What is Caverta?

Under normal circumstances, when a man is sexually stimulated, the penis fills up with blood. When erectile dysfunction occurs, enough blood does not flow to cause an erection. CAVERTA, with Sildenafil citrate, relaxes the penile blood vessels when a man is sexually stimulated. This allows blood flow into the penis, resulting in an erection. The erection subsides after sex, just as it is supposed to in normal conditions.

Please understand that CAVERTA is not a hormone or aphrodisiac, it works only when a man is sexually stimulated.

Take CAVERTA about one hour before you plan to have sex. Beginning in about 30 minutes and lasts for up to 4 hours, CAVERTA can help you get an erection if you are sexually excited. If you take CAVERTA after a high-fat meal (such as pav bhaji, cheeseburger and french fries), the medicine may take a little longer to start working. CAVERTA can help you get an erection when you are sexually excited. You will not get an erection just by taking the pill.

CAVERTA does not cure erectile dysfunction. It is a treatment for erectile dysfunction. CAVERTA does not protect you or your partner from getting sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV-the virus that causes AIDS. CAVERTA is not a hormone or an aphrodisiac.

Ask your doctor if your heart is healthy enough for sexual activity. If you take any medicines that contain nitrates - either regularly or as needed - you should never take CAVERTA. If you take CAVERTA with any nitrate medicine or recreational drug containing nitrates, your blood pressure could suddenly drop to an unsafe level. You could get dizzy, faint, or even have a heart attack or stroke.

Nitrates are found in many prescription medicines that are used to treat angina (chest pain due to heart disease) such as: nitro-glycerine (sprays, ointments, skin patches or pastes, and tablets that are swallowed or dissolved in the mouth) isosorbide mononitrate and isosorbide dinitrate (tablets that are swallowed, chewed, or dissolved in the mouth) Nitrates are also found in recreational drugs such as amyl nitrate or nitrite ("poppers"). If you are not sure if any of your medicines contain nitrates, or if you do not understand what nitrates are, ask your doctor or pharmacist. CAVERTA is only for patients with erectile dysfunction. CAVERTA is not for newborns, children, or women.

Do not let anyone else take your CAVERTA. CAVERTA must be used only under a doctor's supervision.

Like all medicines, CAVERTA (sildenafil citrate) can cause some side effects. These effects are usually mild to moderate and usually don't last longer than a few hours. Some of these side effects are more likely to occur with higher doses.

The most common side effects of sildenafil citrate are headache, flushing of the face and upset stomach. Less common side effects that may occur are temporary changes in colour vision (such as trouble telling the difference between blue and green objects or having a blue colour tinge to them), eyes being more sensitive to light or blurred vision. In rare instances, men have reported an erection that lasts many hours. You should call a doctor immediately if you ever have an erection that lasts more than 4 hours. If not treated right away, permanent damage to your penis could occur.

Heart attack, stroke, irregular heartbeats and death have been reported rarely in men taking sildenafil citrate. Most, but not all, of these men had heart problems before taking this medicine. It is not possible to determine whether these events were directly related to sildenafil citrate. Sildenafil citrate may cause other side effects besides those listed on this sheet. If you want more information or develop any side effect or symptom you are concerned about, call your doctor.

Only your doctor can decide if CAVERTA is right for you. CAVERTA can cause mild, temporary lowering of your blood pressure. You will need to have a thorough medical exam to diagnose your erectile dysfunction and to find out if you can safely take CAVERTA alone or with your other medicines.

Your doctor should determine if your heart is healthy enough to handle the extra strain of having sex. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have had:

Any heart problems (e.g., angina, chest pain, heart failure, irregular heart beats, or heart attack), have ever had a stroke,

Low or high blood pressure,

A rare inherited eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa,

Any kidney problems or any liver problems,

Any blood problems, including sickle cell anemia or leukaemia,

Allergies to sildenafil or any of the other ingredients of CAVERTA tablets,

A deformed penis, Peyronie's disease, or ever had an erection that lasted more than 4 hours,

Stomach ulcers or any types of bleeding problems

Or, if you are taking any other medicines.

CAVERTA comes in different doses (25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg).

If you do not get the results you expect, talk with your doctor. You and your doctor can determine the dose that works best for you.

Do not take more CAVERTA than your doctor prescribes. If you think you need a larger dose of CAVERTA, check with your doctor.

CAVERTA should not be taken more than once a day. If you are older than 65 years, or have serious liver or kidney problems, your doctor may start you at the lowest dose (25 mg) of CAVERTA. If you are taking protease inhibitors, such as for the treatment of HIV, your doctor may recommend a 25 mg dose and may limit you to a maximum single dose of 25mg of CAVERTA in a 48-hour period.