Sildenafil Tablets
(25mg, 50mg & 100mg)
Product
information:
Manufacturer: Bristol
Strength:
25mg
Quantity:
4 tablets
£
6.00 ( 1.50p per tablet)
Strength:
50mg
Quantity:
4 tablets
£
6.72 ( 1.68p per tablets)
Strength:
100mg
Quantity:
4 tablets
£
6.72 ( 1.68p per tablets)
Direction for Use:
It needs
to be given on an empty stomach at least one hour before or two hours after
eating.
Give
subsequent doses with food if vomiting develops after taking a dosage on an
empty stomach. If the vomiting doesn’t stop, call your veterinarian’s clinic.
Sildenafil
■ Keep
this leaflet safe, as you may need to refer to it again.
■ Please ask your vet or
veterinary nurse if you have any further questions.
■ This
medicine has been prescribed for your pet ONLY. Do not take it yourself or give
it to another person or any other animal; it may harm them even if their
symptoms appear to be the same.
The medicine you have
been given for your dog or cat is called sildenafil. It may have a trade name
such as Viagra®, Nipatra®, Vizarsin® or Revatio®, but often will just be called
sildenafil.
Q&A
What is sildenafil?
Sildenafil is a
phosphodiesterase type V inhibitor, which causes vasodilation in the blood
vessels of the lungs. In dogs and cats it is used to treat pulmonary arterial
hypertension (PAH; high blood pressure in the vessels going from the heart to
the lungs). In people (not pets) it is also used to treat erectile dysfunction.
Why has my pet been prescribed
sildenafil?
Sildenafil is used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension.
This condition makes the right side of the heart work harder and can make your
pet breathless and unable to exercise. Sildenafil causes the smooth muscle
surrounding small blood vessels in the lungs to relax, decreasing the workload
of the heart.
How should I store sildenafil?
This medicine should
be stored at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture. For
safety, all medicines should be kept out of the reach and sight of children.
How do I give sildenafil tablets to
my pet?
Try to disguise them in a small quantity of strongly
flavoured food that your pet likes. Alternatively, they can be placed carefully
on the back of your pet’s tongue and their mouth held closed until the entire
dose has been swallowed. Ensure that plenty of fresh water is available.
How long will my pet need to take
sildenafil?
Your vet will advise
you on the length of time for which you will need to give this medicine. This
may vary between patients. Do not stop giving sildenafil to your pet unless
advised to do so by your vet.
What should I do if I run out of
tablets?
Try not to run out. Make sure you order more sildenafil from
your vet if your supply is getting low. Missing a dose may cause signs of your
pet’s disease to return. If you do run out, contact your own vet for further
advice and restart the course as soon as possible.
What should I do if I miss a dose?
If a dose is missed, give the medication as soon as
possible. However, it is best to skip the missed dose if it is almost time for
your pet’s next scheduled dose. DO NOT give a double dose to make up for the
missed dose and do not exceed the total stated dose in any one 24-hour period.
What should I do if my pet is
accidentally given too many doses?
Contact your vet immediately if your pet receives an
overdose of sildenafil as higher doses increase the risk of side effects.
Can my pet take sildenafil if I am already
giving them other drugs?
Tell your vet if you are giving your pet any other
medications, even if you think they know. This includes herbal and
off-the-shelf remedies from a pet shop or pharmacy. Sildenafil should not be
used at the same time as any other drugs that decrease blood pressure, such as
nitrates and alpha blockers. Sildenafil is also known to interact with a range
of drugs, including cimetidine, erythromycin, itraconazote and phenobarbital
(phenobarbitone).
What are the possible side effects
of sildenafil for my pet?
Sildenafil may cause
vomiting, dizziness, nasal congestion and breathing difficulties in people. If
your pet starts vomiting, becomes unusually quiet, has
difficulty or noisy breathing, develops a nasal discharge or
is ill in any way, you should contact your vet immediately. Side effects such
as warmth or redness of the face, neck or chest have also been reported in
people. It is unclear whether animals experience similar signs, but if your pet
feels excessively warm to the touch, contact your vet. Prolonged erection may
occur in dogs and cats but is exceptionally rare. In people, sildenafil can
cause a transient increase in pressure inside the eyes; however, the
significance of this has not yet been established. If your pet shows any
unusual symptoms whilst taking this medication, please contact your vet.
What should I do if my pet is unwell
while taking sildenafil?
If your pet is unwell while receiving medication, you should
not give any further doses and should contact your vet as soon as possible for
advice.
What should I do if a person
accidentally takes this drug?
If a person
accidentally takes your pet’s medicine, the person should be taken to the local
hospital immediately. Take this leaflet and any remaining tablets plus their
container (even if it is empty) with you.
Whom do I contact if I want to know
more?
If you have any
questions about this drug, or concerns about your pet’s health, contact your
own vet. They will know your pet’s medical history and will know about
sildenafil.
How to store Sildenafil Tablets
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date, which is stated on the carton after the letters EXP.
The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
The Prescribing Cascade
This medicine
is authorized for use in human patients and is used by vets under the
‘prescribing cascade’. The medicine is not authorized by the Veterinary
Medicines Directorate (VMD), an executive agency of the Department for
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), for use in dogs/cats/pets. Your
vet can explain the ‘prescribing cascade’ in further detail to you and also
explain why they are prescribing this drug for your pet. You will be asked to
sign a consent form stating that you understand the reasons that the drug is
being prescribed and its possible complications, before the treatment is
issued. © British Small Animal Veterinary Association 2020. While the editors
and the BSAVA have made every effort in preparing this information leaflet, the
contents and any statements are made in good faith purely for general guidance
and cannot be regarded as substitute for professional advice. The publishers,
contributors and the BSAVA do not take responsibility for the information
provided on this leaflet and hence do not accept any liability for loss or
expense incurred (by you or persons that you disseminate the materials to) as a
result of relying on content in this leaflet. To this end, you are advised to
consult your vet and seek their professional advice before taking any steps set
out in this leaflet. If you are a vet, you must not rely on the contents in
this leaflet without independently verifying the correctness and veracity of
the contents. BSAVA is not responsible for any alterations made to this
document from the version supplied.