How does Cenforce 150 mg work
The active ingredient in Cenforce is Sildenafil citrate. It inhibits the enzyme phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5), which breaks down cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). By inhibiting PDE-5, Sildenafil allows cGMP to accumulate, leading to increased cGMP-dependent protein kinase activity. This activity results in the relaxation of smooth muscle cells and vasodilation, increasing blood flow.
In the context of erectile dysfunction, this mechanism helps to improve blood flow by expanding the of blood vessels, facilitating and maintaining a firm erection during sexual arousal. In the case of pulmonary arterial hypertension, Sildenafil’s vasodilatory effects reduce resistance to blood flow in the pulmonary artery, thereby lowering mean pulmonary arterial pressure.
Do note that Cenforce 150 mg will fail to take effect in case one is not sexually aroused because it is dependent on nitric oxide. Sexual stimulation is needed for the drug to work effectively.
Uses of Cenforce 150 mg
Erectile dysfunction – a condition that makes a man unable to achieve or sustain an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse.
Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a condition caused by increased pressure in the vessels, which is caused by obstruction in the small arteries in the lung for various reasons.
Recommended Dosage
Talk to a physician about a suitable dosage for you. The general doses for ED are 50 mg and 100 mg, in severe cases where the patient is not responding to these doses, the doctor may prescribe Cenforce 150 mg. Your dose will depend on any other health condition you might have and other medications that you take.
Take the tablet about 30-45 minutes before having sexual intercourse, preferably without a meal. If you must eat, avoid fatty food as it will further increase the onset time of the drug. Taking the tablet more than 4 hours before sexual activity can render it useless.
Missed Dosage
If you have forgotten to take a dose, you should take it as soon as you remember. However, if the time for your next dose is near (less than 12 hours away), you must skip the missed dose. Taking the two doses within 12 hours may lead to an overdose.
Overdose
Overdosing on it can have serious repercussions. It will intensify the side effects of the drug, which may range from vomiting, blurred vision, vertigo, to priapism (a painful long erection lasting for >4 hours), etc. Avoid overdosing on this medication at all costs. If any overdose is suspected, get immediate medical attention.
Safety Advice
People with certain health conditions (some of which are mentioned below) should avoid taking Cenforce tablets as they can worsen those conditions. To avoid such unpleasant and dangerous effects, tell your doctor about your medical history and get a full body check-up before taking this medicine. Let your doctor know:
- If you’ve had an allergic reaction to sildenafil citrate.
- If you suffer from a heart condition such as aortic stenosis and hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy
- If you suffer from Pulmonary Veno-occlusive disease (PVOD)
- If you have suffered a heart attack or angina attack before
- If your blood doesn’t coagulate quickly or you have a blood-related disorder like sickle-cell anemia and blood cancer
- If you take medicine to treat high blood pressure
- If you are partially or fully blind
- If your kidney and/or liver do not function normally
- If you have a deformed penis because of conditions like angulation/ Peyronie’s disease/ cavernosal fibrosis
- If you take blood pressure medications
- If you’ve had epileptic seizures in the past
- If you have (or had) an ulcer
- If your doctor has advised you against having sex for some reason
Women (specifically pregnant and lactating women) and children must not consume Cenforce 150mg.
Side effects of Cenforce 150mg
Sildenafil citrate is a well-tolerated drug. However, it can have some side effects like-
- Nausea
- Lightheadedness
- Stomach upset
- Back pain
- Tingling sensation/ flushing
- Stuffy nose
- Sleep problems
- Common cold-like symptoms e.g., runny nose
The above side effects are common but should go away on their own. Some adverse effects of are-
- Chest pain
- Rashes/ hives
- Vomiting
- Pain extending from your jaw to the shoulders
- Intense back pain and muscle pain
- Priapism
- Low blood pressure
- Sudden vision loss aka non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION)
- A ringing sensation in the ears
- Cough with mucus
- Palpitations
- Swelling in tongue, throat, hands, legs. Etc.
- Convulsions
- Sweating
If any of these symptoms manifest in the patient, immediately contact a doctor.
Drugs Interactions
Some drugs can interact with Cenforce 150mg to increase the risk of having side effects and/or reducing the medicine’s efficacy. Therefore, you must tell your doctor about all the prescriptions, OTC medicines, and other medications you may take. Also, let them know about the herbal and vitamin/mineral supplements you might be taking. Here is a list of possible drug interactions:
- Nitrate based medications
- CYP3A4 Inhibitors such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, saquinavir, etc
- Calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine
- Guanylate cyclase (GC) stimulators like Riociguat
- Alpha-blockers such as prazosin, doxazosin, terazosin, etc
- Beta-blockers such as betaxolol, atenolol, etc
- Macrolide antibiotics such as erythromycin and clarithromycin
- Mifepristone aka RU-486
- HIV protease inhibitors such as fosamprenavir
- Hepatitis C virus protease inhibitors such as telaprevir, boceprevir, etc
- Medications used to treat epilepsy like Carbamazepine
- Rifampin
- Other ED medications like Cialis, Levitra, etc
- Efavirenz
Stop taking Sildenafil and get medical assistance if you experience any side effects.
