Filagra

Filagra is an oral drug that is most commonly prescribed to treat erectile dysfunction of any organic cause in men.

Filagra contains sildenafil citrate as an active compound. Sildenafil is classified as a PDE5 inhibitor drug and is used as a first-line treatment for ED.

We will be covering all the important things you need to know before taking Filagra, like how it works, its side effects, and available alternatives.

What Is Filagra?

Filagra is a brand name that contains sildenafil as an active compound. It is manufactured in India by Fortune Healthcare Pvt. Ltd. and is exported to other countries.

Sildenafil is a PDE5 inhibitor drug used as a first-line treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). Erectile dysfunction is the inability to attain and maintain a penile erection for satisfactory sexual intercourse. Sildenafil acts by inhibiting the enzyme PDE5 in the corpus cavernosa of the penis.

This causes relaxation in the smooth muscles of the penile blood vessels and the spongy corpora cavernosa that increases blood flow to the penis, resulting in an erection.

Sildenafil is the same compound found in Viagra, the first medication for erectile dysfunction. It is the most common and widely used medication for ED.

What Is the Dose of Filagra?

Filagra is available as oral tablets in doses:

25 mg
50 mg
100 mg
120 mg
150 mg
200 mg

The starting dose of Filagra is 25 mg. This dose is then adjusted according to response and tolerability. Filagra should be taken only once every 24 hours.

How Long Does It Take for Filagra to Kick In?

Filagra takes about 30 to 60 minutes to kick in. It can, however, take as little as 15 minutes or as long as 2 hours.

It is recommended to take the pill at least 15 to 30 minutes before engaging in sexual activities.

Avoid fatty meals before taking the drug as it will slow down the absorption process, which in turn can cause the drug to kick in late.

How Long Does Filagra Last?

Filagra lasts for about 3 to 4 hours.

How Much Does Filagra Cost?

Filagra costs $0.64 to $1.22 per pill, depending on the dose.

The oral-flavored jelly sachet costs $1.10 to $2 per sachet, depending on the amount you buy.

History of Filagra

Filagra is the brand name for the generic drug sildenafil. It is manufactured in India and exported to other countries.

Sildenafil was first manufactured by Pfizer and was being investigated to treat hypertension and heart-related chest pain.

During clinical trials, sildenafil had little role in treating anginal chest pain. Instead, it was found to induce penile erection. Later, it was investigated to treat erectile dysfunction of various causes.

Pfizer spent most of the ‘90s performing extensive clinical trials to prove the efficacy and tolerability of sildenafil.

It was approved by the FDA in 1998 and marketed with the brand name Viagra. Pfizer owned the patent of Viagra and dominated the market for two decades until 2020 when its patent expired.

Currently, there are many generic versions of sildenafil available that are much cheaper and accessible to people worldwide.

Who Should Take Filagra?

Men aged 18 years can take Filagra. It can be used for ED caused by age, stress, diabetes, obesity, hyperlipidemia, high blood pressure, and patients using antidepressants.

Filagra is not effective in ED due to STDs.

Is Filagra Safe?

Yes, Filagra is safe.

Many clinical trials have been conducted in diverse groups of men with ED to prove the efficacy and safety of Filagra [1, 2].

Common Side Effects Of Filagra

Always consult your physician before taking any new drug. If you experience any serious adverse effects, you may need to discontinue the medication.

However, most side effects of Filegra are dose-related and mild to moderate in severity.

Some common side effects of Filagra include:

Back pain
Diarrhea
Dizziness
Dyspepsia
Facial flushing
Headache
Muscle pain
Nasal congestion
Palpitation
Prolonged erection
Rashes
Sudden hearing loss
Visual disturbances
Vomiting

Potential Drug Interactions Of Filagra

Always be careful when combining drugs. Some can have dangerous interactions. The following medications can have serious effects with Filagra.

Nitrates

Nitrates and Filagra should not be used together as this combination can lead to a drastic drop in blood pressure [3].

Anti-Hypertensives

Most anti-hypertensives do not produce any significant alteration in blood pressure when combined with Filagra.

However, the use of α and β antagonists and calcium channel blockers with Filagra might produce a 2 to 5 mmHg decrease in blood pressure [4, 5]. Therefore, patients should be stable on these drugs prior to initiating Filagra.

