Generic Name: SILDENAFIL - ORAL
Pronounced: (sil-DEN-a-fil)

Viagra Oral Precautions

Before taking sildenafil, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:

• sickle cell disease
• high or low blood pressure
• a severe loss of body water (dehydration)
• history of painful/prolonged erection (priapism)
• eye problems (such as decreased vision in one or both eyes, retinitis pigmentosa)
• heart problems (such as heart attack or irregular heartbeat in the past 6 months, heart failure, chest pain/angina, aortic stenosis, idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis)
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema)
• problem with shape of penis (such as angulation, fibrosis/scarring, Peyronie's disease)
• stroke in the past 6 months

This drug may make you dizzy or cause vision problems. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness or clear vision until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the effects of this drug. Your doctor may start you on a lower dose.

This brand of the drug is usually not used in women. During pregnancy, sildenafil should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Viagra Oral Side Effects

Dizziness, lightheadedness, headache, flushing, heartburn, nosebleeds, trouble sleeping, or swollen hands/ankles/feet (edema) may occur. Vision changes such as increased sensitivity to light, blurred vision, or trouble telling blue and green colors apart may also occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

To minimize dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Rarely, a sudden loss of eyesight in one or both eyes (NAION) may occur. This may or may not be due to sildenafil. Stop taking sildenafil and get medical help right away if this occurs. You have a slightly greater chance of developing this serious eye problem if you have heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, certain other eye problems ("crowded disk"), or high blood pressure, or if you smoke or are over 50.

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