Sildigra is used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED).
Its active ingredient is sildenafil citrate and is taken orally. Sildigra belongs to a group of drugs called PDE5 inhibitors, which can improve erectile dysfunction of any organic cause.
Everything you need to know about Sildigra, such as its mechanism of action, doses, side effects, history, uses, contraindications, and interactions, will be covered in this article.
We’ll also look at natural alternatives in case you want to try that route first.
What Is Sildigra?
Sildigra is a brand name for the generic drug sildenafil manufactured in India by RSM enterprises. Sildenafil is the same compound found in Viagra.
Sildenafil is classified as a PDE5 inhibitor, the most commonly prescribed for erectile dysfunction.
Erectile dysfunction is the inability to initiate or maintain a penile erection for satisfactory sexual intercourse. With sexual stimulation, Sildigra dilates and increases blood flow to the penile arteries leading to an erection.
The use of sildenafil is not limited to ED. It is also used for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension.
What Is the Dose of Sildigra?
Sildigra is an oral medication available in dosages of 120 mg, 100 mg, 50 mg, and 25 mg.
Most men are given 50 mg as a starting dose to treat ED. However, the dose is then titrated according to the response. Most of them end up with a 100 mg dose with satisfactory results.
Clinical trials have proven 100 mg as the most effective dosage [1]. In men with severe ED, the dose can be increased according to tolerability and response.
Only one pill of Sildigra should be taken in 24 hours.
How Long Does It Take for Sildigra to Kick In?
Sildigra takes about 30 to 60 minutes to kick in, but this can vary from person to person.
It is recommended to take the pill at least one hour before sexual activities.
How Long Does Sildigra Last?
Sildigra lasts for about 4 hours.
How Much Does Sildigra Cost?
One strip of Sildigra contains ten tablets, which cost $0.9 to $1.8 per tablet, depending on the dose.
Sildigra is a lot cheaper than Viagra, which costs $70 per tablet.
The History Of Sildigra
Sildigra is the brand name for the drug sildenafil. It is manufactured in India and is exported to many other countries.
Sildenafil was discovered while looking for a treatment for heart-related chest pain by a research group at Pfizer in 1989. It was patented in 1996 as Viagra by Pfizer and approved by the FDA to treat erectile dysfunction in 1998.
Currently, many cheaper generic versions of sildenafil are available.
Who Should Take Sildigra?
Men aged 18 and above suffering from erectile dysfunction of any organic cause, including old age, stress-related, diabetes, obesity, hyperlipidemia, high blood pressure, and in patients using antidepressants can take Sildigra.
Is Sildigra Safe?
It is considered to be a safe drug. Its side effects are dose-related.
Some common side effects of Sildrigra are:
- Back pain
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Dyspepsia
- Facial flushing
- Headache
- Nasal congestion
- Palpitation
- Prolonged erection
- Rashes
- Sudden hearing loss
- Visual disturbances (blurred vision, flashing lights, blue haze, and change in color perception)
- Vomiting
Potential Drug Interactions With Sildigra
Nitrates
Taking nitrates and Sildigra at the same time can lead to a drastic drop in blood pressure.
Anti-Hypertensives
Using Sildigra with antihypertensives like diuretics and ACE inhibitors does not produce any significant alteration in blood pressure.
However, the use of α or β antagonists and calcium channel blockers with Sildigra might produce a 2 to 5 mmHg decrease in blood pressure [3, 4]. Therefore, patients should be stable on these drugs prior to initiating Sildigra.
Treatment with Sildigra must be initiated at the lowest recommended dose and should be taken 3 to 4 hours apart from antihypertensive administration.
Guanylate Cyclase GC-stimulators
GC stimulators are used for pulmonary arterial hypertension. Taking them with Sildigrais not recommended since this combination can exacerbate the hypotensive effects of GC stimulators.
CYP3A4 Inducers
Medications falling under this class increase the activity of the CYP 3A4 enzyme. This can lead to faster metabolism of Sildigra and reduce its efficacy.
Some common CYP3A4 inducers are rifampin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, and phenobarbitone.
CYP3A4 Inhibitors
Taking CYP3A4 inhibitors with Sildigra leads to an increase in the half-life of the latter. Common CYP3A4 inhibitors include ritonavir, ketoconazole, itraconazole, erythromycin, and grapefruit.
Food
Sildigra should not be taken after a fatty meal as it can slow its absorption and delay its onset of action.
Alcohol
Taking alcohol with Sildigra can cause side effects such as facial flushing, headaches, chest pain, visual changes, and lightheadedness [5].
Who Should Avoid Using Sildigra?
Sildigra should not be taken without a doctor’s prescription.
Anyone with the following conditions should avoid using Sildigra.
