Veterans Health Library

Stop taking sildenafil and get help right away if you have sudden hearing loss or suddenly have trouble hearing as well as usual. Sildenafil may cause a mild and temporary drop in blood pressure. You may be at a higher risk if you have certain health conditions or take blood pressure medicines. If you feel faint or dizzy, lie down. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of low blood pressure. You may be at higher risk for this sildenafil 100 mg tab if you take a blood thinner medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you get nosebleeds often while taking sildenafil.

If your nosebleed is severe or will not stop after applying pressure, get help right away. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take sildenafil. Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific sildenafil products they stock. Sildenafil should not be taken while you are using certain other medicines.

How it works

Sildenafil injection is usually given by a healthcare provider in a hospital or clinic. You will not store it at home. The most common side effects of sildenafil are listed below. These side effects may vary depending on the condition that is being treated. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

Can my mood impact my erections?

Pain in your muscles, back, arms, or legs There may be other side effects of sildenafil that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at or by calling 866-234-2345. While less common, the most serious side effects of sildenafil are described below, along with what to do if they happen. Before taking sildenafil, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details. Do not take sildenafil unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Do not share sildenafil with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. Keep sildenafil out of the reach of children.

• The active ingredient, sildenafil citrate, was discovered in the late 1980s.
• It is important to avoid taking it with other PDE5 inhibitors like vardenafil.
• Can cause sweating or rash as less common side effects.
• The medication is absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract.
• It is not recommended for men with severe hypotension or hypertension.
• The blue tablet is sometimes confused with other medications; careful labeling is key.
• Patients should inform their doctor if they experience any prolonged side effects.

If you keep sildenafil oral liquid in a refrigerator, make sure to keep it away from children who also use the refrigerator.

Sexual activity can put extra strain on your heart, which may be unsafe for people with certain health problems, such as a recent heart attack. Talk to your healthcare provider to see if your heart is strong enough for sex. If you feel chest pain, dizziness, or nausea during sex, stop and contact your healthcare provider right away. Sildenafil does not protect against sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. Sildenafil belongs to a group of medicines, known as phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors, which are used to treat erectile dysfunction or pulmonary arterial hypertension. You should not take more than one PDE-5 inhibitor medicine. Medicines in this group include avanafil (Stendra), sildenafil (Viagra, Revatio, and others), tadalafil (Cialis and others), and vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn).

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In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911. Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription. Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking.

How should I store sildenafil?

Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies. This report on medications is for your information only, and is not considered individual patient advice. Because of the changing nature of drug information, please consult your physician or pharmacist about specific clinical use. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. Use an accurate measuring device to measure your dose of sildenafil oral liquid. A household spoon is not an accurate measuring device and may cause you to take the wrong dose.

Non-medical use

represents that the information provided hereunder was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to such information and specifically disclaims all such warranties. Users are advised that decisions regarding drug therapy are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and the information is provided for informational purposes only. The entire monograph for a drug should be reviewed for a thorough understanding of the drug's actions, uses and side effects.

Cite this article

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. does not endorse or recommend the use of any drug. The information is not a substitute for medical care. Sildenafil is commonly used for the following conditions. Erectile dysfunction, a condition where you have trouble getting or keeping an erection Pulmonary arterial hypertension, a condition where you have high blood pressure in the blood vessels that carry blood from your heart to your lungs Sildenafil may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider. Ask your pharmacist to recommend an appropriate measuring device.

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

Medical uses

Sildenafil may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking sildenafil and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction. Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives Sildenafil may cause an unwanted erection that is persistent, painful, and that may occur without sexual arousal. Permanent damage to the penis may occur if priapism is not treated quickly. Stop taking sildenafil and get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms of priapism. This will help them determine if sildenafil is right for you. In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following. Heart problems, such as heart rhythm problems, chest pain, or heart failure Heart attack, stroke, or heart surgery within the past six months High blood pressure that is still too high despite taking medicines for it Peyronie's disease, or a penis with an abnormal curve or shape An erection lasting longer than four hours A blood disorder, such as sickle cell anemia An inherited eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa Vision loss, or a problem with the nerve between your eyes and brain (optic nerve) Health conditions or factors that raise the risk of optic nerve problems, such as diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, being older than 50, or having a “crowded disc,” which is something an eye doctor may see in an eye exam Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease, a condition where blood vessels in the lungs are blocked It is not known if or how sildenafil could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby.

Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take sildenafil while breastfeeding.

MYTH #2: “Viagra is going to give you a heart attack”

Sildenafil works by blocking an enzyme in the body called PDE5, which helps relax certain blood vessels. For erectile dysfunction, it increases blood flow to the penis when aroused. This makes it easier to get and keep an erection. For pulmonary arterial hypertension, sildenafil relaxes the blood vessels in the lungs. This lowers blood pressure and reduces strain on the heart.

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10 mg/mL powder for oral suspension 20 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg oral tablets Sildenafil is also available in an injectable form that is usually given by a healthcare provider in a hospital or clinic. Sildenafil oral tablets should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Sildenafil oral liquid should be stored at sildenafil citrate 100mg tablets room temperature below 86 F (30 C) or in the refrigerator, between 36 F to 46 F (2 C to 8 C). Throw away any remaining liquid 60 days after it has been mixed for you by a pharmacist or healthcare professional. If you take sildenafil after you eat a high-fat meal, such as a burger and fries, it may take longer to start working.

Repurposing problems

Erection lasting for more than four hours Erection that is unrelated to sexual stimulation Sildenafil can cause mild, temporary vision changes such as seeing a blue tint, abnormal colors, blurry vision, or sensitivity to light. Though rare, some people have reported permanent vision loss. Stop taking sildenafil and get help right away if you have sudden vision loss in one or both eyes. Sudden hearing loss has been reported after taking sildenafil. This may occur along with dizziness and ringing in the ears. Your healthcare provider may recommend limiting or avoiding grapefruit while taking sildenafil. Grapefruit or grapefruit juice can raise sildenafil levels in your body, which can increase the risk of side effects. There are no known interactions between sildenafil and alcohol.

• Blue sildenafil is included in the list of drugs with high global demand.
• Pharmacies may require a prescription to dispense genuine blue sildenafil.
• The drug's mechanism involves relaxing blood vessels in the penis.
• It does not cure ED but helps manage symptoms temporarily.
• Over-the-counter sales of blue sildenafil are illegal in many countries.
• Some online vendors sell illegal or counterfeit blue sildenafil pills.
• Natural alternatives like lifestyle changes can improve erectile function.
• Adherence to prescribed dosages reduces the likelihood of side effects.
• The drug’s safety profile has been confirmed through numerous clinical trials.
• Public health messages warn against self-medicating with illicit blue sildenafil.

Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.