What it's used for
Sildenafil citrate is used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.
Source: U.S. FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA).
Typical dosing
The recommended dose is 50 mg taken as needed about 1 hour before sexual activity, with a maximum frequency of once per day and a dose range of 25 mg to 100 mg.
Dosing shown here is the general FDA-labeled range. Your prescribing clinician determines the exact dose, form, and schedule for you — this is not a substitute for medical advice.
Common side effects
See full FDA prescribing information for the complete adverse reaction profile.
Covered strengths on the Tab $0 list
Covered at $0 with an active Tab membership when filled at a participating pharmacy nationwide or through mail order. A licensed clinician must prescribe the medication.
Related medications
Other men's health (included with membership) medications covered at $0 with an active Tab membership.
Sildenafil cost without insurance
Cash prices for Sildenafil without insurance vary widely by pharmacy, strength and quantity — the same prescription can cost very different amounts at two pharmacies in the same town. That is the problem a membership solves.
Sildenafil is on Tab's covered $0 generic list. With an active Tab membership, every covered strength is $0 — not a percentage off, not a coupon that changes month to month — at participating pharmacies nationwide or through mail order. You do not need insurance, and Tab works whether or not you have a health plan.
Tab is a membership, not insurance. Covered medications require a prescription from a licensed clinician.
Sildenafil dosage and administration
For most patients, the recommended dose is 50 mg taken, as needed, approximately 1 hour before sexual activity. However, sildenafil tablets may be taken anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours before sexual activity ( 2.1 ) Based on effectiveness and toleration, may increase to a maximum of 100 mg or decrease to 25 mg ( 2.1 ) Maximum recommended dosing frequency is once per day ( 2.1 ) 2.1 Dosage Information For most patients, the recommended dose is 50 mg taken, as needed, approximately 1 hour before sexual activity. However, sildenafil tablets may be taken anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours before sexual activity. The maximum recommended dosing frequency is once per day. Based on effectiveness and toleration, the dose may be increased to a maximum recommended dose of 100 mg or decreased to 25 mg.
Excerpt from the FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA), retrieved 2026-09-15. Your prescribing clinician decides the exact dose, form and schedule for you — this is not medical advice.
Sildenafil side effects
The following are discussed in more detail in other sections of the labeling: Cardiovascular [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Prolonged Erection and Priapism [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Effects on the Eye [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Hearing Loss [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Hypotension when Co-administered with Alpha-blockers or Anti-hypertensives [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Adverse Reactions with the Concomitant Use of Ritonavir [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Combination with other PDE5 Inhibitors or Other Erectile Dysfunction Therapies [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] Effects on Bleeding [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] Counseling Patients About Sexually Transmitted Diseases [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) ] The most common adverse reactions reported in clinical trials (≥ 2%) are headache, flushing, dyspepsia, abnormal vision, nasal congestion, back pain, myalgia, nausea, dizziness, and rash.
Excerpt from the FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA), retrieved 2026-09-15. This is not a complete list. Report side effects to your clinician, and seek care for anything severe or unexpected.
Sildenafil drug interactions
Sildenafil can potentiate the hypotensive effects of nitrates, alpha blockers, and anti-hypertensives ( 4.1 , 5.5 , 7.1 , 7.2 , 7.3 , 12.2 ) With concomitant use of alpha blockers, initiate sildenafil at 25 mg dose ( 2.3 ) CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir, ketoconazole, itraconazole, erythromycin): Increase sildenafil exposure ( 2.4 , 7.4 , 12.3 ) Ritonavir: Do not exceed a maximum single dose of 25 mg in a 48 hour period ( 2.4 , 5.6 ) Erythromycin or strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole, saquinavir): Consider a starting dose of 25 mg ( 2.4 , 7.4 ) 7.1 Nitrates Administration of sildenafil with nitric oxide donors such as organic nitrates or organic nitrites in any form is contraindicated.
Excerpt from the FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA), retrieved 2026-09-15. Tell your clinician and pharmacist about every medication, supplement and over-the-counter product you take.
