Sildenafil Side Effects: What You Need to Know

Who Can/Cannot Take Sildenafil?

Men aged 18 or over can take Sildenafil for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. However, adults and children aged 1 year can take Sildenafil to combat pulmonary hypertension. Besides this, you must not take this medicine if you:

Are allergic to Sildenafil

Have stomach ulcer, hemophilia, liver/heart problems, low blood pressure (hypotension), or retinitis pigmentosa (genetic eye disease).

Are you taking medicines for angina/chest pain?

Have leukemia, sickle cell anemia (red blood cell abnormality), multiple myeloma (cancer of bone marrow), or a curved/deformed penis (Peyronie’s disease).

Sildenafil Side Effects

The most common side effects of Sildenafil are:

• Dyspepsia
• Diarrhea 
• Flushing
• Nausea 
• Headache 
• Numbness 
• Indigestion
• Visual disturbances
• Muscle or back pain
• Low blood pressure
• Nasal congestion
• Insomnia
• Runny nose
• Heartburn 
• Nose bleeding
• Light sensitivity 
• Sudden hearing loss

Rare/serious side effects of Sildenafil are:

• Painful erections
• Sudden loss of hearing 
• Dizziness/fainting 
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath 
• Rash
• Itching 
• Ringing in ears
• Sudden death 

If you experience severe side effects, consult your doctor immediately and report to the FDA Food and Drug Administration).

Effect of Sildenafil on Pregnancy, Fertility, And Breastfeeding

Let’s discuss the effect of Sildenafil on pregnancy, fertility, and breastfeeding!

Pregnancy

If you have pulmonary hypertension, consult your doctor and take Sildenafil throughout your pregnancy. Moreover, you should consult your doctor/pharmacist and ask them to provide you with additional care and review you in a specialized heart and pregnancy clinic.  

Fertility

The effect of Sildenafil on fertility is unknown. It is not clear whether Sildenafil reduces fertility in men or women. So, consult your pharmacist before trying it.

Breastfeeding

Sildenafil passes via breast milk in a small amount, so it does not cause any side effects. So, you can consume Sildenafil for pulmonary hypertension while breastfeeding.

However, if you notice changes in your baby's behavior, such as unusual sleep patterns, pale color, or flushing, consult your doctor.

Interaction of Sildenafil with Other Medicine

Sildenafil can interact with other medicines, resulting in low working and increased side effects. Sildenafil can also inhibit the activities of CYP1A2, CYP3A4, and CYP2C9.

Any drug that is a substrate of any of these enzymes can interact with Sildenafil. So to manage drug interaction, consult your doctor. The medicines that react with Sildenafil are:

• Alpha-blocker (doxazosin, alfuzosin, tamsulosin, prazosin, or terazosin)
• Nitrates ( isosorbide dinitrate, amyl nitrate, nitroglycerin, or isosorbide mononitrate)
• Alpha-agonist (methyldopa or clonidine)
• Antidepressant (sertraline, desipramine, or St. John's Wort)
• Antibiotics (clarithromycin, azithromycin, erythromycin, norfloxacin, metronidazole, rifabutin, tetracycline, or rifampin)
• Antifungal medication ( ketoconazole, itraconazole, or voriconazole)
• Blood thinner (warfarin)
• Beta-blocker (propranolol/atenolol)
• Cimetidine
• Epilepsy medication (oxcarbazepine, carbamazepine, phenytoin, or phenobarbital)
• Cystic fibrosis medication (ivacaftor)
• Other erectile dysfunction medications (Cialis, alprostadil, or vardenafil)
• HIV medication (delavirdine, atazanavir, efavirenz, indinavir, fosamprenavir, etravirine, nevirapine, ritonavir, or tipranavir)
• Heart medications (amiodarone, amlodipine, bosentan, atenolol, candesartan, clonidine, or captopril)
• Others include butalbital, aprepitant, cimetidine, riociguat, cyclosporine, or imatinib.

Storage and Disposal of Sildenafil

How to store Sildenafil? How to dispose of Sildenafil? Let’s jump into it!

Storage:

You must store Sildenafil in an air-tight container and out of reach of children. You can store Sildenafil tablets at room temperature, ensuring they are protected from moisture, light, and heat (but not in the bathroom). For Sildenafil suspension, you must store it in the refrigerator, but not in the freezer.

Disposal 

You must dispose of any unused Sildenafil suspension after 60 days. However, ensure that the disposal is out of reach of pets and other people. Do not discard the medicine in the toilet; the best way is to dispose of Sildenafil via a medicine take-back program.

The Verdict

Sildenafil is an effective way to treat pulmonary hypertension and erectile dysfunction. However, you must follow some precautionary measures and guidelines to ensure quick action and avoid any side effects. So, consult your doctor, improve your health, and give your life a new chance!

Frequently Asked Questions 

What Do You Feel When You First Take Sildenafil?

When you take Sildenafil for the first time, you may experience mild side effects, such as headache, dizziness, and flushing. However, these side effects settle within a few hours.

What Should You Monitor While Taking Sildenafil?

You should monitor your health while taking Sildenafil. If you experience mild side effects, allow them to subside within a few hours. If you experience serious health issues, consult your doctor.