Sildenafil (Viagra Connect 50 mg): Price, Dosage & Where to Buy

Sildenafil is a phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitor prescribed for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. It requires a prescription in the United Kingdom.

Generic sildenafil has been available since November 2012. The medicine is also marketed under the brand names Revatio and Viagra.

Sildenafil tablets are indicated for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in adult men. Erectile dysfunction is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual activity. The condition can arise from various underlying causes, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, psychological factors, or certain medications.

Sildenafil helps men with erectile dysfunction by improving blood flow to the penis during sexual stimulation. The medicine does not protect against sexually transmitted infections and does not increase sexual desire. A complete medical assessment is needed to identify potential underlying causes of erectile dysfunction and determine whether sildenafil is an appropriate treatment option.

Sildenafil belongs to a class of medicines called phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors. During sexual arousal, the body releases nitric oxide in the penis, which triggers a chain of chemical reactions that increase levels of a substance called cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). This substance relaxes smooth muscle tissue and widens blood vessels in the penis, allowing increased blood flow that produces an erection.

An enzyme called PDE5 breaks down cGMP, which can limit the erectile response. Sildenafil works by blocking the action of PDE5, allowing cGMP levels to remain elevated for longer.

This helps maintain the relaxation of blood vessels and supports the ability to achieve and sustain an erection when sexually stimulated. Sildenafil does not cause an erection on its own; sexual stimulation is still required for the medicine to be effective.

The label lists 20 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg, and 100 mg oral tablets, as well as 10 mg/mL oral suspension and 0.8 mg/mL intravenous solution. For most patients, the usual starting dose is 50 mg taken as needed, approximately 1 hour before sexual activity. The label states that sildenafil tablets may be taken anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours before sexual activity.

Based on effectiveness and toleration, the dose may be increased to a maximum of 100 mg or decreased to 25 mg. The maximum recommended dosing frequency is once per day.

The label lists a starting dose of 25 mg for patients over 65 years, those with hepatic impairment, those with severe renal impairment, those taking strong CYP3A4 inhibitors, and those stable on alpha-blocker therapy. For patients treated with ritonavir, the label lists a dose of 25 mg prior to sexual activity with a maximum of 25 mg within a 48 hour period.

Sildenafil is taken as needed, approximately 30 minutes to 4 hours before sexual activity, rather than on a regular daily schedule for erectile dysfunction. Because it is not taken at fixed times, the concept of a missed dose does not typically apply. Patients should not take sildenafil more than once in a 24-hour period.

If a dose has been taken and sexual activity does not occur, there is no need to take another dose until the next occasion when treatment is desired, provided at least one day has passed. Patients taking modified dosing regimens due to drug interactions or medical conditions should follow the specific interval guidance provided by their prescriber.

Sildenafil tablets are not indicated for use in females. There are no data with the use of sildenafil tablets in pregnant women to inform any drug-associated risks for adverse developmental outcomes. Animal reproduction studies in rats and rabbits receiving oral doses up to 16 and 32 times the maximum recommended human dose of 100 mg per day showed no evidence of teratogenicity, embryotoxicity, or fetotoxicity during organogenesis.

Limited data indicate that sildenafil and its active metabolite are present in human milk, but there is no information on the effects on the breastfed child or on milk production. Anyone with questions about sildenafil and pregnancy or breastfeeding should discuss them with a doctor or pharmacist.

Store at 20 to 25 degrees Celsius (68 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit), which corresponds to controlled room temperature as defined by the pharmacopoeia. Keep the tablets in their original container to maintain quality. Protect from excessive heat and moisture.

Keep out of reach of children. Do not use after the expiry date printed on the packaging.