Sildenafil in Pakistan (2025) – Strong Effects, Medical Uses, Safe Dosage & Top 5 Brands
Introduction to Sildenafil
People usually take sildenafil to treat erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension. It is a type of medicine called a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor. These drugs operate by relaxing blood vessels and letting more blood flow to certain parts of the body.
Sildenafil is a well-known drug that has gotten a lot of attention in the pharmaceutical industry since it works well to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). This detailed guide covers all the crucial information about sildenafil, including its applications, benefits, side effects, and more. It gives you a full picture of this important drug.
History and Development
A group of pharmaceutical chemists at Pfizer’s research laboratory in Sandwich, Kent, England, directed by Simon Campbell, created sildenafil, which was first called compound UK-92,480. At first, it was studied as a possible treatment for angina pectoris (a sign of ischaemic heart disease) and high blood pressure (hypertension).
Morriston Hospital in Swansea was where the first clinical trials took place. Ian Osterloh oversaw Phase I clinical trials that showed the medication had no effect on angina but might cause strong erections in men. So, rather than marketing sildenafil for angina, Pfizer opted to market it for erectile dysfunction. An excellent illustration of drug repositioning would be this.
It got FDA approval for treating erectile dysfunction on March 27, 1998, making it the first oral pharmaceutical in the US to be licensed for this ailment. Later that year, it went on sale in the U.S. and did very well, with sales reaching $1.934 billion in 2008.
Mechanism of action
Sildenafil works by blocking the enzyme phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5), which controls blood flow in the penis. Sildenafil works by blocking PDE5, which makes nitric oxide work better. Nitric oxide is a chemical that relaxes the muscles in the penis, which increases blood flow and makes it easier to have an erection when you are sexually aroused.
In patients suffering from pulmonary arterial hypertension, sildenafil aids in the relaxation of the pulmonary blood vessels.This makes it easier for blood to flow and puts less stress on the heart.
Medical Uses of Sildenafil
Doctors all throughout the world give sildenafil to people who have the following health problems:
Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
Millions of men throughout the world have erectile dysfunction, which is a common problem. Stress, anxiety, certain medical problems, and some drugs can all induce ED. Sildenafil works very well to treat ED by increasing blood flow to the penis, which helps you get and keep an erection.
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)
Pulmonary arterial hypertension is an uncommon but deadly illness that causes excessive blood pressure in the lungs’ arteries. Failure of the heart muscle may result from this disorder if it is not addressed. Reduced blood pressure and alleviation of PAH symptoms are the results of sildenafil’s relaxing and opening up of the pulmonary blood vessels.
Dosage and Administration
For Erectile Dysfunction
The usual doses of sildenafil are 25 mg, 50 mg, or 100 mg. Most men should start with 50 mg, which they can take as needed, about an hour before having sex. You can change the doses based on how well they work and how well you can handle them. One dose per day is all that is recommended.
For Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Doctors commonly provide sildenafil for PAH in doses of 20 mg, three times a day, with doses spaced out by 4 to 6 hours. The dosage may change depending on how the patient is doing and how well the treatment works.
Benefits of Sildenafil
Sildenafil is a popular choice for treating ED and PAH since it has many benefits:
How to Treat ED: Sildenafil is one of the best ways to treat erectile dysfunction since it helps men get and keep erections strong enough for sex.
Improved Quality of Life: Sildenafil can greatly improve the quality of life and self-esteem of people who have ED by treating it.
PAH Symptom Relief: For patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, sildenafil can enhance exercise capacity and alleviate symptoms, hence improving overall quality of life.
Rapid Onset of Action: Sildenafil usually starts to work within 30 to 60 minutes, which is good news for people with ED.
Long Duration of Effect: Sildenafil can work for up to four hours, which gives men a lot of time to have sex.
Potential Side Effects
Although sildenafil is effective for many, it is not without its side effects. Anyone thinking about using this medicine needs to know about these possible adverse effects.
Common Side Effects
Headache: One of the most prevalent side effects, affecting roughly 16% of users.
Flushing: About 10% of users feel heated in their cheeks, neck, or chest.
About 7% of users said they had indigestion.
About 4% of users have nasal congestion.
About 2% of users feel dizzy.
Visual disturbances, such blurred vision or a blue tinge, impact roughly 3% of users.