Guanylate Cyclase GC-Stimulators

GC stimulators (drugs used for pulmonary arterial hypertension) and Filagra should not be used together because this combination potentiates the hypotensive effects of the former.

CYP3A4 Inducers

Medications falling under this class increase the activity of this enzyme. This causes Filagra to be metabolized faster and provides less-pronounced effects.

CYP3A4 Inhibitors

Filagra undergoes extensive biotransformation in human liver microsomes mainly via CYP3A4, with a minor contribution from CYP2C. CYP3A4 inhibitors combined with Filagra cause a decrease in Filagra’s metabolization and an increase in its half-life [6].

Food

Fatty meals can slow the drug’s absorption, which might delay its effects.

Alcohol

A small amount of alcohol with Filagra has no adverse effects but avoid excessive alcohol intake.

One study showed that over 45% of men who took sildenafil with alcohol for recreational purposes had a higher risk of side effects, including facial flushing, headaches, chest pain, changes in vision, and lightheadedness [7].

Who Should Avoid Using Filagra?

Do not use Filagra without a doctor’s prescription. Always consult with your doctor so they can rule out potential risks.

If you have one of the following conditions, it’s best to avoid Filagra:

Severe heart disease
Severe liver disease
History of NAION or “crowded” optic disc
Retinitis pigmentosa
A history of known hypersensitivity to any PDE5 inhibitors
A history of priapism
Severe kidney disease
Certain blood disorders

How Does Filagra Work?

Filagra contains sildenafil citrate.

Sildenafil is a phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitor that selectively inhibits the enzyme PDE-5 in the corpus cavernosum of the penis. This enzyme is responsible for cGMP degradation, which plays a crucial role in regulating blood flow within the penis.

During sexual stimulation, penile arteries produce nitric oxide (NO), which then travels to the smooth muscles and binds to guanylate cyclase receptors. This activates guanylate cyclase (GC), which then produces cGMP from GTP.

Filagra increases the levels of cGMP, which activates cGMP-dependent protein kinase. Consequently, this lowers intracellular calcium levels, relaxing blood vessels and the spongy corpus cavernosa.

This causes an erection, which is usually sustainable until sexual stimulation is withdrawn [8].

Filagra cannot work without sexual stimulation. Take the drug 15 to 30 minutes before sexual intercourse.

Sildenafil also acts on the PDE-5 receptors in the lung vasculature; hence, it can also treat pulmonary arterial hypertension [9].

Medical Research Involving Filagra

Filagra is the generic version of Viagra and contains the same compound.

There isn’t much research specifically using Filagra, but the original sildenafil (Viagra) manufacturers have conducted many trials since its discovery to prove its safety.

Alternatives to Filagra

If Filagra doesn’t seem optimal, or you’d rather try something natural first, there are options.

Pharmaceutical Alternatives

There are many ED medications; some use the same active ingredients, others with different ingredients but have the same mechanism of action.

There are many generic versions manufactured by other pharmaceutical companies. There’s a wide range of prices, but the compounds and dose are the same of similar.

The most widely used PDE5 inhibitor prescription drug is sildenafil. Other available prescription-only drugs include:

Avanafil (Avaforce, Stendra, Avana)
Mirodenafil (Mvix)
Tadalafil (Cialis, Adcirca, Vidalista, Tadacip, Forzest, & more)
Vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn, Vilitra, Zhewitra, Savitra, & more)

Natural Alternatives

Before jumping into prescription medications, it is best to consult your physician to evaluate the cause of ED. If it is due to stress and anxiety or any other modifiable cause, try other alternatives such as meditation, diet, lifestyle modification, and psychotherapy.

Also, there are some herbs and nutrients that can help facilitate erection. These herbal compounds are effective but also have side effects.

Horny Goat Weed (Epimedium spp.)

The main compound in horny goat weed is called icariin, which acts similarly to the PDE5 inhibitor drugs. It increases nitric oxide synthesis and shows androgen mimetic activity.

Ginseng (Panax ginseng)

Some studies have shown Korean red ginseng to be effective for ED [10, 11]. It works by inducing the release of NO and relaxing the smooth muscles of the corpus cavernosum.

L-arginine

Nitric oxide is an essential substance in normal physiology for penile erection. NO is generated by an enzyme named NO synthase, which acts on the essential amino acid L-arginine to produce NO.

