Sildenafil is used to treat erectile dysfunction (inability of a man to attain or maintain an erection).
This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.
Take Sildenafil exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
You may take this medicine with or without food. It is best to avoid taking this medicine with a high-fat meal. It should be taken 1 hour before your planned sexual activity.
Sildenafil is available as a conventional tablet, chewable tablet, orodispersible tablet and an orodispersible film.
If you are taking the conventional tablet, swallow it whole with a glass of water.
If you are taking the chewable tablets, it should be chewed thoroughly before swallowing.
If you are taking the orodispersible tablet, follow these steps:
- Remove it from the foil only just before you take it. Do not leave the orodispersible tablet exposed to air. Do not push the orodispersible tablet through the foil as it is fragile and easily broken.
- Remove the orodispersible tablet with dry hands by peeling the backing off the foil and tipping the tablet onto your dry hands.
- Place the orodispersible tablet directly on your tongue as soon as it is taken out of the foil. The orodispersible tablet will immediately start to melt on the tongue. It can then be swallowed with or without water.
Do not cut, break, or crush the orodispersible tablet.
If you are taking the orodispersible film, place it directly on your tongue as soon as it is taken out of the pouch. The orodispersible film will immediately start to dissolve on the tongue, with or without any water.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor depending on your response to the medication.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- recent heart attack or stroke
- low blood pressure
- heart failure (weakness and inability of the heart to pump blood)
- chest pain that occurs randomly or unexpectedly
- known serious eye problems that run in your family e.g. retinitis pigmentosa (rare inherited eye disease causing a slow loss of vision)
- vision loss due to a condition known as non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (lack of blood flow to the nerve at the back of the eye that connects to the brain)
- severe liver disease
as Sildenafil may not be suitable for you.
Do not take Sildenafil with medicines used to treat chest pain and pulmonary arterial hypertension (high blood pressure in the blood vessels leading to the lungs). Please see the section "Can I take this with other medicines?" below for more information.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- deformed penis shape
- blood disease e.g. leukaemia (cancer of the blood), sickle cell anaemia (a blood disorder that changes the shape of red blood cells from round flexible discs into stiff and sticky sickle or crescent moon cells which can slow or block blood flow)
- uncontrolled high blood pressure
- heart problems e.g. aortic stenosis (narrowing of the heart valves), abnormally thick heart muscle that results in blockage of blood flow
- active peptic ulcer (open sores in the lining of the stomach, small intestine, or lower food pipe)
- bleeding problems
- pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (a rare disease characterised by a blockage in the blood vessels of the lungs)
- mild to moderate liver disease
- kidney disease
Sildenafil is not indicated for use in women.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving this medicine to the elderly. Elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.
When you are taking Sildenafil, you may need to monitor your blood pressure and heart rate. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to do this.
Sildenafil may cause dizziness or visual disturbances. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
Other side effects include any of the following: headache, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, indigestion, muscle pain, back pain, tiredness, flushing, and blocked nose or sinuses.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- sudden chest pain, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath
- sudden decrease or loss of hearing which may be accompanied by dizziness or ringing in the ears
- sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes
- painful or prolonged erection (erection lasting for 4 hours or more)
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Do not take Sildenafil with the following medicines:
- medicines for chest pain e.g. nicorandil, isosorbide dinitrate, glyrceryl trinitrate
- riociguat (medicine used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension)
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicines for high blood pressure e.g. amlodipine, doxazosin
- ritonavir (medicine for HIV infection)
- erythromycin (certain antibiotic)
- rifampicin (medicine to treat TB, a lung infection known as tuberculosis)
- cimetidine (medicine that reduces stomach acid production)
- medicines to treat fungal infection e.g. itraconazole, ketoconazole
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Sildenafil.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Avoid excessive consumption of grapefruit or grapefruit juice (more than 1 litre a day).
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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