Phosphodiesterase-5 Inhibitors (PDE-5 Inhibitors) for Erection Problems and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

All medicines have side effects. But many people don't feel the side effects, or they are able to deal with them. Ask your pharmacist about the side effects of each medicine you take. Side effects are also listed in the information that comes with your medicine.

Here are some important things to think about:

• Usually the benefits of the medicine are more important than any minor side effects.
• Side effects may go away after you take the medicine for a while.
• If side effects still bother you and you wonder if you should keep taking the medicine, call your doctor. He or she may be able to lower your dose or change your medicine. Do not suddenly quit taking your medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

Call 911 or other emergency services right away if you have:

• Trouble breathing.
• Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor right away if you have:

• Hives.
• An erection that lasts longer than 3 hours or is painful.
• A sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes. Stop taking the medicine.
• A sudden loss of hearing in one or both ears. Stop taking the medicine.
• Changes in your heartbeat (such as beating too fast or too slow).
• Other vision changes, such as blurred vision, a change in how you see colors, or increased sensitivity to light.
• A new diagnosis of a heart problem. This medicine can cause serious side effects in people who have heart problems.

Common side effects of this medicine include:

• Acid reflux, heartburn, indigestion, or burping.
• A bloody nose.
• Diarrhea.
• Flushing or unusually warm skin.
• Headache.
• Muscle aches or pains.
• A stuffy nose, runny nose, or sneezing.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

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