Erectile dysfunction is the biggest issue in the male community around the world. By the year 2030, it is projected that almost 500 million males worldwide will be suffering from this issue.
If we see the history of the issue, then it is noticed that people who have crossed the age of 40 commonly suffer from Erectile Dysfunction (ED). But the tables have turned around now. It is commonly seen that now no matter what age group you belong to, you are equally exposed to this issue.
Now, this leads to dissatisfaction and relationship issues also among couples. That is why people start looking for a solution to the issue, and one of the best that they can think of is Sildenafil.
Sildenafil citrate is a salt that falls under the category of PDE 5- inhibitor category of medicines. PDE is the material that is the underlying cause of the issue of erectile dysfunction.
When a person consumes the medicine, then they notice that the issue depresses for 3 to 4 hours which provides them a window to have satisfactory sexual activity. The salt is commonly sold under the brand name Viagra, but now various generic brands are also on the rise, like Cenforce.
Knowing the detail before the medicine consumption is very important, which has been discussed below in detail. So let’s get started.
History
The history of this medicine is a bit complicated. The chemists at Pfizer were testing a medicine that they had created for the issues of high blood pressure and angina pectoris.
When the test on the medicine work is conducted, then it is noticed that the medicine has also induced erections. At this point, the chemists thought of repositioning the drug as a PDE class 5 inhibitor and achieved the patent in 1996. Letter in the year 1998, the medicine was approval came for its use in erectile dysfunction. When the medicine hit the rack, then it was sold under the brand name Viagra.
Working the medicine
Due to the activation of PDE5 in the body, the cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) deactivates in the body. Now with the dilution of Sildenafil salt in the blood vessels, we can notice it approaches the PDE.
The salt blocks the PDE, which activates cGMP. The activation of this compound will lead to the relaxation of the smooth muscles of blood vessels that carry blood to the penis. This indirectly increases the flow of blood in the penis causing harder erections.
Due to the maintained blood supply in the penis, the erection also lasts for longer. This way, the medicine stays active for 3-4 hours, and a person can get better sexual satisfaction.
Interactions and Contradictions
The medicine interactions and contradictions are-
- Protease inhibitors
- Nitrate based medicines
- Alpha blocker
- Riociguat
All of them interact at different levels and under different conditions. That is why you should consult your position first about these medicines and then make the decision to consume Sildenafil.
Medical use of Sildenafil
Below is a list of medical issues for which a person can consume Sildenafil medicine and see great results –
- Erectile dysfunction sits at the top of the list when it comes to the issues with which Sildenafil helps. Although the medicine provides temporary relief for the issue, the sexual satisfaction that returns to the body after this medicine consumption is amazing. Sildenafil is now a standard treatment for this issue.
- Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension issue is also relieved with the consumption of Sildenafil citrate medicine.
- The medicine also treats severe symptoms of ischemia and ulcers that grow between fingers and toes.
- Medicine also plays a very important role in the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia. It is a prostate-related issue in which the gland starts swelling up and causes issues with common activities.
- The medicine elevates the libido levels and puts a person in a great mood to have sexual activity.
The issues we have discussed are listed as a part of medical treatment. It means that if you want a prescription for any of these issues, the physician can readily help you.
Non-medical use of Sildenafil
After Sildenafil gained popularity in the market, people started using it for many activities that are not connected with medical use. Some of them have been listed below-
- Young adults who are in their 20s and 30s have started using medicine to increase their libido levels and sexual performance. People consume the medicine in lower quantities to see the desired effects, and it also helps in a few cases. But a person has to understand that using the medicine without any prescription can be dangerous for the body.
- Sildenafil medicine also helps in treating jet lag recovery. The tests were done in 2007, and hamsters completely recovered with the help of this medicine.
- Sportspeople also use medicine to enhance their performance. The medicine is known to broaden the blood vessels, due to which the blood supply to muscles increases. This activity is going to increase the performance among sports people.
Process of administration of Sildenafil
If you want your medicine to help you get the best results, then you have to follow its administration process. Following this process step by step is going to ensure that you get the best and your body suffers the least side effects-
- The formulation of the tablet is done in a way that it absorbs properly if consumed as a whole. That is why swallowing the tablet is the only way one should adopt it.
- Some people have habits of biting or chewing the medicine as it makes consumption easy. You have to remember that performing any such activity can decrease the performance of the medicine in your body.
- Water serves as the best companion to consuming medicine. According to a study, a person should take 8 ounces of water with a Sildenafil tablet. It not just helps with easy consumption but also with handling a few Side effects.
- The consumer of Sildenafil has to make a choice whether they want to consume the medicine before or after a meal. According to experts, consuming a light meal an hour before the medicine consumption can be best for the medicine working.
- Sildenafil salt comes with a quality that it takes only 30 minutes to dissolve in the body. So keeping your decided time for sexual activity in mind, consume the medicine well before time for the best results.
- After taking the medicine, the consumer has to get involved in some sort of arousing activity. They help in making your erection better and put you in a great mood to have sexual intercourse.
Medicine dosage – Missed and overdose
The dose of medicine recommended by the physicians is only one in a day maximum. The manufacturer suggests this dose, but there is a suggestion to visit the physician and ask them for the dosage.
