Teva sildenafil is a generic version of Viagra that treats erectile dysfunction (ED) and heart conditions like pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).
Viagra is so popular that its name has become synonymous with ED treatment — just like Ziploc has with plastic bags. But the active ingredient in Viagra is sildenafil.
Pfizer Pharmaceuticals patented Viagra in 1996. It’s been a wild success since it entered the market in 1998.
But in 2013, Teva Pharmaceuticals made a generic form of sildenafil to compete with Viagra.
After a long court battle and approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Pfizer paid Teva to not release their generic form until 2017.
So, here’s what you should know about it — how it works, how it compares to Viagra, and what precautions you should take.
Sildenafil is a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor. This means that it helps block the PDE5 enzyme that affects certain muscles in your penis and heart.
How it works for ED
PDE5 can restrict blood flow to blood vessels in the spongy penis tissue called corpus cavernosa. This tissue helps your penis get erect when you’re aroused. During arousal, it becomes filled with blood.
Teva sildenafil and other similar medications help stop PDE5 from restricting blood flow into these blood vessels. By doing this, it helps your penis get enough blood to maintain an erection.
How it works for PAH
PAH can cause smooth muscle in your lungs to become inflamed and restrict blood flow in certain lung arteries.
PDE5 inhibitors like Teva sildenafil help dilate these arteries and reduce your blood pressure.
Dosage forms
You can get Teva sildenafil with a prescription from your doctor. It comes in the following tablet sizes:
- 25 milligrams (mg)
- 50 mg
- 100 mg
It also comes as an oral suspension (liquid form) or an injection given by your doctor.
Teva sildenafil is prescribed to people who have difficulties having an erection or staying erect throughout a sexual encounter. This medication is very similar to Viagra and works to help with erectile dysfunction by inhibiting PDE5, an enzyme that can cause the penis to not become erect or lose an erection prematurely.
Since Teva sildenafil is available as a generic drug, one of the major benefits over Viagra is its lower cost. This means that a person experiencing ED can receive many of the benefits of taking Viagra at a reduced cost. This is especially beneficial if prescription Viagra is outside of a person’s budget.
While a majority of Teva sildenafil users take the medication to treat ED, it is also approved to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) as well.
Your doctor may choose to prescribe it for treating PAH, even when symptoms of ED are not present. Additionally, research shows Teva sildenafil may be effective in
Teva sildenafil only works properly if you take it about an hour before you have sex.
You need to be sexually aroused to get erect and for the medication to sustain the erection. Teva sildenafil takes effect about 30 to 60 minutes after you’ve taken it.
Like other medications, the effects of Teva sildenafil might be delayed if you eat right before you take it. This is because food competes for absorption from the stomach into the bloodstream.
Spoiler alert: There’s no real difference between Viagra and Teva sildenafil.
Remember that the name of the drug sold as Viagra is sildenafil citrate. The difference in names is really just for marketing reasons. The main functional ingredient is the same.
Teva sildenafil is a generic version of Viagra that’s sold and branded by a different company. This means that it’s typically sold for much lower prices since no marketing dollars are needed to sell it.
There are also some medical reasons for the distinction between Teva sildenafil and Viagra.
Sildenafil and Viagra are both used to treat erectile dysfunction, but sildenafil can also be prescribed to treat PAH and reduce blood pressure in the lungs. Viagra is currently only legally approved for use to treat ED.
Teva sildenafil pills are white, not blue
There’s also a visual difference in the two. Viagra is infamous for being the “little blue pill.” But Teva sildenafil tablets are simply off-white or white in color.
Before you decide to use Teva sildenafil, talk to a doctor. They can determine if you’re a good candidate, what dose is right for you, and how to introduce it into your routine.
You should also consider the pros and cons of this medication, as summarized below.
