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Common uses
This medicine is a phosphodiesterase
inhibitor used to treat sexual function problems such as impotence
or erectile dysfunction. In combination with sexual stimulation,
this medicine works by helping the blood flow into the penis to
achieve and maintain an erection. This medicine is not intended for
use in women or children. This medicine will not protect against
sexually transmitted diseases including HIV infection. Use "safe
sex" practices such as latex condoms.
Before using
Do not take his medicine if you are also taking or using
nitroglycerin, (e.g., tablet, patch, or ointment dose forms) or
other nitrates (e.g., isosorbide), nitroprusside (or any "nitric
oxide donor" medicine), or recreational drugs called "poppers"
containing amyl or butyl nitrate because very serious interactions
may occur. If you are not sure whether a certain medicine is a
nitrate, contact your doctor or pharmacist. If you are currently
using any of these medicines, tell your doctor or pharmacist before
using sildenafil.
Additional monitoring of your dose or
condition may be needed if you are taking other medicines for
impotence, azole antifungals (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole),
cimetidine, erythromycin, mibefradil, rifamycins (e.g., rifampin),
high blood pressure medicines, or delavirdine. If you are taking an
HIV protease inhibitor (e.g., ritonavir, saquinavir), do not take
more than a 25 mg dose of sildenafil in a 48-hour period. If you are
taking more than a 25 mg dose of sildenafil and are also taking an
alpha-blocker medicine (e.g., doxazosin, prazosin, terazosin) for
various conditions (e.g., enlarged prostate), separate the time
between taking these medicines by more than 4 hours. See How To Use
section for drug-food interaction information.
Do not start
or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform
your doctor of any other medical conditions including penis
conditions (e.g., angulation, fibrosis/scarring, Peyronie's
disease), history of painful/prolonged erection (priapism), sickle
cell anemia, blood system cancers (e.g., leukemia or myeloma), eye
problems (e.g., retina diseases like retinitis pigmentosa), kidney
or liver disease, bleeding disorders, active stomach ulcers, heart
problems (e.g., recent heart attack or serious arrhythmia within
past 6 months, heart failure, coronary artery disease with unstable
angina, aortic stenosis, idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic
stenosis), recent stroke within past 6 months, very high or low
blood pressure, or allergies.
Directions
Take
this medicine by mouth as needed between four hours and one-half
hour before sexual activity (about 1 hour before is most effective);
or take as directed by your doctor. Do not take this medicine more
often than once daily as needed. A high fat meal may delay the time
of onset of this medicine.
Avoid eating grapefruit or
drinking grapefruin juice while being treated with this medicine
unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. Your dosage is based on
your medical condition, your response to therapy, and other
medicines you are taking (see also Before Using section).
Store this medicine at room temperature 77 degrees F (25
degrees C) in a tightly-closed container, away from heat, moisture,
and light. Brief storage between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30
degrees C) is permitted.
Cautions
Do not take
this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to it or are
allergic to any ingredient in this product. This medicine may rarely
cause dizziness or vision changes. Do not drive, operate machinery,
or do anythind else that could be dangerous until you know how you
react to this medicine. Using this medicine alone, with other
medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to
perform other potentially dangerous tasks. To minimize dizziness or
lightheadness, sit up or stand slowly when rising from a seated or
lying position. Alcohol may increase your risk for side effects,
including headache, dizziness, or lightheadedness. Avoid excessive
amounts of alcohol when using this medicine.
Do not exceed
the recommended doze without checking with your doctor. Rarely, this
medicine may change heart rhythm, especially if taken with other
medicines that can change the heart rhythm. This change in heart
rhythm can result in serious, rarely fatal, irregular heartbeats.
Ask your doctor for more information and if you should stop taking
any of your other medicines to reduce the risk of this side effect.
Caution is advised when using this medicine in the eldery
because they may be more sensitive to the side effects of this
medicine. This medicine should not be used in women or children.
Do not take this medicine if you have had an allergic
reaction to it in the past or to any other ingredient that is found
in it.
This medicine may cause dizziness or vision changes.
Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be
dangerous until you know how you react to this medicine. Using this
medicine alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen
your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous
tasks. To minimize dizziness or lightheadedness, sit up or stand
slowly when rising from a seated or lying position.
Your
dose is based on your medical condition, response to therapy, and
the other medicines you are taking. Do not exceed the recommended
dose without checking with your doctor. Caution is advised when
using this medicine in the elderly because they may be more
sensitive to the side effects of this medicine. This medicine should
not be used in women or children.
Possible side
effects
Side effects that may occur while taking this
medicine include headache, flushing, stomach upset, heartburn, nasal
stuffiness, diarrhea, dizziness, or lightheadedness. Vision changes
such as increased sensitivity to light, blurred vision, or impaired
blue/green color discrimination may also occur. If these continue or
are bothersome, check with your doctor or pharmacist.
Sexual
activity may put extra strain on your heart, especially if you have
heart problems, if you have heart problems and experience any
serious side effects while having sex, stop having sex and tell your
doctor immediately. These side effects include severe dizziness,
fainting, chest pain, or nausea. In the unlikely event that you have
a painful or prolonged erection (lasting more than 4 hours), stop
using this medicine and seek immediate medical attention or
permanent problems could occur.
An allergic reaction to this
medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it
occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching,
unusual swelling, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing.
If you take too much
If overdose is
suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency
room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include severe dizziness,
fainting, or prolonged erection.
Additional
information
If your symptoms do not improve or if they
become worse, check with your doctor. Do not share this medicine
with others for whom it was not prescribed, since they may have a
problem that is not effectively treated with this medicine, or they
may have a condition that is complicated by this medicine.
Do not use this medicine for other health conditions. Keep
this medicine out of the reach of children and pets. If using this
medicine for an extended period of time, obtain refills before your
supply runs out.
Drug interactions
Drug
interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a
medicine from doing its job. Some medicines or medical conditions
may interact with this medicine. Inform your doctor or pharmacist of
all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking.
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