Skip to main content
Sildenafil FAQ's

Frequently asked questions about sildenafil (generic Viagra): its uses, side effects, and limitations.

Updated over 4 months ago

What does sildenafil do for a man?

Sildenafil treats erectile dysfunction in males (also called sexual impotence). Sildenafil belongs to a class of drugs known as phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors. These medications stop an enzyme known as phosphodiesterase type-5 from operating too rapidly. This enzyme functions in the penis, among other places. Sildenafil helps to sustain an erection after a man is sexually stimulated.

What happens when you take sildenafil?

Sildenafil is a member of the phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor class of medicines. Sildenafil treats erectile dysfunction by increasing blood flow into the penis after sexual stimulation. Increased blood flow into the penis may cause an erection. Sildenafil eases the symptoms of PAH by relaxing the blood vessels in the lungs. This lets the blood flow more freely through the lungs.

Is sildenafil the same as Viagra?

Viagra's active component is sildenafil citrate (the full name of the drug is sildenafil citrate). Sildenafil, which is the active ingredient in both Viagra and sildenafil, has the same effect on the body regardless of its formulation. The main differences between Viagra and sildenafil are the doses and prices, which can be very different.

How long does it take for a sildenafil to work?

This medication generally starts working for erectile dysfunction within 30 minutes after being taken. It works for up to 4 hours, while its action is generally reduced after 2 hours. Take sildenafil exactly as it is prescribed to reduce the risk of side effects. If sildenafil does not work well for you, contact your doctor, to learn about other treatment options.

Is it OK to take sildenafil every day?

You can take Viagra or its generic equivalent, sildenafil, daily. It is entirely up to you whether you should or not. Viagra should be used only once a day at most.

Because everyone is different, you should talk to your doctor about what's best for you. If you have high blood pressure, kidney disease, or a heart condition, for example, Viagra may not be safe for you. It may also have a harmful interaction with some other drugs.

Does sildenafil keep you hard after you ejaculate?

Yes, sildenafil may help you maintain an erection even after you ejaculate. However, if your erection lasts longer than 4 hours, you should consult a doctor immediately or use the rescue medication you were prescribed. Priapism or a prolonged erection might be a medical emergency, and it could harm your penis if an erection lasts too long.

Can normal men take sildenafil?

Sildenafil is an efficient and well-tolerated treatment for erectile dysfunction in men of all ages, particularly those over 75. Sildenafil belongs to the phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitor family of medicines. These drugs prevent an enzyme called phosphodiesterase type-5 from working too quickly. This enzyme is active, among other locations, in the penis. By reducing its activity, men can get and sustain an erection better.

How long can the average man stay erect?

A penile erection can last anywhere from a few minutes to roughly 30 minutes. Men usually have about five erections each night while they sleep, and each one lasts between 25 and 35 minutes.

Which is stronger: Viagra or sildenafil?

The active component in both Viagra and sildenafil is sildenafil. It belongs to a family of pharmaceuticals known as phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, or PDE5 inhibitors. Since both Viagra and sildenafil contain the same active ingredient, they have the same effect on your body. Viagra and generic sildenafil operate by boosting blood flow to the penis, making it easier to get an erection.

How long does sildenafil make you last?

How long a man keeps an erection going depends on a lot of things, like his overall health, mental health, and the environment. At its maximal dose, sildenafil normally lasts 4-6 hours. However, it is important to know that sildenafil and other ED medications will not stimulate an erection that lasts this long. A painful, prolonged erection due to blood sitting in the penis too long can affect the internal penile structure.

What happens if I take 100mg of sildenafil?

Your doctor may first prescribe Sildenafil 100mg, but it is more normal to start with 50mg and build up to 100mg if you're unsatisfied with the results. Sildenafil 100 mg is prescribed in the same manner as the 50 mg tablet, to be taken one hour before sex on an empty stomach. In clinical tests, the 100 mg tablet was 82% successful and the 50mg tablet was 74% successful. You may notice more side effects with the 100 mg tablet such as headache, facial flushing, nausea, and nasal congestion.

How much does sildenafil cost?

Viagra and Revatio are two brand names for sildenafil. Generic sildenafil is typically the most inexpensive.

How do you know if sildenafil is working?

Sildenafil takes about an hour to reach its full effect. If you eat a high-fat meal shortly before or after taking sildenafil, it may take slightly longer. You will only notice its effect if you find that it is easier to get and sustain an erection. Sildenafil does not cause an erection on its own, and it does not affect sex drive or libido.

How do you feel after taking sildenafil?

Sildenafil will not affect how you feel. It is only intended to increase blood flow into the penis to make it easier to get and sustain an erection. Sildenafil does not affect your sex drive or libido.

Sildenafil, like many prescription drugs, may have certain side effects for some users. Common Viagra side effects include headaches, nasal congestion, and face flushing.

Can I take sildenafil at night?

