What Is Sildenafil (SIL)?
When it comes to sexual performance, confidence is everything—and sometimes, a little science can go a long way. Sildenafil (the active ingredient in Viagra®) has been helping men get and keep stronger erections for decades.
But BlueChew takes things a step further with SIL: a convenient, sublingual tablet with the active ingredient sildenafil that makes improving your erections simple, discreet, and even enjoyable.
In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what SIL is, how it works, the benefits it can bring to your sex life (and beyond), and why a sublingual tablet might be the upgrade you didn’t know you needed.
What is Sildenafil (SIL)?
The active ingredient in BlueChew's SIL sublingual tablets is sildenafil. It is a prescription medication originally made popular as the first erection-enhancing medication, better known as brand-name Viagra.
The sildenafil offered through BlueChew comes in a convenient, compounded, sublingual tablet, known as SIL, prescribed for as-needed use.
What makes SIL so unique is that it's a compounded medication. These medications are custom-made in the dosage and form best tailored to meet our patients’ specific needs.
Why use a sublingual tablet instead of a pill? Sublingual tablets have several distinct advantages over traditional pills.
First, they offer unmatched convenience. With BlueChew, you can take your medication anywhere, let it dissolve under your tongue , and then wait for its positive effects to kick in.
No water, no swallowing pills, and no bad taste— just a simple, subtle, and effective erection-enhancing medication on your terms.
Research has also shown that sublingual medications like SIL may kick in faster. Studies show that sublingual sildenafil may take effect in as little as 15 minutes.
How Does Sildenafil Work?
SIL, containing the active ingredient sildenafil, is a type of medication known as a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor or PDE5i for short.
It works by blocking the action of an enzyme called phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5). This enzyme typically breaks down a molecule called cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), which is crucial for releasing nitric oxide (NO). When NO is released, it helps to dilate blood vessels.
By stopping PDE5 from breaking down cGMP, sildenafil increases NO levels. This uptick in NO relaxes the smooth muscles in blood vessels, allowing more blood to flow to the penis.
What does this mean for you?
As blood flow into the penis increases, the tissues become engorged, so it's easier to achieve and maintain a hard, long-lasting erection when you experience sexual stimulation.
Enhanced erections can lead to better sex and boost your confidence in the bedroom.
What are the Sexual Health Benefits of SIL?
Due to the blood flow-enhancing properties of SIL, you can expect to achieve and maintain harder erections with patients reporting significant improvements in erection quality and erectile function. Additionally, the rate of improvement has been found to be higher in younger patients, so you can expect to see fast and massive gains if you’re below the age of 60.
But that’s not all SIL can do for your sex life. This little blue pill can lead to improvements in erection quality and function, which have been shown to lead to increased intercourse success rates, sexual satisfaction, orgasms, and even improve quality of life. And patients weren’t the only ones reporting these boosts in the bedroom, as partner responses backed up these benefits.
Not surprisingly, these drastic improvements in sexual performance can ramp up your confidence and self-esteem in and out of the bedroom. And these benefits have been linked to enhancing both sexual and social relationships and relationship satisfaction.
What are the Potential Health Benefits of Sildenafil?
After gaining FDA approval over thirty years ago, the active ingredient sildenafil has become well-known for its erection-enhancing effects.
But did you know it has also garnered attention for its myriad other potential health benefits? Although not FDA-approved for these uses, research has found that sildenafil may support a variety of health parameters. From increasing exercise capacity to improving depressive symptoms, sildenafil may pack quite a lot of punch for a little blue tablet.
Possible health benefits may include:
- Reduces inflammation and damage from oxidative stress
- Improves skeletal muscle oxygenation during exercise and exercise capacity
- Increases muscle protein synthesis and reduces muscle fatigue
- Increases testosterone levels
- Enhances mood
- Reduces heart rate during exercise
- Protects nerves, prevents their degeneration, and promotes their growth
- Improves kidney function and protects kidneys from damage
- Reduces chronic pain and neuropathic pain
- Prevents gastric ulcers and cardiac remodeling
- Protects the heart from damage
- Reduces risk of heart attack, stroke, and risk of death due to such events
- Improves urinary tract function
- Reduces blood pressure
- Protects against harmful effects of stress
- Improves cognitive function
- Improves recovery from jet lag
But did you know that sildenafil, in addition to its better-known health-boosting properties, may also help treat cancer, reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, and prevent altitude sickness?
Interested in learning more about the wide range of potential health benefits of taking sildenafil? Check out our blog post here.
How often can I take SIL?
The SIL tablets prescribed through BlueChew are for on-demand use, so it's best to take them before a date night or evening out when the opportunity for sexual intimacy might arise.
Your BlueChew medical provider will give you specific instructions, but generally you should take your SIL sublingual tablet about 15 minutes before sexual activity.
Avoid taking it more often than your medical provider recommends.
How long does SIL last?
Once you take your sildenafil tablet (SIL), you can expect rock-hard erections for anywhere between 4 to 6 hours.
It is best to take sildenafil 15 minutes to 1 hour before an expected intimate moment, and it will only cause an erection when you experience sexual stimulation.
If you're out for date night or cooking dinner at home, it's important to note that meals, especially high-fat ones, may impact the absorption of SIL. For the best results, try taking SIL on a relatively empty stomach. It's also a good idea to skip that cocktail, as avoiding alcohol enhances the medication's effectiveness.
Due to its need for precise timing and the shorter duration of action, sildenafil may not be the right erectile dysfunction medication for everyone. Contact a BlueChew healthcare professional to discuss your specific needs to help you select the best medication and plan for you.
