Teva sildenafil is a generic version of Viagra that treats erectile dysfunction (ED) and heart conditions like pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).
Viagra is so popular that its name has become synonymous with ED treatment — just like Ziploc has with plastic bags. But the active ingredient in Viagra is sildenafil.
Pfizer Pharmaceuticals patented Viagra in 1996. It’s been a wild success since it entered the market in 1998.
But in 2013, Teva Pharmaceuticals made a generic form of sildenafil to compete with Viagra.
After a long court battle and approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Pfizer paid Teva to not release their generic form until 2017.
So, here’s what you should know about it — how it works, how it compares to Viagra, and what precautions you should take.
Sildenafil is a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor. This means that it helps block the PDE5 enzyme that affects certain muscles in your penis and heart.
How it works for ED
PDE5 can restrict blood flow to blood vessels in the spongy penis tissue called corpus cavernosa. This tissue helps your penis get erect when you’re aroused. During arousal, it becomes filled with blood.
Teva sildenafil and other similar medications help stop PDE5 from restricting blood flow into these blood vessels. By doing this, it helps your penis get enough blood to maintain an erection.
How it works for PAH
PAH can cause smooth muscle in your lungs to become inflamed and restrict blood flow in certain lung arteries.
PDE5 inhibitors like Teva sildenafil help dilate these arteries and reduce your blood pressure.
Dosage forms
You can get Teva sildenafil with a prescription from your doctor. It comes in the following tablet sizes:
- 25 milligrams (mg)
- 50 mg
- 100 mg
It also comes as an oral suspension (liquid form) or an injection given by your doctor.
Teva sildenafil is prescribed to people who have difficulties having an erection or staying erect throughout a sexual encounter. This medication is very similar to Viagra and works to help with erectile dysfunction by inhibiting PDE5, an enzyme that can cause the penis to not become erect or lose an erection prematurely.
Since Teva sildenafil is available as a generic drug, one of the major benefits over Viagra is its lower cost. This means that a person experiencing ED can receive many of the benefits of taking Viagra at a reduced cost. This is especially beneficial if prescription Viagra is outside of a person’s budget.
While a majority of Teva sildenafil users take the medication to treat ED, it is also approved to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) as well.
Your doctor may choose to prescribe it for treating PAH, even when symptoms of ED are not present. Additionally, research shows Teva sildenafil may be effective in
Teva sildenafil only works properly if you take it about an hour before you have sex.
You need to be sexually aroused to get erect and for the medication to sustain the erection. Teva sildenafil takes effect about 30 to 60 minutes after you’ve taken it.
Like other medications, the effects of Teva sildenafil might be delayed if you eat right before you take it. This is because food competes for absorption from the stomach into the bloodstream.
Spoiler alert: There’s no real difference between Viagra and Teva sildenafil.
Remember that the name of the drug sold as Viagra is sildenafil citrate. The difference in names is really just for marketing reasons. The main functional ingredient is the same.
Teva sildenafil is a generic version of Viagra that’s sold and branded by a different company. This means that it’s typically sold for much lower prices since no marketing dollars are needed to sell it.
There are also some medical reasons for the distinction between Teva sildenafil and Viagra.
Sildenafil and Viagra are both used to treat erectile dysfunction, but sildenafil can also be prescribed to treat PAH and reduce blood pressure in the lungs. Viagra is currently only legally approved for use to treat ED.
Teva sildenafil pills are white, not blue
There’s also a visual difference in the two. Viagra is infamous for being the “little blue pill.” But Teva sildenafil tablets are simply off-white or white in color.
Before you decide to use Teva sildenafil, talk to a doctor. They can determine if you’re a good candidate, what dose is right for you, and how to introduce it into your routine.
You should also consider the pros and cons of this medication, as summarized below.
Pros
- typically successful in treating ED and PAH
- only needs to be taken right before sex rather than on a regular schedule
Cons
- needs to be taken at least 1 hour before sex, so timing is critical
- not recommended if you’ve had a stroke or heart attack in the last 6 months
- not recommended if you take any medications with nitrates, like Isordil or nitroglycerin
- more side effects and risks if you’re over 65 years old
Teva sildenafil lasts about 2 to 3 hours before your erection begins to subside.
