What is the most important information I should know about zenegra?
Do not take zenegra if you are using a nitrate drug for chest pain or heart problems.
Nitrates include nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur, Nitro-Bid, Minitran, Deponit,
Transderm-Nitro, others), isosorbide dinitrate (Dilatrate-SR, Isordil, Sorbitrate), and isosorbide
mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO, Monoket). Nitrates are also found in some recreational drugs such as amyl
nitrate or nitrite ("poppers").
Contact your doctor or seek emergency medical attention for any erection that lasts longer
than 4 hours. A sustained erection can damage the penis.
Refrain from further sexual activity and notify your doctor it you develop dizziness, nausea, or
angina (pain, tightness, discomfort, numbness, or tingling in the chest, arms, neck, or jaw) during sexual
activity.
Do not take zenegra more than once a day.
What is zenegra?
Sildenafil relaxes muscles within the penis. This allows increased blood flow into the penis,
necessary to achieve and maintain an erection.
Sildenafil is used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence).
Sildenafil may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking zenegra?
Do not take zenegra if you are using a nitrate drug for chest pain or heart problems.
Nitrates include nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur, Nitro-Bid, Minitran, Deponit,
Transderm-Nitro, others), isosorbide dinitrate (Dilatrate-SR, Isordil, Sorbitrate), and isosorbide
mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO, Monoket). Nitrates are also found in some recreational drugs such as amyl
nitrate or nitrite ("poppers").
Before taking zenegra, tell your doctor if you
- have had a heart attack, stroke, or life-threatening irregular
heartbeats within the last six months;
- have a history of heart failure;
- have coronary artery disease;
- have angina;
- have high or low blood pressure;
- have liver problems;
- have kidney problems;
- have ever had blood problems, including sickle cell anemia
or leukemia;
- have a bleeding disorder;
- have a stomach ulcer;
- have retinitis pigmentosa (an inherited condition of the
eye);
- have a physical deformity of the penis such as Peyronie's
disease;
- have a condition that could lead to prolonged and painful
erections, such as a tumor of the bone marrow, sickle cell anemia, or leukemia; or
- are taking another medicine to treat impotence, such as
alprostadil (Caverject, Muse, Edex) or yohimbine (Yocon, Yodoxin, others).
You may not be able to take zenegra, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Although zenegra is not indicated for use by women, it is in the FDA pregnancy category
B. This means that zenegra is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Sildenafil should not be
taken by women.
It is not known whether zenegra passes into breast milk. Sildenafil should not be taken by
women.
If you are over 65 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects from
zenegra. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of this medication.
How should I take zenegra?
Take zenegra exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions,
ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each dose with a full glass of water.
Sildenafil is usually taken when needed. It can be taken anywhere from 4 hours to one-half hour
before sexual activity. Generally, it is taken 1 hour before sexual activity. The medication can help
achieve an erection when sexual stimulation occurs. An erection will not occur just by taking a pill.
Follow your doctor's instructions.
Taking zenegra after eating a high-fat meal (such as a cheeseburger and french fries) may cause
the medication to take a little longer to start working.
Do not take zenegra more than once a day.
If you develop dizziness, nausea, or angina (pain, tightness, discomfort, numbness, or tingling in
the chest, arms, neck, or jaw) during sexual activity, refrain from further sexual activity and notify your
doctor.
Contact your doctor or seek emergency medical attention for any erection that lasts longer
than 4 hours. A sustained erection can damage the penis.
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with zenegra. The interaction could lead to
potentially adverse effects. You should discuss the use of grapefruit and grapefruit juice with your
doctor. Do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking
to your doctor.
Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Sildenafil is used as needed, so you are not likely to miss a dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention.
Symptoms of a zenegra overdose are not known, but are likely to include chest pain, dizziness,
an irregular heartbeat, and swelling of the ankles or legs.
What should I avoid while taking zenegra?
Do not take any other drug used to treat impotence, such as alprostadil (Caverject, Muse,
Edex) or yohimbine (Yocon, Yodoxin, others), without first talking to your doctor.
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with zenegra. The interaction could lead to
potentially adverse effects. You should discuss the use of grapefruit and grapefruit juice with your
doctor. Do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking
to your doctor.
What are the possible side effects of zenegra?
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking zenegra and seek
emergency medical attention or notify your doctor immediately:
- an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat;
swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
- chest pain or an irregular heartbeat;
- swelling of the ankles or legs;
- shortness of breath;
- prolonged or severe dizziness;
- a prolonged (lasting longer than 4 hours) or painful
erection; or
- dizziness, nausea, or angina (pain, tightness, discomfort,
numbness, or tingling in the chest, arms, neck, or jaw).
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to
take zenegra and talk to your doctor if you experience
- flushing;
- mild dizziness;
- headache;
- nasal congestion;
- diarrhea;
- temporary blue tint in vision or other vision abnormalities;
or
- itching or a rash.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor
about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect zenegra?
Do not take zenegra if you are using a nitrate drug for chest pain or heart problems.
Nitrates include nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur, Nitro-Bid, Minitran, Deponit,
Transderm-Nitro, others), isosorbide dinitrate (Dilatrate-SR, Isordil, Sorbitrate), and isosorbide
mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO, Monoket). Nitrates are also found in some recreational drugs such as amyl
nitrate or nitrite ("poppers").
Before taking zenegra, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medications:
- any other drug used to treat impotence, such as alprostadil
(Caverject, Muse, Edex) or yohimbine (Yocon, Yodoxin, others);
- the antibiotic drugs clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin
(E-Mycin, Eryc, Ery-Tab, others), or troleandomycin (TAO);
- an antifungal medication such as itraconazole (Sporanox)
or ketoconazole (Nizoral);
- the HIV medications amprenavir (Agenerase), delavirdine
(Rescriptor), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir), or saquinavir
(Fortovase, Invirase);
- cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB);
- phenobarbital (Luminal);
- carbamazepine (Tegretol) or phenytoin (Dilantin); or
- rifampin (Rifadin, Rifamate) or rifabutin (Mycobutin).
You may not be able to take zenegra, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with zenegra or affect your condition. Talk
to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including
herbal products.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist has additional information about zenegra written for health professionals that
you may read.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your
medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is
accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be
time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the
United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless
specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend
therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners
in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for,
the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or
appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare
administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover
all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have
questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2003 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 4.05. Revision date: 9/9/04.
