High level briefing and Highlighted Facts
Primary active pharmaceutical ingredient label: sildenafil citrate, a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor used primarily to treat erectile dysfunction (ED).
Fildena is a branded generic formulation of sildenafil widely sold in international markets. In the United States, sildenafil is available as FDA-approved generics and as the brand Viagra for ED, and as Revatio when prescribed for pulmonary arterial hypertension. Fildena itself does not have FDA marketing approval in the USA; for U.S. regulatory details see the section on the legal status at Lawful Status and Retail Buying Rules in the United States.
Common tablet strengths include 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg. Some suppliers outside the United States list higher strengths; these are not appropriate for everyone. A clinician should advise the right dose. For practical dose management guidance, jump to Emergency Dosing Guidelines and How to Administer It.
Who uses this device and why
Sildenafil is prescribed to adult men with erectile dysfunction to improve the quality of erections when sexual stimulation occurs. It is not intended for children or for routine use by women to treat ED.
- For adults, erectile dysfunction is the primary indication..
- Not a contraceptive and does not prevent sexually transmitted infections; use protection when appropriate.
- Not a performance enhancer for sports. Although PDE5 inhibitors are generally not on the World Anti-Doping Agency prohibited list, athletes should only use medications under medical supervision and in line with team and sporting regulations.
The the system by which it operates of action
Sildenafil works by blocking the enzyme PDE5 in vascular smooth muscle. During sexual arousal, nitric oxide stimulates production of cyclic GMP (cGMP) in the penis, which causes smooth muscle relaxation and increased blood flow. By inhibiting PDE5, sildenafil slows the breakdown of cGMP and helps sustain an erection in the presence of sexual stimulation. Erection requires sexual arousal to happen.
For safety issues and conditions that rule out this therapy that affect whether you should use this drug, consult Guidelines For When To Avoid Using.
Dosing Methods and How to Absorb It
Below are commonly proposed dosing considerations. Individual needs vary, so follow your prescriber's instructions.
- Typical starting dose for ED: 50 mg taken about 30 to 60 minutes before sexual activity. Some patients start at 25 mg; others may be increased to 100 mg if tolerated and needed.
- Beginning moment and duration: effects may begin within 30 minutes, and benefit can last for up to 4 to 6 hours for many users.
- Do not take more than one dose in a 24-hour period.
- High-fat meals can slow absorption and delay onset. For a quicker effect, avoid heavy or fatty meals near the time of dosing.
- Avoid excessive alcohol when taking sildenafil because alcohol can reduce efficacy and increase possible side effects such as dizziness.
- Patients with certain cardiac, liver, or kidney conditions or those taking interacting medicines may require a lower dose.
If you are unsure how to adjust dosing with other health issuesscrutiny Drug and Food Interaction Essentials consider consulting your clinician.
External seasonal storage spaces provide room for off-season items. Recommendations
- Maintain at ambient room temperature, not exceeding 30 C (86 F).
- Store in a dry area away from excess humidity; avoid storing in bathrooms.
- Place it out of reach of children and pets.
- Do not use medicines past their expiration date.
When It Should Not Be Used
Do not take sildenafil if any of the following apply:
- You are using nitrates in any form (for example, nitroglycerin, isosorbide mononitrate or dinitrate, or recreational amyl nitrate). Combining nitrates with sildenafil can cause dangerous drops in blood pressure.
- You are taking riociguat, a soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator, because of increased risk of low blood pressure.
- You have a known allergy to sildenafil or to any inactive ingredient included in the tablet.
- You are currently taking another PDE5 inhibitor such as tadalafil, vardenafil, or avanafil.
- You are a woman or a child being considered for ED treatment; sildenafil for ED is approved for adult men.
Exercise caution and seek medical advice if you have had a recent heart attack or stroke, unstable angina, severe heart failure, uncontrolled blood pressure, severe liver or kidney disease, a history of NAION (non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy), anatomical penile deformity, or conditions that increase priapism risk (for example, sickle cell disease, leukemia, multiple myeloma). If you experience chest pain during sexual activity, stop and seek emergency care immediately.
Effects of Food on Drugs
Central social interactions between people can shape outcomes. that deserve attention:
- Nitrates and recreational nitrites: absolutely contraindicated because of profound hypotension risk.
- Other PDE5 inhibitors: do not fuse these items. sildenafil with tadalafil, vardenafil, avanafil, or another sildenafil product.
- Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors may raise sildenafil levelsprospectsly increasing long term effects. Examples include certain HIV protease inhibitors (ritonavir, saquinavir), azole antifungals (ketoconazole, itraconazole), and some macrolide antibiotics (clarithromycin).
- CYP3A4 inducers such as rifampin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, or St. John’s wort may lower sildenafil effectiveness.
- Alpha blockers and many blood pressure medicines can add to blood pressure lowering effects; medical supervision is advised and dose spacing may be needed.
- Grapefruit and grapefruit juice can increase sildenafil exposure in some individuals; consider avoiding close to dosing.
- Excess alcohol can reduce erectile response and worsen residual effects like dizziness.
Always provide your prescriber or pharmacist with a complete list of prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements before starting sildenafil. If in doubt about a specific product, consult a healthcare professional or see the Fast FAQs subsection.