Yes, sildenafil can be taken at night. It is intended to be taken 30 minutes before sexual activity, regardless of the time of day. Researchers found that sildenafil, when compared to a placebo, increased nocturnal erectile in most people who had good sleep efficiency and erectile dysfunction. More research is planned to determine whether nighttime sildenafil dosing may reduce erectile dysfunction.

Can You Take sildenafil 2 days in a row?

Sildenafil pills for erectile dysfunction are available in a variety of strengths ranging from 25mg to 100mg. You can take sildenafil two days in a row, as long as your doctor does not tell you that you shouldn’t for some reason. Do not take more than one pill in a 24-hour period. Depending on how well sildenafil works for you, your doctor may increase or decrease your sildenafil dose.

Can you drink alcohol while taking sildenafil?

Sildenafil can lower your blood pressure, and taking this medication with alcohol may enhance this effect. Symptoms such as dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, flushing, headache, and heart palpitations are more probable. While using sildenafil, you should avoid or restrict your use of alcohol and exercise caution while rising from a sitting or lying posture.

Does sildenafil increase size?

Sildenafil increases blood flow into the penis, so temporarily the penis may look and feel larger. However, it does not increase the size of the penis. Penis size is determined by genetics and other factors. Medications cannot make the penis larger.

What is the best medicine to last longer in bed?

Sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn), tadalafil (Cialis), and avanafil (Stendra) are ED oral drugs that treat erectile dysfunction by increasing the effects of nitric oxide, a naturally occurring molecule in the body that relaxes penile muscles. This boosts blood flow, allowing you to get an erection in response to sexual stimulation.

Premature ejaculation is different from ED. However, phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, which are used to treat ED, may also help with premature ejaculation.

What tablets can I take to last longer in bed?

Talk to your doctor to determine whether you need a treatment for erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, or decreased libido. There are options to treat any and all of these. Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, like sildenafil, may treat both erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation.

Who should not use sildenafil?

Sildenafil is not appropriate for everyone. Men who have a history of an allergic reaction to sildenafil or any of its components or are taking nitrates for heart disease, should not take sildenafil. Before using sildenafil, see your doctor or pharmacist if you have any of the following conditions:

  • Heart disease

  • Liver disease

  • History of a stroke

  • Low blood pressure

  • Retinitis pigmentosa

  • Sickle cell disease

  • Leukemia

  • Multiple myeloma

  • Peyronie’s disease

  • Bleeding ulcer

  • Bleeding disorder

How many times can a man have an erection in a day?

Erection frequency and duration vary widely. Most men have an erection that lasts from a few minutes to half an hour. Men may get erections spontaneously throughout the day and night. Nocturnal erections are more common during REM sleep and may occur 3–5 times throughout the night.

Why do men get erections in the mornings?

Testosterone levels are at their peak first thing in the morning, just after awakening from rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. High testosterone levels may be enough to generate an erection even without stimulation.

Why do I keep losing my erection?

Erectile dysfunction has many potential causes. To get an erection, the brain, nerves, muscles, hormones, and circulatory system all have to work together. Psychological conditions, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, nerve damage, and aging are all common contributors to ED.

Which brand of sildenafil is best?

Generic sildenafil and Viagra are both safe and effective. Their active ingredients are the same, but the prices can be very different.

Is sildenafil sold over the counter?

Sildenafil is only available by prescription. It is not sold over the counter. Prescription medications can interact with other medications and may not be a great choice for people with certain health conditions. Talk to your doctor about erectile dysfunction to learn whether it is a good choice for you.

What is the brand name for sildenafil?

The brand name for sildenafil is Viagra. Both medications contain identical active ingredients and have the same safety and effectiveness. Sildenafil belongs to a group of drugs known as phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors. This class of medications increases blood flow into the penis to help men get and keep an erection.

Which drug is better than sildenafil?

Tadalafil and sildenafil are both popular medications used to traet erectile dysfunction. They have similar efficacy and safety. Tadalafil has two dosage options, as needed and a once-a-day dose. In one study, tadalafil was preferred by patients and their partners because of this dosing option.

Do you need a prescription for sildenafil?

Yes. Both Viagra and generic sildenafil require a prescription. However, with telehealth, you can meet with a doctor online and have your medication delivered to you. Let your doctor know about any medical problems you may have and all prescription and non-prescription medications you are taking.

Sildenafil, like other drugs, has a range of potential side effects. Some of these potentially dangerous but unusual side effects include increased heart disease risk, particularly for people with previous cardiovascular issues; prolonged erections and priapism; eyesight and hearing loss; low blood pressure; and sexual dysfunction.

What happens if you take sildenafil and don't need it?

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is appropriately treated with sildenafil, but sometimes men may choose to take sildenafil when they don’t need it. Doing so can lead to psychological dependence on the medication. It also gives you the potential risks associated with the medication, without the benefits.

How long does sildenafil last 100 mg?

Sildenafil, regardless of the dose, lasts up to about four hours. As the drug is metabolized, it is not expected to be as potent at four hours after a dose as it is at two hours. Sildenafil reaches a peak concentration about 60 minutes after you take it.

