With the improvement of living standards, people are paying more and more attention to health issues. As the incidence of diseases in different places increases, the demand for medication among middle-aged and elderly men is also rising. Sildenafil, as a drug for treating male diseases, is particularly popular among middle-aged and elderly groups.
Sildenafil, known as the “little blue pill” by experienced individuals, is a legitimate medication. In the 1980s, researchers from major pharmaceutical companies and European research centers were dedicated to finding new drugs to treat various cardiovascular diseases, including angina.
Phosphodiesterase inhibitor – Sildenafil citrate was developed during that time. From angina to erectile dysfunction (ED), to pulmonary arterial hypertension, and now in the field of reproductive medicine, Sildenafil always brings surprises.
Sildenafil enhances erectile dysfunction (ED) function. In clinical medicine, Sildenafil is used to treat male reproductive dysfunction. This drug is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor that can stimulate blood circulation in the body, speeding up blood flow.
To some extent, it can improve sperm quality and quantity, enhance male reproductive function, treat male ED, inhibit the activity of phosphodiesterase type 5, increase cyclic guanosine monophosphate levels, stimulate local nerve tissue, and achieve good results. The effect of the drug generally lasts for about 4 hours.
Reminder: What problems may arise if elderly people frequently take “Sildenafil”? Let’s find out. According to the pharmacokinetic studies of special populations of Sildenafil, in healthy elderly volunteers (65 years and older) taking the same dose of the drug orally, the clearance rate of Sildenafil is lower, and the free blood drug concentration is approximately 40% higher than that of younger healthy volunteers (18-45 years old), with an increase in AUC (area under the concentration-time curve) by about 40%.
For elderly individuals, with the same dose increasing after taking Sildenafil orally, there are noticeable changes in drug metabolism and pharmacokinetic characteristics compared to younger healthy volunteers. Therefore, elderly men using Sildenafil should not only pay attention to the drug dosage but also the frequency of drug use.
Elderly men, compared to younger men, due to the decline in liver and kidney function, have a significant decrease in drug metabolism and excretion capacity, making it difficult for drugs to be eliminated from the body. Therefore, elderly people who frequently use drugs need to be vigilant about the risk of drug accumulation.
Experts point out that although taking Sildenafil can effectively improve male sub-health issues, long-term use may lead to dependence on such drugs. Coupled with the slowing of metabolism during middle and old age, and the fact that various organ functions are not as healthy, long-term use may lead to severe metabolic diseases or geriatric diseases, which can be life-threatening, so it is not recommended for elderly people to use Sildenafil in the long term!
What are the side effects for people over 60 years old taking Sildenafil? The common side effects of Sildenafil for people over 60 years old are not significantly different from other age groups, including facial flushing, headache, dizziness, rash, respiratory infections, back pain, etc. However, when elderly individuals take Sildenafil, due to the reduced clearance rate of the drug, the probability of adverse drug reactions is higher than in younger individuals, and patients are advised to take it under the guidance of a professional physician or pharmacist.
Adverse reactions observed in clinical trials of Sildenafil with a frequency of ≥2% include facial flushing, headache, dizziness, rash, respiratory infections, back pain, nasal congestion, flu-like symptoms, joint pain, indigestion, and visual abnormalities.
“Three-tenths of poison in medicine,” know these four points before using drugs and then use them with confidence:
1. Avoid combining drugs. Do not take Sildenafil if you are using nitrate drugs (such as nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate) because combining them can increase the hypotensive effect of the drug, leading to low blood pressure.
2. Use with caution in individuals with cardiovascular diseases. People who have recently had a stroke or heart attack, severe cardiovascular diseases, or those with optic neuropathy resulting in single eye vision loss due to non-arterial anterior ischemic optic neuropathy are not allowed to take the medication.
3. Blood pressure below 90/50mmHg. Since Sildenafil acts on blood vessels, taking it may cause severe hypotension after ingestion. Avoid concomitant use with alpha blockers such as terazosin, doxazosin, etc.
Moreover, blurred vision and even blue light hallucinations may occur temporarily after taking Sildenafil, so during drug usage, it is advisable to avoid engaging in high-altitude operations or driving motor vehicles to avoid any potential danger.
4. Women and children are prohibited from using. Sildenafil is mainly used to treat male ED and is only suitable for men. Women or children will have almost no effect after taking it. Furthermore, women or children may experience liver damage after use, so it is generally not recommended for them to use Sildenafil to avoid unnecessary harm.
Once again, it is emphasized that people over sixty should not use medication blindly. If they want to take Sildenafil, they can go to the hospital for relevant examinations. In the absence of special diseases, following medical advice on the use of medication will be safer.
