Sildenafil was patented in 1996 and was originally studied and synthesized to treat hypertension and angina pectoris. As the drug was being studied and tested, the scientists discovered that it had a much more profound effect on penile erections. This happy accident led to the development of sildenafil for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, and it sparked a renewed interest in developing medication for the treatment of sexual health problems.
In just two years after Sildenafil was patented, the FDA approved it for the treatment of erectile dysfunction; the first drug ever to receive FDA approval for sexual health-related problems. Being the only drug ever to receive FDA approval, Sildenafil was massively successful. It developed into a multi-billion dollar business that remained prosperous for more than 20 years after its creation.
Like any other treatment, Sildenafil has certain side effects and drug interactions that should be considered before taking the medication. In this article, we’ll discuss what you should avoid while taking sildenafil, so you can enjoy the life-changing benefits of the medication safely.
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What does sildenafil do to your body?
As Sildenafil was originally intended to treat cardiovascular diseases, its main activity can be traced back to its effect on the signaling pathways that control vasodilation and vasoconstriction. The idea was to dilate blood vessels to allow a greater volume of blood to pass through, which would inevitably reduce blood pressure, and reduce the strain on the heart muscles to pump blood.
While testing revealed minor improvements in relation to hypertension and angina pectoris, researchers discovered that Sildenafil has a much greater effect on male sexual function. Sildenafil inhibits the phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) enzyme to impact its ability to regulate cGMP-specific signaling pathways, which regulate vasoconstriction and vasodilation.
By acting as a PDE-5 inhibitor, Sildenafil effectively improves the flow and volume of blood that courses through the genital area, and this leads to a much greater volume of blood that flows through the cavernous spaces in the penis. This allows the elastic penile tissue to expand and develop rigidity for sexual penetration.
Who should not take Sildenafil?
In every situation, your supervising health professional would be in the best position to advise you on the type of treatments that are appropriate for your health and your preferences. Certain concerns, such as cardiovascular health problems, generally affect the recommendations of health professionals when prescribing erectile dysfunction medication such as Sildenafil.
Individuals with cardiovascular health problems are likely to take medication to manage their condition. These medications often operate on the same pathway as Sildenafil. Nitrates, in particular, work by having a direct effect on the smooth muscles that control constriction and dilation in the blood vessels. It has a relaxant effect that ultimately allows blood vessels to dilate, allowing a greater volume of blood to pass through the blood vessels.
When nitrates are taken together with Sildenafil, there is a risk of significantly lowering blood pressure down to dangerous levels. This occurs when the blood vessels are too dilated to manage a working blood pressure that would allow blood to reach certain areas of the body. This reaction is extremely dangerous, and it should be treated as an emergency.
Generally, any medication or supplement that has a direct effect on your cardiovascular health should be mentioned when you talk to your health professional about your erectile dysfunction treatment options. This would allow health professionals to carefully evaluate your health, and find the appropriate dosage that would favorably impact your sexual health while protecting your cardiovascular health.
Can I drink alcohol with sildenafil?
Drinking alcohol in moderation could be acceptable when taking lower doses of sildenafil. Studies show that alcoholic beverages can aggravate the side effects of sildenafil, such as flushing, headaches, and diarrhea. These symptoms could worsen with the amount of alcoholic beverage you consume, and the dosage of sildenafil that you take.
If you already have signs of erectile dysfunction, drinking alcoholic beverages may not be to your advantage. While sildenafil could help you achieve an erection, the triggers leading to an erection could be impaired because of the inebriation from alcoholic beverages. Alcohol dramatically slows down the activity of neurotransmitters, and this becomes another obstacle that you would need to overcome in order to achieve an erection.
Long-term alcohol consumption and/or abuse could potentially cause or worsen symptoms of erectile dysfunction. Taking sildenafil may make it easier for you to obtain an erection, but the underlying cause of erectile dysfunction, aggravated by alcohol consumption, could counteract the activity of sildenafil, making your results with sildenafil much weaker compared to sober individuals.
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How should I take sildenafil for the best results?
A part of the reason why people choose Sildenafil over other treatment options for erectile dysfunction is because of how fast it works. Generally, sildenafil only needs about 30-45 minutes before it kicks in, and this is optimized by taking sildenafil on an empty stomach. This allows the body to fully absorb sildenafil quickly, leading to easier, longer-lasting erections.
Can I take sildenafil daily?
Yes. Sildenafil is generally safe to take daily, provided that your health is compatible with taking the medication. Healthy individuals would have no problems taking Sildenafil regularly as it only stays in your system for about 4-5 hours, after which, its effects gradually weaken over time.
The general recommendation is for men to only take sildenafil 45 minutes before sexual activity. This lessens the unnecessary intake of the medication as to lessen the possible side effects that might arise from taking the medication more often.
Conclusion
While sildenafil is highly effective in treating symptoms of erectile dysfunction, it is important to understand that any treatment would carry its own risk of side effects. When you discuss your treatment options with your health professional, make sure to include all pertinent information related to your health in order to help your health professional to provide a sound and an appropriate treatment plan to manage your condition.