What is the best drink for erectile dysfunction?

There are a few drinks that have some scientific evidence to support the possibility that they may help with erectile function by increasing blood flow into the penis. They include:

  • Pomegranate juice

  • Beet juice

  • Milk

  • Berry juices

  • Tea

  • Coffee

Does caffeine affect sildenafil?

Moderate coffee consumption may reduce symptoms of erectile dysfunction, according to a 2015 study. Drinking two to three cups of coffee each day may reduce the risk of ED. However, drinking even more coffee or none at all was not beneficial. The results of this study were contradicted in another study, suggesting the relationship between coffee consumption and ED may be coincidental.

Can a woman use sildenafil?

Sildenafil is not currently FDA-approved to treat female sexual dysfunction, yet it is used off-label for this purpose. Sildenafil increases blood flow to the genitals, which can help women who have problems with sexual arousal.

Sildenafil is also used to treat PAH (pulmonary arterial hypertension) symptoms in both men and women. This type of hypertension occurs between the heart and the lungs. When pulmonary hypertension develops, the heart has to work harder to get enough blood through the lungs. Sildenafil acts on the PDE5 enzyme in the lungs to relax blood vessels. This boosts blood flow to the lungs while reducing the workload on the heart.

Can sildenafil cause permanent damage?

Like all medications, sildenafil has side effects. The most common side effects are headache, flushing, and stomach upset. It can also cause priapism, a prolonged painful erection, and vision and hearing changes, which may be serious and permanent.

Why does sildenafil stop working?

Sildenafil's potency might wane over time owing to changes in your body or changes in your health. If this occurs, switch to another phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor or another treatment option for ED, such as penile injections.

What is the best way to take sildenafil?

Sildenafil should be swallowed whole with a glass of water or other liquid, but not grapefruit juice. Sildenafil works best if taken on an empty stomach, 30 minutes to an hour before sex.

How can I make sildenafil work faster?

To make sildenafil work quicker, take it on an empty stomach with a full glass of water. A high-fat meal can delay the absorption of sildenafil. Ensure that you are taking the prescribed dose and that the medication is not past its expiration date.

Why is my 50 mg Viagra not working?

Viagra has three different dosage strengths: 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg. The most common initial dose is 50 mg. Still, your healthcare practitioner will choose the optimal dosage depending on your medical history, current health, and any medications or supplements you take. If Viagra isn't working for you, you might need to up your dosage.

Can you take sildenafil daily?

Yes, you can take sildenafil daily. Sildenafil should be taken as per your doctor's instructions. Do not use more of it or use it more frequently than your doctor has prescribed. The risk of adverse effects increases when too much is consumed.

Sildenafil comes with specific patient instructions. Read the directions carefully before you start taking sildenafil and every time you get a refill.

How effective is Viagra?

Sildenafil, an oral phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor, has been widely studied in randomized controlled trials for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Sildenafil is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for erectile dysfunction in men of all ages, including men over the age of 75.

How should I take sildenafil for best results?

Take sildenafil as prescribed by your doctor. For best results, take sildenafil on an empty stomach 30 minutes to an hour before sex. Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. Sildenafil works for about 4 hours, but you must be sexually stimulated to see results.

Does sildenafil work the first time?

Viagra may not work the first time for everyone, so ensuring you're sexually aroused will increase the probability of it working for you. When it does begin to act, its effects can continue for up to 3 or 4 hours. An erection should never continue for more than four hours; if it does, seek medical attention.

Is mood a side effect of sildenafil?

Sildenafil can cause lightheadedness, depression, anxiety, sleeplessness, abnormal dreams, behavior changes, and nervousness. In very rare cases, it can cause psychosis. Headache, skin flushing, upset stomach, and nasal congestion are the most common side effects.

What is the benefit of sildenafil?

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common problem that can be caused by a number of things, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, dyslipidemia, diabetes, low testosterone, certain medications, and pelvic surgery. Sildenafil can treat ED and increase a man’s quality of life. It is generally well-tolerated and has a good safety profile.

Can a healthy person take sildenafil?

Sildenafil has very few benefits for healthy men who do not have erectile dysfunction. It should not be used for recreational purposes. Even though sildenafil is usually thought to be safe, it can cause side effects, some of which can be serious.

Does Viagra cause liver disease?

At least five cases of acute liver damage have been linked to sildenafil use, but there have been no cases of acute liver failure. Researchers described the risk of liver disease as rare, and they are not entirely convinced that it is related to sildenafil use.

What is the strongest mg of sildenafil?

The highest FDA-approved dose of sildenafil is 100 mg. Higher doses may have higher rates of effectiveness, but they are also more likely to cause side effects.

Can Viagra cause a blood clot?

Viagra was initially developed to treat heart disease by increasing blood flow to the heart. Researchers have since discovered that men who take Viagra and have an injured blood vessel lining may be at increased risk for blood clots. More research is needed.

Did this answer your question?