Who should not take sildenafil
Administration of sildenafil tablets to patients using nitric oxide donors, such as organic nitrates or organic nitrites in any form. Sildenafil tablets was shown to potentiate the hypotensive effect of nitrates ( 4.1 , 7.1 , 12.2 ) Known hypersensitivity to sildenafil or any component of tablet ( 4.2 ) Administration with guanylate cyclase (GC) stimulators, such as riociguat ( 4.3 ) 4.1 Nitrates Consistent with its known effects on the nitric oxide/cGMP pathway [ see Clinical Pharmacology (12.1 , 12.2 ) ], sildenafil tablets was shown to potentiate the hypotensive effects of nitrates, and its administration to patients who are using nitric oxide donors such as organic nitrates or organic nitrites in any form either regularly and/or intermittently is therefore contraindicated.
Excerpt from the FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA), retrieved 2026-09-15. Whether this medication is appropriate for you is a clinical decision made by your prescribing clinician.
Common questions
Is sildenafil covered at $0 with Tab?
Yes. Sildenafil is on Tab's covered $0 generic list — every covered strength is $0 with an active membership, at participating pharmacies nationwide or by mail order.
Do I need insurance to get sildenafil through Tab?
No. Tab is a membership, not insurance. Covered medications are $0 with an active membership whether or not you have a health plan.
How do I get a sildenafil prescription with Tab?
Book a video visit with a licensed Tab clinician (unlimited visits are included with membership). If it's clinically appropriate, they send the prescription to your chosen participating pharmacy or by mail order.
How much does sildenafil cost without insurance?
Without insurance, retail cash prices for sildenafil vary by pharmacy, strength and quantity. Sildenafil is on Tab's covered $0 generic list, so every covered strength is $0 with an active Tab membership at participating pharmacies nationwide or by mail order.
What is the cheapest way to get sildenafil?
For medications on Tab's covered list, a Tab membership is the cheapest route: covered strengths of sildenafil are $0 with an active membership, and unlimited video visits with a licensed clinician are included, so the visit that produces the prescription is covered too.
What is the usual dose of sildenafil?
For most patients, the recommended dose is 50 mg taken, as needed, approximately 1 hour before sexual activity. (FDA-approved label, retrieved 2026-09-15. Your clinician sets your dose.)
What are the side effects of sildenafil?
The following are discussed in more detail in other sections of the labeling: Cardiovascular [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Prolonged Erection and Priapism [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Effects on the Eye [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Hearing Loss [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Hypotension when Co-administered with Alpha-blockers or Anti-hypertensives [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Adverse Reactions with the Concomitant Use of Ritonavir [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Combination with other PDE5 Inhibitors or Other Erectile Dysfunction Therapies [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] Effects on Bleeding [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] Counseling Patients About Sexually Transmitted Diseases [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) ] The most common adverse reactions reported in clinical trials (≥ 2%) are headache, flushing, dyspepsia, abnormal vision, nasal congestion, back pain, myalgia, nausea, dizziness, and rash. (FDA-approved label, retrieved 2026-09-15.)
What interacts with sildenafil?
Sildenafil can potentiate the hypotensive effects of nitrates, alpha blockers, and anti-hypertensives ( 4.1 , 5.5 , 7.1 , 7.2 , 7.3 , 12.2 ) With concomitant use of alpha blockers, initiate sildenafil at 25 mg dose ( 2.3 ) CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir, ketoconazole, itraconazole, erythromycin): Increase sildenafil exposure ( 2.4 , 7.4 , 12.3 ) Ritonavir: Do not exceed a maximum single dose of 25 mg in a 48 hour period ( 2.4 , 5.6 ) Erythromycin or strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole, saquinavir): Consider a starting dose of 25 mg ( 2.4 , 7.4 ) 7.1 Nitrates Administration of sildenafil with nitric oxide donors such as organic nitrates or organic nitrites in any form is contraindicated. (FDA-approved label, retrieved 2026-09-15. Tell your clinician about every medication and supplement you take.)
Sildenafil is $0 on the covered list
Members pay $0 for covered generics at participating pharmacies nationwide or by mail order — plus unlimited virtual primary care, urgent care and dermatology visits. No insurance needed.
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