What would I use Silvasta® for?
Silvasta® is an effective treatment for erection problems also known as erectile dysfunction (ED). Erectile dysfunction is when a man cannot get, or keep, a hard, erect penis suitable for sexual activity. Silvasta® works by relaxing the blood vessels in the penis, helping the blood flow into your penis and allowing you to get an erection in the natural way. Its active ingredient sildenafil is the same as in Viagra® or Avigra®. Silvasta® belongs to the class of oral erectile dysfunction treatments called PDE5 inhibitors.
How can I get Silvasta®?
Silvasta® can be supplied without a prescription from a number of pharmacies following a consultation with a trained pharmacist or can be obtained on a prescription from a doctor.
From a Pharmacy: After a consultation with a trained pharmacist, and provided you meet certain criteria, you may be able to purchase Silvasta® without a prescription. The consultation will take about 20 minutes first time and will include a short health check including taking your blood pressure.
Some of the criteria for supply of Silvasta® include:
Male aged 35-70 years old
Suffer from erection problems/erectile dysfunction
Not recently had a heart attack or stroke or taking certain medications including nitrates. You MUST NOT take Silvasta® if you are taking nitrate medicines often prescribed for angina (chest pain) or heart problems, or guanylate cyclase stimulators like adempas (Riociguat) for pulmonary hypertension. It may cause a severe drop in your blood pressure which may be difficult to treat. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are currently being, or have been, treated for angina or other heart conditions.
From a Doctor: You can also get Silvasta® on a prescription from a doctor, again after a consultation.
How does Silvasta® work?
Erectile dysfunction is when a man cannot get, or keep, a hard, erect penis suitable for sexual activity. Silvasta® works by relaxing the blood vessels in the penis, helping the blood flow into your penis and allowing you to get an erection in the natural way.
How long will it take for Silvasta® to work?
Silvasta® will only work if you are sexually stimulated. Silvasta® will not increase your sex drive. Silvasta® will work for most men within 30 minutes but only if you are sexually stimulated. You can take Silvasta® up to four hours before sexual activity, with or without food. Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water. Orgasm and ejaculation occur as normal and after sex your erection should go away.
How often can I take Silvasta®?
Silvasta® should normally not be taken more than once a day. Follow your doctor or pharmacist’s instructions, and don’t take more or less than is recommended.
What do I need to know about Silvasta® before I take it?
Silvasta® may not be suitable for everyone. There are some health conditions and medicines that should not be taken with Silvasta®. Your doctor or pharmacist will ask you about these. If you experience chest pain, nausea, or any other discomfort during sex or an erection that lasts longer than four hours or sudden problems with your eyesight, seek immediate medical help.
Can I take Silvasta® if I am taking other medicines?
It is very important when talking to the pharmacist or doctor the first and every time you go to purchase or get a prescription for Silvasta® that you tell them what medicines you are taking, including those you may have purchased directly from a pharmacy. If you are taking either a medicine called an “alpha blocker” (such as doxazosin, terazosin, prazosin) or another medicine called bosentan, your dose may need to be changed. YOU MUST NOT take Silvasta® if you are taking nitrate medicines often prescribed for angina (chest pain) or heart problems, or guanylate cyclase stimulators like adempas (Riociguat) for pulmonary hypertension. It may cause a severe drop in your blood pressure which may be difficult to treat. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are currently being, or have been, treated for angina or other heart conditions.
Can I take Silvasta® if I smoke or I am taking smoking cessation therapy or vaping?
If you smoke or are currently using a smoking cessation medicine or vaping, you will need to consult with a doctor so see if Silvasta® is right for you. A pharmacist will NOT be able to supply you with Silvasta® without a prescription. Smoking, smoking cessation medicine and vaping products all contain nicotine and deliver nicotine into the body. Nicotine can add to the risk factors for developing heart disease which have been associated with erectile dysfunction.
Can I take Silvasta® if I am recovering from Prostrate Cancer or after Prostrate surgery?
No. You must consult your doctor since sildenafil use can be either beneficial or detrimental depending on the medical condition.
Can Silvasta® be administered Sub Lingually?
There is no information on the administration of Silvasta® via this route. Therefore, we can only recommend taking the product orally as provided in the approved Silvasta® product labelling. We do not recommend the use of Silvasta® in any manner that is inconsistent with the approved labelling which can be found on the Medsafe website https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/Consumers/cmi/s/silvasta.pdf