Pros
- typically successful in treating ED and PAH
- only needs to be taken right before sex rather than on a regular schedule
Cons
- needs to be taken at least 1 hour before sex, so timing is critical
- not recommended if you’ve had a stroke or heart attack in the last 6 months
- not recommended if you take any medications with nitrates, like Isordil or nitroglycerin
- more side effects and risks if you’re over 65 years old
Teva sildenafil lasts about 2 to 3 hours before your erection begins to subside.
You may be able to get erect from Teva sildenafil for up to 5 hours (or even
Other factors that can affect how long it lasts include:
- Diet. Many foods and nutrients can affect your blood flow.
- Lifestyle. Your level of activity and exercise can influence your blood flow.
- Age. How old you are contributes to your overall health and how efficiently your blood flows.
- Medications. Many drugs can affect your blood pressure.
- Overall health. Many underlying health issues can affect your blood flow and other mechanisms that affect your ability to get an erection, such as nerve sensitivity.
You should not take Teva sildenafil if you:
- are over 65
- take nitrates
- have an existing heart condition
- take any other medications that might interact with Teva sildenafil
- take alpha-blockers for high blood pressure
- have been diagnosed with Peyronie’s disease
- have tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- have liver or kidney disease
- have sickle cell anemia
While severe side effects are generally uncommon when taking Teva sildenafil, it can interact negatively when combined with other drugs and substances. Some of the most common conflicting substances to be aware of are:
- alpha-blockers, like prazosin (Minipress), terazosin (Hytrin), and doxazosin (Cardura)
- beta-blockers, like atenolol (Tenormin), propranolol (Inderal LA), and nadolol (Corgard)
- other ED treatment medications
- some high blood pressure medications
- blood thinners, like warfarin (Coumadin and Jantoven)
- nitrates, like nitroglycerin, isosorbide mononitrate, and isosorbide dinitrate
- some seizure medications like carbamazepine (Carbatrol and Tegretol) and phenobarbital
Whenever you start a new medication, it’s important to tell your doctor about any other medications you’re taking so if needed, they can adjust your other medications or dosage, or monitor how your system reacts to the new medication.
Teva sildenafil and other similar medications have the following possible side effects and risks:
- nausea
- dizziness
- sudden rash
- dangerously low blood pressure
- sinus congestion
- difficulty digesting or gas
- head pain
- redness or flushing in your face
- pain in your back
- sudden loss of hearing or vision
- priapism (erection that lasts longer than 4 hours and can be painful)
(Video) Viagra (Sildenafil): Mechanism of action and Viagra Side effects
See a doctor if you notice any of the following uncommon or rare side effects when you take Teva sildenafil:
- sharp or burning chest pain that gets worse over time
- pain in your bladder
- stomach pain or burning
- feelings of tingling, crawling, or numbness
- blood in your pee
- pee with an unusual, cloudy consistency
- peeing a lot more than usual or pain when you pee
- fatigue
- swelling in your face, hands, or other extremities
Is Teva sildenafil the same as Viagra?
The short answer is yes. Teva sildenafil and Viagra are pretty much the same and share the same main ingredient — sildenafil citrate. Viagra is a brand-name drug that’s created and manufactured by Pfizer. Teva sildenafil is the generic version of sildenafil citrate that’s manufactured by Teva Pharmaceuticals.
What does Teva sildenafil do?
Teva sildenafil can be used to improve blood flow and inhibit the PDE5 enzyme, which is often responsible for erectile dysfunction. Many people have found that their erectile dysfunction symptoms improve while taking Teva sildenafil. Additionally, Teva sildenafil has been approved to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Is it OK to take 100 mg of Teva sildenafil?
The recommended dosage for Teva sildenafil is 50 mg, but if you are seeing minimal improvements of your symptoms at that level, consider talking with your doctor about increasing the dosage. The dosage can be increased to 100 mg, but it is not recommended to exceed that dosage.
As with any medication, you should not increase the dosage on your own without talking with your doctor first.
How much Teva sildenafil is too much?
