Sildenafil-based drugs are vasodilators that act on the cavernous body, which is located in the human genitals. The drugs of this group showed the greatest effectiveness in the treatment of erectile dysfunction in men, as well as in normalizing the natural reaction to sexual arousal. As a medicine, sildenafil is also used to treat pulmonary hypertension. The most famous drug containing sildenafil, reviews of which are mostly only positive, is Viagra. The remaining tools are created using the same components, but they are much cheaper. Such drugs are called generics.

The most frequently asked question of consumers of such products is where to buy sildenafil. Indeed, in network pharmacies and online stores there are many stimulating and supportive drugs, in the composition of which this substance is mentioned. Which ones really contain sildenafil? How much does each of these tools cost? Can women use these drugs? For all these questions, every consumer wants to hear a clear and extremely clear answer.
Drugs containing sildenafil - what's the difference?
Today on the Russian pharmaceutical market there are many drugs containing sildenafil. Analogues, the price of which in some cases is slightly lower than the well-known Viagra, are in great demand among buyers. The names of medicines do not always contain the name of the active substance. In an affordable sale you can find the following synonyms for sildenafil: Viagra-LF, Silafil, Sildenafil with dapoxetine, Sildigra, Sukhara, Sildenafil Ratiopharm, Edera, Tornetis, Revazio, Cialis and many others.

The different name of the tablets does not mean that they belong to drugs with a different chemical composition. What, besides the names, are the preparations containing sildenafil different from each other? Price is the first thing any consumer pays attention to. The most expensive is the original "Viagra", patented in the last century. Cheaper analogues that are produced in Poland, Ukraine, India and other countries contain absolutely identical amounts of the active substance. The lower cost is due to the use of cheaper auxiliary components, as well as production conditions.
Sildenafil tablets made in Croatia are considered to be the βpurest" in relation to the content of impurities. The largest amount of various impurities is found in preparations made by pharmaceutical companies in India. However, it should be taken into account that the amount of foreign matter in the active substance practically does not affect the effectiveness of the drugs.
Composition of drugs
The main active ingredient of drugs similar to Viagra is sildenafil citrate in a dosage of 25, 50 or 100 mg in one tablet. In addition, each tablet contains auxiliary substances: lactose, titanium dioxide, triacetin and indigo carmine, which gives the tablets a characteristic blue color. Sildenafil tablets most often look like a biconvex rhombus of a light blue color.
The analogs of Viagra, or the so-called generics manufactured by Indian pharmacists, can take the form of tablets that do not require drinking or jelly with a variety of flavors. These forms of drugs are convenient to use, since they begin to be absorbed already in the oral cavity, which is why their effect occurs much earlier than in Viagra.
Pharmacological properties of sildenafil
The pharmacological properties of preparations containing sildenafil are based on its ability to interact with natural enzymes that are directly involved in filling the penis with blood, namely with cyclic guanosine monophosphate. This enzyme stabilizes the amount of nitric oxide that supports the vessels of the penis in an expanded state. Sildenafil prevents the breakdown of cGMP by other enzymes, so that an erection becomes longer and more stable.
It should be noted that in the case of the use of the drug "Sildenafil", the instructions for use warn about the need for sexual arousal, since the drug does not have the ability to independently initiate blood flow to the cavernous or cavernous bodies in the penis. That is why to achieve the result, it is necessary to conduct sexual stimulation of the man, which will cause an erection. Lack of stimulation may mean a complete absence of penile swelling.

