Careforce Super Active 100 mg

The treatment purpose of sildenafil is to improve erectile function in adult men with erectile dysfunction. It is used after an assessment of the symptoms and the person's health.

Treatment supports the following aspects of erectile function.

• Getting an erection during sexual stimulation

• Maintaining an erection suitable for sexual activity

• Improving the physical erection response when sildenafil is an appropriate treatment

Erectile difficulties have several recognised causes. Diabetes and cardiovascular disease affect blood vessels and nerves. Stress and anxiety also contribute. Certain medicines cause erection problems as a side effect.

For a patient whose doctor has selected sildenafil the main benefit is support for erectile function.

• Supports increased blood flow to the penis during arousal

• Helps with getting and maintaining an erection in men with erectile dysfunction

• Offers a listed capsule formulation when that dosage form suits the patient's prescription

• Provides treatment before planned sexual activity rather than requiring a daily course for every patient

Sexual arousal starts a sequence of signals that relaxes smooth muscle in the penis. One of the messengers involved is cyclic GMP. This allows more blood to enter the erectile tissue.

An enzyme called PDE5 breaks down this messenger. Sildenafil blocks PDE5 and helps support the blood flow response during sexual stimulation. It does not create an erection without arousal.

The softgel format alone does not prove faster absorption or an earlier erection response. Follow the timing instructions supplied for the exact product rather than relying on the Super Active name.

Sildenafil does not directly increase testosterone or sexual desire. An erection should settle normally after sexual activity rather than remain throughout the medicine's period of action.

Use Careforce Super Active 100 mg only when your doctor has prescribed this strength. Standard oral sildenafil treatment for erectile dysfunction usually starts at 50 mg as needed. The prescribed dose is adjusted within the usual 25 mg to 100 mg range according to effectiveness and tolerability.

The standard maximum single dose is 100 mg. Do not take sildenafil more than once in 24 hours. Some patients need a lower dose or a longer interval because of interacting medicines.

Standard sildenafil tablets are generally taken about one hour before sexual activity. Their prescribing information allows administration between 30 minutes and four hours beforehand. Confirm the directions for your supplied capsule with the pharmacist. These tablet timings do not establish an exact onset for Careforce Super Active.

Follow the capsule administration instructions printed on the pack or leaflet. Do not open or divide a capsule to create a lower dose. Obtain the prescribed lower strength instead. If swallowing capsules is difficult ask about a suitable alternative formulation.

Particular attention to dosing is needed for older adults and people with liver impairment or severe kidney impairment. A lower starting dose is often recommended. Alpha blocker treatment also affects the starting dose.

For patients taking ritonavir the maximum sildenafil dose is 25 mg within 48 hours. A 100 mg capsule is unsuitable for that requirement.

Do not take an additional capsule after an unsatisfactory response. If you take more than prescribed seek urgent medical advice and keep the packaging available.

Reported sildenafil side effects include headache and facial flushing. Indigestion and nausea also occur. Other effects include a blocked nose and dizziness. Some people notice blurred vision or changes in colour perception. Speak to a doctor or pharmacist if symptoms persist or bother you. Avoid driving and using machinery while dizzy or while vision is affected.

Stop sildenafil and seek urgent medical help for sudden vision loss or sudden hearing reduction. Chest pain and fainting require emergency assessment. Breathing difficulty or swelling of the face or throat also needs emergency care. An erection lasting longer than four hours is an emergency even without pain. For chest pain stop sexual activity and tell the emergency team when you took sildenafil. Do not take nitrate medicine yourself to treat the pain.

Your doctor should check whether sexual activity and a medicine that lowers blood pressure are suitable for your cardiovascular health.

Do not use sildenafil if any of the following applies.

• You take nitrates for chest pain

• You use nitrite products such as poppers

• You take riociguat

• You are allergic to sildenafil or another ingredient in the capsule

• Your doctor has advised against sexual activity because of your heart condition

Do not start treatment without medical clearance after a recent heart attack or stroke. Discuss low blood pressure and severe liver disease before use. Report previous vision loss from reduced blood flow to the optic nerve and inherited retinal conditions.

Your doctor also needs to know about sickle cell disease and blood cancers. A history of prolonged erections or changes in penis shape requires review. This erectile dysfunction product is intended for adult men and is not for children.

Before taking sildenafil give your doctor or pharmacist a complete medicine list. Important medicines and substances to discuss include the following.

• Nitrates such as nitroglycerin and isosorbide medicines

• Nitrites such as poppers

• Riociguat

• Alpha blockers used for prostate symptoms or high blood pressure

• Other blood pressure medicines

• Ritonavir and other HIV medicines

• Ketoconazole and itraconazole

• Erythromycin and clarithromycin

• Other products containing sildenafil

• Other erectile dysfunction medicines including tadalafil and vardenafil

Nitrates and riociguat must not be combined with sildenafil. Other interactions increase sildenafil exposure or add to its blood pressure lowering effect. The prescriber decides whether a dose change or a different treatment is needed. Do not combine erectile dysfunction medicines yourself or use another product to extend the effect.

• Keep capsules in their original packaging until use

• Follow the temperature limit stated on the pack

• Protect the pack from moisture and excessive heat

• Keep the medicine out of the reach and sight of children

• Check the expiry date before use

• Do not use capsules from damaged packaging

• Ask a pharmacist how to dispose of expired or unwanted medicine