If you become pregnant while taking sildenafil, call your doctor. Brand names Why is this medication prescribed? Also tell your doctor if you have or have ever had pulmonary veno-occlusive disease PVOD; blockage of veins in the lungs ; a stomach ulcer; heart, kidney, or liver disease; a heart attack; heart failure; angina chest pain ; an irregular heartbeat; a stroke; chest pain; high or low blood pressure; high cholesterol; a bleeding disorder; blood circulation problems; blood cell problems such as sickle cell anemia a disease of the red blood cells , multiple myeloma cancer of the plasma cells , or leukemia cancer of the white blood cells ; conditions affecting the shape of the penis e. In pulmonary hypertension it works by relaxing blood vessels in the chest. Do not start these medications while taking sildenafil without discussing it with your healthcare provider.Sildenafil (Viagra) is used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence; inability to get or keep an erection) in men. Sildenafil (Liqrev, Revatio) is used to improve the ability to exercise in adults (Liqrev, Revatio) and children 1 year of age and older (Revatio) with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH; high blood pressure in the vessels carrying blood to the . Key facts. Sildenafil (Viagra) is a medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED, also called impotence). Sildenafil works by helping to relax the blood vessels in the penis, allowing more blood to flow in and cause an erection. You should take sildenafil about an hour before planned sexual activity, so it has time to work. VIAGRA can cause your blood pressure to drop suddenly to an unsafe level if taken with certain other medicines. Do not take VIAGRA if you take any other medicines called “nitrates.” Nitrates are used to treat chest pain (angina). A sudden drop in blood pressure can cause you to feel dizzy, faint, or have a heart attack or stroke.