SILDENAFIL CITRATE

SILDENAFIL CITRATE- sildenafil citrate tablet
Proficient Rx LP

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Sildenafil tablets are indicated for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

2.1 Dosage Information

For most patients, the recommended dose is 50 mg taken, as needed, approximately 1 hour before sexual activity. However, sildenafil tablets may be taken anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours before sexual activity. The maximum recommended dosing frequency is once per day.
Based on effectiveness and toleration, the dose may be increased to a maximum recommended dose of 100 mg or decreased to 25 mg.

2.2 Use with Food

Sildenafil tablets may be taken with or without food.

2.3 Dosage Adjustments in Specific Situations

Sildenafil tablets was shown to potentiate the hypotensive effects of nitrates and its administration in patients who use nitric oxide donors such as organic nitrates or organic nitrites in any form is therefore contraindicated [ see Contraindications (4.1), Drug Interactions (7.1), and Clinical Pharmacology (12.2)].
When sildenafil tablets are co-administered with an alpha-blocker, patients should be stable on alpha-blocker therapy prior to initiating sildenafil tablets treatment and sildenafil tablets should be initiated at 25 mg [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.5), Drug Interactions (7.2), and Clinical Pharmacology (12.2)].

2.4 Dosage Adjustments Due to Drug Interactions

Ritonavir
The recommended dose for ritonavir-treated patients is 25 mg prior to sexual activity and the recommended maximum dose is 25 mg within a 48 hour period because concomitant administration increased the blood levels of sildenafil by 11-fold [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.6), Drug Interactions (7.4), and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].
CYP3A4 Inhibitors
Consider a starting dose of 25 mg in patients treated with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole, or saquinavir) or erythromycin. Clinical data have shown that co-administration with saquinavir or erythromycin increased plasma levels of sildenafil by about 3 fold [ see Drug Interactions (7.4) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

2.5 Dosage Adjustments in Special Populations

Consider a starting dose of 25 mg in patients > 65 years, patients with hepatic impairment (e.g., cirrhosis), and patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance <30 mL/minute) because administration of sildenafil tablets in these patients resulted in higher plasma levels of sildenafil [ see Use in Specific Populations (8.5, 8.6,8.7) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS

Sildenafil tablets, USP are supplied as pale blue to blue, caplet shaped film-coated tablets containing sildenafil citrate USP equivalent to 50 mg, or 100 mg of sildenafil. Tablets are debossed with 1A1 and 1A2 on one side and plain on the other to indicate the dosage strengths viz. 100 mg and 50 mg respectively.
Sildenafil tablets 25 mg USP is supplied as Pale blue to blue, round film-coated tablets, debossed with “25” on one side and “SL” on other side.

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS

4.1 Nitrates

Consistent with its known effects on the nitric oxide/cGMP pathway [ see Clinical Pharmacology (12.1, 12.2) ], sildenafil tablets was shown to potentiate the hypotensive effects of nitrates, and its administration to patients who are using nitric oxide donors such as organic nitrates or organic nitrites in any form either regularly and/or intermittently is therefore contraindicated.
After patients have taken sildenafil tablets, it is unknown when nitrates, if necessary, can be safely administered. Although plasma levels of sildenafil at 24 hours post dose are much lower than at peak concentration, it is unknown whether nitrates can be safely co-administered at this time point [ see Dosage and Administration (2.3), Drug Interactions (7.1), and Clinical Pharmacology (12.2)].

4.2 Hypersensitivity Reactions

Sildenafil tablets are contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to sildenafil, as contained in sildenafil tablets and REVATIO, or any component of the tablet. Hypersensitivity reactions have been reported, including rash and urticaria [ see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ].

4.3 Concomitant Guanylate Cyclase (GC) Stimulators

Do not use sildenafil tablets in patients who are using a GC stimulator, such as riociguat. PDE5 inhibitors, including sildenafil, may potentiate the hypotensive effects of GC stimulators.

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

5.1 Cardiovascular

There is a potential for cardiac risk of sexual activity in patients with preexisting cardiovascular disease. Therefore, treatments for erectile dysfunction, including sildenafil, should not be generally used in men for whom sexual activity is inadvisable because of their underlying cardiovascular status. The evaluation of erectile dysfunction should include a determination of potential underlying causes and the identification of appropriate treatment following a complete medical assessment.
Sildenafil has systemic vasodilatory properties that resulted in transient decreases in supine blood pressure in healthy volunteers (mean maximum decrease of 8.4/5.5 mmHg), [ see Clinical Pharmacology (12.2) ]. While this normally would be expected to be of little consequence in most patients, prior to prescribing sildenafil, physicians should carefully consider whether their patients with underlying cardiovascular disease could be affected adversely by such vasodilatory effects, especially in combination with sexual activity.
Use with caution in patients with the following underlying conditions which can be particularly sensitive to the actions of vasodilators including sildenafil — those with left ventricular outflow obstruction (e.g., aortic stenosis, idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis) and those with severely impaired autonomic control of blood pressure.
There are no controlled clinical data on the safety or efficacy of sildenafil in the following groups; if prescribed, this should be done with caution.

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Patients who have suffered a myocardial infarction, stroke, or life-threatening arrhythmia within the last 6 months;

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Patients with resting hypotension (BP <90/50 mmHg) or hypertension (BP >170/110 mmHg);

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Patients with cardiac failure or coronary artery disease causing unstable angina.