How long does sildenafil last?
One of the most common questions associated with sildenafil and other PDE-5 inhibitors is how long does it last?
As soon as a potential patient thinks of taking medicine for erectile dysfunction the practical questions come into play :
who can take it? what is the drug composed of? when should you take it? how long does it last?
Though specific questions or concerns should always be discussed with a doctor, it never hurts to be informed about any medicine you are thinking of taking.
Who should take sildenafil?
Men experiencing erectile dysfunction should speak to their doctor to determine the cause. It can be the side effect of certain medications, or caused by neurological disorders or psychological factors, but can also be caused by diabetes, being overweight, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol. Furthermore, as one ages, many medical conditions that cause ED become more commonplace.
The first step is to determine and treat the underlying cause of erectile dysfunction, and sildenafil can then be taken on its own or as part of a broader treatment plan. Men who are not taking nitrate-based medication, do not have high or low blood pressure, retinitis pigmentosa, or recent myocardial infarction, or angina, are considered acceptable candidates for taking sildenafil.
What is in sildenafil?
Generic sildenafil contains the active ingredient sildenafil citrate . It is a PDE-5 inhibitor that works by facilitating blood flow to the penis, and is sold under generic manufacturer names, such as Mylan sildenafil, Actavis sildenafil, and Torrent sildenafil (as well as Pfizer’s brand name Viagra). The molecule produced by different brands is exactly the same from one to another, therefore sildenafil is always metabolised in the same way. It is considered a low toxicity drug and is generally well tolerated by most men.
When should you take sildenafil?
Sildenafil should be taken approximately 40 minutes before sexual intercourse, and two hours after a meal. It should be noted that sexual stimulation is required for an erection to occur, and some patients may not respond to the starting dose of 50mg, in which case their doctor may increase the dosage.
How long does sildenafil last?
Sildenafil is one of the shorter-acting PDE-5 inhibitors, with a duration of action of about four hours (it’s ‘half life‘), and has the desired effect only if the patient is also sexually aroused. After around 22 hours none of the active ingredient remains in the bodies plasma.
Those seeking a longer-acting tablet may benefit from Spedra (avanafil), Levitra (vardenafil), or Cialis (tadalafil), the latter of which has a duration of up to 36 hours and is often referred to as the weekend pill. Spedra, Levitra, and Cialis are currently only sold under their brand names, though both Cialis and Levitra will be available in generic form in 2017 and 2018 respectively.
Sildenafil’s short duration does make it a good starting ED medicine for many patients – it gives patients and doctors a chance to begin with a low dosage and monitor any side effects. If present, side effects from taking sildenafil are usually mild and may include:
Headache (very common) Dizziness Visual colour distortions (blue vision), visual disturbance, blurred vision Flushing, hot flushes Nasal congestion Nausea, Dyspepsia (indigestion)
Though it is rare, patients are advised to seek medical attention immediately if they experience any signs of an allergic reaction such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, difficulty breathing, or hives. Reactions such as pain, tingling, or numbness of the face, neck, chest, or jaw are also considered serious side effects and cause to seek emergency medical attention, as is a prolonged erection lasting more than 4 hours (priapism).
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How long does sildenafil last? Doctor Fox
