Sildenafil

Sildenafil is the active ingredient in the brand-name medication Viagra^®. Sildenafil works the same way as Viagra and has the same benefits and risks, according to the FDA. 

Sildenafil is a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor, an oral medication used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) by increasing blood flow to the penis. It is taken only as needed, usually about an hour before sexual activity, though it can be effective if taken between 30 minutes to four hours prior. 

It is very important not to take Viagra more than once a day, as exceeding this frequency increases the risk of serious side effects, including vision loss and significant drops in blood pressure.

Viagra (sildenafil citrate) is indicated to treat:

• Erectile dysfunction (ED)

Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitor

Most common adverse reactions (≥2%) include:

• Headache

• Flushing

• Indigestion

• Abnormal vision

• Nasal congestion

• Back pain

• Muscle pain

• Nausea

• Dizziness

• Rash

The cost of sildenafil may vary depending on factors such as your insurance plan, the dosage, the quantity, and where you buy it.

Without insurance, the average retail price of sildenafil is about $23 per tablet, but coupons and discount cards may bring the cost to less than $1 per tablet. Insurance may cover all or some of the cost of the drug.

Hims offers access to sildenafil starting at $4 per use after a thorough medical consultation.  Based on your symptoms and medical history, a healthcare provider will determine if the product is a good fit for your needs.

You can get a prescription for sildenafil after being evaluated by your primary care provider or a specialist who can determine if the medicine is right for you based on factors like your symptoms and medical history. 

Hims offers access to sildenafil and brand-name Viagra after a healthcare provider determines your eligibility. Hims connects you with an affiliated provider who will evaluate your symptoms, current medications, and health history to decide if sildenafil is a good fit. If you’re approved, your medication will be shipped to your doorstep in discreet packaging.

• Administration of Viagra to patients using nitric oxide donors, such as organic nitrates or organic nitrites in any form

• Known hypersensitivity to sildenafil or any component of tablet

• Drug interactions: Nitrates, alpha blockers, antihypertensives, CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir, ketoconazole, itraconazole, saquinavir, erythromycin)

• Patients should not use Viagra if sexual activity is inadvisable due to cardiovascular status

• Patients should seek emergency treatment if an erection lasts >4 hours

• Patients should stop Viagra and seek medical care if a sudden loss of vision occurs in one or both eyes, which could be a sign of non arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION)

• Patients should stop Viagra and seek prompt medical attention in the event of sudden decrease or loss of hearing

• Caution is advised when Viagra is co-administered with alpha-blockers or anti-hypertensives

• Decreased blood pressure, fainting, and prolonged erection may occur at higher sildenafil exposures

There are other medications prescribed to treat ED. Some of these drugs may be better suited to you than others. If you’re interested in finding an alternative to sildenafil, talk with your provider to learn more about other medications that may work well for you.

Other oral medications that can treat ED include:

• Viagra^® (sildenafil)

• Cialis^® (tadalafil)

• Stendra^® (avanafil)

• Vardenafil

• Chewable ED meds available through Hims that contain one or more of the active ingredients in Cialis and Viagra

Penile injection medications for ED include:

• Caverject^® or Edex^® (alprostadil)

• Papaverine

• Phentolamine

• Combination medications such as Bimix, Trimix, and Quadmix

As an alternative or addition to ED medications, your healthcare provider may suggest therapy for mental health issues that may be contributing to your ED symptoms and/or lifestyle changes to support sexual health, like following a healthy diet, exercising, and cutting back on alcohol.

Other treatments for ED include a topical gel, a penis pump with or without a constriction ring, penile implant surgery, and testosterone therapy (if you have low testosterone).

*This information is from the label for brand name Viagra^®. See the Full Prescribing Information for more complete information. Sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra, may also be the active ingredient in other medications, and this information may not be accurate for all medications that include the active ingredient sildenafil.