Sildenafil is a medication used to help treat erectile dysfunction and is one of the most common drugs used to treat ED. Sildenafil is known as a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor that is used to block the degradative action in the smooth muscle cells lining blood vessels that supply various tissues. When prescribed a Sildenafil dosage, patients are hoping to use the drug to help dilate the masses of the erectile tissue of the penis, which helps blood flow through the penile arteries. This helps the patient more easily achieve the rigidity for the organ needed for intercourse.
Sildenafil was first introduced to the public in 1998 and is the main ingredient found in Viagra — the most well-known ED treatment medication. However, Sildenafil is not the only pharmaceutical option in treating ED. Tadalafil is another popular choice. Lakeview Pharmacy has previously detailed the differences in Sildenafil and Tadalafil, and that article is a great place to begin if you’re unsure about which medication may be best for you.
What is ED (Erectile Dysfunction)?
Sildenafil is commonly used to help those suffering from ED, but what does that mean exactly? In the simplest terms, ED is defined as the inability to attain and/or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual intercourse. A penile erection is the end result of increased blood flow into the penis and involves a complex process from the body that includes the brain, nerve endings, circulation and muscle contractions. A breakdown anywhere in that chain of body responses can lead to ED.
ED isn’t uncommon. One study from the University of Wisconsin.) indicated that roughly 50 percent of men 50 years of age and older experience at least occasional bouts of ED. But there is also no one single cause of erectile dysfunction. Many factors are believed to contribute to ED, including depression, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes and stress.
Treating ED shouldn’t rely on a one-pronged approach, either. Besides treating the condition with the proper Sildenafil dosage, patients should also consult with their health care professional to address other contributing factors such as chronic ailments, like heart disease for example. Regular exercise to bolster the cardiovascular system, avoiding drug and alcohol use, and finding healthier ways to deal with anxiety and stress can also help.
What You Need to Know About Sildenafil Dosages
Sildenafil is administered through oral tablets. At Lakeview Pharmacy, our most popular dosage is Sildenafil 20 mg with a typical dosing of 2–5 tablets (40–100 mg) as needed. This gives our patients greater flexibility to discover what works best for them without having to cut the tablets in half.
Patients have positive results when taking Sildenafil roughly an hour before expected sexual activity. However, it’s also possible for patients to see results if the drug is taken anywhere from 30 minutes to four hours before the expected activity.
The tablets should be taken, if possible, on an empty stomach as the introduction of food into the body’s system may delay the response time for the medication to work. It is, however, entirely safe to take Sildenafil with a meal.
Your specific dosage level will depend on several factors, including how severely ED is impacting your life. Your level of cardiovascular health, other medications you may be taking, and your age will also impact your dosage level. Honest and open discussion with your healthcare professional is essential in ironing out those details, and formulating a plan for your initial treatment level.
The Mayo Clinic recommends, for example, adults over the age of 65 should take no more than one 50 mg tablet per day. Younger patients with more severe symptoms may need the maximum allowed dosage of 100 mg per use.
Your Sildenafil dosage level will also rely on how well your body reacts to the medication. Some patients have stronger reactions than others to the same level of dosage. As always, be sure to discuss any side effects with your doctor.
Be Aware of the Potential Side Effects of Sildenafil
As with most medications, patients have reported more common — or more serious — side effects with higher dosages of Sildenafil. Patients may see more, or some of the less common, side effects at a 100 mg dosage than at 25 mg for example.
Older patients or those with compromised kidney functions also may experience more persistent side effects as the drug will stay in the system of those patients for a longer period of time.
The most common side effects reported with Sildenafil dosages include dizziness, flushing of the chest and neck, headaches, upset stomach, back or muscle pain, and mild cases of insomnia.
The more serious and much rarer occurring side effects of Sildenafil include vision or hearing loss, swelling in the extremities, chest pain, or priapism (a prolonged, persistent erection). If any of these occur, patients should contact medical services immediately.
Contact Us for All Your Pharmaceutical Needs
Lakeview Pharmacy has proudly served the Racine, Wis. area for more than 46 years. Whether you’re exploring options for treating ED, or browsing our selection of CBD products, Lakeview Pharmacy believes in providing its customers and patients the personal service needed to navigate a complicated health care landscape. Our team of pharmacists will listen to you and will strive to prove the best possible care while giving you the tools and options to address your own health.
