Sexual health · FAQ
How should I use the as-needed Sildenafil tablet before sexual activity?
Short answer
Take Sildenafil exactly as your physician prescribes and the pharmacy label directs. This page’s typical directions are one 50 mg tablet 30–60 minutes before sexual activity, no more than once daily. You can take it with or without food, but a high-fat meal may delay its effect. Results vary.
Follow your prescribing physician’s instructions and the pharmacy label each time you use sildenafil. The typical directions for this product are one 50 mg tablet 30–60 minutes before sexual activity, with no more than one tablet per day. Do not take another tablet to make up for a delayed effect.
You can take sildenafil with or without food. A high-fat meal may delay when it starts working. Sexual stimulation is needed for sildenafil to help with an erection; it does not create an automatic erection or increase sexual desire. Results vary.
Ask your physician about alcohol use. Heavy drinking can make erections harder to achieve and may worsen dizziness. Do not use sildenafil with nitrates, such as nitroglycerin, or recreational nitrites called poppers. These combinations can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure.
Sildenafil does not protect against pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections. Use protection when needed. If you develop chest pain during sex, stop activity and seek emergency care. Tell emergency staff when you last took sildenafil.
Sources
Written by the Verra clinical team · Medical review pending
General information, not medical advice. If you're in crisis, call or text 988.