You may be able to get erect from Teva sildenafil for up to 5 hours (or even
Other factors that can affect how long it lasts include:
- Diet. Many foods and nutrients can affect your blood flow.
- Lifestyle. Your level of activity and exercise can influence your blood flow.
- Age. How old you are contributes to your overall health and how efficiently your blood flows.
- Medications. Many drugs can affect your blood pressure.
- Overall health. Many underlying health issues can affect your blood flow and other mechanisms that affect your ability to get an erection, such as nerve sensitivity.
You should not take Teva sildenafil if you:
- are over 65
- take nitrates
- have an existing heart condition
- take any other medications that might interact with Teva sildenafil
- take alpha-blockers for high blood pressure
- have been diagnosed with Peyronie’s disease
- have tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- have liver or kidney disease
- have sickle cell anemia
While severe side effects are generally uncommon when taking Teva sildenafil, it can interact negatively when combined with other drugs and substances. Some of the most common conflicting substances to be aware of are:
- alpha-blockers, like prazosin (Minipress), terazosin (Hytrin), and doxazosin (Cardura)
- beta-blockers, like atenolol (Tenormin), propranolol (Inderal LA), and nadolol (Corgard)
- other ED treatment medications
- some high blood pressure medications
- blood thinners, like warfarin (Coumadin and Jantoven)
- nitrates, like nitroglycerin, isosorbide mononitrate, and isosorbide dinitrate
- some seizure medications like carbamazepine (Carbatrol and Tegretol) and phenobarbital
Whenever you start a new medication, it’s important to tell your doctor about any other medications you’re taking so if needed, they can adjust your other medications or dosage, or monitor how your system reacts to the new medication.
Teva sildenafil and other similar medications have the following possible side effects and risks:
- nausea
- dizziness
- sudden rash
- dangerously low blood pressure
- sinus congestion
- difficulty digesting or gas
- head pain
- redness or flushing in your face
- pain in your back
- sudden loss of hearing or vision
- priapism (erection that lasts longer than 4 hours and can be painful)
See a doctor if you notice any of the following uncommon or rare side effects when you take Teva sildenafil:
- sharp or burning chest pain that gets worse over time
- pain in your bladder
- stomach pain or burning
- feelings of tingling, crawling, or numbness
- blood in your pee
- pee with an unusual, cloudy consistency
- peeing a lot more than usual or pain when you pee
- fatigue
- swelling in your face, hands, or other extremities
Is Teva sildenafil the same as Viagra?
The short answer is yes. Teva sildenafil and Viagra are pretty much the same and share the same main ingredient — sildenafil citrate. Viagra is a brand-name drug that’s created and manufactured by Pfizer. Teva sildenafil is the generic version of sildenafil citrate that’s manufactured by Teva Pharmaceuticals.
What does Teva sildenafil do?
Teva sildenafil can be used to improve blood flow and inhibit the PDE5 enzyme, which is often responsible for erectile dysfunction. Many people have found that their erectile dysfunction symptoms improve while taking Teva sildenafil. Additionally, Teva sildenafil has been approved to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Is it OK to take 100 mg of Teva sildenafil?
The recommended dosage for Teva sildenafil is 50 mg, but if you are seeing minimal improvements of your symptoms at that level, consider talking with your doctor about increasing the dosage. The dosage can be increased to 100 mg, but it is not recommended to exceed that dosage.
As with any medication, you should not increase the dosage on your own without talking with your doctor first.
How much Teva sildenafil is too much?
The maximum daily dosage is 100 mg, and that amount should not be exceeded because it can lead to severe side effects like:
- vision and hearing problems
- sudden drops in blood pressure
- dizziness or fainting
This is another reason why it is important to discuss other medications that you are taking with your doctor.
For example, you may not know that your other medications contain sildenafil citrate, and when combined with Teva sildenafil, it can push you over the 100 mg threshold within a 24-hour period.
Teva sildenafil is a generic form of the medication that’s also sold as Viagra.
Sildenafil has been shown to be very successful in treating ED and PAH. However, it’s still important to talk with a doctor before you begin taking it.
Sildenafil needs to be taken a certain way to work properly, and it can have a variety of side effects or interactions that are potentially dangerous.