Interaction with alcohol
It is better not to consume larger amounts of alcohol with Cenforce 150mg as their combination can lower your blood pressure suddenly, making you dizzy. It may also intensify the other side effects of this drug.
Interaction with grapefruit juice
Our body naturally metabolizes sildenafil citrate through the CYP3A4 enzyme secreted by the liver. However, taking grapes or grape juice can increase this enzyme in your body which will then readily degrade the medicine. So, to avoid a delayed onset time, avoid grapes/ grape juice while on this medication.
Storage Instructions
- The Cenforce 150 mg tablets should ideally be kept in their original packaging at room temperature (about 59–86° F or 15–30° C).
- Store them away from direct sunlight, moisture, and dampness.
- Do not consume the pills if they’ve crossed the expiry date.
- Store them at a safe distance from children and pets.
- Proper disposal of empty packets and expired pills is necessary
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Who is Cenforce 150 mg prescribed to?
This tablet is commonly prescribed to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) in men. It is directed for the use of impotence/ ED patients who are not responding to the first-line of therapy, i.e., to the lower doses of this drug. Sildenafil citrate, the active ingredient, relaxes blood vessels in the penile area, promoting increased blood flow. This allows a firm erection during sexual stimulation.
Q2. Can Cenforce 150 mg be harmful?
Although Cenforce is effective in treating erectile dysfunction, it can be harmful to some people. If you have any diseases related to blood, heart, eyes, kidney/ liver, etc., it’s better to consult a doctor before starting therapy with this drug. Some people may also be allergic or hypersensitive to it, increasing the risk of them experiencing the side effects. Common side effects include nausea, dizziness, diarrhea, chest pain, etc. Take care not to overdose on it as it can have disastrous impacts like priapism or loss of vision. Lastly, children and women are advised not to take Cenforce 150 mg.
Q3. How long will I last after taking Cenforce 150 mg?
Unfortunately, there is no one answer to this question. The time will depend on several factors like the severity of your impotence, baseline time (i.e., climax time before taking the medicine), body metabolism, etc. Depending on the individual, its effects will last 3-4 hours.
Q4. Will Cenforce 150 mg enhance my stamina in bed?
No, this medication is only supposed to aid you in gaining and sustaining a firm enough erection to have a satisfactory sexual experience. But it will not enhance your stamina or improve your performance in bed, so do not use it for that purpose.
References
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- Loran OB, Ströberg P, Lee SW, Park NC, Kim SW, Tseng LJ, Collins S, Stecher VJ. Sildenafil citrate 100 mg starting dose in men with erectile dysfunction in an international, double-blind, placebo-controlled study: effect on the sexual experience and reducing feelings of anxiety about the next intercourse attempt. J Sex Med. 2009 Oct;6(10):2826-35. doi: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01428.x. PMID: 19817982. Available from: https://www.jsm.jsexmed.org/article/S1743-6095(15)32273-6/fulltext
- Smith BP, Babos M. Sildenafil. [Updated 2022 May 3]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK558978/
- Galiè N, Ghofrani HA, Torbicki A, Barst RJ, Rubin LJ, Badesch D, Fleming T, Parpia T, Burgess G, Branzi A, Grimminger F, Kurzyna M, Simonneau G; Sildenafil Use in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (SUPER) Study Group. Sildenafil citrate therapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension. N Engl J Med. 2005 Nov 17;353(20):2148-57. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa050010. Erratum in: N Engl J Med. 2006 Jun 1;354(22):2400-1. PMID: 16291984. Available from: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa050010
- Sofikitis N, Kaltsas A, Dimitriadis F, Rassweiler J, Grivas N, Zachariou A, Kaponis A, Tsounapi P, Paterakis N, Karagiannis A, Skouros S, Giannakis I, Champilomatis I, Paschopoulos M, Daphnis D, Giakoumakis I, R Gabales M, M Chua JB, Lantin Iii PL, Mamoulakis C, Takenaka A. The Effect of PDE5 Inhibitors on the Male Reproductive Tract. Curr Pharm Des. 2021;27(23):2697-2713. doi: 10.2174/1381612826666200226121510. PMID: 32101115. Available from: https://www.eurekaselect.com/article/104866
- Kim JN, Oh JJ, Park DS, Hong YK, Yu YD. Influence of Alcohol on Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors Use in Middle- to Old-Aged Men: A Comparative Study of Adverse Events. Sex Med. 2019 Dec;7(4):425-432. doi: 10.1016/j.esxm.2019.07.004. Epub 2019 Aug 20. PMID: 31444051; PMCID: PMC6963111. Available from: https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S2050116119300935
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