Frequently asked questions: General

• Important Information
• Description
• Who should not take it?
• How should I take it?
• What happens if I miss a dose?
• What happens if I overdose?
• What should I avoid while taking it?
• What are the side effects?
• What other drugs will affect it?
• Where can I get more information?

• What is the most important information I should know about sildenafil?
• Do not take sildenafil if you are using a nitrate drug for chest pain or heart problems. Nitrates include nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur, Nitro-Bid, Minitran, Deponit, Transderm-Nitro, others), isosorbide dinitrate (Dilatrate-SR, Isordil, Sorbitrate), and isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO, Monoket). Nitrates are also found in some recreational drugs such as amyl nitrate or nitrite ("poppers").
• Contact your doctor or seek emergency medical attention for any erection that lasts longer than 4 hours. A sustained erection can damage the penis.
• Refrain from further sexual activity and notify your doctor it you develop dizziness, nausea, or angina (pain, tightness, discomfort, numbness, or tingling in the chest, arms, neck, or jaw) during sexual activity. Do not take sildenafil more than once a day.

• What is sildenafil?
• Sildenafil relaxes muscles within the penis. This allows increased blood flow into the penis, necessary to achieve and maintain an erection.
• Sildenafil is used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence).
• Sildenafil may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking sildenafil?
• Do not take sildenafil if you are using a nitrate drug for chest pain or heart problems. Nitrates include nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur, Nitro-Bid, Minitran, Deponit, Transderm-Nitro, others), isosorbide dinitrate (Dilatrate-SR, Isordil, Sorbitrate), and isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO, Monoket). Nitrates are also found in some recreational drugs such as amyl nitrate or nitrite ("poppers").
• Before taking sildenafil, tell your doctor if you:
  have had a heart attack, stroke, or life-threatening irregular heartbeats within the last six months;
  have a history of heart failure;
  have coronary artery disease;
  have angina;
  have high or low blood pressure;
  have liver problems;
  have kidney problems;
  have ever had blood problems, including sickle cell anemia or leukemia;
  have a bleeding disorder;
  have a stomach ulcer;
  have retinitis pigmentosa (an inherited condition of the eye);
  have a physical deformity of the penis such as Peyronie's disease;
  have a condition that could lead to prolonged and painful erections, such as a tumor of the bone marrow, sickle cell anemia, or leukemia; or are taking another medicine to treat impotence, such as alprostadil (Caverject, Muse, Edex) or yohimbine (Yocon, Yodoxin, others).
• You may not be able to take sildenafil, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
• Although sildenafil is not indicated for use by women, it is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that sildenafil is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Sildenafil should not be taken by women. It is not known whether sildenafil passes into breast milk. Sildenafil should not be taken by women. If you are over 65 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects from sildenafil. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of this medication.

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