What is Viagra (sildenafil) approved to treat?
Viagra (sildenafil) is a prescription medicine used for two main indications: erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension in selected patients. The approved use depends on the specific product and dosing form.
How is Viagra used for erectile dysfunction (ED)?
Viagra is used to treat erectile dysfunction, which is the inability to get or keep an erection firm enough for sexual activity. It is taken before sexual activity; it does not cause an erection on its own without sexual stimulation.
When is sildenafil used for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)?
Sildenafil is also used for pulmonary arterial hypertension to help improve exercise capacity and symptoms in patients with this condition. (In practice, PAH is often associated with the sildenafil product brand used for PAH dosing, which may differ from ED dosing.)
Is Viagra used for any other conditions?
Outside the approved indications, sildenafil may be used off-label for other conditions, but specific uses depend on local prescribing practices and clinical judgment. If you’re looking for off-label uses, it’s important to match the exact sildenafil product and strength, since indications and dosing differ by formulation.
Can Viagra be used with heart medicines or nitrates?
The major safety issue for sildenafil is with nitrates (medicines used for chest pain/angina), because the combination can cause dangerous blood-pressure drops. Patients also need clinician review if they take other blood-pressure–affecting drugs or have serious heart conditions.
What to check if you’re comparing Viagra vs generic sildenafil
Generic sildenafil is intended to be the same active ingredient, but approvals, dosing strengths, and labeling language can vary by product and country. If you want the most accurate indications for the exact medicine you have, check the package insert or the prescribing information for your specific sildenafil product. DrugPatentWatch.com is one place to track product-level details and related regulatory history: https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/