Serious Side Effects
Some extreme side effects, however rare, need medical attention right away:
Naionuteritis anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION) causes sudden visual loss.
Hearing Loss: Hearing loss happens quickly, and sometimes it comes with ringing in the ears.
Priapism: An erection that lasts more than four hours and hurts, which might cause irreparable harm if not addressed right once.
Heart Attack Symptoms: Pain in the chest, trouble breathing, or nausea, especially in people who already have cardiac problems.
Allergic Reactions: Rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, or problems breathing.
Interactions and Precautions
Before taking sildenafil, you should think about all the safety measures and possible drug interactions that could happen to avoid negative effects.
Allergies
If you are allergic to sildenafil, any other medicines, or any of the chemicals in the sildenafil tablet or suspension, let your doctor and chemist know.
Medication Interactions
You shouldn’t take sildenafil with some other drugs. If you are using nitrates for chest discomfort, like isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil), isosorbide mononitrate (Monoket), or nitroglycerin (Nitromist, Nitro-Dur, Nitrostat), tell your doctor or chemist. Talk to your doctor and chemist about any other drugs you are presently taking or plan to use. Before beginning, discontinuing, or altering the dosage of any medication while using sildenafil, consult your physician or chemist.
Street Drugs
If you take street drugs that include nitrates, including amyl nitrate, amyl nitrite, or butyl nitrate, tell your doctor. You should not use sildenafil while taking any of these other medications unless your doctor tells you to.
Current Medications
Tell your doctor and chemist about all the vitamins, minerals, and drugs you are now taking or plan to take, whether they are prescription or not. Medication dosage adjustments and careful monitoring for side effects may be necessary depending on your situation.
Herbal Products and Nonprescription Medications
Some herbal or over-the-counter drugs, like St. John’s wort and cimetidine (Tagamet HB), may not work well with sildenafil. Do not start taking sildenafil until your doctor and chemist have approved it. Before starting these drugs, talk to your doctor if you are already taking sildenafil.
Health Conditions
In the past six months, if you smoked, if your erection lasted longer than four hours, if you just underwent heart surgery, or if you experienced significant weight loss, fluids (dehydration) because of a fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, too much sweating, or not drinking enough fluids, tell your doctor. Notify your physician of any current or past medical conditions, including:
When veins in the lungs become occlusive, it is known as pulmonary venous-occlusive disease (PVOD).
An ulcer in the stomach
Heart, kidney, or liver problems
A heart attack
Heart failure
Chest pain (angina)
A heartbeat that isn’t regular
A stroke
Unhealthy levels of blood pressure
Cholesterol that is too high
A condition that makes you bleed
Problems with blood flow
Problems with blood cells include sickle cell anaemia (a disease of the red blood cells), multiple myeloma (cancer of the plasma cells), and leukaemia (cancer of the white blood cells).
Diabetes
A family history of eye disease, such as retinitis pigmentosa (an inherited condition that leads to vision loss), or a personal history of abrupt severe vision loss, particularly if caused by a restriction of blood supply to the optic nerves.
Women and Pregnancy
If you are a woman taking sildenafil for PAH, tell your doctor if you are pregnant, want to get pregnant, or are breastfeeding. A prompt consultation with your physician is required in the event that you become pregnant while using sildenafil.
Surgery
If you are having surgery, even dental surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking sildenafil.
Erectile Dysfunction
If you are taking sildenafil to treat erectile dysfunction, tell your doctor if you have been told to avoid sex for health reasons or if you have had chest pain while having sex. Sex can put a lot of stress on your heart, especially if you already have heart problems. Call your doctor right away if you have chest discomfort, dizziness, or nausea while having sex. Don’t have sex until your doctor tells you it’s okay.
Generic Sildenafil vs. Brand Names
There are other brand names for sildenafil, including as Viagra and Revatio, as well as generic versions. Generic sildenafil works just as well and is just as safe as brand-name sildenafil, but generic versions are often cheaper. When deciding between generic and brand-name sildenafil, think about things like cost, insurance coverage, and what you like best.