In addition to the male version, there are similar drugs for their partners. Sildenafil for women (produced under the names Womenra, Femalegra, Ladygra, Cenforce FM) is used as a therapeutic agent whose action is aimed at filling the pelvic organs with blood, which helps to increase the sensitivity of the genitals. Due to this property, the amount of vaginal lubrication increases, orgasm intensifies and lengthens, and a tendency to prolonged sexual intercourse appears. Sildenafil for women acts more strongly, so in many cases special stimulation is not required.
Sildenafil-based medicines are used to treat erectile dysfunction in men. Due to the fact that the active substance effectively acts on the blood vessels in the body, there are a number of indications and contraindications for its use.
Indications for use
The active substance is effective in organic, psychogenic or mixed types of disorders. Take sildenafil instructions for use and advises in the absence of an erection due to age-related changes in the body. In addition, the remedy is active in cases of weak erection caused by diseases such as obesity, metabolic disorders, including type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus, the absence of the prostate gland due to its removal, and back injury with damage to the spinal cord.
Contraindications
Regarding contraindications to the drug "Sildenafil", the instructions for use contain a rather extensive list of diseases and simultaneously taken drugs, in which the use of the drug must be limited or completely excluded.
Complete refusal of the drug is necessary in such cases:
- The presence of diseases of the cardiovascular system - aortic stenosis, heart failure, angina pectoris, cardiomyopathy, and also within 6 months after a heart attack or stroke.
- Visual disorders are ischemic optic neuropathy, retinitis pigmentosa and other retinal pathologies.
- Difficult liver diseases - hepatitis, cirrhosis.
- Low blood pressure (within 90/50 mm Hg) or high (more than 170/100 mm Hg).
- Intolerance to sildenafil or other components that make up the drug.
- Sildenafil can not be taken together with such drugs as Nitroglycerin, Vasotropin, Molsidomin, Erythromycin, Clarithromycin, Nefazodon, Iloprost.
Relative contraindications to the use of drugs containing sildenafil, the instructions for use call the following conditions:
- Diseases of the hematopoietic system and circulatory system - leukemia, thrombocytopenia, sickle cell anemia.
- Penile Deformity - Peyronie's Syndrome and Angulation.
- Gastrointestinal ulcer in the acute stage.
How to take sildenafil for erectile dysfunction
Preparations containing sildenafil, the instruction recommends using orally with a sufficient amount of liquid. The dosage at the first dose of drugs based on this active substance should be 50 mg. Depending on the reaction of the body in subsequent doses, it is possible to adjust the dose of sildenafil up or down. It should be borne in mind that the maximum dose, which is safe, is 100 mg.
To take sildenafil, the instruction advises an hour before the alleged sexual intercourse. A single dose of 25, 50 or 100 mg of the drug is considered possible in all age groups, starting from 18 years. It is not recommended to independently increase the dosage of drugs to people who are elderly and experiencing an age-related decrease in muscle tone of the whole body.
Depending on the metabolism and on existing concomitant diseases, there is a regimen for taking sildenafil, which provides for adjusting the dose of the drug in one dose. In case of impaired renal function with a glomerular filtration coefficient not exceeding 30 ml per minute, the maximum permissible dose of sildenafil is 25 mg. With functional disorders in the liver and gall bladder, the maximum permissible single dose of the drug should not exceed 25 mg.
When taking drugs containing sildenafil, instructions for use, reviews indicate that this absolutely does not affect the ability to drive a car and other high-risk vehicles. In very rare cases, consumers could observe color disturbances and a slight decrease in blood pressure. These side effects occur in most cases when the recommended dose of the drug is exceeded or after the first dose of the drug.
If there is a noticeable deterioration in the condition of the organs of hearing or vision (partial or complete deafness, noise and ringing in the ears, lasting for several hours after the use of the drug), it is necessary to stop taking sildenafil.
Rules for taking sildenafil for pulmonary hypertension
As a medicine, sildenafil can be used for any form of pulmonary hypertension. It is recommended to take the drug three times a day, the dosage of the drug is 25 mg per dose. The breaks between taking each tablet should be at least 6 hours. This treatment regimen is effective in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension at any age.
Regarding contraindications and restrictions on taking Sildenafil, the instruction says that if there are violations on the part of the urinary and digestive organs, it is shown to reduce the daily dose of the drug to 50 mg, dividing it into two doses.
Co-administration of sildenafil with other drugs
Like any other medications, it is recommended to take sildenafil separately from other drugs, since when a person gets incompatible drugs at the same time, a far from positive reaction may appear.
There are several groups of drugs with which sildenafil-based drugs can change their properties. Little or no negative effect on the body when taken together with sildenafil antacids, antidepressants, diuretics, antihypertensive drugs. With the simultaneous administration of sildenafil with adrenergic blockers, a decrease in blood pressure to critically low levels may occur. In addition, the drug sildenafil enhances the effect of "heart" drugs, such as nitroglycerin and sodium nitroprusside. With their simultaneous use with antibiotics of the tetracycline and erythromycin group, an increase in the duration of action of sildenafil is observed.
Side effects when taking sildenafil
The development of side effects of drugs based on sildenafil citrate directly depends on the dose taken. Side effects are expressed, usually in mild or moderate form, and the signs and symptoms of various disorders disappear on their own, without the use of any therapeutic agents.
Possible side effects when taking the drugOrgans and organ systems | Frequency | Symptoms and signs |
Nervous system and sensory organs | Often | General weakness, dizziness, headache, tinnitus, sleep disturbances, increased photosensitivity |
Infrequently | Migraine, paresthesia, hypesthesia, weakening reflexes, hemorrhage in the eye, pain in the ears and orbits |
Seldom | Deafness, cataract, tremor, neuralgia, fainting, xerophthalmia |
Cardiovascular system and hemostasis | Often | Palpitations, tachycardia, anemia, leukopenia |
Infrequently | Arterial or orthostatic hypotension, ischemia |
Seldom | Thrombosis, cardiac arrest, heart failure |
Gastrointestinal tract | Often | Dry mouth, nausea |
Infrequently | Stomatitis, gingivitis, glossitis, gastritis, colitis |
Seldom | Rectal bleeding, esophagitis, dysphagia |
Genitourinary System | Often | Frequent urination, genital edema |
Infrequently | Anorgasmia, cystitis, violation of ejaculation |
Seldom | Urinary incontinence, gynecomastia |
Skin integument | Often | Skin rashes and itching, sweating, various types of dermatitis |
Infrequently | Herpes simplex, edema and hyperemia |
Seldom | Allergic reaction, ulceration |
In order to avoid the appearance of excessively intense reactions to the intake of medicines containing sildenafil, manufacturers provide all the necessary dosage data, which is unsafe to exceed.
Sildenafil Reviews
Reviews about sildenafil are mostly positive, but the drug is not considered by specialists as a panacea for any erectile dysfunction. A positive effect was achieved in 80% of patients taking sildenafil. The price of drugs in this group also caused a lot of positive feedback. A wide selection of Viagra analogues allows people with moderate or low incomes to purchase drugs. The largest number of respondents named "Sildenafil North Star" as the most affordable means, the reviews on the effectiveness of which cannot be called negative.

