Zenegra

Zenegra is also known as the “ Blue pill” with the composition of sildenafil citrate approved by the FDA for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). It is manufactured by the pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, with the brand name Viagra.

It is available in different dosage forms and variable price ranges. The medicine can be purchased from a medical store or online pharmacy, after being prescribed by the doctor.

You could ask your doctor for information about the medicine before taking it. Here, we will try to cover everything you need to know about the medicine, including how it works, what is the dose, what is the price, when to take/ not take the medicine, and what are the side effects.

What is Zenegra?

Zenegra is a drug based on sildenafil, the substance that has made it possible for men to achieve an erection for experiencing satisfying sexual intercourse. Sildenafil falls under the class of phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. In combination with sexual stimulation, Zenegra works by increasing blood flow to the penis to help a man get and keep an erection.

Sildenafil citrate is also used for pulmonary hypertension in males and females. It dilates the blood vessels and increases the flow of blood in arteries. Hence lowering the blood pressure.

Erectile dysfunction is a common pathology associated with men. Men who are having this condition are not able to achieve complete sexual intercourse which leads to various psychosocial issues like problems in relationships, stress, depression, and anxiety. [1]

The medicine starts to work after 30 to 60 minutes of intake and its effect lasts for 4 to 5 hours.

What’s the Dose of Zenegra?

Zenegra is available in various dosage forms. It is always better to start from a dose of 50 mg and the dose is adjusted based on the tolerance, side effect profile, and the effectiveness of the drug. [2]

The maximum dose is 1 pill per day. The medicine is to be taken orally with an adequate amount of water either on an empty stomach or preferably after 2 hours of taking food. Administration with food reduces the impact.

Following are the available dosages of Zenegra tablets:

25 mg
50 mg
100 mg.

How Long Does it Take for Zenegra to Kick In?

The effects of Zenegra will start to kick in about 30 – 60 minutes after you take it. In a few cases, it may take longer. Do not increase the dose on your own if it does not work. In such situations, the dose can be increased only after the recommendation of the doctor.

If you have intentionally or accidentally consumed more than the prescribed amount of Zenegra Tablet, then you might feel severe dizziness, fainting, and painful/prolonged erection. In such situations, seek medical help immediately.

How Long Does Zenegra Last?

The effect of Zenegra mostly lasts for a night. Most of the time medicine is effective for 4 hours to 5 hours.

There are reports in which men have noticed erections for up to 24 hours [2]

How Much Does Zenegra Cost?

The cost of the Zenegra approximates $1 per pill. However, it might cost differently depending on various factors.

The original Sildenafil, made by Pfizer, costs around $70 per tablet.

The History of Zenegra

Like many discoveries, Sildenafil was also discovered by an accident. Initially, Pfizer was studying the drug compound for the treatment of high blood pressure and angina, owing to its effect on dilatation of blood vessels but the results of the study were disappointing.

But, the good news for Pfizer was that the study participants complained of side effects throughout the study period, whenever they were given the medicine. The side effect was increased penile erection after taking the medicine. This shift the focus of the researchers and prompted Pfizer to study its effect on the treatment of erectile dysfunction. The results of the study were promising.

As a result of the study, they were able to patent the drug in 1996. Two years later, in 1998 FDA finally approved the drug and Pfizer marketed the drug under the name of Viagra. The patent for the medicine expired in 2019 and Sildenafil Citrate was allowed to be manufactured by other pharmaceuticals apart from Pfizer. Currently, Sildenafil citrate is available in various trade names with Zenegra being one

Who Should Take Zenegra?

Zenegra is indicated for men suffering from erectile dysfunction and those having risk factors of erectile dysfunction. It does not work if sexual arousal is the major problem as it is not a stimulant.

For sexual arousal and improving erection other measures should also be followed like regular exercise, eating a healthy diet, plenty of fluids, stress management, avoiding alcohol or smoking, and foreplay before involving in sexual activity.

Furthermore, Zenegra must be prescribed by your doctor. Before prescribing, the doctor would assess your current and past medical condition and all the medicines you are taking.

The risk of using Zenegra needs to be weighed with the potential benefits before a prescription is written.

Sildenafil also has FDA approval for the treatment of World Health Organization Group I pulmonary hypertension (also known as pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)) in adults to improve exercise tolerance and delay clinical worsening. [3]

Is Zenegra Safe?

Zenegra is generally safe medicine for occasional use but there may be some common side effects involved. Severe side effects are rare but possible. So, the medicine must be prescribed by a doctor, and the side effect profile must be monitored.

The most common side effects reported were headaches and dyspepsia, followed by back pain, nasal congestion, myalgia, and flushing. Most of these side effects subside on their own with time but if it persists or becomes bothersome, you must see your doctor.

