Short Description
Sildenafil 50 mg Tablets are a prescription medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction in adult men. Sildenafil belongs to the PDE5 inhibitor class and helps increase blood flow to the penis in response to sexual stimulation. It is taken by mouth as needed.
What Is Sildenafil 50 mg Tablets?
Each tablet contains 50 mg of sildenafil, present as sildenafil citrate. Sildenafil is a PDE5 inhibitor, a medicine that supports the body's natural erection process.
Erectile dysfunction is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual activity. Sildenafil does not cause an erection on its own and does not act as a treatment for the underlying cause, so sexual stimulation is required for it to work.
Uses
Sildenafil 50 mg Tablets may be prescribed to:
Sildenafil is not indicated for use in women or in anyone under 18 years of age. A healthcare professional should assess the possible causes of erectile dysfunction and your cardiovascular health before treatment. The appropriate treatment and dose should be determined by a healthcare professional.
How Does Sildenafil Work?
During sexual stimulation, nitric oxide is released in the penis, increasing levels of a chemical messenger called cGMP. This helps relax the smooth muscle and increase blood flow to the penis.
Sildenafil blocks an enzyme called PDE5, which helps maintain cGMP levels and supports an erection when sexual stimulation occurs. Sildenafil does not cause an erection without sexual stimulation.
How to Take Sildenafil
Take Sildenafil exactly as prescribed by your healthcare professional.
Sildenafil is taken as needed, usually about one hour before sexual activity. It is not a medicine to be taken every day on a regular schedule.
Swallow the tablet whole with water.
It may be taken with or without food. A heavy or fatty meal may delay the onset of action.
Do not take more than one dose in 24 hours. Your healthcare professional may adjust your dose depending on how you respond to treatment. Do not change the dose yourself.
Do not combine sildenafil with other erectile dysfunction treatments unless advised by your healthcare professional.
Do not change your dose without advice. Speak with your doctor if the medicine does not work for you.
Important Safety Information
Tell your doctor or pharmacist about your full medical history and about all medicines, supplements, and herbal products you use, including any recreational drugs.
Sildenafil should not be used if you:
Take nitrates in any form (such as glyceryl trinitrate or isosorbide), nitric oxide donors such as amyl nitrite, or nicorandil
Take riociguat
Are allergic to sildenafil or any ingredient in the tablet
Sildenafil may not be suitable if you have certain heart, blood pressure, liver, kidney, or eye conditions. Tell your doctor about your medical history before taking sildenafil.
Have lost vision in one eye due to non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION), or have an inherited retinal disorder such as retinitis pigmentosa
Have been advised not to engage in sexual activity because of your heart health
Caution and medical advice may be needed if you have:
Heart or circulation problems or low blood pressure
A penile deformity or a condition that may increase the risk of a prolonged erection
Conditions affecting blood cells, such as sickle cell disease
A bleeding disorder or active stomach ulcer
Kidney or liver problems, or if you are older, as your doctor may consider a lower dose
Seek urgent medical help for an erection lasting more than 4 hours, sudden loss of vision, or chest pain during sexual activity.
Medicines and substances that may interact with sildenafil include:
Nitrates and riociguat (must not be combined with sildenafil)
Other PDE5 inhibitors and erectile dysfunction treatments
Alpha-blockers, which may cause a drop in blood pressure
Ritonavir and other CYP3A4 inhibitors, including ketoconazole, itraconazole, erythromycin, and cimetidine, which can increase sildenafil levels
Sacubitril/valsartan and other blood pressure medicines
Rifampicin and bosentan, which may reduce sildenafil levels
Grapefruit juice, which may modestly increase sildenafil levels
This is not a full list. Check possible interactions with your doctor or pharmacist before starting or changing any medicine.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Sildenafil 50 mg Tablets are intended for use by men with erectile dysfunction and are not indicated for use by women. There are no adequate studies of sildenafil in pregnant or breastfeeding women.
If you have questions about fertility, conception, or sildenafil use, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
Side Effects
Like all medicines, Sildenafil can cause side effects, although not everyone experiences them.
Main side effects include:
Headache
Flushing or feeling hot
Dizziness
Indigestion or nausea
Nasal congestion
Visual disturbances, such as blurred vision, a blue or green tinge to vision, or increased light sensitivity
Seek prompt medical attention for an erection lasting more than 4 hours, sudden loss or decrease of vision, or sudden hearing loss. Also seek help for chest pain, fainting, or an irregular heartbeat during or after sexual activity, or for a seizure, a severe skin reaction, or signs of a serious allergic reaction.
This is not a complete list of side effects or warnings. Please refer to the product packaging and patient information leaflet supplied with your medicine for complete information and speak with your doctor or pharmacist if you have concerns.
Storage
Store Sildenafil according to the instructions shown on the original product packaging. Storage conditions can differ between manufacturers.
Keep the tablets in their original blister packaging until use.
Keep out of reach of children.
Do not use after the expiry date shown on the packaging.
