Tonite

Erectile dysfunction is when a man cannot get or maintain the erection required for proper sexual intercourse. This condition can sometimes lead to mental health problems and relationship issues, compounding the problem [1].

Tonite is similar to Viagra and is a reliable and well-tolerated medicine that helps treat erectile dysfunction. If you’re suffering from the condition, this article will provide information to help you decide if Tonite is right for you.

We explain how it works, when to avoid it, what to do if you experience side effects, and natural alternatives to try first.

What is Tonite?

Tonite is a prescription drug based on sildenafil citrate used to treat erectile dysfunction. The drug is manufactured by Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

It works by relaxing the smooth muscles of the penis, causing dilatation of blood vessels and improving the blood flow to the penis, causing an erection.

Tonite is not a sexual stimulant; it only works when sexual arousal is already present. If arousal is the problem, you should not take this medicine. Instead, take other measures, like making sure there’s appropriate foreplay before intercourse, exercising regularly, getting proper sleep, eating a healthy diet, avoiding stress, and implementing yoga or meditation.

Also, note that Tonite does not protect you against sexually transmitted infections such as HIV.

The drug is also used for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

What’s the Dose of Tonite?

Tonite is available in the following dosage forms:

25 mg
50 mg
100 mg

The usual dose prescribed is 50 mg which works for most men and is well-tolerated. However, the doctor will increase the dose if it’s ineffective and decrease it if you start experiencing side effects [2]. Never change the dose on your own.

Sometimes, you may develop tolerance to the medicine if you use it for a long time. In such cases, your doctor may prescribe a higher dose.

The maximum dose of Tonite is one pill per day. If you find Tonite isn’t working, speak with your doctor about getting a prescription for a higher dose. Never take more than one tablet in 24 hours.

How Long Does It Take for Tonite to Kick In?

The effect of the medicine usually takes 30 to 60 minutes after consumption, but sometimes it may take longer.

How Long Does Tonite Last?

Tonite’s effects last for around 4 hours but may last longer. People have reported improved erection up to 24 hours after intake.

How Much Does Tonite Cost?

Tonite’s cost is around $0.2 to $1. The price may vary from country to country.

History of Sildenafil

The pharmaceutical giant Pfizer initially studied the drug for treating high blood pressure and angina. However, the result of the study was disappointing, but researchers noticed the study participants complaining of increased erections for days following medication intake.

This shifted the focus of the study toward treating erectile dysfunction, and the results were rewarding.

In 1996, Pfizer patented the drug with the brand name Viagra, which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1998. The patent for the drug expired in 2019, allowing sildenafil citrate to become available with various brand names under different manufacturers. Tonite is the brand name under Glenmark Pharmaceuticals.

Who Should Take Tonite?

Tonite is prescribed for men experiencing difficulties achieving or maintaining an erection.

Pfizer came out with a scoring system to help men and their doctors determine when Tonite should be used:

Grade 1 — Penis size increases but is not hard
Grade 2 — Penis is hard, but not enough for penetration
Grade 3 — Penetration is possible but not completely hard
Grade 4 — Penis is completely hard and rigid

Tonite has the most significant impact on men categorized into grades 1 and 2, but it can also help men with grade 3 experience a fuller erection.

Tonite is also prescribed for pulmonary hypertension.

Is Tonite Safe?

Tonite is generally considered safe and well-tolerated with few side effects. However, in a some cases, the side effects can be potentially dangerous.

Side effects are generally due to misuse of the drug, so only use Tonite under a doctor’s prescription.

Common Side Effects

Here are some common side effects — tell your doctor if they become persistent or troubling.

Back Pain
Dizziness
Flushing
Headaches
Indigestion
Muscle Pain
Nasal Congestion
Nausea
Rash
Vision Loss

Severe Side Effects

It’s important to note that Tonite has some potentially dangerous side effects. Inform your doctor if you develop any of the following:

Prolonged Erection

If the erection lasts for more than 4 hours or longer, it’s called a prolonged erection. This can lead to priapism, a prolonged and painful erection lasting more than 6 hours. This condition can cause traumatic injury to the penile tissues, sometimes causing long-term damage or permanent impotence.

Hypersensitivities & Allergic Reactions

Few people may develop an allergic reaction to any of the ingredients of Tonite. The signs of an allergic reaction include rashes, itching, swollen lips, faces, difficulty breathing, and a hoarse voice.

Cardiovascular Disease

A change in blood pressure caused by Tonite, along with increased heart strain during sexual activity, can result in a heart attack or angina.

Vision Loss

Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) happens in a small number of people after using Tonite. In this condition, blood flow to the optic nerve is compromised and can sometimes result in complete vision loss.

Hearing Loss

A small number of Tonite users report a sudden loss or reduced hearing. The cause of this effect is not well understood, making it hard to predict.

Drug Interaction

There is a risk of drug interaction whenever you take any two medicines, but this can also occur with supplements, vitamins, and herbal products. Inform your doctor about any other substances before using Tonite.