The maximum daily dosage is 100 mg, and that amount should not be exceeded because it can lead to severe side effects like:
- vision and hearing problems
- sudden drops in blood pressure
- dizziness or fainting
This is another reason why it is important to discuss other medications that you are taking with your doctor.
For example, you may not know that your other medications contain sildenafil citrate, and when combined with Teva sildenafil, it can push you over the 100 mg threshold within a 24-hour period.
Teva sildenafil is a generic form of the medication that’s also sold as Viagra.
Sildenafil has been shown to be very successful in treating ED and PAH. However, it’s still important to talk with a doctor before you begin taking it.
Sildenafil needs to be taken a certain way to work properly, and it can have a variety of side effects or interactions that are potentially dangerous.
FAQs
What is Teva sildenafil? ›
Sildenafil Teva is used to treat adult men with erectile dysfunction (sometimes called impotence), when they cannot get or keep a hard penis (erection) sufficient for satisfactory sexual activity. For Sildenafil Teva to be effective, sexual stimulation is required. The medicine can only be obtained with a prescription.
How much sildenafil is enough? ›Dosage and strength for erectile dysfunction
The usual dose is 50mg, when you need it. Do not take it more than once a day. The dose can be increased to 100mg or decreased to 25mg depending on its effect. Take sildenafil up to 4 hours before you want to have sex.
This medicine usually begins to work for erectile dysfunction within 30 minutes after taking it. It continues to work for up to 4 hours, although its action is usually less after 2 hours. Use only the brand of this medicine that your doctor prescribed.
Does sildenafil Teva work? ›Teva sildenafil is a generic form of the medication that's also sold as Viagra. Sildenafil has been shown to be very successful in treating ED and PAH. However, it's still important to talk with a doctor before you begin taking it.
How long does sildenafil Teva last? ›Sildenafil starts working within 30–60 minutes. Some men find that it works even faster. You should take sildenafil between 30 minutes and four hours before sexual activity. The medication usually stays in your system for 4–5 hours (Zucchi, 2019; DailyMed, 2020).
How much is sildenafil Teva? ›This generic medication is manufactured by Pfizer, Teva Pharmaceuticals, and many other generic manufacturers. The average retail price of Sildenafil Citrate is around $1,168.7 for 30, 100MG Tablet. Instead, you could pay $7.94 for 30, 100mg Tablet with a Sildenafil Citrate coupon from SingleCare's discount program.
What happens if I take 2 sildenafil? ›Unfortunately, that's one of many dangerous logical fallacies when it comes to ED medications: taking two pills isn't going to make your erection twice as hard, or twice as large — it's just going to cause your risk of adverse effects to double.
Can I take 2 sildenafil? ›Because 100mg is the highest dose available, you should never 'double up' on tablets or take more than one in 24 hours. Sildenafil 100mg is the highest safe dosage you can take – if it is ineffective, you should try another ED treatment.
What happens if I take 100mg of sildenafil? ›As the highest dose of sildenafil, taking 100mg is alright if you've been prescribed this dose of sildenafil by your healthcare provider. However, your risk of adverse effects is slightly higher with this dose than with sildenafil 25mg or 50mg.
Do you stay hard after coming with sildenafil? ›Yes, Viagra may help you keep an erection, even after you ejaculate. But if you have an erection that lasts longer than 4 hours, see a doctor right away.
How long will sildenafil keep you hard? ›
Sildenafil usually lasts for 4-6 hours at full potency. You'll continue to get some effect while there's some in your bloodstream, though, so it can still produce results past that point. It all depends on your health, age, dosage, and sexual activity.
Does sildenafil make you hard right away? ›Viagra typically starts to work between 30 and 60 minutes after you take a dose of the drug. But Viagra itself doesn't give you an erection. Instead, you'll need to be sexually aroused in order for the drug to work. Viagra keeps working in your body for up to 5 hours.
