Silandyl contains the active ingredient sildenafil citrate, which is a phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE-5) inhibitor. It relaxes the smooth muscles in the blood vessels of the penis to increase blood flow and cause an erection. It does not work on its own, so you must be sexually stimulated for it to be effective.

How long does Silandyl last?

The effects of Silandyl usually last 4 to 6 hours.

How long does Silandyl take to work?

Sildenafil is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream and usually takes effect within 30 to 60 minutes. However, this can vary from person to person, with one study showing that the average time to get an erection after a 50mg dose of sildenafil was 27 minutes.

How effective is Silandyl?

One study comparing the effectiveness and safety of sildenafil tablets and orodispersible film found that they were both equally effective at treating erectile dysfunction. The study also found that the sildenafil orodispersible film resulted in an erection happening 7.1 minutes earlier, on average, compared to oral tablets.

The film also had a lower incidence of flushing, a common sildenafil side effect, which may make it more attractive for anyone who may get flushing when taking tablets like Viagra.

Silandyl is an orodispersible film that dissolves on your tongue and can be taken without water, though water is available if needed.

To take Silandyl, you need to:

1. Wash and dry your hands thoroughly before handling Silandyl. Do not handle the film with wet hands.
2. Take a sachet and locate the arrow mark at the top.
3. Holding each side of the sachet at the top where it is not sealed between your thumb and index finger on each hand, gently peel both parts of the sachet.
4. Carefully tear both parts of the sachet in opposite directions until they are separated. The Silandyl film should now be visible and attached to one side of the sachet.
5. With dry fingers, remove the orodispersible film from the sachet and place it on your tongue.
6. The film will dissolve quickly so that it can be taken conveniently.

When to take Silandyl

Silandyl takes between 30 and 60 minutes to work, so it is best taken 30 minutes before you want to have sex. It can be taken up to 4 hours in advance.

How much Silandyl to take

You can only take 1 Silandyl film per day.

How long do you need to take Silandyl for?

The active ingredient in Silandyl, sildenafil, is safe for long-term use, typically for several months to years. How long you need to take it for will depend on what is causing your erectile dysfunction, how your body responds to the medication, and your personal preferences.

What if I forget to take Silandyl?

If you have forgotten to take Silandyl and intend to have sex within the next 4 hours, take the dose as soon as you remember, as long as you have not already taken it within the last 24 hours.

What if I take too much Silandyl?

If you take more Silandyl films than you should, contact your doctor immediately because taking more than you have been prescribed can cause side effects or more severe side effects if taking more than 100mg at a time.

Can I drink alcohol when taking Silandyl?

Yes, but it is advisable to limit your alcohol intake when taking Silandyl. That’s because alcohol can temporarily make getting an erection more difficult.

Silandyl is available in 4 different strengths:

1. 25mg
2. 50mg
3. 75mg
4. 100mg

The usual Silandyl dose is 50mg. However, if this dose feels too strong for you, your doctor may recommend the lower 25mg dose. Similarly, if 50mg is not effective for you, you may need a higher dose. The maximum Silandyl dose available is 100mg.

Unlike sildenafil tablets, Silandyl is also available in a 75mg dose, which adds greater flexibility to erectile dysfunction treatment, especially if 50mg is not working for you and 100mg is too strong. One study found that after 3 months, the response rate of a 75mg orodispersible sildenafil film was 100% in people with mild erectile dysfunction and never been treated with another PDE-5 inhibitor.

Can you change the dosage?

Yes, but only under the guidance of a doctor. If you do not think your current Silandyl dose is effective, speak to your doctor to find out if you can increase or lower your dose.

Silandyl is a prescription-only medication, which means you must have a doctor’s approval to get it. You may be able to get it privately from an online doctor service or on the NHS following a consultation with a healthcare professional.

Can I buy Silandyl online?

Yes, you can request Silandyl from Superdrug Online Doctor by:

1. Filling out a short online health questionnaire for one of our doctors to review.
2. Selecting and paying for your preferred treatment.

If approved, your medication will be dispatched to your home address in plain, discreet packaging, or you can collect it from your nearest Superdrug Pharmacy.

If your request is not approved, a doctor will contact you via your patient account with alternative erectile dysfunction treatment options.

Can I buy Silandyl over the counter?

No, Silandyl is not available over the counter; you will need a prescription from a doctor to get it. Viagra Connect is an alternative sildenafil-containing erectile dysfunction treatment which is available without a prescription. However, you will need to answer a few questions with a pharmacist to make sure it is safe for you to take.