For more information on the pros and cons of each BlueChew sexual performance enhancer, check out our blog post comparing each medication side-by-side.
When the mood strikes, you’ll be ready to enjoy the moment without any limitations.
What are the Potential Side Effects of Sildenafil (SIL)?
While SIL is typically well-tolerated, it's important to note that, like all prescription medications, it carries a risk of specific side effects.
Although the active ingredient sildenafil has a solid track record of safety and effectiveness, spanning almost thirty years—with success rates up to 80%—it's crucial to stay informed about potential side effects to make sure this medication is right for you.
Here are the most common side effects to look out for:
- Skin flushing
- Headache
- Indigestion
- Light nasal congestion
- Muscle pain
Other possible side effects include a prolonged erection lasting more than 4 hours, low blood pressure, sudden vision loss, irregular heartbeat, or sudden decrease in hearing.
If you experience any of these side effects, don't hesitate to call your doctor or contact a member of our BlueChew team. Our dedicated medical providers are here to offer prompt assistance and guidance, ensuring you're on the right plan to improve your sexual wellness.
Although rare, it is possible to have an allergic reaction to the ingredients in SIL tablets. If your symptoms are life-threatening, contact your doctor immediately and seek emergency medical attention.
How To Get Erectile Dysfunction Medications from BlueChew
Interested in a surefire way to turn your erections up a notch? BlueChew has got you covered.
BlueChew makes it easy to get SIL. Select a plan, complete an online intake, and you’re done. A medical provider will review your information and, if appropriate, prescribe your plan, which will be shipped directly to your door.
No doctor appointments or patient support charges make it a stress-free experience.
With plans starting as low as $25 per month, BlueChew can fit into anyone’s budget. Plus, there’s no commitment—you can easily cancel or switch plans anytime. Click here to explore all plan options for treatments at BlueChew.
FAQ
Is sildenafil the same as Viagra®?
The SIL tablets offered through BlueChew contain the active ingredient sildenafil. Viagra® contains the active ingredient sildenafil. Active ingredients are the main ingredients in medicines that cause the desired effect, in this case, erection enhancement.
The SIL offered by BlueChew is a compounded medication, available in a sublingual formulation. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved. They are custom-made by state-licensed compounding pharmacies for specific patient needs (such as sublingual tablets for patients with difficulty swallowing pills) or when commercially available medications are not tolerated.
Why use a sildenafil sublingual tablet (SIL) instead of a pill?
Sublingual SIL tablets offer unmatched convenience compared to standard pills. There’s no need for water, which makes them easy to take. Due to its discreet look, you can take it anywhere at any time. Plus, sublingual sildenafil has been shown to work faster than traditional pills.
What are the sexual health benefits of sildenafil?
SIL is used to treat erectile dysfunction. It enhances blood flow to the penis, leading to harder and longer-lasting erections. It improves erectile function, sexual satisfaction, and overall confidence. These benefits are reported by both users and their partners, enhancing sexual and social relationships.
Taking SIL does not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases, so remember to always practice safe sex even when using sildenafil.
What are the potential health benefits of sildenafil?
Beyond its erection-enhancing effects, SIL may offer numerous health benefits. Although not FDA-approved for these uses, research has found that the active ingredient sildenafil may reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, improve exercise capacity and muscle oxygenation, enhance mood and cognitive function, lower blood pressure, protect nerves and promote nerve growth, and reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular issues. It is also used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Interested in learning more? Check out our blog post, which delves into the science behind sildenafil's potential health benefits.
How long does SIL make you last?
After taking a SIL tablet, its effects can last between 4 to 6 hours. It is best taken 15 minutes to 1 hour before intimacy. For optimal results, don't eat a high-fat meal or drink alcohol when taking SIL tablets. Avoid grapefruit juice, as it may alter the effectiveness of Sildenafil.
How do I get a prescription for SIL through BlueChew?
To get a prescription for SIL through BlueChew, first select your plan. Then create an account and complete a medical intake form. After reviewing your medical history, a licensed medical provider will determine if Sildenafil is appropriate for you and then prescribe the medication.
What are the potential side effects of sildenafil?
Sildenafil is safely used to treat erectile dysfunction, but like other prescription label drugs, it does carry the risk of some side effects.
Possible side effects of SIL include severe headache, indigestion, blurred vision, prolonged erection, hearing loss, low blood pressure (especially when combined with other prescription drugs that may cause low blood pressure, like amyl nitrate), chest pain, and irregular heartbeat. If you experience any of these side effects, contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical attention.
Individuals with certain medical conditions, such as sickle cell anemia or pulmonary veno-occlusive disease, should speak with a medical provider about whether SIL is appropriate.
Although rare, it is possible to have a severe allergic reaction to the ingredients in SIL. There is also a possibility of drug interactions, so tell your doctor about any prescription medications you are currently taking.
Do not combine SIL with illegal drugs or recreational drugs, as this may result in dangerous effects.
This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information presented is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider to discuss the risks, benefits, and appropriateness of any treatment.
BlueChew offers access to healthcare providers who may prescribe compounded medications for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.
The featured products include compounded medications that have not been approved by the FDA. Compounded medications may be prescribed under federal law but are not the same as, nor are they generic versions of, any FDA-approved medication. The FDA does not review compounded medications for safety, effectiveness, or manufacturing quality of compounded products. A prescription will only be written if deemed appropriate after the digital consultation by the licensed medical provider. Individual results may vary.