Sildenafil Citrate

What is sildenafil?

Sildenafil makes muscles of the blood vessels that lead to certain regions of the body easier and thus increases blood flow to these regions.

Sildenafil in Viagra is an inhibitor of an enzyme phosphodiesterase 5 which is responsible for the treatment of male impotence (erectile dysfunction).

Another drug from the sildenafil line is Revatio, which is used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension and help in the improvement of exercise ability in both men and women.

Why it’s used

Sildenafil oral tablet is prescribed for men with ED and PAH. Branded oral tablets, however, are only available for one of the medical conditions and the generic pill is for both ailments.

Viagra:

This drug is used to treat ED(erectile dysfunction). In ED, however, you just can’t get or keep your erections.

Revatio:

This drug has an indication to treat PAH. PAH results in enhanced blood pressure in your lungs. The condition of your heart becomes very critical as it works hard to pump blood into the lungs.

Sildenafil uses

Sildenafil has become a common therapy in ED. Such individuals find it hard to achieve or continue a rigid erection. It is a common but, at the same time, many people find it a difficult topic to talk about.

Sildenafil contains the main ingredient as sildenafil citrate.The inactive ingredients include:

• microcrystalline cellulose
  
• anhydrous dibasic calcium phosphate
  
• croscarmellose sodium
  
• magnesium stearate
  
• hypromellose
  
• titanium dioxide
  
• lactose
  
• triacetin
  
• artificial colors
  

Sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra, is just one brand name option that may be used in other products that use different inactive ingredients for the formulation.

Besides this brand of sildenafil, another brand name medication is Revatio. Revatio is not only a drug to treat ED, but also to treat pulmonary hypertension.

A person is not allowed to buy sildenafil without having a prescription from a doctor who is based in the United States of America.

How sildenafil works

Sildenafil belongs to the group of medications that work by selectively inhibiting the activity of an enzyme called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5). Such drugs impede the activities of phosphodiesterase enzyme that breaks down the muscle-relaxing substances. This means more blood can get to the penis, and hence an erection.

However, sildenafil also has its limitations, since it does not cure ED but merely addresses the symptoms of the disease.

The likelihood of individuals develop adverse reactions to the drug is much higher whenever they take more than the prescribed dosage.

How to take sildenafil

The following table is not designed to provide an exhaustive list of dosages and drug forms. Your dosage, drug form, and how often you take the drug will depend on

• your age
  
• the condition being treated
  
• what the severity of your disease.
  
• other medical conditions may be present as well
  
• how you react to your first dose of the vaccine will be much different than the second dose.

Dosage for erectile dysfunction (ED)

Generic: Sildenafil

• Form: oral tablet
• Strengths: 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg

Brand: Viagra

• Form: oral tablet
• Strengths: 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

• Typical dosage: 50 mg, taken as needed about 1 hour before sexual activity. It can be taken 30 minutes to 4 hours before sexual activity.
• Maximum dosage: 100 mg once per day.

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

This drug has not been confirmed to be safe or effective in children younger than 18 years.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

Older adult`s kidneys, liver or heart could not function as well as they did before. It will have your body working all the more slowly in terms of the drugs. Consequently, a higher concentration of the drug will remain in your body system for a prolonged period of time. The higher the dosage, the riskier for you it is.

Your doctor might begin with a smaller dose of sildenafil to see how you tolerate the drug. This can also help lessen the chances of the drug getting stored at higher levels in your body.

Dosage for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)

Generic: Sildenafil

• Form: oral tablet
• Strengths: 20 mg

Brand: Revatio

• Form: oral tablet
• Strengths: 20 mg

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

• Typical dosage: 5 or 20 mg, taken three times per day about 4 to 6 hours apart
• Maximum dosage: 20 mg, taken three times per day about 4 to 6 hours apart

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

This drug shouldn’t be used in children younger than 18 years of age.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

Older people’s blood vessels may have become a bit narrower or the kidneys, liver, or heart may not function as well as before. This is why drugs may be absorbed and processed by your body at a slower rate. Therefore, a portion of the drug has more time to stay in your system. This is then more likely to lead to side effects.

The physician may reduce the amount of sildenafil you take as the first step in your treatment. This can be useful in preventing concentrations of that drug from raising in your body.