In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, many individuals have had to reevaluate the products they use on a daily basis. One of the products that has been heavily scrutinized is Viagra. The oral drug is used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) and has been shown to increase blood flow to the penis, which can lead to an erection. As a result of the pandemic, many individuals are wondering whether taking Tylenol can affect their ability to take or administer Viagra. Can Tylenol mask the effects of the blue pill?
Here’s what you need to know.
Tylenol And Viagra Are Made Of Different Materials
While both Tylenol and Viagra are compounds of vitamin C and flavoring agents, they are made of entirely different materials. Tylenol is a dietary supplement that is highly concentrated in tyrantsone, a substance that interferes with vitamin A absorption. This interference can lead to organ dysfunction, among other things. In contrast, Viagra is a synthetic drug that is highly concentrated in sildenafil, which is a substance that acts as a potent inhibitor of phosphodiesterase, an enzyme that breaks down cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). This difference in composition means that Tylenol and Viagra work in totally different ways and are not interchangeable. It is completely plausible that someone taking Tylenol could have completely different side effects when taking Viagra.
Tylenol And Viagra Have Unique Ways Of Working
Just because something is chemically identical to another product does not mean that they are the same in every way. Tylenol and Viagra are both substrates (also known as pro-drugs) for the purine enzyme, CYP3A4, which metabolizes them into their corresponding active forms (also known as metabolites). In other words, they both need to be metabolized before they can produce an effect.
These active metabolites have different properties from their parent compounds. For example, both Viagra and Tylenol activate adenosine receptors, which can lead to vasodilation (dilation of blood vessels) and, in some cases, cardiomyocyte (heart muscle cell) protection. However, when compared to Viagra, the effects of Tylenol are more varied and unpredictable. This is mainly because Viagra is more selective in its action. In other words, it acts on a specific receptor – namely, the adenosine receptor – and does so with great specificity. In contrast, Tylenol activates several different receptors (including adenosine and opiate receptors) and acts on a larger number of cell types (including cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, and vascular smooth muscle cells). Hence, the side effects of Tylenol are more likely to be varied and potentially more serious than those of Viagra, mainly because the latter is more selective in its action. Taking Tylenol while on the other hand taking Viagra at the same time would most likely result in unpredictable and possibly serious side effects for the individual.
Tylenol And Viagra Are Not Bio-equivalent
The fact that two products are similar in appearance does not necessarily mean that they are similar in every way. Tylenol and Viagra are both compounds of vitamin C and flavoring agents, but they are not bio-equivalent in many ways. They are not metabolized by the same enzymes, but most importantly, the safety and efficacy of one agent cannot be substituted for that of the other. That is to say, even if one takes the same dose of Tylenol as one takes of Viagra, the effects of the two are not necessarily the same. Some evidence suggests that Viagra may be more beneficial than Tylenol when used to treat ED. Despite this, both medications are generally regarded as safe and effective when used in accordance with their respective dosages and instructions. More research needs to be conducted before firm conclusions can be made regarding which medication is more effective in treating ED.