The History and Development of Sildenafil
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), Rockville, MD.
- Sildenafil is a popular choice for men seeking non-invasive ED therapy.
- It's important to have realistic expectations about sildenafil's effects.
- The medication does not increase libido but improves blood flow.
- Patients should limit alcohol consumption when using sildenafil.
- It is recommended to consult a doctor if ED persists despite medication.
- Sildenafil can be used as part of a comprehensive ED treatment plan.
- The medication should be taken approximately an hour before planned activity.
- Some patients experience no side effects at prescribed doses.
- Always confirm that sildenafil is stored properly to maintain efficacy.
- Report any unusual symptoms, such as chest pain or vision loss, immediately.
Read more about the ClinCalc DrugStats database. All ClinCalc DrugStats figures and graphs on this page are licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0). Sildenafil is a treatment for erectile dysfunction. It works by increasing blood flow to your penis. The brand name for this medication canada sildenafil is Viagra®. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission.
- Sildenafil has been shown to aid men with diabetes-related ED.
- The drug may also reduce blood pressure temporarily.
- Some men may not respond to sildenafil due to various health factors.
- It is recommended to take sildenafil on an empty stomach for faster effects.
- Overdose symptoms include dizziness, fainting, and pain in the chest.
- Sildenafil should not be used with other erectile dysfunction medications simultaneously.
- Patients should inform their doctor if they experience prolonged erections.
- Certain medical conditions require cautious use of sildenafil.
- The medication can sometimes cause changes in color perception.
- Always check the expiration date before using sildenafil pills.
We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. SILDENAFIL (sil DEN a fil) treats erectile dysfunction (ED).
What special precautions should I follow?
"Days supply" is defined as the number of days that a prescription should last. For example, a prescription of 60 tablets that is taken twice daily has a day supply of 30 days. Drug synonyms are used during the sanitation and standardization process of "cleaning" the original data source (MEPS). Occassionally, brand names may be listed below that are no longer on the market or are very infrequently used. Prescription data source: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) 2014-2023. It works by increasing blood flow to the penis, which helps to maintain an erection. This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions. They need to know if you have any of these conditions: History of blood diseases, such as sickle cell anemia or leukemia Stomach ulcers, other stomach or intestine problems An unusual or allergic reaction to sildenafil, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives Take this medication by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. The dose is usually taken 1 hour before sexual activity.
| Product | Dosage | Quantity + Bonus | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viagra Generic | 100mg | 180 + 8 Pills | 199.37€ 189.88€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 50mg | 120 + 6 Pills | 129.64€ 123.47€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 150mg | 270 + 10 Pills | 326.61€ 311.06€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 25mg | 180 + 6 Pills | 154.93€ 147.55€ | |
| Kamagra Soft Tabs | 100mg | 12 Pills | 57.55€ 54.81€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 200mg | 30 + 2 Pills | 83.07€ 79.11€ | |
| Kamagra Oral Jelly | 100mg | 110 + 9 Sachets | 334.87€ 318.92€ | |
| Kamagra Soft Tabs | 100mg | 20 Pills | 79.79€ 75.99€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 150mg | 90 + 6 Pills | 147.18€ 140.17€ | |
| Kamagra | 100mg | 120 + 6 Pills | 330.74€ 314.99€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 200mg | 270 + 10 Pills | 379.76€ 361.68€ | |
| Kamagra Oral Jelly | 100mg | 10 Sachets | 54.55€ 51.95€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 25mg | 270 + 8 Pills | 184.26€ 175.49€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 25mg | 120 + 6 Pills | 125.56€ 119.58€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 100mg | 360 + 10 Pills | 330.21€ 314.49€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 150mg | 360 + 10 Pills | 423.48€ 403.31€ |
You should not take the dose more than once per day. Do not take your medication more often than directed. Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children.
Side Effects
Give this drug as ordered by your child’s doctor. Give this drug with or without food. Keep giving this drug to your child as you have been told by your child’s doctor or other health care provider, even if your child feels well. Be sure you know what type of measuring device to use and how to measure the dose. If you are not sure, talk with the doctor or pharmacist.
What should I know about sildenafil before taking it?
Give a missed dose as soon as you think about it. If it is close to the time for your child’s next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your child’s normal time. Do not give 2 doses at the same time or extra doses. Call your child’s doctor to find out what to do. Store at room temperature or in a refrigerator. This medication is not used in children for this condition. Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once. NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others. Do not take double or extra doses. Do not take this medication with any of the following: Nitrates, such as amyl nitrite, isosorbide dinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate, nitroglycerin This medication may also interact with the following: Other medications may affect the way this medication works. Talk with your care team about all of the medications you take. They may suggest changes to your treatment plan to lower the risk of side effects and to make sure your medications work as intended. This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine. Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. Tell your care team if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse. Tell your care team right away if you have any change in your eyesight or hearing. This medication may affect your coordination, reaction time, or judgment.
| Form | Description | Advantages |
|---|---|---|
| Tablets | Standard pill | Easy to dose, portable |
| Orally Disintegrating Tablets | Dissolves on tongue | No water needed, discreet |
| Liquid | Sildenafil solution | Easier for those with swallowing issues |
| Topical Gel | External application (experimental) | Potential local effects |
Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you. Sit up or stand slowly to reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Drinking alcohol with this medication can increase the risk of these side effects.