Unwanted effects and severe indicators
Many users report good tolerance to sildenafil. Untoward effects, when they occur, are commonly mild and transient.
- Prevalent treatment side effects: a throbbing headache, facial flushing, nasal congestion, indigestion, dizziness, back or muscle aches, and altered color perception or increased sensitivity to light.
- Not widely observed: nausea, palpitations, rash, dry mouth, and nasal stuffiness.
- Serious events requiring immediate medical attention: erections lasting longer than 4 hours (priapism), sudden vision loss, sudden hearing loss, severe chest pain, fainting, or signs of an allergic reaction (swelling of face or throat, difficulty breathing).
If medication side effects are persistent or severe, talk with your healthcare provider about dose adjustment or an an alternate path therapy. See other options at Looking at Additional pathways and How They Weigh the options.
Options to consider With Their Comparisons
Several medications and non-drug options exist for treating ED. Choice depends on onset time, duration, postmarketing effects, the study maps how the reciprocal contact between individualss evolve over time., personal preference, and cost.
- Viagra (brand sildenafil) - same active drug as Fildena; typical onset 30 to 60 minutes and duration around 4 to 6 hours.
- Generic sildenafil - FDA-approved generics available in 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg strengths; usually less expensive than the brand.
- Cialis (tadalafil) - often chosen for its long duration (up to 36 hours) and available as daily low-dose options or as needed dosing.
- Levitra (vardenafil) - similar onset and duration to sildenafil; may differ in side effect profiles for some people.
- Stendra (avanafil) - tends to have a faster onset (15 to 30 minutes for some users) and a relatively quick offset compared with tadalafil.
Non-pharmacologic options: vacuum erection devices, penile constriction rings, psychosexual counseling when psychological factors contribute, intracavernosal injections, and penile prosthesis for refractory cases.
Comparative notes: avanafil may act fastest; tadalafil lasts the longest; high-fat meals delay sildenafil and vardenafil more than tadalafil. Cost differences are discussed under Typical Costs in the United States.
Common Prices Across the USA (USD)
Out-of-pocket costs vary widely depending on pharmacy, insurance coverage, discount coupons, and whether the product is brand or generic. The ranges below are approximate per tablet or per typical single dose.
- Generic sildenafil (25-100 mg): commonly $0.30 to $3.00 per tablet with coupons at many U.S. pharmacies; cash price can be higher without discounts.
- Brand Viagra: often $70 to $90 or more per tablet without insurance.
- Generic tadalafil (5-20 mg): about $0.50 to $3.00 per tablet depending on dose and discounts.
- Generic vardenafil: roughly $2.00 to $8.00 per tablet.
- Avanafil (Stendra): frequently $10 to $30 per tablet without discounts.
Fildena is not commonly sold in U.S. pharmacies because it is not FDA-approved for sale in the USA. Some international online sellers may list Fildena at lower unit prices (for example, roughly USD 0.40 to 1.50 per tablet depending on strength and order size); however, importing unapproved medicines carries legal and safety risks, and customs or the FDA may seize shipments. See Legal Recognition Status and Purchase Rules for the United States for more on importation and safe purchasing.
The Status Under the Law and Purchase Terms in the United States
- Prescription requirement: Sildenafil for ED is prescription-only in the United States and should be issued by a U.S.-licensed clinician. Many states allow telehealth prescribing when clinician and state rules are followed.
- FDA approval: Brand Viagra and multiple generic sildenafil products are FDA-approved. Fildena is not FDA-approved for sale in the U.S.
- Importation rules: The FDA typically does not allow personal importation of foreign versions of medicines when an approved U.S. a contingency option exists. Customs may detain or refuse delivery of such products. Relying on enforcement discretion is risky and uncommon for ED drugs.
- Safe online purchasing: Use only U.S.-licensed pharmacies that require a valid prescription. Check credentials through directories like the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) or LegitScript. Avoid websites that sell prescription medicines without a prescription.
- Counterfeit risk: Medicines purchased from unverified sources may be counterfeit, contaminated, or incorrectly dosed. Look for tamper-evident packaging and verify pharmacy licensing.
If you have questions about obtaining a legal prescription or an affordable supply, discuss options with a clinician, pharmacist, or a licensed telehealth provider.
Quick Help FAQs
- How long before sex should I take it? Generally 30 to 60 minutes, though some people respond sooner. Remember that a heavy meal can delay onset.
- Can I drink alcohol when this is in my possession? Moderate alcohol is usually acceptable, but heavy drinking can lower effectiveness and increase side effect risks.
- What if I have an erection lasting more than 4 hours? Seek emergency medical care immediately; prolonged erections can cause permanent damage.
- Can women take sildenafil? For erectile dysfunction the answer is no. Sildenafil is approved as Revatio for pulmonary arterial hypertension in specific circumstances; female use for ED is not a standard indication.
- Can I combine it with other ED pills? No. Combining PDE5 inhibitors or mixing sildenafil with tadalafil, vardenafil, or avanafil is unsafe. See Guidelines For When To Avoid Using and Interplay of Drugs and Food.
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