Many people experience erection problems even after taking sildenafil. Some people even experience the side effects of this drug. If you are experiencing any such issue, you may have to adjust the dosage. Consulting your healthcare provider and discussing your problems can help to improve your condition.
Sildenafil citrate is an FDA-approved medicine that belongs to PDE-5 inhibitors; it is used to treat erectile dysfunction. Viagra is a brand name of sildenafil. It is used to treat erectile dysfunction; it is an oral medicine and available in three different doses, namely 25mg, 50mg, and 100mg.
This article helps you to understand the proper doses and possible side effects of these medications.
What Is Sildenafil?
Sildenafil is used to treat erectile dysfunction and helps to improve blood flow to the penis during sexual stimulation. The increased blood flow may result in an erection. It treats PAH (Pulmonary arterial hypertension) by relaxing your blood vessels in the lungs and allows easy blood flow.
Sildenafil does not cure erectile dysfunction but helps to increase the firmness of the erection. Also, it does not prevent pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). How Does Sildenafil Work?
Sildenafil blocks cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE-5). cGMP helps the smooth muscle relax; this helps in the inflow of blood, leading to an erection. PDE-5 is an enzyme that causes blood to flow out of the penis, resulting in reduced erection time or erection dysfunction (1).
Sildenafil inhibits PDE-5, which results in increased cGMP levels, which helps in smooth vasodilation (blood vessel relaxation). This also allows better blood flow to the penis leading to improved erectile function.
Sildenafil is taken one to four hours before sexual activity. It only helps to maintain the erection only if you feel sexually aroused.
Sildenafil Doses
Viagra, the brand name of sildenafil, is available in three doses, namely 25mg, 50mg, and 100mg. Sildenafil can also be prescribed as Revatio, which is used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension, and it also helps to improve exercise capacity in men and women. Revatio is available in 20 mg, 40 mg, 60 mg, 80 mg, and 100 mg.
Your physician will prescribe the best dose that suit you based on
- Your age
- Your overall health
- Underlying health conditions such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease
- How often you use the medication
Generally, doctors will advise you to try mild doses to check your reaction and side effects.
Sildenafil 25mg: Low Dosage
Sildenafil 25mg is the lowest FDA-approved dose of viagra. Your healthcare provider may recommend this dose if you’re currently on any medicines that reduce your PDE5 metabolism.
Many physicians suggest low doses if you are on antiviral drugs such as alpha-blockers for hypertension, HIV drugs, or other drugs that may interact with sildenafil and may cause severe side effects at higher dosages.
Your health care provider may suggest low doses if you are 65 and above because you may have slight kidney and liver impairments.
Sildenafil 50mg: Most Common Viagra Dose
50mg Sildenafil is the most commonly used and prescribed dose by your healthcare provider. If you are facing erectile dysfunction and want to start using viagra, this would be the perfect choice of dose for you.
In a study, it was seen that 74% of men who were administered with 50mg of viagra dose experienced an improvement in their erections with fewer side effects. If you are facing mild erectile dysfunction, viagra will be helpful to provide you firmer and long-lasting erections when you are sexually aroused (2).
Viagra works to improve your blood flow to your penis only when you are sexually aroused. It will not help you improve your sex drive at any of its doses. It takes 30-60 mins for viagra to work. So it’s advised to take viagra 1 hour before sexual activity.
Some of the side effects include stomach upset, nasal congestion, abnormal vision, and nausea, or heavy headedness (3).
Sildenafil 100mg: Maximum Available Dose of Viagra
This is the maximum dose of sildenafil approved by the FDA. Your health care provider may suggest this dose if you are unable to get erections at 50mg of dose.
According to a study it was seen that 82% of men with moderate or severe erectile dysfunction who took viagra of 100mg dose had experienced improved erections. You may experience some side effects such as headaches, stomach upset, and nasal congestion (4).
Do not overdose by taking more than recommended; this might increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
How to Find Which Sildenafil Dose is Right for You?
Viagra/sildenafil’s primary goal is to provide you a satisfactory erection for the desired time with minimal side effects. Some people can find lower doses helpful, and some can find higher doses more effective. The right dose of viagra entirely depends on the individual and their medical history.
If you have any liver or kidney diseases, it may impact the absorption of viagra. In such cases, you might have to adjust the doses.
People who are having certain cardiovascular diseases and people who are undergoing riociguat treatment for pulmonary hypertension should avoid taking viagra. Do not take sildenafil 24 hours before or after taking riociguat (5) (6). In such conditions, you should consult your doctor before taking sildenafil, as it can lead to severe side effects that can be fatal too.
Your doctor would suggest how many times you can take viagra in a week based on your health and the medicines you are taking. If you are not benefiting from a low dose, ask your doctor for a higher dose, he might recommend it if needed.
Do not take any prescribed viagra medicine twice a day; it should be taken only once. Rember that It will not stimulate your sex drive; it only helps in the firmness of the erection. Consult your health care provider if you want to shift to higher doses. Be cautious as higher doses may cause serious side effects.
Try These Tips to Maximise the Effects of Viagra
Here are few tips which can maximize the effects of viagra;
You can take sildenafil with or without food. Have some light meal that makes your body feel light, and it can take less time for digestion. Heavy calorie meals make you feel lethargic and take a lot of time for digestion.
- Have a sildenafil an hour before your sexual activity -
Take medicine 2 hours or an hour before your sexual activity. It takes time for your body to absorb and react; this completely differs from person to person; better wait.
- Avoid drinking alcohol before and after taking sildenafil -
Having alcohol after taking the viagra can make it harder for erection. Viagra reduces your blood pressure, so with alcohol, it might be worse. You might have a small glass of wine; not more than one is allowed.
Sildenafil will work only when you are sexually aroused.
Side Effects of Viagra
Some common side effects of sildenafil are dizziness, stomach upset, blurred vision, nasal congestion, running nose, back pain, muscle pain, and insomnia (7).
Some people have reported that viagra may cause priapism, which is a prolonged erection, chest pain, ringing in ears, swelling, seizures, and vision loss (8). Report to your health care provider immediately if you observe any of these symptoms.
Final Words
Sildenafil is an FDA-approved drug used to treat erectile dysfunction. Talk to your doctor if you are finding a problem with the erection. You can start viagra with low or normal dosage only if recommended by your physician. Also, adapting to a healthy lifestyle can help to improve ED symptoms.