Sildenafil (sold as Viagra and others) is a medication used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) and heart disease. Sildenafil is a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor. It works by increasing blood flow to the penis and thus allowing for an erection. Sildenafil is typically taken orally as a tablet or dissolved in water and ingested orally. However, it can be administered nasally as a spray or eye drop for vision difficulties in men or women. This article will discuss how long you should expect sildenafil to last in your system after ingestion, as well as recommendations on how to take it maximally effective.
How Long Does It Take For Sildenafil To Work?
Sildenafil will start to affect your body within 15 to 20 minutes of ingestion. The drug can remain in your system for 3 to 4 hours. However, the effects will gradually wear off as your body produces more blood pressure medicines. In clinical studies, the effect of sildenafil lasted for more than 6 hours in half the participants and 3 to 4 hours in the other half. That being said, there’s no guarantee that it will stay effective for the entire duration. You can try taking it with food to increase its effectiveness (as with any drug).
When Should You Take Sildenafil?
The best time for you to take sildenafil is either 15 to 20 minutes before having sexual intercourse or at the same time as your meal. As with any medication, there are specific guidelines regarding the best time to take it. It has been shown that the drug remains effective for up to 4 hours if you take it at the same time with your meal. Having food in your stomach when taking a medication can increase the chances of it staying in your system for the entire duration. This is why it’s often better to take the drug 20 minutes before having sex. Doing so increases the odds of the medication remaining effective throughout the night. Moreover, eating food will increase the chances of your body repairing the damage done by the drug. This is why it’s important that you eat a healthy diet and avoid taking any diet pills or supplements before using sildenafil. They could potentially conflict with the effect of the drug and thus lower its effectiveness. Taking sildenafil on an empty stomach increases the chances of it being ineffective and thus unsafe. Also, taking the drug at a different time than usual (such as right before bedtime) could potentially decrease its effects as your body is already producing more blood pressure medicines as it’s going to bed. To increase the effectiveness of sildenafil, you should take it at the same time each day and follow the same dosing instructions as stated by your physician.
Is It Safe To Take Sildenafil With Alcohol Or Other Drugs?
Sildenafil has been proven safe to take with alcohol or other drugs. However, since it’s a blood pressure medication, you should not take it if you are drinking alcohol or using illicit drugs. Taking these substances could potentially lower the effects of sildenafil as they have similar effects on the body. Moreover, drinking alcohol could potentially cause you to experience rapid heart rate and low blood pressure, which is dangerous when taking a medication like this one. So, keep away from alcohol and other drugs if you are taking sildenafil and follow the instructions of your physician. Although there are no known drug interactions with sildenafil, you should consult your doctor if you are taking any other medication or if you are allergic to any ingredients in the drug. In some cases, patients have experienced a severe allergic reaction after taking sildenafil. Even though these reactions are rare, it’s still best to be sure before trying the medication.
Dosage And Storing
Like many other medications, sildenafil comes with common side effects (headaches, nose bleeds, dizziness, among others). The most common side effect of sildenafil is hypertension. Like any drug, there’s a possibility that you could develop a tolerance to it. In some cases, patients have experienced this adverse effect and had to discontinue using the drug. Before developing a tolerance to sildenafil, your physician will likely prescribe you a low dosage of the drug. Once you have developed a tolerance to it, your doctor will likely have to increase your dosage to maintain the desired effects. Because sildenafil remains in your system for a prolonged period of time, it’s advisable to follow up with your physician or pharmacologist at regular intervals to ensure you are taking the right dose for your body’s size and to monitor for any adverse reactions. Like any other medication, sildenafil should be stored at room temperature and away from direct heat and moisture.
Overdose
An overdose of sildenafil, just like any other medication, is a possibility. As with any medication, there’s a chance you could experience an overdose if you take too much of the drug. However, this type of reaction is extremely rare. In some cases, patients have experienced a sudden drop in blood pressure and thus needed emergency medical treatment. In these cases, the overdose was due to the patient taking a much higher dosage than prescribed by their physician. To reduce the chances of an overdose, always follow the instructions of your physician and take the medication as recommended. Never take more than what is recommended by your physician or attempt to self-diagnose and treat yourself with the medication without proper instructions from a medical professional. Finally, if you suspect you have overdosed, you should seek immediate medical help.
Indications And Contraindications
As with any medication, there are certain groups of people for whom it’s not recommended. If you are one of these individuals, you should not take sildenafil without first discussing it with your physician. These are the groups of people who should not use this medication:
- Those who are already on blood pressure medications,
- Those who are allergic to any medication in the sildenafil family,
- Those who have a history of penile fracture (particularly if this is a recurrent problem),
- Those who are prone to penile erection (particularly in the absence of sexual stimulation),
- and those who are taking any type of nitrate medication (including nitroglycerin).
It is also recommended that you consult your doctor before using any type of gel or moisture product with this medication. These products could potentially cause you to experience an extreme and unwanted reaction if you’re already taking sildenafil. Moreover, it’s not recommended that you use this medication if you are recently hospitalized or have a history of unstable angina or heart disease. In these cases, your doctor may have to take you off the medication or decrease your dosage to avoid potential complications.
It is also recommended that you not take sildenafil if you are taking any type of medication or supplement intended to treat or reduce body weight. In these cases, there’s a chance that the drug could interact with and thus lower the effects of the other medication. This is why most patients taking this drug are already on other medicines for blood pressure or heart disease.
Safety And Side Effect Warning
Like any other medication, sildenafil is toxic and potentially harmful if used incorrectly or in large doses. To reduce the risk of toxicity (especially in high doses), your physician will likely have to decrease your dose or stop you from using it. Like many other medications, sildenafil comes with some side effects. The side effects associated with sildenafil are headaches, nose bleeds, and flushing. The most common side effect is hypertension (increased blood pressure). In rare cases, patients have experienced other adverse effects including blurred vision, diarrhea, and lightheadedness. If you experience any adverse effects, discontinue use and contact your physician. If you suspect you’re experiencing an adverse effect, always follow the instructions of your physician. Finally, if you are taking any type of medication for hypertension, ensure they’re aware of your use of sildenafil and adjust your dosage accordingly.