Part Two of Viagra Information, Focusing on Side Effects, Discontinuation or Withdrawal Effects, and Additional Information

This second section of our medication database entry focuses on potential side effects, withdrawal or discontinuation effects, and additional information, while part one covers basic drug characteristics, uses and benefits.

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What are the possible side effects of sildenafil?

  • If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking sildenafil and seek emergency medical attention or notify your doctor immediately:
    • an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
    • chest pain or an irregular heartbeat;
    • swelling of the ankles or legs;
    • shortness of breath;
    • prolonged or severe dizziness;
    • a prolonged (lasting longer than 4 hours) or painful erection; or
    • dizziness, nausea, or angina (pain, tightness, discomfort, numbness, or tingling in the chest, arms, neck, or jaw).
  • Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take sildenafil and talk to your doctor if you experience
    • flushing;
    • mild dizziness;
    • headache;
    • nasal congestion;
    • diarrhea;
    • temporary blue tint in vision or other vision abnormalities; or
    • itching or a rash.
  • Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect sildenafil?

  • Do not take sildenafil if you are using a nitrate drug for chest pain or heart problems. Nitrates include nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur, Nitro-Bid, Minitran, Deponit, Transderm-Nitro, others), isosorbide dinitrate (Dilatrate-SR, Isordil, Sorbitrate), and isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO, Monoket). Nitrates are also found in some recreational drugs such as amyl nitrate or nitrite ("poppers").
  • Before taking sildenafil, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medications:
    • any other drug used to treat impotence, such as alprostadil (Caverject, Muse, Edex) or yohimbine (Yocon, Yodoxin, others);
    • the antibiotic drugs clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E-Mycin, Eryc, Ery-Tab, others), or troleandomycin (TAO);
    • an antifungal medication such as itraconazole (Sporanox) or ketoconazole (Nizoral);
    • the HIV medications amprenavir (Agenerase), delavirdine (Rescriptor), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir), or saquinavir (Fortovase, Invirase);
    • cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB);
    • phenobarbital (Luminal);
    • carbamazepine (Tegretol) or phenytoin (Dilantin); or
    • rifampin (Rifadin, Rifamate) or rifabutin (Mycobutin).
  • You may not be able to take sildenafil, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
  • Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with sildenafil or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.

Where can I get more information?

  • Your pharmacist has additional information about sildenafil written for health professionals that you may read.
  • Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Limitations and the Source of Our Online Medication Information Database

Although we have made considerable efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, MedLibrary.org makes no guarantee to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. This medication information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend any specific pharmacotherapy. This is an educational resource only -- intended to supplement but not to replace the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of medically qualified healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, please check with your doctor, nurse or local pharmacist. MedLibrary.org does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided here.

Full public license and copyright information is available separately from Cerner Multum, Inc.

Version: 4.03. Revision Date: 2/14/03.

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