This article describes possible side effects of sildenafil oral tablet. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for sildenafil.
Sildenafil oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drugs Viagra and Revatio. The active drug in both the brand-name and generic medications is sildenafil citrate. Sildenafil also comes in an injectable form and a liquid form that you swallow. But these two forms aren’t described in this article. To learn more about them, talk with your doctor.
You can explore this overview article to learn more about sildenafil oral tablet, including the drug’s uses, dosage, and more.
More common side effects of sildenafil
Below are some of the more common side effects of sildenafil oral tablet that occurred during the drug’s studies. The more common side effects varied based on the condition being treated.
More common side effects reported in people taking sildenafil oral tablet for erectile dysfunction include:
- skin flushing
- upset stomach
- vision changes, such as blurry vision or seeing changes in color
- runny or stuffy nose
- back and muscle pain
- dizziness
- headache*
More common side effects reported in people taking sildenafil oral tablet for pulmonary arterial hypertension include:
- nosebleeds
- skin flushing
- diarrhea
- difficulty sleeping
- shortness of breath
- rash that shows as reddening or darkening in patches of the skin
- headache*
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of sildenafil in detail” section below.
Mild side effects of sildenafil
Sildenafil may cause certain mild side effects. Most often, mild side effects are temporary and can be managed easily. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Mild side effects of sildenafil oral tablet reported in studies for erectile dysfunction (ED) and studies for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) include:
- upset stomach
- runny or stuffy nose
- dizziness
- back pain
- vision changes, such as blurry vision or seeing changes in color
- rash that shows as reddening or darkening in patches of the skin
- skin flushing
- nosebleeds
- diarrhea
- difficulty sleeping
- headache*
- mild allergic reaction*
Sildenafil oral tablet may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information for ED and PAH.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of sildenafil in detail” section below.
Serious side effects of sildenafil
Sildenafil may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from sildenafil oral tablet, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with sildenafil oral tablet.
Serious side effects of sildenafil oral tablet that occurred in studies for erectile dysfunction (ED) and studies for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) include:
- heart-related problems
- vision loss
- hearing loss
- low blood pressure*
- priapism (prolonged erection)*
- severe allergic reaction*
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of sildenafil in detail” section below.
Common questions about side effects of sildenafil
Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of sildenafil oral tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Can the 100-mg strength of sildenafil cause more side effects than the 50-mg strength?
The 100-mg strength may not necessarily cause more side effects, but it may cause different ones.
In sildenafil’s studies for erectile dysfunction, people taking either strength of sildenafil reported the same types of side effects. But certain side effects occurred more often in people taking the 100-mg dosage compared to the 50-mg dosage. These included:
- headache
- upset stomach
- vision changes, such as blurry vision or seeing changes in color
- runny or stuffy nose
- muscle pains
- rash
On the other hand, some side effects occurred more often in people taking the 50-mg dosage compared to the 100-mg one. These included skin flushing and dizziness.
In addition, some side effects occurred in people taking either strength, including back pain and nausea.
Having other medical conditions or taking other medications may increase your risk of side effects. If you’re concerned about side effects based on your dosage, talk with your doctor.
Does sildenafil cause long-term side effects?
Usually, most of sildenafil’s side effects are mild and go away quickly. This usually occurs once the drug has been broken down by the body. But some serious side effects can cause complications that last.
Priapism (prolonged erection) is a serious side effect of sildenafil that can lead to permanent erectile dysfunction if it’s not treated. To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of sildenafil in detail” section below.
Sildenafil can cause a serious eye condition called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). This condition can lead to permanent vision loss. To learn more about this side effect, see the “Warnings for sildenafil” section below.
If you have an erection that lasts more than 4 hours, get emergency medical help. If you have vision changes during your treatment, talk with your doctor right away.
What are the side effects of sildenafil in females?
Sildenafil isn’t approved for use in females* to treat sexual dysfunction. If your doctor prescribes sildenafil for female sexual conditions, it’s an off-label use. This means it’s prescribed for a purpose other than what it’s approved to treat.
But sildenafil is approved to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in female and male* adults. With this condition, the vessels supplying blood to the lungs narrow, which causes high blood pressure. Sildenafil helps widen the blood vessels and lower blood pressure.
In a 2017 study that consisted mostly of females who had PAH, side effects were similar to those reported in studies of sildenafil for PAH.
Talk with your doctor if you’d like to learn more about the use of sildenafil in females.
* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, we use the terms “male” and “female” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth.
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Side effects of sildenafil in detail
Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of sildenafil oral tablet.
Low blood pressure
Sildenafil relaxes and opens the body’s blood vessels, which makes it easier for blood to flow. After you take a dose, you may have low blood pressure. This is usually temporary and doesn’t cause problems for most people.
But a sudden drop in blood pressure can be dangerous. It can cause fainting, dizziness, or even a heart attack or stroke. If you take certain other medications with sildenafil, your risk of a sudden drop in blood pressure increases. These medications include nitrates, as well as the drug called riociguat (Adempas). A group of drugs called alpha-blockers can also increase your risk of low blood pressure.
Symptoms of low blood pressure may include:
- lightheadedness
- dizziness
- blurry vision
- nausea
- fainting
- weakness
- confusion
Low blood pressure can be dangerous to people who have heart conditions. If you have heart problems, ask your doctor whether sildenafil is safe to take.
Ways to manage
If you have symptoms of low blood pressure or chest pain, talk with your doctor right away. They can advise what you should do or whether you need emergency treatment.
Low blood pressure can make you feel dizzy or lightheaded. Because of this, your doctor will likely recommend that you sit or lie down when you feel dizzy. To help you avoid falling, they’ll also recommend that you stand up slowly from a sitting position.
Your doctor may recommend that you drink plenty of fluids. This is to avoid dehydration, which can contribute to low blood pressure.
Headache
Headache was the most commonly reported side effect in sildenafil studies for erectile dysfunction (ED) and studies for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). With headaches, you may feel discomfort in your head, neck, or shoulders. Your pain can be constant or come and go. It can also feel dull or sharp.
Ways to manage
Talk with your doctor if your headaches are troublesome or don’t go away during your treatment. You might find that taking over-the-counter (OTC) drugs helps ease your headache. But before taking OTC medications, ask your doctor or pharmacist which ones are safe for you.
To prevent headaches, try to:
- reduce stress by doing yoga or relaxation techniques
- get a good night’s sleep
- avoid skipping meals
Priapism
Sildenafil may cause priapism, which is a long lasting and sometimes painful erection. But in the drug’s studies for ED, this was a rare side effect.
If priapism isn’t treated right away, tissues in the penis can be damaged and cause permanent ED.
Ways to manage
Priapism is a medical emergency. If you have an erection that lasts more than 4 hours, get emergency medical help. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to your nearest emergency room.
Allergic reaction
For some people, sildenafil oral tablet can cause an allergic reaction. Allergic reactions, including rash and itching, have been reported in the drug’s studies for ED and PAH.
Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:
- itchiness
- skin rash
- swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or a local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to sildenafil oral tablet, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
