When treating or curing diseases, disorders, and other health problems in general, people often take medicines that are mostly prescribed by doctors/physicians.
Similarly, in a case like erectile dysfunction, which is a concerning problem in males, and which cannot be ignored, its treatment can involve the oral use of a medication drug called Sildenafil.
In this article, we’re going to share with you a brief overview of what Sildenafil is and its uses in treating erectile dysfunction problems in men. We’ll also take a quick look at how much dosage is generally required in the treatment of erectile dysfunction and if there are any side effects to taking the medicine, and what precautions one should take when undergoing such medication.
What is Sildenafil?
Sildenafil is a medication drug available in the form of tablets, which when taken, acts as a temporary stimulant that helps the penis stay erected for a few hours i.e., through to the sexual intercourse between the partners.
The way this drug functions is like an inhibitor. With a little arousal by the body through the assistance of certain chemicals, Sildenafil aids the muscles of the arteries in the male penis to stay relaxed for a longer period of time than the normal duration. This helps increase the blood flow into the penis, and thus, maintains a firm erection for the sex drive. Sildenafil is quite similar to that of a popular drug called Viagra. However, their side effects may vary. It’s generic medicines like Kamagra, Cenforce, Caverta, Revatio, Silvitra, etc are widely popular to treat erectile dysfunction.
Most men that experience problems like erectile dysfunction that hinder their sexual desire and sex drive are often prescribed Sildenafil medication drug. This type of drug which comes in tablet form is given to patients in small doses, e.g., 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg, depending on the person’s age and the severity of his condition, etc.
Uses of Sildenafil Drug in Treating Erectile Dysfunction
Sildenafil drug is created to be taken orally and at a minimum dose i.e., one tablet of either 25 mg, 50 mg, or 100 mg dose in one day. It is also never advised to take more than what has been prescribed by the doctor/physician in a 24-hour period because it could increase the risk of side effects.
Doctors/physicians may prescribe Sildenafil to patients that are having difficulty with erection and are unable to copulate, and/or experience premature ejaculation. The dosage and duration of taking Sildenafil medication drug often vary from one person to another, taking into consideration factors such as the person’s age, weight, severity of the condition, medical history, etc.
Like any medicine, it is important that these medication drugs should be taken no more than the dose prescribed by the health practitioner. For instance, if the doctor/physician has prescribed the dose of Sildenafil to be taken only once in one day, then the person must stick with that prescribed dosage and not take an excess of the drug. As doing so could lead to further complications – possibly in the form of side effects – and side effects can give rise to more adverse conditions that could make things worse.
How to Take Sildenafil Dose
Sildenafil is considered a safe drug, and thus, is often prescribed by health practitioners to their patients that experience problems, such as erectile dysfunction in males.
Sildenafil medication drug can be used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction in males. The dosage (course of the prescribed medicine) is set by the doctor/physician and may also be changed depending on the situation of the condition the person is going through during a given period of time.
The most common way of taking Sildenafil is through oral use. Usually, only one tablet is advised to be taken in one day.
Oral Dosage:
For Adults Up To 65 Years Of Age:
The prescribed dosage of Sildenafil tablets for adult males who are below the age of 65 years is limited to 50 mg for a single dose.
The drug should be taken no more than once a day, and at least 1 hour before sexual intercourse. Upon taking the drug, it will kick in within 30 minutes and can stay on for about 4 hours.
Alternatively, the medicine may be taken 30 minutes to 4 hours before sexual intercourse as per the advice of the doctor/physician. However, depending on the effect of the Sildenafil drug, your doctor may increase or decrease the dosage, if need be.
For Adults of Age 65 Years and Older:
The prescribed dosage of Sildenafil tablets for adult males who are above the age of 65 years is limited to 25 mg for a single dose.
The drug should be taken no more than once a day, and at least 1 hour before sexual intercourse. Upon taking the drug, it will kick in within 30 minutes and can stay on for about 4 hours.
Alternatively, the medicine may be taken 30 minutes to 4 hours before sexual intercourse as per the advice of the doctor/physician. However, depending on the effect of the Sildenafil drug, your doctor may increase or decrease the dosage, if need be.
Side Effects of Sildenafil
As with any form of medication when used in treating diseases and disorders in people, they may cause one or more side effects. This is also true for Sildenafil. However, the nature or severity of the side effects of taking Sildenafil to treat erectile dysfunction can depend on the dosage and the person’s medical history, of course.
Now, it is worth noting that Sildenafil is not recommended for persons with a history of heart problems. A person with a heart condition could experience side effects like irregular heartbeat, stroke, or a heart attack, which could be fatal.
There are common side effects that are suspected to occur in people, especially when taking a higher dosage of Sildenafil medication drug and for a longer period of time. A few of these side effects include:
- Prolonged Erection (Priapism)
- Burning or itching when urinating
- Diarrhea
- Pain in the abdomen
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Burning sensation in the heart
- Chest pain
- Irregular heartbeat
- Hypertension or high blood pressure
- Ache in the back and/or the muscles
- Burning, tingling, or numbness in the feet, legs, arms, or hands
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Nasal congestion
- Running nose
- Bleeding from the nose
- Blurry vision (may be prolonged)
There could be more side effects that may occur after taking the Sildenafil drug, and even more so if the person is taking other medications for various other health problems.
Precautions to Take
Here are a few precautions to consider prior to taking the Sildenafil drug.
- When taking Sildenafil to treat erectile dysfunction problems, the dosage prescribed by your health practitioner should only be taken for that duration.
- In case a person is already going through medication for other health problems, conditions, illness, or diseases, then it is advised to first, consult your doctor/physician before taking Sildenafil drug.
- Also, self-medication can be dangerous, given the fact that the side effects of Sildenafil are quite many and may have adverse effects on the body and health of the person.
Wrapping Up
Sildenafil, a stimulant drug (like Viagra), can help treat erectile dysfunction in men who experience erection problems before or when copulating with their partner.
It should, however, be kept in mind that medicines are a temporary solution to treating health problems and should not be used for a longer duration, as the chances of side effects to occur are inevitable.