Medical Review by Jennie Stanford, MD, FAAFP, DipABOM
Summary
- Taking ED medications like Viagra® is generally safe for most men when prescribed by a doctor.
- Certain health conditions, like heart problems, may make the use of ED medications like Viagra® unsafe.
- Viagra® can also interact with other medications, such as nitrates, which can cause dangerous side effects.
- Allergy testing is important to ensure you’re not allergic to any of the ingredients in Viagra®.
- Always consult your healthcare provider before taking Viagra® or any other ED medication.
Viagra® can help many men with ED—but it’s not for everyone
As one of the world’s best-known medications for erectile dysfunction (ED), Viagra® offers hope to many men. You might be wondering whether it’s right for you—but there are some important things to be aware of before you bring it up with your healthcare provider.
Viagra® is only meant to be used by specific people in specific circumstances—and like any medication, ignoring these warnings can come with additional risks. Below, we explore the reasons why you might choose not to take Viagra® for ED and provide several alternatives.
Medical conditions that increase Viagra’s risks
Viagra® is FDA-approved for treating ED in men, but it can still have unwanted effects if people with certain medical conditions take it. Your healthcare provider will ask you about your medical history before issuing you a prescription for Viagra®—but it still helps to be aware of these risks ahead of time.
The following risks are all mentioned in the patient information for Viagra®. You can read it in full to learn more.
Heart disease
Viagra® may not be recommended if you have a pre-existing heart condition. That’s because it increases blood flow, which can lower blood pressure as a result. If you have heart disease, your medical provider may need to determine whether a drop in blood pressure during sex could pose a significant risk to your health and safety.
Abnormal blood pressure
For the same reasons as those above, you may not be recommended Viagra® if you have a condition that causes your blood pressure to change unpredictably. A sudden drop in blood pressure may increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke.
NAION
Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) is a rare condition that can cause sudden vision loss in one or both eyes. It typically affects 2.3 to 10.2 people out of every 100,000.
According to the patient information for Viagra®, people who have had this condition before are more likely to have it again—and although there is no conclusive evidence linking PDE5 inhibitors like Viagra® to NAION, this condition has been reported in some people taking these medications.
Because of this, your healthcare provider should try to determine whether you have underlying risk factors for NAION before prescribing Viagra® to you. You should also use Viagra® with caution if you have experienced NAION before.
How other medications can interact with Viagra®
Viagra® can also cause certain unwanted reactions when it interacts with other medications—so it’s important for your healthcare provider to review any medications you’ve recently taken before issuing a prescription. Here are the main medications that the patient information for Viagra® warns to avoid, along with details on why.
Nitrates
Nitrates are commonly used to treat chest pain (angina) and heart conditions. Taking Viagra® with nitrates can cause a severe drop in blood pressure, which can be life-threatening.
This interaction happens because both medications work to widen blood vessels, and the combined effect can lead to dizziness, fainting, or even heart attack. If you’re on nitrates, your doctor will likely recommend alternative treatments for erectile dysfunction that won’t put your health at risk.
Alpha-blockers
Alpha-blockers are medications that are typically used to manage hypertension (high blood pressure) and certain prostate conditions. Like Viagra®, these medications can cause your blood pressure to drop—so for some people, using them at the same time can lead to dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting.
Other anti-hypertensive medications
Viagra® can also cause a further drop in blood pressure if you’re taking other antihypertensive medications like diuretics or beta-blockers—but research suggests that sildenafil (the active ingredient in Viagra® is still generally safe and well-tolerated in these cases. Still, it’s a good idea to talk to your care provider even if you’re taking these medications since they will be best qualified to determine whether any unwanted interactions are possible.
Ritonavir
Ritonavir is a medication used to help treat HIV and AIDS. The patient information for Viagra® mentions that its serum concentration (i.e. the level that exists in your bloodstream) can be significantly increased if you take ritonavir at the same time, so caution is strongly advised.
If you are taking ritonavir and are interested in a prescription for sildenafil or Viagra®, your healthcare provider may recommend a lower dosage. Always follow their instructions, and never try to adjust your dosage by yourself.
Other PDE5 inhibitors & ED therapies
The label for Viagra® recommends against taking it with other PDE5 inhibitors, on the grounds that they might cause a further drop in blood pressure. For this reason, your healthcare provider will likely not prescribe Viagra® to you if you are also taking another medication for ED.
Some recent research points towards the possibility that combining PDE5 medications like Viagra® with certain other therapies might improve results. However, it’s critical to note that these findings are based on limited data and that further research is needed.
While this might have implications for future treatment approaches, you should never experiment with any treatments for ED that have not been vetted and approved by your primary care provider.
Allergies & sensitivities
Some individuals may be allergic to the active ingredient sildenafil or other inactive ingredients used in the pill. Symptoms of an allergic reaction to Viagra® can include swelling, skin rashes, itching, and confusion—or more severe reactions like skin discoloration and difficulty breathing.
Consulting with a healthcare professional helps ensure that you’re not sensitive to any of the components in Viagra®. This helps you avoid potentially dangerous allergic reactions and ensures that the medication is safe and effective for you.
Learn more about taking Viagra® with Lemonaid Health
If you want to enjoy the potential benefits of ED medications like Viagra® safely, you’ll need to understand how to avoid unnecessary risks. The more you know about how Viagra® can interact with other drugs and medical conditions, the easier it will be for you and your healthcare provider to determine whether it’s right for you.
To learn more about how Viagra® might fit into your life, get started with Lemonaid Health. Our US-based healthcare professionals can answer your questions about this option and other ED medications, and may also be able to prescribe appropriate medication if you have a condition where it’s clinically indicated.
Viagra® is a registered trademark of Pfizer, Inc.