What is the strongest mg of sildenafil? ›Sildenafil can be prescribed in 20 mg, 40 mg, 60 mg, 80 mg, and 100 mg doses. 100 mg is the maximum dosage available for Viagra and sildenafil for a reason, and your healthcare provider is unlikely to prescribe more than that for you.
How do you know if sildenafil is working? ›Viagra doesn't start working immediately after taking it, as the medication needs time to be absorbed into your blood. For most men, it takes around 30 minutes before you start to feel the effects of Viagra. 12 minutes after – One study has shown that some men got an erection just 12 minutes after taking Viagra.
Does sildenafil increase size? ›Sildenafil (brand name Viagra, or affectionately nicknamed “the little blue pill”; see Important Safety Information) is a highly effective medication to treat erectile dysfunction. However, there is something it can't do. Viagra does not make your penis bigger. No pill does.
When is the best time to take sildenafil? ›Take sildenafil as needed before sexual activity. The best time to take sildenafil is about 1 hour before sexual activity, but you can take the medication any time from 4 hours to 30 minutes before sexual activity. Sildenafil usually should not be taken more than once every 24 hours.
What are the dangers of sildenafil? ›- Headaches. Make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. ...
- Feeling sick (nausea) It may help if you avoid rich or spicy food. ...
- Flushing including hot flushes. Try cutting down on coffee, tea and alcohol. ...
- Indigestion. ...
- Stuffy nose. ...
- Feeling dizzy.
The short answer is yes; you can take Viagra or its generic form, sildenafil, every day. Whether you need to or should, depends. Since each person is different, you should consult with a doctor about what's best for you. They can discuss dosage and frequency.
Is 100mg of sildenafil the same as 100mg of Viagra? ›Minor differences in packaging aside, brand name Viagra and its generic counterpart sildenafil are exactly the same medication. If you have erectile dysfunction, both medications should produce noticeable improvements in your erections and sexual performance. The key difference, as we mentioned above, is price.
How do you take sildenafil Teva? ›How is Sildenafil Teva used? The recommended dose of Sildenafil Teva is 50 mg taken as needed about one hour before sexual activity. If Sildenafil Teva is taken with food, the onset of activity may be delayed compared with taking Sildenafil Teva without food.
Is sildenafil 20 mg enough? ›
If your doctor has given you the correct prescription and you take it as directed, 20 mg of sildenafil should work without a problem.
Can I safely take 200 mg of sildenafil? ›What would happen if I took a larger dose of Viagra than my doctor prescribed — for example, 150 mg or 200 mg? You shouldn't take more Viagra than your doctor prescribes. The maximum recommended dosage of Viagra is 100 mg per day.
How to get a hard on at 60? ›- eating a healthful diet.
- engaging in regular physical exercise.
- losing weight if a person has overweight or obesity.
- stopping smoking.
- limiting or avoiding alcohol.
- managing any underlying health conditions, such as high blood pressure or diabetes.
- improving sleep habits.
The effects of taking 100 mg of Viagra can last for up to 4 hours after taking the drug. However, the strength of these effects is weaker at 4 hours than 2 hours after taking Viagra. As the concentration of Viagra in the blood typically peaks 60 minutes after taking the drug, the effects are strongest around this time.
Why is my 50 mg Viagra not working? ›If Viagra is not working for you, it may be because your dosage is too low. The usual starting dose for Viagra is 50mg, but you may be started on a lower dose of 25mg if you take certain medications. The maximum dose of Viagra that you can take is 100mg. Your doctor can prescribe a higher dose if it is safe for you.
Is 50mg of sildenafil enough? ›The standard recommended dose of Viagra for treating ED is 50 mg, but your doctor could prescribe anywhere from 25 mg to 100 mg. Viagra is only recommended to be taken once per day. This means that if you're planning on engaging in sexual activity more than once throughout the day, you shouldn't take a pill every time.
Should I take 50mg or 100mg of sildenafil? ›Conclusion: Men with erectile dysfunction treated with 100-mg compared with 50-mg sildenafil may be more likely to achieve a greater improvement in erectile function and, within the first 2 weeks, completely hard and fully rigid erections, with little or no greater risk to tolerability.
