Why is Sildenafil Citrate
prescribed?
Sildenafil Citrate is oral drug for male
impotence. It works by dilating blood vessels in the penis,
allowing the inflow of blood needed for an
erection.
Most important fact about
Sildenafil Citrate
Sildenafil Citrate causes erections only during sexual
excitement. It does not work in the absence of
arousal.
How should you take Sildenafil Citrate?
Taking
Sildenafil Citrate approximately 1 hour before sexual activity works
best for most men. Depending on how and when the drug works
for you, an interval of one-half hour to as much as 4 hours
may prove ideal.
--If you miss a dose...
Sildenafil Citrate is not for regular use. Take
it only before sexual activity.
--Storage instructions...
Store at room temperature.
What side effects may occur?
Side
effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in
intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your
doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking
Sildenafil Citrate.
More common side effects may
include:
Abnormal vision (color tinge, blurring,
sensitivity to light), acid indigestion, diarrhea, flushing,
headache, nasal congestion, urinary tract infection
Less
common to rare side effects may include:
Abdominal pain,
abnormal dreams, abnormal ejaculation, allergic reactions,
anxiety, asthma, bloodshot eyes, bone pain, breast
enlargement, cataracts, chest pain, chills, coordination
problems, cough, depression, difficulty breathing, difficulty
swallowing, dilated pupils, dizziness, drowsiness, dry eyes,
dry mouth, emotional or mental disturbances, eye inflammation
or pain, other eye disorders, fainting, falling, genital
problems, gout, gum inflammation, heart problems, increased
night-time urination, increased pressure in the eyes,
insomnia, itchy skin, joint disease, light sensitivity, loss
of bladder control (urinary incontinence), low blood pressure,
migraine headache, muscle ache, numbness, oral inflammation,
pain, painful erection, prolonged erection, raised skin
patches, rapid or throbbing heartbeat, rectal bleeding,
respiratory inflammation, ringing in the ears, seizure, sinus
and throat inflammation, skin rash, skin ulcer, slow reflexes,
stomach or intestinal inflammation, sweating, swelling,
thirst, tremor, vomiting, weakness
Heart attack, stroke,
heart irregularities, dangerous surges in blood pressure, and
sudden death have all been reported after use of Sildenafil Citrate,
usually in men with existing cardiac risk factors, and
typically during or shortly after sex.
Why should Sildenafil Citrate not be
prescribed?
Do not take Sildenafil Citrate if you are taking any
nitrate-based drug, including nitroglycerin patches
(Nitro-Dur, Transderm-Nitro), nitroglycerin ointment
(Nitro-Bid, Nitrol), nitroglycerin pills (Nitro-Bid,
Nitrostat), and isosorbide pills (Dilatrate-SR, Isordil,
Sorbitrate). Combining Sildenafil Citrate with these drugs can cause a
severe drop in blood pressure.
If Sildenafil Citrate gives you an allergic
reaction, do not use it again.
Special warnings about Sildenafil Citrate
If
you have heart problems severe enough to make sexual activity
a danger, you should avoid using Sildenafil Citrate. Use it
cautiously---if at all---if you've had a heart attack, stroke,
or life-threatening heart irregularities within the past 6
months. Be equally cautious if you have severe high or low
blood pressure, heart failure, or unstable angina (crushing
heart pain that occurs at any time).
If you take Sildenafil Citrate and develop
cardiac symptoms (for example, dizziness, nausea, and chest
pain) during sexual activity, do not continue. Alert your
doctor to the problem as soon as possible.
If you have a condition that might result
in long-lasting erections, such as sickle cell anemia,
multiple myeloma (a disease of the bone marrow), or leukemia,
use Sildenafil Citrate with caution. Also use cautiously if you have a
genital problem or deformity such as Peyronie's disease. If an
erection lasts more than 4 hours, seek treatment immediately.
Permanent damage and impotence could result.
If you have a bleeding disorder, a
stomach ulcer, or the inherited eye condition known as
retinitis pigmentosa, use this medication with caution. Its
safety under these circumstances has not yet been
studied.
Remember that Sildenafil Citrate offers no
protection from transmission of sexually transmitted diseases,
such as HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
This drug is not for use by women. Its
effects during pregnancy have not been studied.
Possible food and drug interactions when
taking Sildenafil Citrate
If Sildenafil Citrate is taken with certain other
drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or
altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor
before combining Sildenafil Citrate with the following:
Other impotence remedies including
Caverject and Muse
Amlodipine (Norvasc)
Cimetidine
(Tagamet)
Erythromycin (E-Mycin, Ery-Tab,
PCE)
Itraconazole (Sporanox)
Ketoconazole
(Nizoral)
Nitrates such as Isordil, Nitro-Bid, and
Nitro-Dur
Rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane)
Ritonavir
(Norvir)
Saquinavir (Fortovase, Invirase)
Recommended dosage
Doses range from 25
milligrams to 100 milligrams, depending on the drug's effect.
The usual dose is 50 milligrams. If you are over 65, have
liver or kidney problems, or are taking erythromycin,
ketoconazole, itraconazole, ritonavir, or saquinavir a dose of
25 milligrams may be sufficient. Your doctor will adjust the
dosage if the drug is not working properly for you.
Take Sildenafil Citrate only before sexual
activity. A maximum of 1 dose per day is recommended (1 dose
every 2 days for those taking ritonavir).
Overdosage
No overdose of Sildenafil Citrate
has been reported. However, any medication taken in excess can
have serious consequences. If you suspect an overdose, seek
medical attention immediately.
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