Some interactions can increase the risk of side effects. A few examples of such medicines include:

Nitrates (can lead to an abrupt decrease in blood pressure causing fainting and lightheadedness)
Guanylate Cyclase (GC) Stimulators (can lower blood pressure abruptly)
Antihypertensives (lowers blood pressure)
CYP3A4 inhibitors such as ritonavir, ketoconazole, itraconazole, erythromycin, and others

Certain medications can decrease the efficacy of Tonite. A few examples of such medicines include:

CYP3A4 Inducers such as Rifampicin, Carbamazepine, Phenytoin, Phenobarbitol, Griseofulvin
Protease inhibitors such as efavirenz and nevirapine
Alcohol: (can cause low blood pressure, dizziness, headaches, and increased heart rate; can decrease Tonite’s efficacy)
Antacids

Who Should Avoid Using Tonite?

There are certain situations when you should avoid taking Tonite. The medicine is only available with a doctor’s written prescription.

Avoid using Tonite altogether if you have any of the following:

Severe heart disease or heart valve failure
A history of NAION
Retinitis pigmentosa
Take any of the contraindicated medications listed in the previous section
A history of sildenafil hypersensitivity
A history of priapism
Severe kidney disease
Certain blood disorders (hemophilia, leukemia, sickle-cell anemia)

How Does Tonite Work?

To understand Tonite’s working mechanism, we need to know how an erection works.

First, sensory stimulus from sexual excitement is passed on to the brain; the brain process the signal and passes information to the blood vessels in the penis.

There is an increased accumulation of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in the penis, which causes the smooth muscle to relax, filling the corpora cavernosa with blood.

cGMP is metabolized by an enzyme called phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5).

Tonite is a PDE5 inhibitor; inhibiting the enzyme causes increased accumulation of cGMP and thus helps in penile erection.

It is also important to note that the medicine only works if the brain is already stimulated and cGMP has been formulated. If sexual arousal or stimulation is the problem, Tonite is not recommended.

What Happens if a Woman Takes Tonite?

There is not enough evidence to suggest that Tonite can be approved for use in women. However, Tonite and other PDE5 inhibitors can be an option as a holistic approach for treating sexual problems in women [3].

In men, Tonite improves blood flow to their penis by blocking the action of an enzyme called PDE5. This enzyme is also in the vagina and clitoris of women. In theory, Tonite could increase blood flow to a woman’s genitals.

Studies are not promising enough to suggest the use of Tonite in women, possibly because there is less PDE5 in a female’s genitals than in a male’s penis.

Plus, most women’s sexual problems are associated with sexual desire and arousal — Tonite is unlikely to address these issues.

After extensive research, studies have shown that while Tonite is well-tolerated by women, only one in five women will experience any notable improvement in sexual pleasure after using Tonite [4].

Tonite Alternatives

Tonite isn’t the only treatment option for erectile dysfunction. There are several prominent medications doctors may prescribe that work similarly to Tonite. The closest is a drug called vardenafil (sold under the brand names Levitra and Vivanza).

Additionally, generic forms of Tonite are also available on the open market.

Here are some of the most prominent Tonite alternatives:

Tadalafil (Cialis)
Avanafil (Stendra)
Vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn, and Vivanza)
Mirodenafil (Mvix)
Udenafil (Zydena)

Are There Any Natural Alternatives to Tonite?

While nothing in the natural world offers the specificity and potency of prescription ED medications, some natural substances can be used to provide similar results. It’s best to try a natural alternative before jumping into a prescription.

Here are some of the most common natural Tonite options to consider:

Red Ginseng (Panax quinquefolium)
L-Arginine (An Amino acid)
Yohimbe (Pausinystalia Yohimbe)
Muira puama (Ptychopetalum olacoides)
Catuaba (Trichilia catigua)
Shilajit (Asphaltum punja- bianum)

Where to Buy Tonite?

Tonite is a prescription medication in the United States and most other countries around the world. This means the only way to get Tonite is to visit your GP and request a prescription.

Your doctor will assess any underlying medical conditions and determine if anything could make Tonite dangerous to your health.

Once you have your prescription, you can visit any local pharmacy to order Tonite or a cheaper generic form of the drug.

References

Elterman, D. S., Bhattacharyya, S. K., Mafilios, M., Woodward, E., Nitschelm, K., & Burnett, A. L. (2021). The quality of life and economic burden of erectile dysfunction. Research and Reports in Urology, 13, 79.
McCullough, A. R. (2002). Four-year review of sildenafil citrate. Reviews in urology, 4(Suppl 3), S26
Monte, G. L., Graziano, A., Piva, I., & Marci, R. (2014). Women taking the “blue pill”(sildenafil citrate): such a big deal? Drug Design, Development, and Therapy, 8, 2251.
Kaplan, S. A., Reis, R. B., Kohn, I. J., Ikeguchi, E. F., Laor, E., Te, A. E., & Martins, A. C. (1999). Safety and efficacy of sildenafil in postmenopausal women with sexual dysfunction. Urology, 53(3), 481-486.