A study published in the Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy found that L-arginine and Pycnogenol supplements helped many men ages 25 to 45 with ED achieve normal erections with almost no side effects [1 2].

Muira Puama (Ptychopetalum olacoides)

It is an herb that is used for libido and penile erections. It is rich in sitosterol, campesterol, and lupeol that activate the body’s receptors for hormones like testosterone to increase libido and performance. Also, volatile oils like camphor help restore sex drive and mental ability to be aroused.

Catuaba(Erythroxylum catuaba)

Catuaba extract have catuabines as an active ingredient that acts as a central nervous system stimulant and aphrodisiac.

Yohimbe (Pausinystalia Yohimbe)

Yohimbe is an aphrodisiac and works by blocking alpha-2 adrenergic activity. It’s a monoamine oxidase inhibitor and increases serotonin in the brain. It can cause nervousness, anxiety, heart palpitations, and insomnia.

Tribulus (Tribulus terrestris)

Tribulus increases testosterone and NO synthesis, which helps boost libido.

Where to Buy Filagra In 2022?

Filagra can be purchased with a doctor’s prescription at any authorized pharmacy.

You can also buy Filagra online to compare prices and have the medication delivered to your doorstep. It also has the added advantage of anonymity for consumers and discretion.

However, it might be best to try a natural alternative first. Talk with your doctor about every option.

References

Buvat, J., Hatzichristou, D., Maggi, M., Farmer, I., Martinez-Jabaloyas, J., Miller, P., & Schnetzler, G. (2008). Efficacy, tolerability and satisfaction with sildenafil citrate 100-mg titration compared with continued 50-mg dose treatment in men with erectile dysfunction. BJU international, 102(11), 1645.
Giuliano, F., Jackson, G., Montorsi, F., Martin‐Morales, A., & Raillard, P. (2010). Safety of sildenafil citrate: Review of 67 double‐blind placebo‐controlled trials and the postmarketing safety database. International journal of clinical practice, 64(2), 240-255.
Ishikura, F., Beppu, S., Hamada, T., Khandheria, B. K., Seward, J. B., & Nehra, A. (2000). Effects of sildenafil citrate (Viagra) combined with nitrate on the heart. Circulation, 102(20), 2516-2521.
Rosenkranz, S., & Erdmann, E. (2001). Interaction between sildenafil and antihypertensive drugs: what is evidence-based?. Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift (1946), 126(41), 1144-1149.
Zusman, R. M., Prisant, L. M., Brown, M. J., & Sildenafil Study Group. (2000). Effect of sildenafil citrate on blood pressure and heart rate in men with erectile dysfunction taking concomitant antihypertensive medication. Journal of hypertension, 18(12), 1865-1869.
Hyland, R., Jones, B. C., & Smith, D. A. (2003). Identification of the cytochrome P450 enzymes involved in the N-oxidation of voriconazole. Drug Metabolism and Disposition, 31(5), 540-547.
Kim, J. N., Oh, J. J., Park, D. S., Hong, Y. K., & Yu, Y. D. (2019). Influence of Alcohol on Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors Use in Middle-to Old-Aged Men: A Comparative Study of Adverse Events. Sexual medicine, 7(4), 425-432.
Hatzimouratidis, K. (2006). Sildenafil in the treatment of erectile dysfunction: an overview of the clinical evidence. Clinical interventions in aging, 1(4), 403.
Barnett, C. F., & Machado, R. F. (2006). Sildenafil in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension. Vascular health and risk management, 2(4), 411.
De Andrade, E., De Mesquita, A. A., de Almeida Claro, J., De Andrade, P. M., Ortiz, V., Paranhos, M., … & Erdogrun, T. (2007). Study of the efficacy of Korean Red Ginseng in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Asian journal of andrology, 9(2), 241-244.
Hong, B., Ji, Y. H., Hong, J. H., Nam, K. Y., & Ahn, T. Y. (2002). A double-blind crossover study evaluating the efficacy of korean red ginseng in patients with erectile dysfunction: a preliminary report. The Journal of urology, 168(5), 2070-2073.
Stanislavov, R., & Nikolova, V. (2003). Treatment of erectile dysfunction with pycnogenol and L-arginine. Journal of Sex &Marital Therapy, 29(3), 207-213.