The following lists contain some but not all the side effects of Zenegra:

Zenegra may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

Headache
Heartburn
Diarrhea
Flushing (feeling of warmth)
Nosebleeds
Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
Numbness, burning or tingling in the arms, hands, feet, or legs
Muscle aches
Changes in color vision (seeing a blue tinge on objects or having difficulty telling the difference between blue and green)
Sensitivity to light

Some side effects can be serious, If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

Sudden severe loss of vision
Blurred vision
Sudden decrease or loss of hearing
Ringing in ears
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Fainting
Chest pain
Worsening shortness of breath
Erection that is painful or lasts longer than 4 hours
Itching or burning during urination
Rash

If you develop any other symptom which is not mentioned above, you need to see your doctor.

Drug Interactions of Zenegra

Zenegra can interact with several other medications, causing different effects. For instance, some interactions can interfere with how well a drug works. Other interactions can increase side effects or make them more severe.

Before taking Zenegra, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescriptions, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

Some common drugs that may interact with Zenegra include:

Nitrates

Nitrates increase the blood flow by dilating the blood vessels. The use of Zenegra with nitrates can elevate levels (more than desired ) of cGMP in the body. This can severely lower blood pressure with an increased risk of heart attack or stroke.

Antihypertensives

Such as alpha-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, and angiotensin II receptor blockers. The use of these blood pressure-lowering medicine with Zenegra can lower blood pressure abruptly.

Alcohol

You are advised not to consume alcohol while taking Zenegra as it might temporarily impair your ability to get an erection and can also increase the severity of side effects.

CYP3A4 Inhibitors

such as ritonavir, ketoconazole, itraconazole, erythromycin, sodium valproate, omeprazole, cimetidine, and others. This can decrease the metabolism of Zenegra and thus leads to an increased risk of side effects.

CYP3A4 Inducers

Opposite to CYP3A4 inhibitors, some medications increase the activity of this enzyme — leading to faster metabolism of Zenegra. This may reduce the effectiveness of the medicine. Common CYP3A4 Inducers are: Rifampicin, Carbamazepine, Phenytoin, Phenobarbitol, Griseofulvin

Who Should Avoid Using Zenegra?

Zenegra can only be ordered with a written prescription from a doctor.

Here are a few examples of people who should avoid using Zenegra altogether:

Patients with severe heart disease or heart valve failure
Patients with a history of Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION)
Patients diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa
Patients taking any of the contraindicated medications listed in the previous section
Patients with a history of sildenafil hypersensitivity
Patients with a history of priapism
Patients with severe kidney disease
Patients with certain blood disorders (hemophilia, leukemia, sickle-cell anemia)

How Does Zenegra Work?

The erection of the penis depends on the relaxation of smooth muscles in the corpora cavernosa. When there is a sexual stimulus, cavernous nerves and endothelial cells release nitric oxide stimulating the formation of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). cGMP is metabolized by phosphodiesterase type 5 lowering its level in the blood.

Zenegra is a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor causing an increase in the level of cGMP by decreasing the metabolism. This increase in cGMP causes relaxation of smooth muscles in the corpora cavernosa increasing blood flow in the sinusoids. The increase in blood flow is responsible for penile erection.[5]

Thus Zenegra would be expected to restore and sustain the natural erectile response to sexual stimulation but do not cause erections in the absence of such stimulation.

What Happens If a Woman Takes Zenegra?

There is not enough evidence to suggest that Zenegra can be approved for use in women. However, Zenegra and other phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors can be considered as an option during a holistic approach for the treatment of sexual problems in women. [4]

In men, Zenegra improves blood flow to their penis by blocking the action of an enzyme called PDE5. This enzyme is also found in the vagina and the clitoris of women. So in theory, if a woman takes Zenegra, it could increase blood flow to her genitals.

But the results in the studies are not promising enough to suggest the use of Zenegra in women. This could be explained by the fact that there is less PDE5 in a female’s genitals than there is in a male’s penis.

And keep in mind that sexual problems in women often have a lot to do with reduced sexual desire and arousal. Zenegra is unlikely to address these issues.

Furthermore, sexual problems in women are mostly associated with sexual desire and arousal, which is not addressed by Zenegra.

Zenegra Alternatives

There are other brands of sildenafil available throughout the world like Viagra and Revatio.

Pharmaceutical Alternatives

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

Are There Any Natural Alternatives to Zenegra?

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.

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

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

Where to Buy Zenegra?

Zenegra is a prescription medication in countries around the world. This means that you can get the medicine if the Doctor prescribes it to you.

Your doctor will assess any underlying medical conditions, the medications that you are taking, and the risk for potential allergic reactions before prescribing the medicine.

Once you have your prescription, you can visit any local pharmacy to order Zenegra or you can order it from the online drug store.

References Used

Silvestro, S., & Allegretti, G. Viagra (sildenafil): uses, side effects, interactions, and more.
McCullough, A. R. (2002). Four-year review of sildenafil citrate. Reviews in urology, 4(Suppl 3), S26.
Mitidieri, E., Cirino, G., di Villa Bianca, R. D. E., & Sorrentino, R. (2020). Pharmacology and perspectives in erectile dysfunction in man. Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 208, 107493.
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.
Wang, J., Re, J., & Wang, Z. (1999). Mode of action of sildenafil. Zhongguo yi xue ke xue Yuan xue bao. Acta Academiae Medicinae Sinicae, 21(6), 493-496.