The Active Ingredient in Kamagra: Sildenafil and its Mechanism of Action

You've probably seen the bright packets of Kamagra Oral Jelly advertised online. They promise a fast-acting, flavoured solution for erectile dysfunction (ED). But before you think of it as just a tasty gel, let's look at what's really going on inside that little sachet. The active ingredient is a substance called Sildenafil, and understanding how it works is key to understanding its effects.

The core functions of Kamagra rely entirely on Sildenafil. So, let us avoid talking about anything else and talk about how this wondrous microscopic physiological mechanism aids the man in attaining and maintaining his erection.

Introducing Sildenafil

Sildenafil is the chemical name for the active ingredient. Do you find that word familiar? It is because it is the same compound present in the very famous blue diamond-shaped tablet called Viagra.

Basically, Kamagra Oral Jelly is just Sildenafil offered in a quick-dissolving format. It has been formulated so that it would enter the bloodstream quicker than a regular tablet and hopefully promote faster drug action.

The drug family: PDE5 inhibitors

A class of drugs to which Sildenafil belongs is called Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors. First, you need to know how nature acts in creating an erection and stops it, to understand what it inhibits.

The Natural Erection Cycle (Before the Drug)

Getting an erection involves an intricate interaction of activities between the brain, nerve, and blood vessel systems. It is not a mechanical event but an event starting with sexual arousal.

Step 1: The Signal and the Messenger

Arousal: While sexually aroused, secretion of nervous signals to the penis takes place.

Nitric Oxide (NO): These signals lead to the release of the chemical called Nitric Oxide (NO) in the penis tissue (corpus cavernosum).

The New Messenger (cGMP): Nitric Oxide proceeds to tell the body to produce a second and very important chemical messenger compound called cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate (cGMP).

Step 2: The Beginning of the Erection

cGMP relaxes the smooth muscles that line the walls of the blood vessels in the penis.

With relaxation, the arteries become engorged with blood flowing quickly into the spongy erectile tissue; simultaneously, the veins which ordinarily would drain blood out of these were compressed, thus trapping the blood in there.

Result = Erection, rigid and sustained.

Step 3: The End of the Erection

To stop the erection once sexual activity is over (or when arousal stops), the body releases an enzyme called Phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5). The main duty of the enzyme PDE5 is to degrade its messenger, the cGMP, which promotes erections.

With the diminution of cGMP level, smooth muscle tightens, blood flows out, and the erection ceases (detumescence phase).

How Sildenafil Changes the Game

If you have ED, your body might not be producing enough cGMP, or the PDE5 enzyme might be breaking it down too quickly. This makes it difficult to achieve or maintain an erection suitable for sex.

The Mechanism of Action

This is where Sildenafil i.e. the active ingredient in Kamagra plays its role:

• Sildenafil is a PDE5 inhibitor. Its whole purpose is to block the destructive action of the PDE5 enzyme.
• By blocking PDE5, Sildenafil prevents the breakdown of the cGMP messenger.
• This means the levels of cGMP stay high for longer.
• Higher cGMP levels mean the blood vessel muscles stay relaxed and the arteries stay wide for longer.

Sildenafil doesn't cause an erection directly. It simply maintains the natural, chemical process that leads to one. You still need to be sexually aroused for the natural chain reaction to start (releasing NO, creating cGMP) before Sildenafil can do its job of keeping the cGMP around.

The Format Factor: Why the Jelly?

The main reason Kamagra is marketed as an oral jelly is about speed and ease of use.

Quick absorption by the gel makes Kamagra the popular choice, though it must be remembered that speed does not guarantee safety and quality in unlicensed products.

A Note of Caution on Unlicensed Medicines

While much is known about the science of Sildenafil, going back to our first point highlighted earlier, Kamagra Oral Jelly is not licensed in the UK. This means that while it should contain Sildenafil, no regulating body has actually verified:

• The exact amount of drug present in each packet (it can be too high or too low).
• Whether pure sulphate of Sildenafil, or whatever other name Sildenafil confers on those willing to give these things a go, was used.
• Whether the other substances used in flavouring, etc., are safe.

Final thought

The action mechanism for Sildenafil is a wonder of pharmacology that cures so many men with ED. But you need to get your safety validated by a doctor or pharmacist, complete with a verifiable product tailored to your needs.