Counterfeits
Risks and Prevalence
Fake Viagra may be cheaper, but it can have dangerous chemicals in it like blue printer ink, amphetamines, metronidazole, boric acid, and rat poison. Viagra is among the most often used counterfeit pharmaceuticals worldwide. A 2012 study by Pfizer found that more than 80% of websites that said they sold Viagra were actually selling fake pills. An Interpol report from October 2023 said that erectile dysfunction pharmaceuticals were the most seized narcotics, making about 22% of all seizures. This shows that there are active worldwide networks that make fake drugs.
Society and Culture
Marketing and Sales
In the U.S., sildenafil needs a prescription, although it has been directly sold to consumers on TV, with endorsements from former U.S. Senator Bob Dole and football player Pelé. After a “online consultation,” which is typically just a short web quiz, many websites sell Viagra. A lot of phoney aphrodisiacs now brand themselves “herbal Viagra” or look like Pfizer’s medication because the name Viagra is so well-known. Among Viagra’s alternative nomenclature are “vitamin V,” “the blue pill,” and “blue diamond.”
Marketing Evolution
Sex medications, like Viagra and other drugs that cure sexual dysfunction, have led to new sorts of marketing. Viagra’s use in media has turned it into a cultural icon that has changed the way people think about male sexuality. Ads often show couples doing romantic things together, which some say is misleading because the medicine only works on blood vessels in the penis.
Sales Trends
In 2000, 92% of the world’s erectile dysfunction medication sales were of Viagra. By 2007, its market share had dropped to roughly 50% because of competition from Cialis and Levitra, fake drugs, and allegations of vision damage. In 2008, the FDA made Pfizer take down the Viva Cruiser advergame for Viagra from Forbes.com because it didn’t tell people about the risks.
Over-the-Counter Sales
In 2007, Boots drugstore in Manchester, UK, tried selling Viagra over the counterThe Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved the 50 mg tablet form of Viagra Connect for sale over-the-counter in all 50 states in 2018. This was done to cut down on internet sales of fake drugs.
Direct Sales and Generics
Pfizer said in 2013 that anyone could buy Viagra directly from their website. By 2012, all of Pfizer’s international patents for Viagra had expired. In the U.S., they expired in 2017, which is when generic versions came out. The FDA permitted fifteen companies to sell generic sildenafil in the U.S. by 2018, which caused prices to drop a lot.
Regional Issues
United States
In 1992, Pfizer applied for patents on sildenafil to treat heart disease (Revatio) and in 1994, it applied for patents on sildenafil to treat erectile dysfunction (Viagra). Both patents expired in 2012 and 2019, correspondingly. In 2017, Teva began marketing and selling a Viagra generic.
Brazil
In 2010, the patent for sildenafil that was held by Pfizer expired in Brazil.
Canada
In 2010, Pfizer’s patent for Revatio was thrown out. In 2012, the Supreme Court of Canada said that Pfizer’s patent for Viagra was also invalid since it didn’t give enough information. Teva Canada made a generic version, which made Pfizer lower the price of Viagra in Canada.
China
It is popular to make and sell sildenafil, and Pfizer’s patent claims are not very well enforced.
Egypt
Egypt approved the sale of Viagra in 2002, but soon after, it let local companies develop generic versions so that poorer people could afford it.
European Union
In 2013, Pfizer’s patent on sildenafil ran out in a number of EU nations.
India
Many companies make and sell generic sildenafil under different brand names, and Pfizer’s patent claim doesn’t apply to them.
New Zealand
Sildenafil was classified for over-the-counter sale in 2014.
South Korea
In 2012, South Korea’s court said it was okay to make generic sildenafil in the country. Because of this, Viagra fell from its position as the market leader.
United Kingdom
In England, sildenafil was prescribed more over 3 million times in 2016. With the release of Viagra Connect over-the-counter in 2018, the demand for counterfeit Viagra was reduced.
Sildenafil tablets in Pakistan
In Pakistan, sildenafil is offered under a number of different brand names. Some of the most well-known ones are:
Lady era
Sitazide
Vega
Conclusion
Sildenafil has changed the way we treat erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension, helping millions of people feel better. Users can make better choices regarding their treatment alternatives if they know what it is used for, its advantages, side effects, and precautions. Before using sildenafil, you should always talk to a doctor or other healthcare professional to make sure it is safe and right for you.
Patients can get the most out of sildenafil and improve their quality of life by following the recommended dosages and being aware of any adverse effects and interactions.