Viagra is a brand-name medication that is generally used by men for treating the symptoms of erectile dysfunction (ED) or impotence issues. It is categorized under the group of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor drugs. Its function is to suppress the action of PDE5 enzymes and increase the blood flow inside the penile arteries to improve the erection function.
This drug contains Sildenafil Citrate as its active component, which might be incompatible with certain types of drugs or foods. Unsafe drug-drug interactions and drug-food interactions can give rise to mild to serious unwanted side effects. Sometimes, serious side effects might as well turn life-threatening, which is why you must become aware of the drugs that can prove to be risky when taken along with Viagra.
If you are planning to use Viagra medications, then according to the Healthline website, the types of drugs that might not be compatible with it are given below:
Alpha-blockers are a category of drugs that are prescribed for the treatment of high blood pressure or hypertension. They work by relaxing the blood vessels and expanding them to ease the flow of blood inside their passages. When the blood flows with ease, the pressure with which it flows inside the passages becomes normal.
If you combine Viagra and alpha-blocker medicine, your blood pressure will drop suddenly. As a result, you shall experience the symptoms of low blood pressure which will be indicated by the symptoms like dizziness, drowsiness, and fainting. Never combine these two drugs, and talk to your doctor and inform them about all the medications that you are already using or about to use.
Nitrate-based drugs are prescribed for managing conditions like heart disease and chest pain (angina). Healthcare providers commonly prescribe Nitrate drugs like nitroglycerin, isosorbide mononitrate, and isosorbide dinitrate. These medicines can cause side effects and so does Viagra.
The interaction of Viagra with a nitrate medicine can worsen the adverse side effects of both these medicines. Their combination can lead to a sudden drop in blood pressure, which can be very dangerous. This happens because both these drugs have vasodilator properties, which expand the blood vessels and increase the blood flow inside, thereby reducing the blood pressure. Therefore, it is necessary to avoid using these drugs in combination.
Those who are diagnosed with high blood pressure (hypertension) have a very high chances of developing erectile dysfunction. To manage the symptoms of ED, they might consider using Viagra medicines, while they are already using other medications to treat their high blood pressure. The blood pressure medicines bring down the blood pressure by expanding the blood vessels. The same function is performed by Viagra medicines.
Combining the use of Viagra and blood pressure drugs can double the vasodilator effect, which can lead to an abnormal decrease in blood pressure. Big drops in blood pressure potentiate the risk of life-threatening events due to severe infections, uncontrolled bleeding, allergic reactions, etc. You need to avoid using blood pressure medications like ACE inhibitors, ARBs, and diuretics (water pills) with Viagra.
These are a category of drugs that are used for treating the symptoms of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) by reducing the blood pressure inside the lungs. Their function is the same, which is to cause vasodilation in the lungs and ease the symptoms of pulmonary hypertension, which include cough, chest pain, fatigue, heart palpitations, dizziness, edema, etc.
If a person uses these drugs along with Viagra, then their risk of developing hypotension or low blood pressure rises. Individually both these drugs are responsible for lowering the blood pressure in the body, but when they are used together, the effects get doubled. Besides, the side effects of each of these drugs may also exacerbate because of their combination.
Certain types of antifungal medications might interact with Viagra and give rise to unwanted side effects. They might also increase the effectiveness of Viagra and worsen the other side effects.
To increase the effectiveness of Viagra, some may think about using some other ED drugs of another brand. But it is not safe to do so. Their combination can have a detrimental impact on your health, so, avoid doing that. Talk to your doctor if the dose that you are currently taking is not giving you the desired results. They might prescribe you a higher dose than the previous one.
Lastly, the list of drugs that can interact with Viagra is not limited to this one. There are various other medications that might not go well with Viagra. Therefore, do not combine the use of Viagra with other medicines. Seek professional guidance before taking any such risky step. This will eliminate your risk of developing health complications due to drug-drug interaction.