- A history of NAION or “crowded” optic disc
- A history of priapism
- Certain blood disorders, such as hemophilia, leukemia, and sickle-cell anemia
- Known hypersensitivity to any PDE5 inhibitors
- Low blood pressure
- Retinitis pigmentosa
- Severe heart disease
- Severe kidney disease
- Severe liver disease
How Does Sildigra Work?
Sildigra contains sildenafil as an active compound.
Sildenafil is a phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitor drug. It inhibits the PDE5 enzyme, which is responsible for cGMP degradation in the corpus cavernosum of the penis.
During sexual stimulation, nitric oxide (NO) is produced by the endothelium of the penile arteries. NO then travels to the smooth muscles and binds to guanylate cyclase receptors leading to the activation of guanylate cyclase (GC). The GC then produces cGMP from GTP.
cGMP is present at high levels after the use of sildenafil. This leads to relaxation of blood vessels and increases blood flow to the penile tissues, causing penile erection. This erection can last for 3 to 4 hours as long as sexual stimulation is present.
Sildigra cannot work without sexual stimulation. So, it is advised to take the drug 15 to 30 minutes before the anticipated sexual intercourse.
Medical Research Involving Sildigra
Sildigra is the generic version of Viagra. Sildigra contains the same compound and recipe as Viagra, which is sildenafil citrate.
There isn’t much research available specifically on Silagra.
But the original sildenafil (Viagra) manufacturer has conducted many trials since its discovery to prove its efficacy and safety.
Alternatives to Sildigra
There are many ED medications available on the market. Some use the same active ingredients, while others contain different ingredients with a similar mechanism of action.
Sildigra is the brand name for sildenafil.
Other available prescription-only drugs for treating erectile dysfunction include:
- Avanafil (Avaforce, Stendra, Avana)
- Mirodenafil (Mvix)
- Tadalafil (Cialis, Adcirca, Vidalista, Tadacip, Forzest, & more)
- Vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn, Vilitra, Zhewitra, Savitra, & more)
Natural Alternatives to Sildigra
Many herbs and nutrients have been used for centuries to help facilitate erection. But, there is limited clinical evidence to back their efficiency in treating ED.
Ginseng (PanaxGginseng)
Several studies on red ginseng for ED show that it may be beneficial for ED [6, 7]. It works in a similar manner as sildenafil by inducing NO release. NO relaxes the smooth muscles of the penile tissue and enhances blood flow, leading to an erection.
L-arginine
This amino acid is a precursor of nitric oxide. Once ingested, it can get converted to NO within the body and help initiate an erection.
Muira Puama
This herb is used for its libido-enhancing effects and advocated role in initiating penile erections. It activates the body’s receptors for testosterone to heighten libido and enhance performance.
Catuaba(Erythroxylum catuaba)
Catuaba Extract has been used in Asian folk medicine as a cure for sexual disorders and poor libido.
Tribulus (Tribulus terrestris)
This herb may assist sexual activity in two ways. First, it can increase the levels of testosterone; second, it enhances NO synthesis.
Where to Buy Sildigra?
Sildigra is easily available with a doctor’s prescription at any authorized pharmacy.
You can also buy Sildigra from online stores selling pharmaceutical products. Purchasing Sildigra online gives you the added benefit of doorstep delivery, anonymity, and easier access to written information.
Natural alternatives might work for you, but talk to your doctor before combining them with any medications.
References Cited
- Bénard, F., Carrier, S., Lee, J. C., Talwar, V., & Defoy, I. (2010). Men with mild erectile dysfunction benefit from sildenafil treatment. The journal of sexual medicine, 7(11), 3725-3735.
- Hatzimouratidis, Konstantinos. “Sildenafil in the treatment of erectile dysfunction: an overview of the clinical evidence.” Clinical interventions in aging vol. 1,4 (2006): 403-14. doi:10.2147/ciia.2006.1.4.403
- 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.
- 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.
- de Andrade, E., de Mesquita, A. A., Claro, J., de Andrade, P. M., Ortiz, V., Paranhos, M., & Srougi, M. (2007). Study of the efficacy of Korean Red Ginseng in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Asian journal of andrology, 9(2), 241–244. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-7262.2007.00210.x
- 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. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.ju.0000034387.21441.87
- Stanislavov, R., & Nikolova, V. (2003). Treatment of erectile dysfunction with pycnogenol and L-arginine. Journal of sex & marital therapy, 29(3), 207–213. https://doi.org/10.1080/00926230390155104
- Goldstein, I., Tseng, L. J., Creanga, D., Stecher, V., & Kaminetsky, J. C. (2016). Efficacy and Safety of Sildenafil by Age in Men With Erectile Dysfunction. The journal of sexual medicine, 13(5), 852–859. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2016.02.166
- Conti, C. R., Pepine, C. J., & Sweeney, M. (1999). Efficacy and safety of sildenafil citrate in the treatment of erectile dysfunction in patients with ischemic heart disease. The American journal of cardiology, 83(5A), 29C–34C. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0002-9149(99)00045-4
Leave a Reply