Can you take 2 50mg sildenafil at once? ›Taking two 50mg sildenafil tablets for a 100mg dose
50mg is the standard starting dosage for sildenafil (Viagra). If 50mg does not produce the desired effect, or the effect does not last long enough, then taking two 50mg sildenafil tablets could be more effective.
The typical starting dose of Viagra or generic sildenafil is 50mg. If you have erectile dysfunction and want to start using medication to treat it, your healthcare provider will likely prescribe Viagra at a dose of 50mg, taken approximately one hour before sex.
How do you feel after taking sildenafil? ›Viagra (sildenafil) is a prescription medication used to treat erectile dysfunction. Headache, flushing, and upset stomach are common Viagra side effects. These effects are usually mild and often resolve on their own. While rare, Viagra can cause an erection that lasts longer than 4 hours (priapism).
What is the best medicine to last longer in bed? ›
These include sildenafil (Viagra), avanafil (Stendra), tadalafil (Cialis), and vardenafil (Levitra). These medications are used to counter the symptoms of ED and assist in restoring blood flow to the penis.
Can You Take sildenafil 3 days in a row? ›Technically, Viagra, or its generic form, sildenafil, can be taken daily, but it's not always the best choice.
How many erections per day? ›People with penises have an average of 11 erections per day and three to five more each night, but everyone is different. There are numerous factors that can affect how often you get hard, like your age, hormone levels, and lifestyle.
Is sildenafil the same as Viagra? ›Sildenafil is the generic version of Viagra, containing the same active ingredient as Viagra and Viagra Connect. Because all three treatments contain sildenafil citrate as their active ingredient, they all work in exactly the same way.
Is there a difference between Viagra and sildenafil? ›Other than the difference names used on the packaging, the brand name version of Viagra and the generic drug sildenafil are the exact same medication, Viagra is the brand name that's used by Pfizer to market its version of sildenafil citrate.
Does sildenafil give you a hard on? ›Sildenafil treats erectile dysfunction by increasing blood flow to the penis during sexual stimulation. This increased blood flow can cause an erection.
Does sildenafil help you get hard? ›Sildenafil does not improve erections in young healthy men. Sildenafil should not be given to young healthy men to improve their erections and patients should be advised against recreational abuse of the drug. In this limited single-dose home study, sildenafil appears to reduce the postorgasmic refractory time.
Which brand of sildenafil is best? ›Revatio is the brand name of sildenafil prescribed for PH. Generic sildenafil is always sold as sildenafil. There are currently no other brand names for the drug, aside from Viagra and Revatio.
Which sildenafil is best? ›Introduction: Sildenafil citrate 50 mg is the recommended starting dose for men with erectile dysfunction (ED); however, most men are later titrated to sildenafil 100 mg for improved efficacy.
Does anything work better than sildenafil? ›Vardenafil (Levitra) is almost 10 times more biochemically potent than sildenafil, therefore a lower dose is needed to facilitate the penile erection, potentially resulting in less side effects. Selectivity is the ability of the drug to attach to the specific enzyme PDE 5 found in penile tissues.
Does sildenafil last long? ›
The amount of time that sildenafil affects someone depends on their weight, age, and other health factors, but the pill usually wears off after 4-6 hours. Note that your erection should never last more than four hours. If it does, seek medical treatment.
How long does sildenafil stay in your body? ›Sildenafil has a 4-hour 'half-life', meaning half of the drug has left the bloodstream after 4 hours. Some men may still be able to achieve a satisfactory erection after 10 hours, although the duration will become shorter. After 24 hours all traces of the drug in the bloodstream has practically gone.
How long can the average man stay erect? ›A penile erection can normally last anywhere from a few minutes to about half an hour. On average, men have five erections a night while they're sleeping, each lasting about 25 to 35 minutes (Youn, 2017).