Let’s get one thing straight right off the bat: never take sildenafil (Viagra) if you’re taking nitrates. It’s a dangerous and potentially fatal cocktail that should be avoided at all costs.
Nitrates are medicines used to treat hypertension and other heart and circulatory-related diseases. The body uses nitrates to produce nitric oxide, which is responsible for promoting vasodilation so blood flows more freely. Think of your blood vessels as a road. Taking nitrates figuratively adds more lanes on the road. More lanes mean more cars––which represent blood in our analogy––can pass through.
Getting ED medication has never been easier
Connect with a US-licensed healthcare provider for a FREE evaluation!
Free Express
Shipping
Discreet
Shipping
No Waiting
Rooms
Therefore, nitrates reduce blood pressure and make it easier for the heart to pump blood throughout the body, which is critical for individuals with cardiovascular disease.
However, sildenafil (Viagra) and nitrates aren’t a match––and neither would you want to take both simultaneously.
Prescription ED drugs like sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), vardenafil (Levitra), and other PDE-5 inhibitor drugs make blood vessels more sensitive to nitric oxide. Therefore, taking sildenafil and nitrates at the same time may lead to an overabundance of nitric oxide in your bloodstream since they can lead to precipitous drops in blood pressure.
Signs that you may have low blood pressure include:
- Light-headedness
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Malaise
- Fainting
- Confusion
- Difficulty focusing
- Changes in vision
- Clammy skin
Sildenafil and other PDE-5 drugs don’t only interact with nitrates––they can also interact with antihypertensives like alpha-blockers. If you have hypertension (high blood pressure), or hypotension (low blood pressure), or taking medicines for cardiovascular health, sildenafil and other PDE-5 drugs like tadalafil and vardenafil may cause dangerous, if not fatal effects. Consult your healthcare provider and inform them about any medicines you are taking, or any medical conditions you might have so they can determine the best course of action for you.
What are my options if I can’t take sildenafil and other PDE-5 ED drugs?
Don’t despair––you have several options if you can’t take sildenafil for ED.
For instance, injectable ED drugs like alprostadil help relax smooth penile muscles and the blood vessels within. Alprostadil works directly on the penis unlike oral ED drugs, and it doesn’t affect the rest of your body’s blood pressure. Alprostadil is typically used from 15 to 30 minutes before engaging in sexual activity while producing an erection that lasts up to 4 hours.
Getting ED medication has never been easier
Connect with a US-licensed healthcare provider for a FREE evaluation!
Free Express
Shipping
Discreet
Shipping
No Waiting
Rooms
Alprostadil also comes as a suppository to be inserted into the urethra and as a topical cream––the latter of which potentially is more effective and has less side effects. It works the same way as injectable alprostadil.
If you’re taking any sort of ED medication, it’s of paramount importance to determine whether any of your present medicines may interact with it. Consult your doctor before beginning an ED treatment––especially if you’re aware of or suspect any underlying health conditions.
