Big picture summary
Viagra Professional is a sildenafil citrate product used to treat erectile dysfunction in adult men. Sildenafil is one of the phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors. Typical tablet strengths that are commonly prescribed include 50 mg and 100 mg.
- Primary active ingredient: sildenafil citrate
- Primary use: treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED); see For use in athletic competition for comments about altitude and athletic contexts
- Common tablet sizes: 50 mg and 100 mg
Symptoms and signs and The People It Is For
Sildenafil is indicated mainly for adult men with erectile dysfunction to help achieve and maintain an erection adequate for sexual intercourse when sexual stimulation is present. It does not create sexual desire.
There are other licensed uses for sildenafil under different brand names and doses, such as pulmonary arterial hypertension. This page focuses on ED; for PAH consult your clinician because dosing and the act of monitoring differ. For more on regulatory status in Australia see Australia: information regarding law and regulatory compliance issues.
Not intended for use by women or persons under 18 for ED. New or worsening erectile problems should prompt medical evaluation to rule out cardiovascular, endocrine, or neurological contributors.
How It Is Done
During sexual arousal, nitric oxide is released in penile tissue and increases cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). cGMP causes smooth muscle relaxation in the corpus cavernosum, permitting increased blood flow and producing an erection. Phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) breaks down cGMP; sildenafil inhibits PDE5, extending the action of cGMP and helping erections occur in response to sexual stimulation.
Sildenafil cannot induce an erection in the absence of sexual stimulation. For effects of food and specific people engage through a series of the networked exchange of ideass., see Common Drug Food Interpersonal engagements.
Dose Information and Directions
- Typical timing: take approximately 15 to 30 minutes before sexual activity; some people may require up to 60 minutes.
- Do not administer more than one dose in any 24 hour window.
- Usual starting dose: 50 mg for many adult men; clinicians may adjust to 25 mg or 100 mg according to efficacy and tolerability.
- Food effects: a high-fat meal can delay absorption in addition to the onset of action; an empty stomach often provides faster onset.
- Avoid grapefruit or grapefruit juice shortly before or after a dose because it can raise sildenafil blood levels; see Dietary Influence on Drug Action.
If you have reduced liver or kidney function, are elderly, or are taking interacting medicines, your prescriber may recommend a lower initial dose. Follow the instructions given by your healthcare professional.
Safety Standards and Safety guidelines
- Hypersensitivity: do not use if you have a known allergy to sildenafil or any tablet excipient.
- Cardiovascular risk: sexual activity increases cardiac workload. Seek medical advice before using sildenafil if you have severe heart disease, unstable angina, recent heart attack or stroke, or uncontrolled blood pressure.
- Vision and hearing: rare reports of sudden vision decrease and sudden hearing loss have been associated with PDE5 inhibitors. Stop the medicine and seek urgent assessment if these occur.
- Prolonged erection: priapism is a medical emergency; if an erection lasts longer than 4 hours, obtain immediate medical help to avoid permanent damage.
- Older adults: may be more sensitive to adverse effects and interacting as a shared activitys can be viewed as exchanges of information.; dose reduction can be appropriate.
- Ethanol: excessive alcohol can worsen dizziness and reduce erectile response; limit alcohol when using sildenafil.
See Conditions where use is not advised for absolute situations where sildenafil should not be used.
Cautions against use due to medical reasons
- Concurrent use of nitrates (for example, glyceryl trinitrate or isosorbide mononitrate) or inhaled nitrites such as recreational "poppers" (amyl or butyl nitrite).
- It may be used alongside soluble guanylate cyclase stimulators such as riociguat.
- Taking other erectile dysfunction drugs at the same time (for example tadalafil, vardenafil, avanafil) unless specifically authorised by a prescriber.
- Known allergy to sildenafil or any ingredient in the tablet formulation.
- Not indicated for women or children for ED purposes.
Potential treatment adverse reactions
Many men tolerate sildenafil well, but ill effects can occur. Most are transient.
- Common behavioral responses: i am suffering from a headache, facial flushing, nasal congestion, indigestion, nausea, dizziness, lightheadedness.
- Less frequent: visual disturbances such as a blue or green tint, blurred vision, increased sensitivity to light, back or muscle pain.
- Serious signs requiring urgent care: chest pain, fainting, severe dizziness, signs of stroke, sudden loss of vision or hearing, allergic swelling affecting breathing or face, or an erection lasting longer than 4 hours.
Report any unexpected or severe reactions to your doctor or pharmacist. Interacting medicines can change the risk or severity of unwanted reactions; check Drug and Food Interaction Alerts.
Drug and Food Interaction Alerts
- Avoid nitrates and recreational nitrite inhalants ("poppers") because combining them with sildenafil can cause life threatening low blood pressure.
- Other ED medicines: do not take two PDE5 inhibitors together unless specifically instructed by a clinician.
- Alpha blockers and some blood pressure medicines: combined use can produce symptomatic hypotension; dose adjustments and spacing may be advised.
- Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (for example, ketoconazole, itraconazole, ritonavir, cobicistat, clarithromycin): they can increase sildenafil exposure and may require dose reduction or avoidance.
- CYP3A4 inducers (for example, rifampicin, carbamazepine, phenytoin): they may lower sildenafil levels and reduce effect.
- Grapefruit juice: may raise blood levels of sildenafil; avoid close to dosing.
- Alcohol content by volume: can increase dizziness and impair erectile response; moderation is advised.
- High-fat meals: can slow absorption and delay onset of effect.
Always give your clinician a current list of prescription medicines, over the counter drugs, and supplements before starting sildenafil.
Dose skipped accidentally
Sildenafil for ED is generally taken as needed rather than on a fixed schedule, so there is no routine i skipped the dose rule. Do not take additional tablets to replace a i skipped the dose. Maintain no more than one dose in any 24 hour period.
In an a drug overdose
If you or someone else has taken more sildenafil than recommended, seek urgent medical attention or call emergency services. Symptoms that may occur with non fatal overdose include severe dizziness, fainting, chest pain, nausea, visual problems, and changes in heart rhythm.
Online cold storage is used for long term preservation of rare items.
- Store at room temperature, ideally 20-25 C (68-77 F).
- Keep tablets away from moisture and direct sunlight.
- Do not store in bathrooms or damp places.
- Do not let children or animals reach any medicines.
Different methods of treatment and Related Medications
Other PDE5 inhibitors and treatment approaches are available. Choice is guided by onset time, duration, side effect profile, subtle the dynamics of interactions can reinforce culture., patient preference, and cost. Other sources Drug and Food Interaction Considerations for cross-product cautions.
- Tadalafil (brand name Cialis): often longer acting, up to 36 hours in some users; daily low-dose regimens exist and may suit frequent sexual activity.
- Vardenafil (brand name Levitra): similar duration to sildenafil with slightly different side effect merged with the back and forth between people characteristics.
- Avanafil (brand name Spedra): may have a faster onset for some men and a shorter overall duration than tadalafil.
- Nonpharmacological options: counselling for psychological causes, lifestyle measures such as weight loss and smoking cessation, vacuum erection devices, intracavernosal injections, or surgical implants when oral therapy is unsuitable.
Never combine two oral ED medicines unless directed by a prescriber. Discuss different substitutes and costs with your clinician or pharmacist.
Approximate costs involved in living in Australia (AUD)
Prices vary widely depending on brand, pack size, pharmacy, and whether the product is subsidised. Erectile dysfunction treatments are typically not covered by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) in Australia, so expect retail price structure for ED tokens. These are approximate per tablet ranges and may change over time:
- Generic sildenafil 50 mg or 100 mg: roughly AUD 1 to 6 per tablet at discount outlets; some pharmacies may list higher retail prices up to AUD 10 per tablet.
- Brand Viagra 50 mg or 100 mg: commonly around AUD 8 to 20 per tablet depending on pack size and supplier.
- Tadalafil (generic) 10 mg to 20 mg: about AUD 2 to 8 per tablet; brand Cialis often AUD 12 to 25 per tablet.
- Vardenafil (Levitra) and avanafil (Spedra): typically priced between AUD 10 and 25 per tablet where available.
Buying larger quantities often reduces the per tablet price. If considering importationplease validate. the juridical rules in Australian regulatory and law oriented information resources and be aware imported medicines may not meet Australian quality standards.
Regulatory and legal datarmation for the Australian market
- Scheduling: sildenafil for erectile dysfunction is classified as a Prescription Only Medicine (Schedule 4) by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). It cannot legally be sold over the counter across Australia.
- Prescription requirement: a valid Australian prescription is required to purchase sildenafil for ED from pharmacies, including those operating online in Australia lawfully.
- Advertising rules: strict limits apply to the promotion of prescription medicines to the public. Be cautious when considering online vendors that make claims that seem unrealistic or noncompliant.
- Personal importation: under the TGA Personal Import Program you may be able to import up to a 3 month supply for personal use if the product is not prohibited and you have a valid prescription. Imported products may differ in quality or composition; consult your prescriber and look over TGA guidance before importing.
- Driving and machinery: do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you experience dizziness, visual disturbance, or other accompanying effects that impair your ability to do so.
If you are unsure of your legal obligations or how to obtain sildenafil lawfully, consult your pharmacist, doctor, or the official TGA resources.
Use in athletics
Sildenafil is not listed as prohibited on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List and may be used by athletes when medically indicated. Some athletes have explored sildenafil for potential benefits at high altitude related to pulmonary circulation, but evidence is mixed coupled with the drug is not approved for performance enhancement.
- Use only under medical supervision and for a legitimate medical indication such as ED.
- Be aware of undesired effects like head pain sensation or dizziness that can impair athletic performance.
- Check current anti-doping rules for your sport and seek a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) if required by your governing body; see also Regulatory and guidance in legal matters informationrmation for the Australian market.
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