Sildenafil received the greatest number of positive reviews from men who used it as a safety net, as they felt insecurity in their own abilities. The effect, they said, lasted at least 4 hours after taking the drug, and a stable erection occurred in all different ways - from 30 minutes to an hour after taking the pill. Isolated cases of unstable erections were noted after taking the recommended initial dose of 25 mg. However, after repeated use of an additional dose of 25 mg, a persistent erection was initiated for 4-5 hours.
In addition to other phenomena that affect the strength of action of drugs containing sildenafil, instructions for use, the price of which suits consumers completely, there are many other aspects of evaluating the effectiveness of a drug. For example, reviews of the compatibility of the drug with alcohol are not so clear. About 50% of the men surveyed noted the absence of a negative effect of moderate doses of alcohol on the effectiveness of the drug, approximately the same number of men noticed a weakening erection. In addition, the achievement of the maximum effect in more than half of men was delayed due to βseizingβ of the product with a large amount of fatty foods.
Regarding the occurrence of side effects, men in the reviews of sildenafil most often mentioned minor headache and redness of the face. In addition, half of the respondents reported nasal congestion and slight nosebleeds. However, this did not become a reason for refusing to use sildenafil, since the effect of it pays off these minor inconveniences.
From women who took sildenafil (instructions for use, the price for most is quite acceptable and understandable), both extremely positive and sharply negative reviews were received. About 48% of the fairer sexes surveyed were satisfied with the effect of the drug, but noted that after some time after taking it, they had abdominal pain and upset stool.
Drug cost
A very significant variation in the prices of drugs from the group of sildenafil-containing agents is due to the country in which the drug was produced. If the price of the original Viagra product, which includes sildenafil, is about 800 rubles per 100 mg tablet in most pharmacies, then analogues can be purchased several times cheaper. Sometimes the difference in the cost of such drugs reaches several hundred rubles. Regarding drugs containing sildenafil: how much each of them costs, can be seen in the following table.
Comparison of the cost of the original drug and generics(), - | , | , . |
"" (Pfizer), 1 . | 25 | 380β510 |
fifty | 630β670 |
100 | 720β850 |
"" (Pfizer), 4 . | fifty | 2250β2380 |
100 | 2580β2893 |
"" (PLIVA HRVATSKA DOO), 1 . | fifty | 188β225 |
100 | 268β288 |
"" (PLIVA HRVATSKA DOO), 4 . | fifty | 498β590 |
100 | 760β825 |
Regarding the quality and effectiveness of other drugs, which include sildenafil, reviews indicate a slight difference with the original. Despite the less pronounced effect, generics are popular with many, as they are more affordable.
Where to buy sildenafil-based drugs?
There are two options for buying sildenafil: through online stores and in ordinary pharmacies. Whatever method you choose, there is a danger of acquiring a fake, especially for online pharmacies, since the usual pharmacy points can independently check the quality of drugs after complaints from customers arrive. That is why it is important to check information regarding the seller before making a purchase. To do this, just pay attention to the "reviews" section on the Internet resource where the product is sold, or look for information on various forums.

Today it is possible to send the purchased medicine for examination, where the exact composition of the drug will be established, and information on its safety for the consumer will be announced. To do this, you need to purchase a minimum amount of funds in any pharmacy and contact the laboratory. The analysis is carried out during the day, a maximum of two. If the proper quality of the drug is confirmed, you can purchase a drug based on sildenafil in the same pharmacy.