Is It OK to Take 100mg of Sildenafil?

Sildenafil is among the most well-recognized medications specifically designed to tackle erectile dysfunction (ED). It first gained attention in the pharmaceutical world when it became the inaugural treatment option for ED, with its introduction dating back to 1998. While many are familiar with its trade name, Viagra®, it is also marketed as a generic medication simply referred to as sildenafil.

So, is it perfectly acceptable to take 100mg of sildenafil? Yes, normally, it is considered safe to take a 100mg dose of this medication, provided that your healthcare provider has prescribed that specific amount. Sildenafil comes in a range of tablet strengths, typically between 25mg and 100mg. Your healthcare provider will evaluate your individual situation and determine the appropriate dosage for you before finalizing your prescription. Commonly, many men begin treatment with a 50mg dose, adjusting the amount as necessary based on their experience with the medication.

Read on to discover more about who may find a 100mg dosage beneficial, along with potential risks, drug interactions, and additional factors to consider.

Sildenafil, containing the active ingredient sildenafil citrate, is available in multiple dosages. Presently, the 100mg strength represents the maximum dosage approved by the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

Generally, taking a 100mg dose is acceptable if that is the amount recommended by your medical provider. However, it’s crucial not to exceed the prescribed dosage, as doing so can lead to undesirable side effects.

How Sildenafil Starting Doses Are Determined

Your healthcare provider will likely prescribe a 100mg dose only if you have already experimented with lower doses of sildenafil that haven’t yielded satisfactory results. The standard initial dosage is typically 50mg, which can be further reduced to 25mg if necessary.

In some cases, your healthcare provider might initiate treatment for ED with the 100mg dosage, especially if you exhibit severe symptoms. For instance, if you are struggling significantly to achieve an erection, even when sexually stimulated, or if you find that you are unable to achieve an erection altogether.

Moreover, your healthcare provider might assess the frequency of your sexual activity. If you engage in sexual intercourse often and are using sildenafil regularly, your dosage may need to be adjusted. Conversely, if sexual activity occurs only sporadically, a lower dose may be more appropriate.

For more insight on how much sildenafil is too much, check out our blog.

What Else Is Sildenafil Used For?

Initially, sildenafil was developed to treat angina (chest pain) and manage hypertension (high blood pressure). However, during the early ‘90s, researchers noted that it also held promise as an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction.

In addition to its primary use for ED, sildenafil has found off-label applications, including:

• Raynaud’s phenomenon (reduced blood flow to extremities, resulting in coldness and numbness)

• Female sexual arousal disorder

• Altitude-induced hypoxemia (insufficient oxygen in the blood at high altitudes)

Off-label use refers to when a drug is prescribed for indications that are not specifically approved by the FDA; this practice is both common and legal.

Typical dosages may vary for these alternative health conditions. For more specifics, please refer to our sildenafil dosages guide.

Sildenafil is effective for the majority of men dealing with erectile dysfunction at various dosages. Nevertheless, the highest 100mg dosage tends to yield improvements for a greater percentage of men compared to lower dosages like 50mg or 25mg. However, a notable downside is that the 100mg dosage is generally associated with a higher incidence of side effects.

If you experience mild to moderate ED, your healthcare provider will likely recommend starting with a 50mg dose, which has become the standard initial oral dosage for sildenafil. This dosage has proven sufficient for many men, successfully treating erectile dysfunction and enhancing sexual performance.

As previously mentioned, the 100mg dose of sildenafil is typically deemed safe if prescribed by your healthcare provider, although individual tolerance levels may vary.

There are situations wherein 100mg might be considered excessive, and individuals beginning on a 50mg dose could decrease to 25mg if they encounter bothersome side effects.

Clinical studies have shown that approximately 82 percent of men experiencing erectile dysfunction noted enhancements in their erectile function upon using sildenafil at the 100mg dosage.

In comparison, research indicated that 74 percent and 63 percent of participants reported improvements while using 50mg and 25mg doses, respectively.

Further clinical trials have pointed out that increasing dosages above 100mg do not significantly enhance the drug's effectiveness, while they do tend to amplify the side effects.

Generally, sildenafil, regardless of dosage, requires approximately 30 to 60 minutes to begin its effects, so aim to take the medication about an hour before engaging in sexual activity.

This could entail discreetly stepping away to the restroom after dining or employing a clever ruse on your return to your vehicle. The essential takeaway is not to consume sildenafil just 10 minutes prior to intimacy, as it requires additional time to perform effectively within your system.

Once ingested, the medication can remain effective for a duration ranging from 30 minutes to four hours, providing a reasonable timeframe for planned sexual activities. However, if you exceed four hours, the concentration of sildenafil in your bloodstream may drop too low to ensure optimal erection quality.

Will You Get an Erection on Sildenafil Without Sexual Arousal?

Sildenafil belongs to a class of medication called phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, or PDE5 inhibitors. These medications function by targeting and inhibiting the PDE5 enzyme, promoting the relaxation of blood vessels in the penis and enhancing blood flow to the area.

A defining aspect of PDE5 inhibitors is that they facilitate erections only when physical or mental sexual arousal is present. Contrary to common misconceptions, they do not induce spontaneous erections unless there is sexual stimulation or enhance libido in any meaningful way.

In essence, if you are not feeling sexually aroused, sildenafil will not activate its effects.

An outstanding benefit of sildenafil is its user-friendly nature; it can generally be taken prior to your planned sexual encounters without significant concerns.

Nevertheless, there are several strategies you can employ to maximize its efficacy:

• Take sildenafil 100mg approximately one hour before sexual activity. This medication typically begins to take effect within half an hour. However, to optimize results, it's advisable to take your prescribed dosage of sildenafil an hour in advance of the intended sexual activity, especially if you tend to metabolize the medication more slowly.

• Avoid high-fat meals while using sildenafil. Consuming meals rich in fat can impede your body’s absorption of sildenafil and delay its effectiveness. Opt for a standard meal with low-to-moderate fat content to ensure the medication operates as intended.

• Don’t be alarmed if sildenafil doesn’t succeed the first time. A variety of factors can contribute to ED, with sexual performance anxiety being among them. If you discover that sildenafil isn’t effective after several attempts, consult your healthcare provider. They may suggest adjusting your dosage, trying a different medication, or exploring alternative solutions.

• Pair sildenafil with healthy lifestyle choices. Simple habits — like engaging in regular exercise, consuming a balanced diet, and reducing alcohol consumption — can positively influence your erections and overall sexual performance.

• Focus on leading a healthy lifestyle. Our guide on naturally maintaining an erection offers insights into effective techniques that can help minimize your risk of developing ED and enhance your sexual experiences.

Explore further details on how to take sildenafil in our comprehensive guide.

While most side effects associated with sildenafil are mild and typically resolve shortly after the medication has exited your system, there are instances where users may experience more severe or bothersome side effects. As with many medications, the likelihood of experiencing side effects generally escalates with higher dosages.

For example, during clinical studies, about 16 percent of men reported headaches (the most commonly reported side effect) when taking the 25mg dosage, whereas that percentage rose to 28 percent for those at 100mg, with only 7 percent of the placebo group reporting similar symptoms.

Common Side Effects of Sildenafil 100mg