Can I get Silandyl on the NHS?

Silandyl is not generally available on the NHS because it is considered “non-formulary”, as it is a lot more expensive than generic sildenafil tablets. If you have a severe medical need, such as being unable to swallow a tablet, a specialist may be able to prescribe Silandyl, though this is not always the case.

You will need to make an appointment with your GP to discuss your symptoms and find out if Silandyl is available on the NHS in your area for your needs.

Like all medications, Silandyl can cause side effects, although not everyone will get them.

Very common side effect (may affect more than 1 in 10 people):

• headaches

Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people) are:

• nausea
• dizziness
• stuffy nose
• facial flushing
• hot flush
• indigestion
• colour tinge to vision
• blurred vision
• visual disturbance

Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people) are:

• vomiting
• skin rash
• eye irritation: bloodshot eyes /red eyes, eye pain
• light sensitivity: seeing flashes of light, visual brightness
• watery eyes
• pounding heartbeat
• rapid heartbeat
• high blood pressure
• low blood pressure
• muscle pain
• feeling sleepy
• reduced sense of touch
• vertigo
• ringing in the ears
• dry mouth
• blocked or stuffy sinuses
• inflammation of the lining of the nose (ongoing runny or stuffy nose, sneezing)
• upper stomach pain
• gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (symptoms include heartburn)
• blood in pee
• pain in the arms or legs
• nosebleed
• feeling hot
• tiredness

Rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people) are:

• fainting
• stroke
• heart attack
• irregular heartbeat
• temporary decreased blood flow to parts of the brain
• feeling of tightening of the throat
• numb mouth
• bleeding at the back of the eye
• double vision
• reduced sharpness of vision
• abnormal sensation in the eye
• swelling of the eye or eyelid
• small particles or spots in your vision
• seeing halos around lights
• dilation of the pupil of the eye
• discolouration of the white of the eye
• penile bleeding
• presence of blood in semen
• dry nose
• swelling of the inside of the nose
• feeling irritable
• sudden decrease or loss of hearing

You can find a full list of Silandyl side effects in the patient information leaflet that is provided with your medication.

How long do Silandyl side effects last?

Most Silandyl side effects are mild and will wear off after 3 to 5 hours as the medication leaves your system. Some side effects, like headaches and flushing, may last a few hours, while some may last longer as your body gets used to sildenafil.

What to do if you get Silandyl side effects

If you get any Silandyl side effects that concern you or are difficult to manage, contact your doctor for more advice. They may adjust your dose or prescribe an alternative erectile dysfunction medication that may be more suitable.

If you get any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Silandyl and call 999 or get someone to take you to A&E:

• an allergic reaction (sudden wheeziness, difficulty swallowing or breathing, swelling of the eyelids, lips, face, or throat)
• chest pains
• prolonged and sometimes painful erections that last for more than 4 hours
• sudden loss of vision
• a serious skin reaction that causes severe peeling and swelling of the skin, blistering of the mouth, genitals, and around the eyes, and a fever
• seizures
• sudden changes in your speech or weakness or numbness in your face, arms or legs

Silandyl is for anyone who has erectile dysfunction and is looking for an effective alternative to oral medications. However, it may not be suitable for everyone, as certain health conditions and medications can interact with Silandyl, reducing its effectiveness.

Do not take Silandyl if you:

• are allergic to sildenafil or any other ingredients listed in the medication
• do not have an erection problem
• have been advised by a doctor not to have sex because of a problem with your heart or blood vessels
• have a severe heart problem, such as a recent heart attack or stroke, unstable angina, or severe cardiac failure
• have a severe liver problem
• have low blood pressure
• have ever had severe vision loss because of nerve damage or hereditary visual problems
• blood disorders
• have a deformed penis
• are a woman
• are under 18

Silandyl and other medications

Before taking Silandyl, you should tell your doctor if you are taking any prescribed, over-the-counter, or herbal medications. Some medications can interact with sildenafil and make Silandyl less effective and vice versa.

Do not take Silandyl if you take:

• any nitrate medication for chest pain or heart failure
• amyl nitrate, also known as “poppers” a recreational drug
• riociguat
• ritonavir for HIV treatment

Speak to your doctor before taking Silandyl if you take:

• antibiotics or medications used to treat fungal infections
• a heartburn medication called cimetidine
• other erectile dysfunction treatments
• alpha-blockers for high blood pressure or urinary issues
• medications that contain sacubitril/valsartan for heart failure