Doctors commonly prescribe the lowest effective dose that will work for their patients. That’s because the higher the dosage, the higher the risk you run of experiencing side effects. That rings true for sildenafil (Viagra), just like most drugs.
The side effects of sildenafil may include flushing, headaches, blurred vision, distortion in visual perception, nasal congestion, back pain, muscle aches, nausea, and rashes.
These side effects may happen more frequently the higher the dose of sildenafil you take. For instance, nearly one in five people who take a 25 mg dose of sildenafil get headaches. At even higher doses of sildenafil – 100 mg, for instance – over one in four people get headaches.
Reports have been circulating about people who take more than their prescribed dose of sildenafil. And while the jury is still out as far as knowing all the risks linked to taking too much sildenafil or other ED drugs of its ilk, one potential complication worth considering is called retinal toxicity, a problem with the eyes.
Retinal toxicity may cause changes in color perception, sensitivity to light, or blurred vision. Luckily, most of its symptoms usually subside after you stop taking sildenafil. However, some individuals may experience permanent, irreversible damage.
Healthcare professionals generally start patients off with smaller doses and increase it depending on their needs, after taking into account how they tolerate the medicine. Following their advice reduces your risk of experiencing side effects.
How much sildenafil is in excess?
As with all other medicines, you should take the sildenafil dose prescribed to you by your doctor – and no more than that. Moreover, you shouldn’t take your prescribed dose of sildenafil more than once every 24 hours.
As a rule of thumb, your doctor might start you off on a 50 mg sildenafil dose to see how well you tolerate the drug. Based on how you react to your initial dosage, your healthcare provider might choose to increase your dose to 100 mg or reduce it to 25 mg depending on whether you achieve the desired effect – and/or based on the intensity of the side effects you experience.
Sildenafil should be taken at least 30 minutes prior to having sex, but you can space out your dose up to two to four hours in advance. Consult your doctor if your prescription doesn’t seem to help you produce sufficiently firm erections for pleasurable sex.
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Do NOT take an extra dose of sildenafil if the first one doesn’t seem to work. Moreover, if you took sildenafil less than 30 minutes prior to having sex, it is advisable to give it a bit more time to work its magic, as its effects can become stronger in the succeeding hour or so.`
While you adjust your sildenafil dosage under your doctor’s guidance to obtain optimal results, you might want to try other options, such as penis pumps and cock rings to help draw blood into the penis and keep it there for firmer erections and prevent it from draining, respectively.
What you should know about sildenafil dosage
Sildenafil comes in a variety of doses. 25 mg is considered the lowest dose, and low-dose sildenafil is used particularly when you’re above the age of 65 or if you’re experiencing side effects when taking the standard dose of 50 mg. You may also be prescribed low-dose sildenafil if you have pre-existing medical conditions affecting the liver or kidney or if you’re on certain medications.
Studies have been conducted using sildenafil doses as high as 200 mg to treat severe cases of ED, but more research needs to be done on the safety of high-dose sildenafil. A small 2002 study of 54 subjects with ED indicated that only 24% of the participants experienced improvements with high-dose sildenafil. At the highest dose, 63% of the subjects experienced side effects, which was the same in patients who didn’t report any tangible improvements in their ED symptoms.
Moreover, even the participants who experienced improvements reported experiencing severe side effects that were uncomfortable enough for them to decide higher-dose sildenafil wasn’t worth the pain. Out of the 13 subjects who experienced tangible improvements, 4 refused to continue due to severe adverse effects.
That said, your doctor will work with you to determine the pros and cons of different doses of sildenafil to help you make an informed decision.
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What are the alternatives to sildenafil?
If you don’t experience any results with sildenafil, don’t despair – you have more than a few safe and effective options. Sildenafil belongs to the PDE5 inhibitor class of ED drugs, which include tadalafil (Cialis), vardenafil (Levitra), and avanafil (Strendra).
Any of these alternatives may give you better results than sildenafil.
For instance, tadalafil’s effects last longer than sildenafil (36 hours), making it a popular choice for many ED sufferers worldwide. Tadalafil can be taken on an as-needed or daily basis, making it a great option if you engage in sexual activity frequently.
On the other hand, vardenafil is a good option if you wish to take your medicine with food. High-fat, high-calorie meals may slow down the uptake of other ED drugs, but vardenafil works at the same pace even when taken with a moderately high-fat meal.
Avanafil is the fastest-acting ED drug currently available, with many individuals reporting the drug taking effect within 15 minutes.
We know that ED symptoms can be extremely frustrating. But don’t take things into your own hands by increasing the dose without your healthcare provider’s approval. As with any drug, you should take only the prescribed dose of sildenafil. If you want to discuss any changes to your dose or medicine, consult your doctor first.
