Sildenafil side effects - Erectile Dysfunction sildenafil risks, caution, adverse events, danger

Sildenafil is a pharmaceutical medication used for Impotence in a male.

Use in women
Although sildenafil has been marketed for erection of the penis, recent attention has been paid to its application for women, including enhancement of success of in vitro fertilization but also better sexual responses (increased desire, satisfaction, and orgasm) in cases of sexual disorders. Today, there is a debate on internet forums about the potential properties of sildenafil to enhance women's sexual pleasure.

Side effects, caution, risk, danger
Recurrent hemoptysis following sildenafil administration;
Indian Journal of Chest Diseases & Allied Sciences 51 (2), 119-20 (2009 Apr-Jun)Dixit R, Jakhmola P, Sharma S, Arya M, Parmej AR;
Sildenafil is widely used in the treatment of male erectile disorder and is generally well-tolerated. Its adverse effects are reported to be mild and include flushing, headache, dyspepsia and visual disturbances. We document a case of recurrent hemoptysis observed soon after self administration of sildenafil in a 38-year-old male with no other causative factors. The episodes of hemoptysis stopped following stoppage of sildenafil.

Central retinal vein occlusion
Central retinal vein occlusion in a patient after being commenced on sildenafil citrate for pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Indian J Chest Dis Allied Sci. 2009 Oct-Dec; Pinto LM, Morekar S, Mahashur AA. Department of Pulmonology, P D Hinduja National Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Mumbai (Maharashtra), India.
A 75-year-old female was commenced on sildenafil for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) secondary to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). She reported blurring of vision within 72 hours after starting treatment and was found to have a central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). Such an occurrence is the second case reported to date, and we review the possible mechanisms and literature on the subject.

Blood vessel dilation
The impact of daily sildenafil on levels of soluble molecular markers of endothelial function in plasma in patients with erectile dysfunction.
Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2009 Feb. Angelis K, Konstantinos G, Anastasios A, Dionisios S, Petros P. Angelis K, Konstantinos G, Anastasios A, Dionisios S, Petros P. Patras University Hospital, Urology Department (4th floor), Rion, Patras 26504, Greece, University of Patras, Department of Medicine, Patras, Greece.
To investigate the impact f daily sildenafil on levels of soluble molecular markers of endothelial function in men with erectile dysfunction. Methods: Patients aged > 18 years with erectile dysfunction of vascular etiology for > 6 months, either alone or in combination with disease states strongly associated with endothelial dysfunction such as diabetes/metabolic syndrome, hypertension and coronary artery disease, received sildenafil 25 mg orally for 4 weeks. Markers of endothelial function were measured in plasma at baseline and at end of treatment using standard methods and commercially available kits. Sildenafil 25 mg daily for 4 weeks significantly reduced endothelin-1 levels compared with baseline. Significant changes were also observed for nitric oxide and cyclic guanosine monophosphate levels, but not for any of the other biomarkers measured. Erectile function was significantly improved. Conclusions: Daily sildenafil ameliorates endothelial function as assessed by levels of biomarkers of endothelial function in patients with erectile dysfunction. This is in agreement with other studies showing similar benefits with phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor treatment. The clinical implications of this finding warrant further investigation.

Endothelial function influence
The impact of daily sildenafil on levels of soluble molecular markers of endothelial function in plasma in patients with erectile dysfunction; Expert Opinion on
Pharmacotherapy Feb 2009. Angelis K, Konstantinos G, Anastasios A, Dionisios S, Petros P;
To investigate the impact of daily sildenafil on levels of soluble molecular markers of endothelial function in men with erectile dysfunction. Patients aged>18 years with erectile dysfunction of vascular etiology for>6 months, either alone or in combination with disease states strongly associated with endothelial dysfunction such as diabetes / metabolic syndrome, hypertension and coronary artery disease, received sildenafil 25 mg orally for 4 weeks. Sildenafil 25 mg daily for 4 weeks significantly reduced endothelin-1 levels compared with baseline. Significant changes were also observed for nitric oxide and cyclic guanosine monophosphate  levels, but not for any of the other biomarkers measured. Erectile function was significantly improved. Daily sildenafil ameliorates endothelial function as assessed by levels of biomarkers of endothelial function in patients with erectile dysfunction. This is in agreement with other studies showing similar benefits with phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor treatment.

Interactions with natural supplements, herbs, vitamins
What herbs would be considered dangerous to be used simultaneously with sildenafil citrate or vardenafil? Could anti depressant herbs like Rhodiola Rosea that causes minimal MAO inhibition could be dangerous to be taken with the above substances? And what about ginseng and Euricomae Radix Tonkhat Ali? Can Passion Rx cause serious, life threatening side effects if by accident would be consumed a couple of hours before a 25mg sildenafil pill or a 5mg Vardenafil pill?
We are talking about being taken by a healthy 38 year old individual with no health problems of any kind.
    Herb and drug interactions are not easy to predict and much depends on the dosage used and the overall health of the person using them, particularly the health of the heart. As a general rule it is best to use the herbal sexual products daily for 2 or 3 days and then not take them the day the prescription impotence medication is taken. The herbal products take a few days to start working anyway and their benefits last a day or two after stopping. So the sildenafil can be taken for a quick effect and build on the benefit provided by the herbal products.

Can sildenafil pills be taken the same day as mucuna pruriens or maca extract?
    We suggest taking the herbal products 2 or 3 days in a row and stopping them on the day the prescription medication is used.

Products recalled
Natural Wellness is warning consumers not to purchase or consume the product known as MasXtreme, Lot# 911035. This product which is being marketed as a dietary supplement contains undeclared amounts of Aildenafil, as well as the drug Phentolamine which is an alpha-adrenergic blocker. Aildenafil is close in structure to Sildenafil and is expected to possess a similar pharmacological and side effect profile. Sildenafil is the active pharmaceutical ingredient in an FDA-approved drug that is used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). This may pose a threat to consumers because Aildenafil may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs (such as nitroglycerin) and may lower blood pressure to dangerous levels. Consumers with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease often take nitrates. Common side effects of Phentolamine include arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm) and tachycardia (rapid heart beat). MasXtreme is sold in blister packs containing one (1) capsule. The product is distributed Nationwide by Natural Wellness Inc. This product is being promoted for increasing desire and sexual performance. The product is sold without medical prescription. Consumers who have purchased MasXtreme tablets are urged to immediately discontinue their use and return the product to their place of purchase or directly to Natural Wellness Inc. at 440 S Federal Hwy, Suite 107, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441. Consumers with questions regarding this recall may contact the company at 954-570-6662 Monday through Friday 8 am to 4 pm. Consumers who have purchased this product and have medical concerns should consult with their health care providers. Adverse reaction or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online, by regular mail, or by fax. Fax: 1-800-FDA-0178.This recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).