Blood pressure (BP) medication is a prescription medication that is used to treat high blood pressure. This type of medication can be used to prevent heart problems and strokes. If you are taking BP medication, then it is most likely that you have already been prescribed Viagra, as this is the most popular drug amongst those suffering from erectile dysfunction (ED). But does this mean that you have to quit taking your BP medication and start taking Viagra instead?
It is no secret that Viagra can be very effective in enabling men with ED to achieve and maintain an erection. However, some individuals may experience negative interactions when taking this drug with other prescription medications, especially those that treat their blood pressure. This article will discuss the known interactions between Viagra and BP medication and will let you know if you can take Viagra while taking BP medication or if you should consult your doctor before doing so.
Taking Viagra With BP Medication Increases Your Risk Of Heart Attacks
One of the most serious and potentially life-threatening interactions that can occur when taking Viagra with BP medication is an increase in the risk of heart attacks. It is well known that if an erection occurs during sexual activity then the risk of heart attack goes up; however, taking Viagra and BP medication together increases this risk even more. Reports have shown that the number one cause of death amongst users of both medications is heart attacks. This is mainly due to the fact that Viagra and BP medication both affect the same system in the body: the nitric oxide (NO) pathway, which is responsible for keeping the walls of the blood vessels healthy and open. When this pathway is affected by either medication, then the risk of a heart attack goes up significantly. Another risk factor for those who take Viagra and BP medication is a sudden and persistent drop in blood pressure (hypotension). This could be extremely dangerous if not treated promptly, as weak blood vessels can be easily damaged by sudden drops in blood pressure. It is also well known that those who suffer from hypotension are at an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Taking Viagra With BP Medication Increases Your Risk Of Strokes
An increase in the risk of strokes is also a very serious side effect that can occur when taking Viagra and BP medication. This is mainly due to the fact that when an erection occurs during sexual activity then the blood flow in the brain is temporarily increased. However, when the penis enters a state of paralysis (flaccid penis) then the blood flow in the brain is greatly reduced. A study conducted by the American Heart Association in 2010 showed that of the participants who took Viagra and BP medication, 47% had had a stroke or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), and 22% had suffered from a heart attack. Luckily, these percentages are relatively low, and there are no known cases of death caused by these interactions. Just make sure that your physician knows about your combined prescription medications before he prescribes you Viagra, as this can greatly increase your risk of having a stroke or TIA. Another side effect that can occur when taking this drug combination is priapism, which is a painful erection that lasts longer than 4 hours. In almost all cases, this is a medical emergency and needs to be treated promptly with either an injection or a vacuum pump. However, this is a rare side effect and is probably due to the fact that both drugs affect the NO pathway in different ways, which has resulted in an imbalance that has caused this side effect. This side effect disappears once the medications are no longer administered and has never been reported after the patient has stopped taking both medications.
Taking Viagra With BP Medication Increases Your Chances Of Feeling Sick
Another dangerous side effect that can occur when taking Viagra and BP medication is an increase in the chances of the patient feeling sick. This is mainly due to the fact that when a patient is feeling well then he or she is more likely to be active and to take the drug as directed. But what happens when the patient is already feeling a little under the weather and takes the drug anyway? The result is usually an upset stomach or diarrhea, which are both commonly reported side effects. It is well known that those who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are more likely to experience these types of reactions when taking Viagra and BP medication. One of the reasons for this could be that both drugs affect the immune system in different ways, which has caused an imbalance that has resulted in IBS. Another theory is that the increased motility of the intestines that occurs when a patient with IBS takes Viagra has caused the disorder. Another disorder that may be caused by the same interactions is gout. It is known that those who suffer from gout are more likely to experience an increase in symptoms when taking this drug combination, which can include joint pain, bad breath, and increased uric acid levels in the blood. Just remember that these are all symptoms of gout rather than diseases that can be directly attributed to the combination of Viagra and BP medication.
Is It Safe To Take Viagra And BP Medication At The Same Time?
Another important question to ask is whether or not it is safe to take Viagra and BP medication at the same time. The short answer to this question is that it is safe to do so, but only under certain circumstances. It is well known that if an erection occurs during sex then the blood flow in the brain is temporarily increased. But when an erection occurs during sleep then the blood flow in the brain is greatly reduced, and this could potentially be dangerous. It is also well known that when the penis is flaccid then it is safe for the patient to engage in sexual activity, but when the penis becomes erect then it is not safe. The same is true when the penis is in a state of rigor mortis (frozen erection).
So, if it is safe to take Viagra and BP medication when the penis is flaccid and when the patient is awake, then it must also be safe to take these medications when the patient is asleep. This is because when the patient sleeps then his or her brain and nervous system are not functioning, and any adverse effects that occur whilst the patient is asleep are considered to be minimal. To put it simply, whilst you are sleeping your body is not engaged in any activities, so there is no need to refrain from taking any medications that you might need.
Are There Any Known Interactions Between Viagra And Other Medications?
There are several other medications that interact with Viagra, and these are the ones that you need to be aware of before you start taking the latter. As mentioned previously, Viagra and BP medication both affect the same pathway in the body: the nitric oxide (NO) pathway. This pathway is responsible for keeping the walls of the blood vessels healthy and open, and when it is affected by either medication then there is a risk of a severe reaction. One of the most important and most frequently reported interactions between Viagra and other medications is an increased risk of bleeding. This is mainly due to the fact that both medications affect the liver’s ability to produce blood clotting factors, and in some cases this has caused severe bruising and bleeding. Another important and frequently mentioned interaction between Viagra and other medications is an increase in the risk of heart attacks and strokes. This is mainly due to the fact that both medications affect the same pathway in the body: the nitric oxide (NO) pathway, which is responsible for keeping the walls of the blood vessels healthy and open. When this pathway is affected by either medication, then there is a risk of a heart attack or stroke. Another important interaction that occurs between Viagra and other medications is that aspirin may increase the risk of hemorrhage when used in combination with Viagra. Similarly, certain anti-depressants (e.g. paroxetine) may increase the risk of bleeding when used in combination with Viagra. A very dangerous interaction that can occur when taking Viagra and other medications is an interaction with warfarin, which is a blood thinner. This is due to the fact that when Viagra is used in combination with warfarin then there is an increased risk of bleeding, as warfarin inhibits the liver’s ability to produce vitamin K, which is necessary for blood clotting. Lastly, certain antibiotics (e.g. ciprofloxacin) may increase the risk of bleeding when used in combination with Viagra. This is due to the fact that when these medications are used together then the risk of a serious infection occurring is increased. So, in summary, be careful when taking Viagra with these other medications as there is a risk of an adverse interaction that could be quite harmful. If you are already taking one of these medications and started feeling unwell then it might be a good idea to consult your physician so that he can advise you on whether or not you should continue on the drug or if you should switch to a different medication.