Ibuprofen is one of the most popular anti-inflammatory analgesics in the world. It is commonly found in many products, from over-the-counter cold and flu medications to more serious prescriptions for arthritis and other chronic conditions. In fact, in the U.S., it is the most commonly prescribed medication, with 108 million prescriptions being filled each year.
While it is effective in reducing pain and discomfort, what is the evidence that it actually works? Some researchers contend that there is a potential for ibuprofen to interfere with sildenafil citrate (viagra), the active ingredient in sexual stimulants like Viagra. Could this be possible? Let’s take a look.
The Antagonistic Nature Of Ibuprofen And Viagra
As a group, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are known to cause reduced blood flow in capillaries. While this doesn’t always pose a problem for people taking the drugs, for those with reduced blood flow, it can be frustrating. For instance, if you suffer from heart disease or heart failure, you could experience an increased risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Other drugs that are associated with a risk of low blood pressure include aspirin, clopidogrel (plavix), and warfarin (coumadin).
NSAIDs also interfere with other medications that your doctor might prescribe for you, such as chemotherapy medications and antibiotics. This is why, when possible, your doctor will work to keep you free of these medications while you’re on ibuprofen. Unfortunately, as a result of its widespread use, many people are now struggling with the side effects of long-term ibuprofen use. The most common complaints are stomach aches, headaches, and skin rashes. As you might imagine, since both drugs work to reduce pain and inflammation, people taking both often experience an additive effect and report more adverse reactions.
How Does Viagra Work?
As we’ve established, NSAIDs can cause adverse effects in some people. As a result of this, it sometimes isn’t recommended that people taking these drugs (or those who are already on them) take medications like Viagra or Cialis. However, despite the potential risks, many people still want to try it. Fortunately, those drugs work using different mechanisms to achieve an erection. They are both sildenafil citrate (viagra) agonists, which means they both stimulate the enzyme phosphodiesterase, resulting in increased blood flow into the penis.
Sildenafil citrate is a compound that inhibits the effects of nitric oxide. This stops the enzyme PDE5 from breaking down cGMP, which is a chemical messenger in the body. The combination of increased blood flow and chemical messaging in the penis leads to an erection.
What About Ibuprofen And Viagra Together?
There are now studies suggesting that there may be an interaction between ibuprofen and Viagra that could potentially be harmful. The exact nature of the interaction is unknown, but it is thought to be additive since people taking both often report more side effects. In general, NSAIDs like ibuprofen reduce the body’s ability to break down cGMP and enhance the effects of sildenafil citrate, resulting in potentially serious side effects. Like many over-the-counter and prescription medications, the combination of these two drugs is not recommended. Still, since both drugs are widely used and effective, many people take them together without worry. If you’re going to take one or the other, it’s best to get the prescription to minimize the risk of adverse effects.
The Evidencebase For The Combination Therapy
A team of scientists from the University of Sheffield analyzed the medical literature and published a paper in the International Journal of Impotence that looked at the available evidence for combining ibuprofen and Viagra. The team’s conclusion is that there is good evidence to support the use of the combination therapy in treating erectile dysfunction and that it might be more effective than either drug alone. Since both are used for such common conditions, it is not hard to find support in the medical literature for combining the two drugs.
The scientists also point out that there are different mechanisms that may account for the improved effect of the combination therapy. One possibility is that the NSAID reduces the inflammation that can occur after taking the erectogenic agent. Another possible explanation is that the NSAID helps prevent a sudden drop in blood pressure that could result in a heart attack or stroke. Still, despite the promising findings, the team of scientists also stress that the evidence is not conclusive and that more research is needed to fully understand the benefits of the combination therapy.
Future Directions
The future of medicine is always changing, and as new information becomes available, we update our understanding and continue to learn. It is now known that the combination of ibuprofen and Viagra is not without risk. Still, if you’re going to take one or the other, it is best to be safe than sorry and get the prescription from your doctor. At the same time, more research is being conducted and new evidence is being accumulated to further our understanding of this relationship and how to incorporate it into our daily practice. With that in mind, here are some of the more promising directions for future research:
- Find out how long the effect of Viagra lasts
- Determine the optimal dose of each medication for the best possible response
- Better understand the risks and benefits of the combination therapy
- Investigate other avenues for treating erectile dysfunction
- Continuously review the literature to ensure that new studies are incorporated into our understanding
In the end, none of us know for sure what the future holds. As scientific advances and new information become available, we will continue learning and hopefully improving our care for patients.