They will ask you a few questions, and on the basis of that, they make the decision. Only in a few cases, two doses a day are suggested. Otherwise, one is sufficient for those suffering from erectile dysfunction.
Many people face the issue of either missing the dose or consuming it in an overdose. If you miss the dose of the medicine, then all you need to do is check the time that is left for the next dose.
If the time is more than 12 hours, then take the medicine; otherwise, you must let it go. In case you don’t want to have sexual activity, then also you can skip the medicine dose.
People consume an overdose of the medicine, thinking that it will provide them with great quality results, which is a myth. On the other hand, some people consume by mistake. In any of the conditions, a person has to see how his body is reacting to the medicine.
If the body shows any negative effects which are not in your control, then you should contact your physician or 911 emergency. It should be done as soon as possible because, in a few cases, it is noticed that the medicine overdose has led to the fainting of a person.
Sildenafil Precautions
The precautionary measures that you should take while you are consuming Sildenafil are very important. They are going to ensure that you are safe while consuming the medicine.
Also, the medicine working will be enhanced due to which you should work on all the points discussed below –
- Checking if you are allergic to the medicine or not is very important. You should discuss your current medical history with your physician. They are going to check whether the medicine is for you or not.
- Call your physician in case you notice any serious or severe side effects.
- Alcohol and marijuana are known to make a person feel dizzy and nauseated. That is why you should not consume them with Sildenafil. It can increase your side effects on manifolds.
- You should keep in mind that driving and operating machinery is not an option after medicine consumption. If you do any such activities, then it can lead to accidents and measuring injuries because of the side effects of the medicine.
- Your dentist should also know about your Sildenafil medicine as it can interrupt your dental treatment.
- If you are suffering from high blood pressure issues, then you should not consume Sildenafil.
- The medicine should not be an option if you are having heart issues.
- People who are consuming nitrate-based medicine must never think about Sildenafil citrate.
- The medicine can harm your little ones and cause major issues in the lungs and kidneys.
Side effects and how to tackle them
Every medicine which is chemically formulated has a few side effects related to it. You might notice a few in your body when you consume Sildenafil.
Let us discuss both side effects and ways to tackle them in case you notice them in your body after medicine consumption-
- The common side effects that you are going to notice are headaches and nausea. Although these issues are mild, vomiting can happen if they increase above the limit. If you still feel nauseated after vomiting, then call your physician.
- Cloudiness can happen in front of your eyes after you have taken the medicine. The medicine consumers also report a change in vision due to this medicine.
- If you take the medicine, you will notice the continuous ringing in your ears. It can be lower in intensity or higher based on your body type.
- The stomach might get upset due to the continuous consumption of this medicine. Pain and crunching can be noticed during this period of upsetness. Diarrhea can also happen if the stomach stays upset for longer.
- Muscle pain and soreness are other issues in your body due to Sildenafil. The most effective of this muscle pain is on the limbs. Swelling of limbs also happens during this period.
- Nasal congestion happens when you consume the medicine with a sore throat.
- Elevated heart rate is also an issue you will notice due to the medicine. The blood pressure of some people also increases due to this medicine. In extreme cases, people have even noticed strokes and heart attacks.
- Some people also notice elongated erections, which turn painful after some time.
- If a person is consuming medicine for a longer period, they also notice weakness. Lightheadedness also accompanies the issue of weakness, which together can become a serious issue.
- One can notice indigestion and decreased appetite due to the consumption of Sildenafil citrate medicine.
- Bladder irritation may occur, but it is a very uncommon issue.
- The urine of the person consuming the medicine comes out to be cloudy and bloody in a few cases.
- Dizziness and drowsiness are also going to happen in your body.
- Chills and cold sweats are also an issue that happens in the body.
- Pale skin and seizures also happen in the body of people consuming Sildenafil citrate medicine.
- You might also feel trouble with your sleep due to this medicine. It also raises issues of anxiety.
If you are facing the medicine’s side effects and it is getting out of your control, consult your physician. They will provide you with a way to deal with them. Also, you should rest after you have completed your sexual activity after taking the medicine. You should also consume an ample amount to tackle the issue easily.
References:
- Drugs Approved by Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation: Drug Name, Strength, Indication. Available online:
- Sildenafil: MedlinePlus Drug Information. Available online:
- Sildenafil Interactions: Drugs.com. Available online:
- Sildenafil (Oral Route) Side Effects: Mayoclinic.org. Available online:
- Definition & Facts for Erectile Dysfunction: niddk.nih.gov. Available online:
Disclaimer:
At Medzpills, it is our mission to provide consumers with the best possible, scientifically-backed, and expert-reviewed information. Parry Stone, an expert in the field has reviewed this article, but we caution you that it should not be treated as a substitute for the advice of a qualified medical professional. It is a source of knowledge, potentially helpful in understanding health conditions, lab tests, medications, side effects, drug interactions, warnings, alerts, and more. To ensure the best experience and outcome, we strongly encourage you to consult with your doctor and discuss any concerns or questions you have about a particular disease or medication. Our services are meant to supplement, not replace, the invaluable relationship between doctor and patient.