Sildenafil is a medicine most people know for treating erectile dysfunction (ED). It helps increase blood flow to the penis so you can get and keep an erection when sexually stimulated. It’s also approved for pulmonary arterial hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs) at different doses.
Fun fact: sildenafil was first tested for chest pain. During trials, researchers noticed it helped erections — and that changed how the drug is used today.
For ED, common doses are 25 mg, 50 mg, or 100 mg. Most people try 50 mg about 30–60 minutes before sex. If it’s too strong or causes side effects, doctors may drop to 25 mg. If it’s not strong enough, they may increase to 100 mg, but never take more than one dose in 24 hours.
For pulmonary hypertension, dosing is different and usually prescribed by a specialist — often 20 mg three times daily, but follow your doctor’s instructions exactly.
Practical tips: take it on an emptier stomach for faster effect. Fatty meals can delay how quickly it works. Avoid heavy drinking before sex — alcohol reduces effectiveness and ups side effects.
Common side effects are headache, flushing, indigestion, nasal congestion, and dizziness. Vision changes or a blue tint to vision happen rarely but can be worrying. If you have sudden vision loss, get emergency care right away.
Never take sildenafil with nitrates (like nitroglycerin) — that combo can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure. Also avoid it with riociguat (for pulmonary hypertension) and be careful with alpha-blockers or some blood pressure meds; combined use can cause fainting or low blood pressure.
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice can raise sildenafil levels in your blood. Skip those if you want a predictable effect. If you’re on strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (certain antibiotics, antifungals, or HIV meds), your doctor may lower your dose.
Priapism (an erection lasting more than 4 hours) is rare but serious. Seek emergency help if it happens — untreated priapism can cause permanent damage.
Who should check with a doctor first? People with heart disease, low blood pressure, recent stroke or heart attack, severe liver or kidney problems, or those taking other meds that affect blood pressure. Also tell your doctor about any eye problems or a history of prolonged erections.
Storage is simple: keep tablets at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. If you buy online, only use reputable pharmacies and never order from sites that don’t require a prescription for prescription-strength products.
Want to know whether sildenafil is right for you? Talk to your doctor — a quick chat can save you time and prevent risks. If you already use it, keep an eye on side effects and drug interactions so you get the benefits without surprises.
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