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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. |