Sildenafil Citrate 100mg is a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor primarily used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) and, in some cases, pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). It is the active ingredient in Viagra and other generic ED medications, helping men achieve and maintain an erection by improving blood flow to the penis.
How Sildenafil Citrate Works
Sildenafil works by blocking the PDE5 enzyme, which naturally breaks down cGMP (cyclic guanosine monophosphate). cGMP is responsible for relaxing the smooth muscles in blood vessel walls, allowing for increased blood flow to the penis.
The process can be summarized as follows:
- Sexual stimulation triggers nitric oxide (NO) release in the penile tissues.
- Nitric oxide activates cGMP, which relaxes blood vessels and increases blood flow, leading to an erection.
- Sildenafil inhibits PDE5, allowing cGMP levels to remain elevated for a prolonged erection.
Since Sildenafil only enhances the natural response to sexual arousal, it does not cause an automatic erection—sexual stimulation is still required.
