You’re taking a medication, and you’re told it might interact with other drugs you’re taking. Does this concern you?
Viagra is the brand name for sildenafil citrate, a medication used to treat erectile dysfunction (or low libido) in men. It’s also the most popularly sold drug in the world. Millions of men around the globe have taken Viagra at some point in their lives.
Since drug interactions are a common worry for anyone taking medication, let’s take a look at whether Viagra might affect a drug test.
What Is a Drug Test?
A drug test is a test that analyzes a person’s medication or supplements for illegal or illicit substances. Medication and supplement testing is becoming an increasingly important part of employees’ and job applicants’ background checks. Companies and government agencies also test for drugs during an investigation or interrogation. The results of a drug test might determine how a person is treated by an employer or how they are treated during a criminal investigation.
How Does Viagra Affect the Results of a Drug Test?
If you’re taking Viagra, the results of a drug test might be affected because it interacts with several medications and substances, including alcohol. Sildenafil citrate is highly soluble in alcohol, and even small amounts can be detected in a blood drug test. The amount of alcohol in your bloodstream at any given time will determine your BAC (blood alcohol content) score. This score is used to determine your intoxication level and will be considered in court cases regarding driving under the influence (DUI).
Alcohol can also affect the accuracy of a drug test. If you regularly consume alcohol, you might display increased signs of drug use even if you’ve taken a medication that doesn’t affect the results of a drug test. This is especially important to keep in mind if you’re concerned about the results of a drug test or if you’ve been drinking before the test.
Is This Just a Fax From History?
No, the concerns regarding drug interactions and alcohol are very real. Sildenafil citrate is a PDE (phosphodiesterase) inhibitor, which means it inhibits enzymes that break down cGMP (cyclic guanosine monophosphate). This medication was approved by the FDA in July 2013 and is currently available to treat erectile dysfunction (or low libido). It’s also approved for use in conjunction with alcohol to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).
Though sildenafil citrate was originally designed to be a treatment for erectile dysfunction, the medication might affect the results of a drug test for any number of reasons. If you’re concerned about whether or not Viagra will affect your drug test results, consult your doctor. Together, you can determine an appropriate course of action to take as you navigate this uncharted territory.
Should You Be Told About Possible Drug Interactions?
Since the side effects of Viagra aren’t commonly known or mentioned, it’s often times difficult for a person to determine whether or not a specific medication will interact with it. Each person’s body is different, and medication can affect each person differently. Though the likelihood of a positive drug interaction with Viagra is low, it’s still possible. This is why it’s important to consult your doctor before you begin taking any medications or supplements.
If you’re taking Viagra, it would be advisable to consult your doctor about potential drug interactions. Your doctor can tell you what medications or supplements are safe to take with Viagra and which ones might interfere with its effects. Your doctor can also advise you on how much alcohol you should be consuming while on the medication and when.
Sildenafil citrate is a medication that might affect the results of a drug test. The likelihood of a positive interaction with this drug is low, but it’s still possible. In order to determine exactly how it will affect the results of your drug test, you must consult with your doctor.