Sildenafil

Sildenafil is the generic form of the branded tablet Viagra. Both Sildenafil and Viagra contain the same active ingredient, sildenafil citrate. Sildenafil can be used to treat erectile dysfunction (where you can’t get or keep erections). Sildenafil is also sometimes used by specialists to treat high blood pressure in the lungs, as well as certain types of peptic ulcers.

Sildenafil usually comes as a tablet, although it is available as an oral suspension or gel. In the UK Sildenafil is only available in tablet form for treating erectile dysfunction.

Sildenafil belongs to a group of popular erectile dysfunction treatments called phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors. These medications work by increasing blood flow to certain parts of the body, including the penis. This means that they make getting and keeping an erection easier once you’re aroused. Specifically, PDE-5 inhibitors work by blocking the action of PDE-5 which reduces blood flow to areas like the penis.

How long does Sildenafil last?

Sildenafil usually lasts for around 4-6 hours, but it might last for a shorter or longer time for you. This means that if you are sexually aroused during this time, Sildenafil will be able to help you get and maintain an erection more easily. This does not mean that you should expect erections to last 4-6 hours when taking Sildenafil. The only way to find out exactly how long Sildenafil will work for you is to try it and see how long it lasts for yourself.

How quickly does Sildenafil work?

It usually takes 30-60 minutes for Sildenafil to work and we recommend you try to take it 1 hour before you want to try and have sex. Since it does last up to 6 hours, you can take it earlier but the effect will be strongest around the 1-hour mark. Sildenafil may take longer to work if you take it right after eating, since food will slow down how fast your body absorbs the medication.

How effective is Sildenafil?

Studies show that Sildenafil is effective at treating erectile dysfunction for most people who try it. An average of 69% of men with erectile dysfunction are able to have successful sexual intercourse with sildenafil, compared to only 35.5% with a placebo (a tablet without any medication in).

Sildenafil could help you get and keep erections but it doesn’t work for everyone. The only way to know for sure is to give it a go yourself. If you find after 8 attempts Sildenafil doesn’t work for you, you should think about trying an alternative treatment.

You should take each tablet whole, with a drink of water or juice. Do not take Sildenafil with grapefruit juice as this affects how the tablets work. Sildenafil works best if you take it on an empty stomach, although it can be taken safely with food, but it may get to work more slowly. You should take sildenafil around 1 hour before you want to have sex.

Advice on taking sildenafil should be included in the patient information leaflet that comes with the medication.

Sildenafil dosage

Sildenafil tablets come in 3 different doses, 25mg, 50mg and 100mg. You should only take the dose that is prescribed to you by a doctor or pharmacist. The usual dose is 50mg which is taken no more than once per day, when you need it. This dose can be increased to 100mg or decreased to 25mg, depending on how sildenafil affects you:

• If you find that 50mg doesn’t work as well as you’d like, and you don’t have problems with side effects, you could try 100mg.
• If you find 50mg works well for you but comes with side effects that bother you, you could drop down to 25mg, which may still improve your erections but come with less intense side effects.

When to take Sildenafil

You should take sildenafil around 1 hour before you want to have sex. Sildenafil takes at least 30 minutes to work, so take it at least 30 minutes before you want to have sex. Sildenafil takes longer to work if you eat before you take it so take that into consideration when timing your dose.

How often to take Sildenafil

You should only take Sildenafil when you need it – when you’re planning to attempt sex. It’s only safe to take Sildenafil once every 24 hours, otherwise you risk serious side effects. You can take Sildenafil every day if needed.

How long do you need to take Sildenafil for?

You should only take Sildenafil when you need it to treat your erection problems and you want to have sex. If you do not have erectile dysfunction or you don’t want to have sex, you do not need to take sildenafil.

Sildenafil does not cure erectile dysfunction, so you may need to keep taking it to help support your erections. If your erectile dysfunction improves because of lifestyle changes or other factors, you may find you no longer need to use Sildenafil.