Active Drug Information

The active drug composition of Fildena is sildenafil citrate, a clinically proven ED drug that belongs to a class of therapeutic agents called PDE5 (phosphodiesterase-5) inhibitors. Other commonly prescribed PDE5 inhibitors include tadalafil, vardenafil, and avanafil. Sildenafil citrate is predominantly used to treat ED in men, although it was initially invented for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in adults.

Sildenafil citrate in Fildena treats erectile dysfunction by increasing blood supply to the male organ during sexual stimulation. This increased blood supply causes an erection on arousal. Sildenafil, under the brand name Revatio, treats PAH by relaxing the smooth muscles and dilating the blood vessels in the lungs for enhanced blood flow. Remember, sildenafil citrate does not cure erectile dysfunction or increase sexual drive.

Mechanism of Action

Fildena (sildenafil citrate) is a potential inhibitor of an enzyme called PDE5. Upon oral administration, the drug targets and temporarily negates the function of PDE5, allowing the body to stop the degradation of cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate (cGMP). When this chemical interaction takes place, the body, when sexually aroused, releases a powerful chemical called nitric oxide.

Nitric oxide helps to relax and dilate the blood vessels in your penile organ, letting blood to flow more easily across the spongy tissues when you are sexually aroused and causing an erection. This is how Fildena works in order to make you achieve and sustain an erection during sexual activity. This medicine will not cause an erection on its own; a man needs to be sexually aroused for Fildena to work.

Dosing Instructions

• You must take a Fildena pill at least an hour before having sex. Please note that you need to be sexually aroused for the drug to work.
• You should swallow a whole pill with a glass of water if needed. If you are using any other version of a medicine, please check with your doctor about how to take.
• It is better to take the medicine on an empty stomach; otherwise, it may take a bit longer to work or in some cases, it will not work as well.
• For optimal results, you should avoid alcohol, grapefruits, illicit drugs, and fatty foods before taking this generic ED medicine Fildena.
• More importantly, take this ED medication only once in any 24-hour period. Do not overdose; otherwise, you may experience unwanted side effects.
• It is extremely important to follow the instructions advised by your doctor on how to take the tablets.

Storage and Disposal

• Keep this generic ED medication out of the reach of children and pets. Always place the medication in a safe and secure location.
• Store these little purple pills at room temperature and away from direct heat, sunlight or moisture.
• Unused, unneeded, or outdated medication should be disposed of carefully to ensure that children and other people cannot consume them.
• You should not flush Fildena pills down the toilet. Instead, dispose of your medicine via a medicine take-back program or talk to your pharmacist about proper disposal.

Precautions and Warnings

• First, inform your doctor if you have a history of sildenafil allergy or any other drug allergy, because Fildena contains some inactive drugs that you might be allergic to.
• Second, inform your doctor if you have any other medical problems besides erectile dysfunction, such as heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, kidney or liver dysfunction, cancers, or any other diseases.
• Third, inform your doctor if you have been taking prescription or nonprescription medications, multivitamins, nutritional supplements, or herbal products before taking this ED medication.
• If you want to undergo any surgery while undergoing treatment with Fildena, tell your surgeon or dentist that you have been using this ED medication.
• Sexual activity could put a strain on your heart, especially if you have an existing heart condition. So, if you have taken this medicine and experience chest pain or dizziness during sexual activity, immediately seek medical attention.
• Fildena medication is not recommended if you are taking medications such as nitrates, alpha-blockers, protease inhibitors, or any other PDE5 inhibitors.

Drug Interactions

• Nitrates, or isosorbide mononitrate, isosorbide dinitrate, nitroglycerin, used to treat chest pain
• Blood pressure medications containing amlodipine or alpha-blockers
• HIV drugs, such as protease inhibitors, or ritonavir, saquinavir, atazanavir, or indinavir
• Antibiotics such as erythromycin or clarithromycin
• Antifungals such as itraconazole or ketoconazole
• Other PDE5 inhibitors such as tadalafil, avanafil, or vardenafil used to treat ED

Contraindications

Men with following conditions are advised not to take Fildena and check with their doctor:

• leukemia or sickle cell anemia
• retinopathy
• severe uncontrolled high blood pressure
• severe heart disease
• Peyronie’s disease (penile deformity)
• sildenafil allergy

Common Side Effects

• Headache
• Heartburn
• Flushing (feeling of warmth)
• Nasal congestion
• Back pain

Immediately seek medical attention if you experience chest pain, breathlessness, dizziness, a prolonged erection, sudden vision or hearing loss, or increased perspiration.