Since its discovery in the 1990s, the drug known as Sildenafil has changed the lives of hundreds of thousands of men whom it has helped to regain sexual function. Most people today are extremely fortunate to have found this drug. However, not all men are so lucky, as there are dangerous side effects that come with this wonderful substance. One such side effect is low blood pressure. This article will go over some of the basics of Sildenafil so that you can understand what it is and how it works.
Sildenafil Citrate: What Is It?
SILDENAFIL CITRATE (sildenafil citrate) is a prescription drug used to treat erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension. It is a combination of SILDENAFIL (sildenafil) and CITRATE (citrate) which helps to improve the effects of SILDENAFIL. Sildenafil Citrate is manufactured by the company, Pfizer and is available in both oral and topical forms. It is a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (PDE-5i), which is an enzyme that causes cGMP (cyclic guanosine monophosphate) synthesis to decrease in the corpus cavernosum in the penis (for more information on PDEs and cGMP, refer to the Wikipedia article on phosphodiesterase and cyclic GMP). As a result of this decreased cGMP synthesis, blood vessels in the penis dilate, which increases blood flow into the penis and results in an erection. Sildenafil Citrate is highly effective for treating erectile dysfunction and has been proven to help men who struggle with this problem maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse. It can also act as a prophylactic treatment to avoid erectile dysfunction in men who have already suffered from this condition. In the US, Sildenafil Citrate is marketed as Revatio and is prescribed by doctors for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in men or the promotion of female sexual pleasure. In Canada, it is advertised as Viagra Super Active and is prescribed by physicians for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in men. Sildenafil Citrate is also available in Japan for the treatment of erectile dysfunction and in Europe for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (for more information on the approved uses of Sildenafil Citrate in different countries, refer to the prescribing information published by Pfizer).
How Fast Does It Work?
SILDENAFIL CITRATE is an effective and reliable ED (erectile dysfunction) medication, whose effect on patients is extremely quick and visible. It works by increasing the flow of blood to the penis, which in turn causes an erection. The medication is very selective in its action, specifically targeting only the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) enzyme found in the penis and not other parts of the body. Most patients report that SILDENAFIL CITRATE gives them an erection in under a minute and the effects last for about half an hour. For those men who have trouble getting and maintaining an erection, SILDENAFIL CITRATE is a godsend as it allows them to get back into the saddle and continue their traditional sex lives with their respective partners. For men who have suffered from ED for a long time, the medication can be very effective at reversing the negative effects of aging and allowing them to live life to the fullest. In clinical trials, SILDENAFIL CITRATE has been shown to increase the duration of erections and improve the ability of men with ED to complete sexual acts. The effect of the drug is also visible within minutes of taking it and lasts for about half an hour. Like all other PDE-5 inhibitors, SILDENAFIL CITRATE is highly effective for treating erectile dysfunction and has been proven to help men who struggle with this problem maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse. SILDENAFIL CITRATE is also a first-rate medication for those men who have trouble getting and maintaining an erection due to health problems or taking certain medications. The manufacturer of SILDENAFIL, Pfizer, specifically warns against the use of the drug in combination with other ED medications or with insulin or any other hypoglycemic medication, as this could lead to potentially dangerous side effects. In clinical trials, the combination of SILDENAFIL CITRATE with either vardenafil or tadalafil has been shown to be more effective than either medication alone in treating ED. The combination of SILDENAFIL CITRATE with vardenafil has also been proven to be more effective than sildenafil plus vardenafil in treating moderate to severe ED in previously untreatable patients. Men who have diabetes and take certain blood pressure medications should also note that concomitant use of SILDENAFIL CITRATE and these medications may lead to an irregular heartbeat or low blood pressure. It is also imperative to avoid alcohol while taking this drug as it can potentially negate its effects.
Is It Safe To Take?
Since SILDENAFIL CITRATE is a medication, it is very important to remember that, just like with any other medication, it is not safe to take if you are allergic to it or if you have certain disorders that may be triggered or worsened by the substance. Some of the more common disorders that SILDENAFIL CITRATE triggers or worsens are asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart disease. Men with any of these conditions should not take SILDENAFIL CITRATE as it may lead to medical complications. Symptoms of an allergic reaction to SILDENAFIL CITRATE include facial dermatitis, hives, skin redness, tongue swelling and difficulty breathing. The safest and most effective way to avoid these unfortunate complications is to prevent yourself from getting into them in the first place. By being aware of your own medical history, you can be sure that you are not at risk of suffering from any serious side effects due to medication use and will be able to enjoy the beneficial effects of SILDENAFIL CITRATE without worry. While SILDENAFIL CITRATE is generally safe to use and well tolerated, it is not completely without risk and as with any other medication, there is an element of danger that comes with it. Always inform your doctor of any drug allergies you may have before taking SILDENAFIL CITRATE, as he will need to know about them to protect you from any potential complications.
Does It Have Any Side Effects?
SILDENAFIL CITRATE has been shown to have mild to moderate side effects and while most people experience none, a small number of patients have reported the following:
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Rash
- Diarrhea
- Nasal congestion
- Sore throat
- Pain in the arms or legs
- Tingling sensation
- Facial flushing
- Dry mouth
- Heartburn
- Difficulty breathing
- Back pain
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Tinnitus
- Ringing in the ears
- Stuffy nose
- Decreased sexual desire
These are all fairly common side effects and while some are potentially dangerous, like headache, dizziness and difficulty breathing, most are not. In the vast majority of cases, patients treated with SILDENAFIL CITRATE experience no side effects at all aside from the wonderful feeling of increased sexual function that comes with the drug. It is also important to remember that while SILDENAFIL CITRATE is generally safe to use and well tolerated, it is not completely without risk and as with any other medication, there is an element of danger that comes with it. If you are considering taking it, then it is imperative that you inform your doctor of any existing medical conditions you may have as he will need to know about them to protect you from any potential complications.