Sildenafil tablets
Sildenafil tablets contain the active ingredient sildenafil citrate. Sildenafil for impotence is only available in tablet form, so if you know you struggle with swallowing medicine in this form, it might be a good idea to look at alternative erectile dysfunction treatments. Sildenafil tablets have been available since 1998, when it was patented as Viagra by drug manufacturer, Pfizer. Since then, generic versions of the medicine (simply known as sildenafil or sildenafil citrate) have become available on prescription. Sildenafil tablets are very effective at treating erectile dysfunction and are often used as a first-line treatment for the condition.
There are other treatments that work in a similar way, such as Tadalafil (generic Cialis), Levitra and Spedra. All of these medicines should work to help you achieve or maintain an erection that’s hard enough for sexual intercourse, but each of them have a different potency. If you aren’t sure about which one is best for you, or if it’s your first time trying medication for erectile dysfunction, you can always try our potency test pack.
During 2018, the NHS supplied 297,814 prescriptions of Sildenafil to men that struggle with erectile dysfunction, which had increased from previous years, meaning that prescriptions for ED cures are on the rise. It’s estimated that around 4.3 million men suffer with symptoms of erectile dysfunction in the UK, but the good news is that it’s a treatable condition that’s often solved by taking sildenafil tablets or other similar medicines.
Although many think that erectile dysfunction is a condition that only affects you in older age, sildenafil is used by a wide variety of men (although age is a risk factor for experiencing ED). Sildenafil is suitable for any male over the age of 18 that struggles with the condition, so don't let the stigma put you off - it can really help.
Although sildenafil citrate has been around since 1981, it’s only recently become available as a generic drug. Up until 2017, Pfizer had a patent on the drug, meaning that only they could manufacture it under the brand name Viagra, but once the patent had ended, other drug manufacturers were able to produce it for a much lower price tag.
Sildenafil vs Viagra
Viagra is the best known brand of sildenafil, but whether you decide to go for the globally-known name, or just the generic drug, they’re the exact same medication. Many people want to know the differences between sildenafil and Viagra, but the truth is that there aren’t many at all besides the colour and appearance of the tablet. Manufacturers of branded medication have to display the name of the active drug on the packaging, so if you look at a box of Viagra, you should see sildenafil printed somewhere on it. This should assure you that the two drugs are exactly the same and will have the same effect.Sildenafil citrate is the active ingredient in Viagra, and as mentioned before, Viagra was the first form of sildenafil available for erectile dysfunction. Viagra is simply a brand name, whilst sildenafil is the drug behind it that treats the condition. Whilst some people will feel more comfortable and reassured if they buy Viagra, sildenafil tablets work just as well for a fraction of the price.In fact, for the exact same strength, you can save a total of £30 just by opting for generic sildenafil instead of the branded Viagra.
How sildenafil works
Sildenafil is a PDE5 inhibitor, which might sound a bit technical, but how sildenafil works is actually pretty simple. The drug helps to relax the blood vessels in your penis, meaning that it’s much easier for blood to flow into it during sexual stimulation or arousal. This increased blood flow means that you should be able to achieve and maintain an erection that’s hard enough for sex. Sildenafil doesn’t just give you an erection, though, it just helps the blood vessels to relax enough to allow blood to flow more easily into the penis. In other words, if you aren’t sexually stimulated or aroused after taking sildenafil, it’s unlikely that you’ll experience an erection.
Sildenafil isn't a sexual stimulant, so it won't increase your sex drive. If you're looking for a medication that will do this, we suggest that you speak to your own GP and see if there are any underlying causes for your low sex drive such as mental health problems or pre-existing conditions. However, if your sexual problem is purely down to erectile dysfunction, sildenafil is an ideal solution.
Can I take Sildenafil?
Although sildenafil is used as a first-line treatment for erectile dysfunction, there are some people that need to take caution when using it. For example, if you have any issues with your heart, liver or kidneys, you should either avoid the medicine or speak to your own GP before you buy sildenafil online. You should also take care if you’re allergic to Sildenafil or any of its ingredients, if you’re using nitrates or riociguat, have had a recent stroke or heart attack, or have other conditions such as a stomach ulcer, bleeding disorder, deformity of the penis, sickle cell anaemia, leukaemia, multiple myeloma, low blood pressure, or certain inherited eye diseases. If you fall into any of the categories on this list, please make an appointment with your own doctor before you buy sildenafil.