Pregnancy & Lactation
This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at "Rank" refers to the frequency that a given medication is prescribed within a calendar year compared to all other medications. A rank of "4" would indicate that the medication was the fourth most commonly prescribed medication.
How is this drug best given?
Cost Per Prescription Fill: Average cost per filled prescription regardless of how many days of therapy the prescription is filled for (e.g. 10 days, 30 days, 90 days, etc.) Cost per Day of Therapy: The average cost per prescription fill divided by the days of therapy. For example, a 10-day antibiotic course costing $30 would be $3 per day. Similarly, a 30-day supply of an oral antihypertensive costing $30 would be $1 per day. Total cost: The average total cost of the medication including the out-of-pocket cost (see below) plus the amount paid by other parties (Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, Veterans Administration, TRICARE, other state/federal sources, Worker's compensation, and other miscellaneous sources) Out-of-pocket cost: The average payment made by the patient which may include deductibles, coinsurance, copayments, or the cash price paid without insurance coverage. Contact your care team right away if you have an erection that lasts longer than 4 hours or if it becomes painful. This may be a sign of a serious problem and must be treated right away to prevent permanent damage. If you experience symptoms of nausea, dizziness, chest pain or arm pain upon initiation of sexual activity after taking this medication, you should refrain from further activity and call your care team as soon as possible. Using this medication does not protect you or your partner against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Metrics & Citations
Throw away any unused part 60 days after this drug was mixed. Talk with your pharmacist if you are not sure when this is. Store at room temperature in a dry place. If you need to store this drug at home, talk with your child’s doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about how to store it. Keep all drugs in a safe place.
Raynaud's phenomenon
Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area. If your child’s symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your child’s doctor. Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible: Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat Heart attack—pain or tightness in the chest, shoulders, arms, or jaw, nausea, shortness of breath, cold or clammy skin, feeling faint or lightheaded Heart rhythm changes—fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, chest pain, trouble breathing Low blood pressure—dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, blurry vision Stroke—sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, trouble speaking, confusion, trouble walking, loss of balance or coordination, dizziness, severe headache, change in vision Sudden vision loss in one or both eyes Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome): This list may not describe all possible side effects. Keep out of reach of children and pets. Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F).
Chemical synthesis
Do not share your child’s drug with others and do not give anyone else’s drug to your child. Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your child’s doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider. If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
Patient resources
This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. Throw away any unused medication after the expiration date. It may not cover all possible information.
- Sildenafil can sometimes cause flushing and nasal congestion.
- It is not a cure for erectile dysfunction, only a treatment option.
- Psychological factors can also affect erectile performance alongside medication.
- Sildenafil may sometimes interact with foods that contain high fat content.
- Regular exercise and stress management can complement treatment with sildenafil.
- The medication should be stored safely out of children's reach.
- Reporting side effects to a healthcare provider is important for safety.
- Sildenafil is typically started at a low dose, gradually increased if needed.
- It is important to follow the prescribed timing for medication intake.
- Discontinuing sildenafil should be discussed with a healthcare professional.
If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.
| Year | Milestone | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Discovery of Sildenafil | Originally researched for angina |
| 1996 | First clinical trials for ED | Revealed benefits for erectile function |
| 1998 | FDA approval for erectile dysfunction treatment | First oral pill approved |
| 2003 | Launch of generic sildenafil in various markets | Increased accessibility |
Sign up for our Health Essentials emails for expert guidance on nutrition, fitness, sleep, skin care and more. Note: Introduction and Additional Common Questions written and medically approved by Cleveland Clinic professionals. Sildenafil is commonly used for the following conditions. Erectile dysfunction, a condition where you have trouble getting or keeping an erection Pulmonary arterial hypertension, a condition where you have high blood pressure in the blood vessels that carry blood from your heart to your lungs Sildenafil may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
- Manforce 50mg (Sildenafil Citrate)
- Manufacturer Savings Card for Sildenafil Citrate
- 6 ADVERSE REACTIONS
- Kamagra (Sildenafil) 50mg 4 Tablets
- ¿Cuáles son las diferencias entre Viagra, Cialis, Levitra y Stendra?
- Der Unterschied zwischen Sildenafil Pfizer® und anderen Erektion Förderern
- Preguntas relacionadas
Copyright © 後藤純男美術館