Do not take Arifil
- If you are allergic (hypersensitive) to sildenafil or any of the other ingredients of Arifil.
- If you are taking medicines called nitrates, as the combination may cause a potentially dangerous decrease in your blood pressure. Tell your doctor if you are taking any of these medicines which are often given for relief of angina pectoris (or “chest pain”). If you are not certain, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- If you are using any of the drugs known as nitric oxide donors such as amyl nitrite (“poppers”), as the combination may also lead to a potentially dangerous decrease in your blood pressure.
- If you have a severe heart or liver problem.
- If you have recently had a stroke or a heart attack, or if you have low blood pressure.
- If you have certain rare inherited eye diseases (such as retinitis pigmentosa).
- If you have ever had loss of vision due to non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION).
Take special care with Arifil
Tell your doctor:
- If you have sickle cell anaemia (an abnormality of red blood cells), leukaemia (cancer of blood cells), multiple myeloma (cancer of bone marrow).
- If you have a deformity of your penis or Peyronie’s Disease.
- If you have problems with your heart. Your doctor should in that case carefully check whether your heart can take the additional strain of having sex.
- If you currently have a stomach ulcer, or a bleeding problems (such as haemophilia).
- If you experience sudden decrease or loss of vision, stop taking Arifil and contact your doctor immediately.
You should not use Arifil with any other oral or local treatments for erectile dysfunction.
Special considerations for children and adolescents
Arifil should not be given to individuals under the age of 18.
Special considerations for patients with kidney or liver problems
You should tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver problems. Your doctor may decide on a lower dose for you.
Taking other medicines
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken other medicines, including medicines obtained without prescription.
Arifil tablets may interfere with some medicines, especially those used to treat chest pain. In the event of a medical emergency, you should tell any health care professional treating your condition that you have taken Arifil and when you did. Do not take Arifil with other medicines unless your doctor tells you that you can.
You should not take Arifil if you are taking medicines called nitrates, as the combination of these products may cause a potentially dangerous decrease in your blood pressure. Always tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines that are often used for the relief of angina pectoris (or “chest pain”).
You should not take Arifil if you are using any of the drugs known as nitric oxide donors such as amyl nitrite (“poppers”) as the combination may also lead to a potentially dangerous decrease in your blood pressure.
If you are taking medicines known as protease inhibitors, such as for the treatment of HIV, your doctor may start you on the lowest dose (25 mg) of Arifil.
Some patients who take alpha-blocker therapy for the treatment of high blood pressure or prostate enlargement may experience dizziness or light-headedness, which may be caused by low blood pressure upon sitting or standing up quickly. Certain patients have experienced these symptoms when taking Arifil with alpha-blockers. This is most likely to occur within 4 hours after taking Arifil. In order to reduce the likelihood that these symptoms occur, you should be on a regular daily dose of your alpha-blocker before you start Arifil]. Your doctor may start you on a lower dose (25 mg) of Arifil.
Taking Arifil with food and drink
Arifil can be taken with or without food. However, you may find that Arifil takes longer to start working if you take it with a heavy meal.
Drinking alcohol can temporarily impair your ability to get an erection. To get the maximum benefit from your medicine, you are advised not to drink excessive amounts of alcohol before taking Arifil.
Pregnancy and breast feeding
Arifil is not indicated for use by women.
Driving and using machines
Arifil can cause dizziness and can affect vision. You should be aware of how you react to Arifil before you drive or use machinery.