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:
* 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:
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:
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.
Warnings for sildenafil
Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking sildenafil oral tablet.
Warnings
It may not be safe for you to take sildenafil oral tablet if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether sildenafil oral tablet is a safe treatment option for you.
Before taking sildenafil oral tablet, tell your doctor about your health conditions and medications you take. Things to consider include those listed below.
Heart problems. If you have certain heart conditions or take certain medications, sildenafil can increase your risk of heart-related problems.
Talk with your doctor to see whether sildenafil is right for you. It’s important to consider this, especially if:
Stomach ulcers or bleeding conditions. Sildenafil may cause or worsen ulcers or bleeding. With either condition, you may or may not have symptoms. If you have a peptic ulcer or bleeding condition, your doctor may monitor you more closely.
Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to sildenafil oral tablet or any of its ingredients, your doctor likely won’t prescribe this medication. Ask them about other treatment options that may be better for you.
Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease. Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD) is a rare form of pulmonary hypertension. But, sildenafil is not recommended for the treatment of PVOD. This is because this treatment could cause the lungs to fill with fluid.
After taking sildenafil, watch for certain symptoms. These are shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, or an irregular and fast heart rate. If you have any of these symptoms, call your doctor as soon as possible. They can help determine whether sildenafil is right for you.
Irregular penis shape. In some situations, sildenafil increases your risk of priapism (prolonged erection). This can include whether you have Peyronie’s disease or an irregular penis shape. Prolonged erections can last longer than 4 hours and may be painful. They are considered a medical emergency.
Conditions such as sickle cell anemia, acute myeloid leukemia, and multiple myeloma may increase the risk of priapism. This risk may be higher by taking sildenafil. If you have any of these conditions, talk with your doctor before starting sildenafil.
Liver problems. If you have liver problems, it may take longer for your liver to process sildenafil. This can cause the drug to stay in your body longer. In turn, this can increase your risk of side effects. If you have liver problems, your doctor may start you on a lower dosage of sildenafil.
Sildenafil and pregnancy
It isn’t clear whether it’s safe to take sildenafil during pregnancy. To determine its safety in pregnancy, more studies are needed.
If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor about taking sildenafil during pregnancy. You can discuss the possible risks versus benefits.
Sildenafil and breastfeeding
Sildenafil may pass into breast milk. But the effects of the drug on a child who is breastfed aren’t known.
It’s not likely that your doctor will recommend breastfeeding while taking sildenafil. But they can discuss safe ways to feed your child during treatment.
Sildenafil and alcohol
Taking sildenafil oral tablet with alcohol can raise your risk of low blood pressure.
If you drink alcohol, you can ask your doctor how much, if any, is safe to consume during sildenafil treatment.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes common and serious side effects of sildenafil oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- How do the side effects of sildenafil compare with those of tadalafil?
- Do the brand-name versions of sildenafil have side effects similar to sildenafil oral tablet?
- Will my risk of side effects increase if I have kidney problems?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
