How to take Sildenafil Citrate Tablets?

How to take Sildenafil?

Being a vasodilatation pharmaceutical drug, Sildenafil is quite a strong medication that calls for much alertness while using. Let us understand in detail how to take Sildenafil. 

(A) Instructions regarding Dosage Forms  

1. How to take Sildenafil Tablets 

You should always swallow the tablets as a whole, with a glass of water or juice except grapefruit juice, and never break or chew them. 

Note: For erectile dysfunction, it’s best to take sildenafil on an empty stomach. It may take longer to work if you take it with food.

2. How to use Sildenafil liquid 

If you or your child are taking sildenafil as a liquid, 1ml is usually the same as taking a 10 mg tablet, but it’s important to always check the medicine label.

(B) Instructions regarding Dosage Strengths/ Power

1. Right Dosage strength of Sildenafil for erectile dysfunction

Sildenafil tablets for erectile dysfunction come in different strengths or power ranging from 25 mg to 100 mg. The usual dose power is 50 mg when you need it. The dose power can be increased to 100 mg or decreased to 25 mg depending on its effect.

2. Right Dosage strength of Sildenafil for pulmonary hypertension

Sildenafil tablets for pulmonary hypertension come in 10 mg and 20 mg strengths.

How often can you take Sildenafil?

• When you are taking Sildenafil for treating ED symptoms, do not take it more than once a day. Take sildenafil up to 4 hours before you want to have sex. For sildenafil to work properly, you’ll need to be sexually excited.
• In case you are taking Sildenafil for pulmonary hypertension, the usual adult dose is 20mg taken three times a day. Doses for children can range from 10mg to 20mg taken three times a day, depending on their weight. Do not feed it more than three times a day.

However, every patient should first go through a proper diagnosis before starting this medication. Things like choosing the dosage form and power/strengths, how often can you take Sildenafil, and ways of usage should be exactly as per the doctor’s recommendations.  

Sildenafil Interactions with other drugs: Which drugs to avoid?

The pharmaceutical drugs that one needs to avoid while taking Sildenafil, in order to avoid severe interactions and side effects are as follows: 

• Medications based on nitrates, such as isosorbide mononitrate (Monoket) and nitroglycerin (Nitrostat)
• Blood pressure or prostate drugs, such as calcium channel blockers, or alpha-blockers,  
• Certain pulmonary hypertension drugs, such as riociguat (Adempas)
• Protease inhibitors, a class of HIV medications
• Antifungal drugs, such as ketoconazole and itraconazole (Onmel, Sporanox)
• Antibacterial drugs, such as clarithromycin (Biaxin)
• Anticoagulants
• Antihistamines
• Benzodiazepines
• Cardioselective beta blockers
• Corticosteroids
• Gamma-aminobutyric acid analogs
• Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid
• Miscellaneous analgesics
• Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
• Other PDE5 inhibitors
• Statins
• Stimulants
• Selective Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SSNRIs)
• Vitamins- B12, C and D

What if a Sildenafil dose is missed?

In case you are taking Sildenafil for pulmonary hypertension and forget to take a dose, you may take it as soon as you remember unless it’s nearly time for your next dose. 

But in case it is already time for the next dose, you should just leave out the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time.

You should never take two doses in a single go or take an extra dose to make up for the forgotten dosage.

Sildenafil Interaction with Alcohol

Effects of PDE5 inhibitors like Sildenafil might get adversely affected by alcohol. know how alcohol affects a man sexually. 

Sildenafil Interaction with Food

Heavy meals or high-fat-content meals should be avoided taking with Sildenafil; as it might slow down the effects of this medication. Know about the foods that interact adversely with one’s ED medications like Sildenafil, and hence, should be avoided. 

When to consult a doctor? 

One should always consult an authorized doctor or medical practitioner before consuming this medication, as it may react differently for different people. Also, it might inflict different side effects on some, hence they should go for an immediate consultation to deal with the issues in the most appropriate way.  

You may also read:

• Drinks to Last Longer in Bed
• Kegal Exercises for men to last longer
• Pelvic floor Muscle excercises
• Diabetes and Erectile Dysfunction