Medication use
Sildenafil Tablets for ED: Before You Take a Dose
This guide concerns prescribed oral sildenafil for erectile dysfunction, not sildenafil regimens for pulmonary hypertension or compounded products. Check the exact product and directions on your bottle. More medicine is not a safe solution when the first attempt does not work as hoped.
What to do next
- Use only the dose and timing prescribed. Sildenafil for ED is generally used before sexual activity; a high-fat meal may delay its effect.
- Sexual stimulation is still needed. Do not repeat a dose early or add another ED medicine without instructions.
- Do not take sildenafil with nitrates, recreational nitrites (“poppers”), or riociguat. Have a pharmacist review all medicines and supplements.
- Tell emergency clinicians when you last took sildenafil, especially if you have chest pain.
When to contact your care team
Get urgent care for an erection lasting more than four hours or sudden vision or hearing loss. For chest pain, fainting, or severe breathing difficulty, call 911; do not self-treat chest pain with a nitrate after sildenafil. Review the full medication information for other risks.
Put it into practice
At follow-up, describe when you took the tablet, whether you ate, and any symptoms. This helps the prescriber decide what to adjust. Keep the discussion factual and do not borrow a different strength from someone else. Your prescription remains specific to you.
Notes for your next visit
Write these in your own notes or on a printed copy. Bring them to your follow-up.
- My prescribed dose and minimum interval:
- Medicines reviewed by the pharmacist:
- What I will report if it does not work or causes symptoms:
Sources and further reading
General education for adults. Follow your clinician’s individual plan and the current instructions for your prescribed product. This handout is not a complete medication guide. If instructions conflict, ask your clinician or pharmacist to clarify. For a medical emergency, call 911.