In this Article:
01: What should sildenafil do?02: How effective is sildenafil?03: How common are sildenafil side effects?04: Who is at a high risk of experiencing side effects?05: What are the most common side effects of sildenafil?06: What are the rare side effects of sildenafil?07: How can the side effects of sildenafil be reduced?08: Is sildenafil the right treatment for you?09: Advice and information to help erectile dysfunctionWhat should sildenafil do?
Sildenafil is designed to enable men with erectile dysfunction to achieve or maintain an erection once sexually stimulated.
It should work within 30-60 minutes of taking the medication and last for 4-5 hours. This gives men enough time to engage in sexual activity before the effects start to wear off.
How effective is sildenafil?
Sildenafil works for up to 82% of men, making it an effective impotence treatment for most men.
Sildenafil comes in dosages of 25mg, 50mg, and 100mg.
Higher dosages have resulted in greater effectiveness, but also an increase in men who experienced side effects.
The most common starting dosage for sildenafil is 50mg, as it is often the most effective amount with the fewest side effects.
Your GP can increase or decrease your dosage depending on the effects that the starting dosage has had on you.
How common are sildenafil side effects?
Sildenafil is usually well tolerated in men deemed suitable for sildenafil medication.
It is also considered safe to use sildenafil as a long-term treatment for erectile dysfunction.
While the side effects are uncommon in most men, it is still best to know what to do if you experience rare side effects.
Who is at a high risk of experiencing side effects?
If you have any health conditions or have experienced side effects previously, your GP may prescribe the lowest dosage of sildenafil if you are still eligible for the treatment.
Certain health conditions and medications can interact with sildenafil, and your GP or pharmacist may decide that it’s not safe for you to take it at all.
You must not take sildenafil if you are allergic to any of the ingredients, have a severe liver or heart problem, have recently had a stroke or heart attack, have NAION (non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy), or have a rare inherited eye disease.
You also shouldn’t take sildenafil if you are taking nitrates, riociguat, or other erectile dysfunction medication, as you are at high risk of experiencing an interaction.
What are the most common side effects of sildenafil?
Common side effects are those that are seen in more than 10% of men.
The most common side effect of sildenafil medication is a headache.
Mild headaches can be managed for some men, but you should always report any side effects to your GP if they are causing you problems.
Common side effects (which may affect up to 10% of men) include nausea, hot flushes, indigestion, blurred vision, runny nose, and dizziness.
If you’re experiencing any of these common side effects, it’s best to book an appointment with your GP straight away to see if you need to reduce your dosage or switch treatments.
What are the rare side effects of sildenafil?
Rare side effects (may affect up to 0.10% of men) include fainting, stroke, heart attack, irregular heartbeat, tight throat, numb mouth, eye swelling or bleeding, penile bleeding, nose swelling, vision problems, vision loss, chest pain, erection lasting more than 4 hours (priapism), irritability, and a sudden loss of hearing.
If you experience rare side effects, seek emergency medical attention immediately, as these could indicate a serious condition.
How can the side effects of sildenafil be reduced?
The lowest dosage of sildenafil (25mg) has shown a decrease in men who experienced side effects.
If you have experienced side effects from the 50mg dosage, switching to 25mg could help you reduce the occurrence of sildenafil’s side effects.
Staying hydrated can reduce headaches. Avoid heavy meals before taking sildenafil, as this can delay its effectiveness. Start with the lowest effective dose and gradually increase if needed.
You should also avoid grapefruit juice as this is known to cause an interaction.
Is sildenafil the right treatment for you?
A consultation with your GP or pharmacist will determine if you are eligible for sildenafil treatment.
If you have no known allergies or health conditions and aren’t taking any medication that would put you at risk of experiencing side effects, sildenafil could be a good option.
Medications that may cause a risk of side effects include nitrates (often prescribed for chest pain) and alpha-blockers (used for high blood pressure or prostate issues). These medications may cause a drop in blood pressure if combined with sildenafil, leading to fainting or even a heart attack, which is why an initial consultation with a GP or pharmacist is essential.
Sildenafil is a popular medication for erectile dysfunction as it is generally effective and well-tolerated.
At Pharmacy2U, we have a range of guides on erectile dysfunction (ED) and the available treatments if you would like to learn more.