Allergic to sildenafil
Recently had a heart attack
Have multiple myeloma
Allergic to any ingredients
Low blood pressure
Have a penis deformity or Peyronie's disease
Taking medication called nitrates
Have a rare inherited eye disease
Have problems with your heart
Taking riociguat
Ever had a loss of vision due to NAION
Have a stomach ulcer or bleeding problem
Severe heart or liver problem
Have sickle cell anaemia
have any kidney problems
Recently had a stroke
Have leukaemia
Have any liver problems
There are also some medicines that you should take caution with if you’re planning to take sildenafil tablets. This is because they might interact with each other, making one less effective, or increasing the risk or severity of side effects. Taking some medicines together can be dangerous, so if you’re unsure if it’s safe for you to use sildenafil citrate alongside any of your current medications, please see your doctor or local pharmacist for advice. The list of interacting medicines in the patient information leaflet (PIL) include:
- Nitrates (for angina)
- Poppers (a recreational legal high)
- Riociguat
- Protease inhibitors (for HIV)
- Alpha-blockers
Sildenafil side effects
As sildenafil is a drug that affects your body, it can cause several side effects. Some of these can be unpleasant, but many men feel that the benefits of the drug outweigh sildenafil’s side effects. Some of the most commonly reported symptoms associated with sildenafil tablets include:
Nausea
Facial flushing
Hot Flush
Indigestion
Coloured tinge to vision
Blurred vision
Other visual disturbances
Stuffy Nose
Dizziness
Headache
Vomiting
Skin rash
Sensitivity to light
Pounding heartbeat
High blood pressure
Low blood pressure
Muscle pain
Fatigue
Vertigo
Nosebleeds
Tinnitus
Dry mouth
Heartburn
Blood in urine
An extensive list of side effects can be found in the patient information leaflet (PIL) that is included with your order when you buy sildenafil online through Doctor4U, and we advise that you read this thoroughly to make sure you’re aware of the possibilities and risks. It’s also important to know that sildenafil tablets can cause some rare but serious side effects. As with most medicines, there’s a chance that you might experience a severe allergic reaction to sildenafil. This Is called anaphylaxis and is characterised by swelling of the face and difficulty breathing. You should dial 999 if you experience these symptoms. If you carry an epi-pen for other allergies, you should use it in this instance. If you experience chest pain after taking sildenafil, you shouldn’t use nitrates to treat it as this could cause more damage. Any chest pain that’s new to you should be treated immediately. Dial 999 and explain your symptoms to the operator, stating that you’ve taken sildenafil. In some rare circumstances, you might experience a prolonged erection (lasting more than 4 hours). If this happens, you should contact a doctor immediately, or go to A&E if your GP surgery is closed. You should also seek immediate help if you experience a loss of vision, any serious skin reactions, or experience a seizure after taking sildenafil.
You should only ever take the recommended dose of Sildenafil. Unfortunately, it isn't guaranteed to work for everyone the first time they use it, so if you don't experience any benefits, try again another day. Don't take another pill as this could cause dangerous side effects such as low blood pressure or a long-lasting erection. You might find that after a couple of tries, sildenafil gives you the results you want, just don't risk overdosing if it doesn't work the first time round.
Can Sildenafil be taken daily?
You can take sildenafil daily if you’re planning to have sex every day. However, you should only take sildenafil if you plan to have sex, so taking it daily if you don’t need to won’t be beneficial to you (but a low dose of tadalafil may be). With sildenafil, you should take the tablet around half an hour to an hour before you plan to have sex. This time can be filled with foreplay to make sure that you and your partner are sufficiently aroused. It usually takes between 30-60 minutes to start working and you should notice your erection start to form.
Sildenafil and alcohol
Because alcohol can make it more difficult to achieve or maintain an erection, it’s a good idea to avoid using it alongside sildenafil as it might defeat the object of the drug. Although one or two units of alcohol might not do any harm, we advise that if you struggle with erectile dysfunction anyway, alcohol certainly won’t help the condition.
Sildenafil and nitrates
Sildenafil should NOT be taken with any nitrates. This includes medicines that are used to treat angina as well as the recreational legal high known as “poppers”. Taking nitrates alongside sildenafil can be incredibly dangerous and cause issues with your heart and blood pressure. If you aren’t sure if you’re already taking nitrates, speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you buy sildenafil online. Poppers are usually used during sex to relax the muscles in the anus. If you feel like you need to use these to enjoy sex, you should speak to your GP about alternative erectile dysfunction treatments.
Sildenafil cost
Generic sildenafil costs much less than its branded counterpart, Viagra. At Doctor4U, you can buy sildenafil for as little as £2.50 per tablet, or £9.99 for a box of four. Our prices include an online consultation with one of our doctors, as well as your prescription for the medication. Your online consultation requires you to fill out a short patient questionnaire which will ask relevant questions about the condition and medication to make sure that it’s suitable for you. If our doctors are satisfied that it’s the right treatment for you, they’ll approve your request, generate a prescription, and your order of sildenafil will be shipped to you via whichever method you choose at checkout.
As mentioned before, buying sildenafil as a generic medication can be much cheaper than buying the branded version, Viagra. For more information, please see our blog posts that are linked below.
More information
Advice on Addiction and Medication Restrictions
If you are at all worried or concerned about an addiction to any type of medication, we urge you to speak to a professional for help and advice. Below are links to organisations that can help.
Talk To Frank
NHS Help & Advice On Drug Addiction