About Sildenafil and Viagra
Viagra has been popular for decades, and recently Pfizer’s patent for the drug expired – allowing a generic unbranded medication, Sildenafil, to be produced and sold by accredited online pharmacies. Sildenafil is the active ingredient in Viagra, so it’s exactly the same – aside from the brand name. This means it can be taken just as often as Viagra – every day, if you’re seeking the desired effects this often.
Viagra and Sildenafil are both reliable, safe, and officially-approved medications. Due to the fact that Sildenafil is a PDE5 inhibitor, it causes blood vessels to expand and relax. For this reason, it was originally developed as a drug for cardiac conditions. However, the benefits for erectile dysfunction were soon understood and the medication was pushed to the front line of the battle against ED.
When your brain sends pyschosexual signals down your spinal cord, this encourages an erection. The penis retains the increased blood within it and stays temporarily stiff. Sildenafil acts on the enzymes responsible for muscle contraction within the blood vessels; allowing better blood flow to – and within – the penis. Thus, making erections easier to achieve and maintain if you are sexually aroused.
How Often Should You Take Sildenafil in a Day?
While it’s possible to take Sildenafil every day, there is a restriction on the daily dosage. The maximum dose within a 24-hour period would be 100mg. In any case, studies have shown that a higher dose than 100mg in one day doesn’t have any added benefit – and could increase the chances of side effects.
The most common dosage is 50mg, and this has sufficient effect for the huge majority of men who take Sildenafil for ED. On the rare occasion that 50mg is insufficient or inappropriate, Sildenafil can also be taken in 25mg or 100mg doses. Consult a Manual clinician if you’re in doubt about which dose suits you.
The 50mg dose is usually sufficient to make it easier to gain and maintain an erection for 4-5 hours. If you take Sildenafil, it’ll start to work within approximately 60 minutes. So aside from keeping your Sildenafil close by or in your bedside draw, you don’t need to plan very far in advance before sex – which gives you extra flexibility and peace of mind. Even if you’re a man with a very active sex life, you should be covered.
Another popular ED medication is Cialis – or Tadalafil, the unbranded version of Cialis. This is another PDE5 inhibitor, so it works in a similar way to Sildenafil. However, it gets to work quicker and it can last for up to 36 hours. It’s nicknamed the “weekend pill” for this reason.
If you’re thinking of taking Tadalafil, wait 24 hours after taking Sildenafil – and vice versa. Multiple ED medications should not be taken at the same time. And there’s no need to try: it won’t help.
“With great power comes great responsibility”
Luckily, most men experience no side effects when they take Sildenafil or Tadalafil. And if side effects do occur, they’re generally very mild – issues like facial flushing or dizziness.
However, you should always be open and honest in the medical questionnaire before progressing with your treatment. For example, if you’ve had a cardiac issue such as a stroke or heart attack in the previous 6 months, PDE5 inhibitors like Sildenafil and Tadalafil should be avoided. It’s important to give a true account of your health and medical history – to allow your clinicians to supply safe medication for you.
Furthermore, the fact that Sildenafil is an approved medication for ED and used around the globe shouldn’t deter you from reading the accompanying patient information leaflet. Always arm yourself with the information, and remember that everybody’s response to medication is slightly different.
Key Takeaways
Sildenafil can be taken every day, up to the recommended maximum dosage of 100mg. It helps men with erectile dysfunction enjoy more adventure and freedom – because it is a highly-effective and minimally-disruptive medication that can get to work in less than an hour. Whether you go for non-branded Sildenafil medication or the famous Viagra drug, both options are safe, approved, and often very effective – though you’ll still need to be relaxed and sexually aroused for an erection to occur.
For lots of men in the UK, Sildenafil offers an important helping hand. Stress hormones are shown to interfere with a man’s ability to reach an erection, so just knowing it’s nearby can reduce the anxiety about sexual performance – making erections achievable and sex more enjoyable. You can take Sildenafil every day if you need to – or keep it on hand for the occasions when you need assistance.
FAQs
What is Sildenafil?
Sildenafil is a PDE5 inhibitor, expanding and relaxing blood vessels to make erections easier to achieve and maintain. It is the active ingredient in the branded ED medication Viagra, and works exactly the same way.
Do you need a prescription to buy Sildenafil?
You no longer need a prescription to buy Sildenafil or Viagra, however, you do need to fill out a questionnaire at the pharmacy, which will allow the pharmacist to determine if Sildenafil is suitable for you, or not. Be honest and truthful on your questionnaire, to minimise the risk of experiencing side effects from the medication.
How often can you take Sildenafil?
The average dose of Sildenafil is 50mg, which begins to work within an hour and can help you achieve and maintain erections for the next 4-5 hours. However, you can safely take up to 100mg of Sildenafil in any 24hr period. You can take up to 100mg of Sildenafil every day, provided you experience no side effects.
Can you take Sildenafil and Tadalafil at the same time?
No, you should never mix two erectile dysfunction medications together. There is no added benefit to taking Sildenafil and Tadalafil at the same time, and it can be dangerous to do so.
While we've ensured that everything you read on the Health Centre is medically reviewed and approved, information presented here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It should never be relied upon for specific medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns, please talk to your doctor.
