;
-
swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet;
-
shortness of breath;
-
vision changes;
-
feeling light-headed, fainting; or
-
penis erection that is painful or lasts 4 hours or longer.
Less serious side effects may include:
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about sildenafil (oral)?
Do not take sildenafil if you are also using a nitrate drug for chest pain or heart problems.
This includes nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur, Nitro-Bid, and 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"). Taking
sildenafil with a nitrate medicine can cause a serious decrease in blood pressure, leading to fainting,
stroke, or heart attack.
During sexual activity, if you become dizzy or nauseated, or have pain, numbness, or tingling
in your chest, arms, neck, or jaw, stop and call your doctor right away. You could be having a serious
side effect of sildenafil.
Do not take sildenafil more than once a day. Allow 24 hours to pass between doses.
Contact your doctor or seek emergency medical attention if your erection is painful or lasts
longer than 4 hours. A prolonged erection (priapism) can damage the penis.
Sildenafil can decrease blood flow to the optic nerve of the eye, causing sudden vision loss.
This has occurred in a small number of people taking sildenafil, most of whom also had heart disease,
diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or certain pre-existing eye problems, and in those who
smoke or are over 50 years old. It is not clear whether sildenafil is the actual cause of vision loss.
Stop using sildenafil and get emergency medical help if you have sudden vision loss.
What should I avoid while taking sildenafil (oral)?
Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of sildenafil.
Avoid using other medicines to treat impotence, such as alprostadil (Caverject, Muse,
Edex) or yohimbine (Yocon, Yodoxin, others), without first talking to your doctor.
What other drugs will affect sildenafil (oral)?
Do not take sildenafil if you are also using a nitrate drug for chest pain or heart problems,
including nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur, Nitro-Bid, Minitran, Deponit,
Transderm-Nitro), isosorbide dinitrate (Dilatrate-SR, Isordil, Sorbitrate), and isosorbide mononitrate
(Imdur, ISMO, Monoket), or recreational drugs such as amyl nitrate or nitrite ("poppers").
Before taking sildenafil,
tell your doctor about all other medications you use for
erectile dysfunction
, or if you are using any of the following medications:
-
bosentan (Tracleer);
-
cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB);
-
conivaptan (Vaprisol);
-
diclofenac (Arthrotec, Cataflam, Voltaren, Flector Patch,
Solareze);
-
enoxacin (Penetrex);
-
imatinib (Gleevec);
-
isoniazid (for treating tuberculosis);
-
rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane);
-
an antidepressant such as nefazodone;
-
an antibiotic such as clarithromycin (Biaxin),
dalfopristin/quinupristin (Synercid), erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin), or
telithromycin (Ketek);
-
an antifungal medication such as clotrimazole (Mycelex
Troche), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), or voriconazole (Vfend);
-
heart or blood pressure medication such as diltiazem
(Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac), doxazosin (Cardura), nicardipine (Cardene), quinidine (Quinaglute,
Quinidex, Quin-Release), or verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan); or
-
HIV/AIDS medicine such as amprenavir (Agenerase),
atazanavir (Reyataz), delavirdine (Rescriptor), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), indinavir (Crixivan),
nelfinavir (Viracept), saquinavir (Invirase), or ritonavir (Norvir).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
sildenafil. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This
includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using
a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of sildenafil (oral)?
