Discover sildenafil: mechanism, uses for ED & PAH, dosage, side effects, interactions, brands like Viagra & Revatio, and 2025 pricing. Essential guide for safe treatment.
Table of Contents:
1. Introduction
2. Mechanism of Action
3. Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics:
4. Indications:
5. Drug of Choice:
6. Contraindications:
7. Side Effects:
8. Drug Interactions:
9. Dosage:
10. Brand Names:
11. Price:
12. Conclusion:
Introduction:
Sildenafil, commonly known by its brand name Viagra, is a groundbreaking medication that has transformed the treatment landscape for erectile dysfunction (ED) since its approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1998. Originally developed as a treatment for angina and hypertension, sildenafil's unexpected side effect of inducing erections led to its repurposing as the first oral therapy for ED. Belonging to the class of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors, it works by enhancing the body's natural response to sexual stimulation, promoting vasodilation in targeted vascular beds. Beyond ED, sildenafil (marketed as Revatio for pulmonary uses) has been FDA-approved since 2005 for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), where it improves exercise capacity and delays disease progression. Its oral administration, favorable safety profile, and minimal monitoring requirements make it a cornerstone in managing these conditions, benefiting millions worldwide.
Mechanism of Action:
Sildenafil selectively inhibits phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5), an enzyme that breaks down cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in smooth muscle cells.During sexual stimulation or in PAH, nitric oxide (NO) release activates guanylate cyclase, increasing cGMP levels, which leads to smooth muscle relaxation and vasodilation. By preventing cGMP degradation, sildenafil amplifies this pathway, enhancing blood flow to the corpus cavernosum in ED or pulmonary vasculature in PAH. Notably, it requires sexual stimulation for ED efficacy and does not cause erections independently. In PAH, it reduces pulmonary vascular resistance without significantly affecting systemic blood pressure.
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics:
Pharmacokinetics:
Sildenafil is rapidly absorbed after oral administration, with peak plasma concentrations (Cmax) reached in 30-120 minutes (Tmax). Its absolute bioavailability is about 40%, influenced by first-pass metabolism. High-fat meals delay absorption by up to 60 minutes and reduce Cmax by 29%. It is highly protein-bound (96%) and primarily metabolized by hepatic CYP3A4 and CYP2C9 enzymes, producing an active N-desmethyl metabolite with 50% potency. The elimination half-life is 3-5 hours, with excretion mainly fecal (80%) and urinary (13%). Clearance is reduced in hepatic impairment, severe renal disease (CrCl <30 mL/min), and elderly patients (>65 years), necessitating dose adjustments.
Pharmacodynamics:
Sildenafil's potency is highest against PDE5 (IC50 ~3.5 nM), with 10-fold selectivity over PDE6 (retinal) and greater over other isoforms. This leads to dose-dependent vasodilation, with effects lasting up to 4 hours for ED. In PAH, it improves hemodynamics by lowering mean pulmonary artery pressure by 10-15%. Population studies show consistent pharmacokinetics across demographics, though variability increases with CYP3A4 inhibitors.
Indications:
Sildenafil is indicated for:
Erectile Dysfunction (ED):
In men to improve erectile function in response to sexual stimulation.
Pull Arterial Hypertension (PAH): WHO Group 1, to improve exercise capacity and delay clinical worsening in adults and children ≥1 year (as Revatio).
Off-label uses include Raynaud's phenomenon and altitude sickness, supported by moderate evidence.
Drug of Choice:
For ED, sildenafil is often considered a first-line therapy alongside tadalafil and vardenafil, per American Urological Association guidelines, due to its proven efficacy (70-85% success rate) and long-term safety data. In PAH, it is a preferred oral agent in combination regimens, especially for its convenience over injectables like epoprostenol, as evidenced by the SUPER-1 trial showing improved 6-minute walk distance. However, tadalafil may be favored for daily dosing in both conditions.
Contraindications:
Sildenafil is contraindicated in:
- Hypersensitivity to sildenafil or components.
- Concomitant use with nitrates (e.g., nitroglycerin) or nitric oxide donors due to profound hypotension.
- Patients with recent myocardial infarction, unstable angina, or severe cardiovascular disease.
- Hereditary degenerative retinal disorders (e.g., retinitis pigmentosa) due to PDE6 affinity.
Use caution in pulmonary veno-occlusive disease.
Side Effects:
Common side effects (>2%) include headache (16%), flushing (10%), dyspepsia (7%), nasal congestion (4%), and abnormal vision (e.g., blue tint, 3%). Serious effects: Priapism (rare, <0.1%), sudden vision/hearing loss, and cardiovascular events (e.g., MI in predisposed patients). Most are transient and dose-related; incidence decreases with continued use.
Drug Interactions:
CYP3A4 Inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, ritonavir):
Increase sildenafil levels (up to 11-fold with ritonavir); reduce dose to 25 mg.
Alpha-blockers (e.g., doxazosin):
Additive hypotension; separate doses by 4 hours.
Nitrates/Guanylate Cyclase Stimulators (e.g., riociguat):
Contraindicated due to severe hypotension.
Antihypertensives:
Monitor for enhanced hypotensive effects. No significant interactions with aspirin, warfarin, or tolbutamide.
Dosage:
- **ED**: Starting 50 mg 1 hour before sexual activity; adjust to 25-100 mg based on efficacy/tolerability. Max once daily. Onset 30-60 min; duration 4 hours.
- **PAH (Revatio)**: 20 mg three times daily, 4-6 hours apart. Pediatrics: Weight-based (e.g., 20 mg for >20 kg).
Adjust in renal/hepatic impairment or with CYP3A4 inhibitors. Take without regard to food, but avoid high-fat meals for ED.
Brand Names:
- **Global/ED**: Viagra (Pfizer), Caverta (Sun Pharma), Silagra (Cipla), Penegra (Zydus), Suhagra (Cipla), Zenegra (Alkem), Cenforce (Centurion), Fildena (Fortune Health).
- **PAH**: Revatio (Pfizer).
Price:
Prices vary by region, brand, and dosage (as of 2025). In the **US**, brand Viagra (50 mg) costs ~$83/tablet with discounts; generics ~$0.47-$2/tablet for 30-day supply.Revatio (20 mg) ~$80-100/month. In **India**, generics dominate: Cenforce/Zenegra (50 mg) ₹20-25 (~$0.24-0.30)/tablet; Penegra/Suhagra ₹20-40; imported Viagra ₹600-800 (~$7-10).
Prices may fluctuate; consult pharmacies for current rates.
Conclusion:
Sildenafil stands as a testament to pharmaceutical innovation, evolving from an angina treatment to a versatile agent for ED and PAH, with a robust evidence base supporting its efficacy and safety. Its targeted mechanism, convenient dosing, and accessibility via generics have democratized treatment for intimate and cardiopulmonary challenges. However, responsible use—guided by healthcare providers to navigate contraindications and interactions—is essential. As research explores further applications like Raynaud's, sildenafil's legacy continues to enhance quality of life, underscoring the importance of vascular health in holistic well-being.
