Most people assume that the functions of two different medications will be
antagonistic to each other. After all, they probably learned in grade
school that “drugs don’t mix.” However, even though medications can appear
to have nothing in common, they can still interact with each other in
unexpected ways, causing potentially dangerous consequences.
One such situation involves the combination of the psychiatric drug
Klonopin and the medication sildenafil (Viagra). Although the two appear
to be opposites on the surface, they can actually be helpful together in the
right situation.
In this article, we’ll review the interactions between these two
medications and how knowledgeable healthcare practitioners should respond
thereto.
Klonopin And Viagra
Klonopin is a psychotropic medication that is often used to treat
anxiety disorders and panic disorders. It works by increasing the levels of
serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. Those neurotransmitters are known
to help keep people happy, relaxed, and content.
Like many other medications, Klonopin can be
dangerous when taken in excessive amounts or for long periods of time.
However, in lower doses, it can be a relatively safe and effective
medication. Because of this, healthcare practitioners often prescribe it
to help patients manage symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks, which occur
more frequently during the day in patients with SAD (Seasonal Affective
Depression).
Sildenafil (Viagra) is a medication that can help patients with
anorgasmia (the inability to achieve or maintain an erection in order to
proceed with sexual activity) due to various medical conditions. It works by
increasing blood flow to the penis, which in turn helps produce and
maintain an erection.
Although sildenafil is primarily prescribed to treat
anorgasmia, it has also been shown to help men with low libido (low
sexual desire) and performance problems during sexual activity. As you can
see, these medications are very different from each other; however, when
taken together, they can actually be helpful for some patients. This means
that there is the potential for a drug interaction between them.
The interaction between these two medications is actually
complicated, and it’s important to understand all of the potential
ramifications before you begin combining them with each other. Let’s begin
with Klonopin. In order to achieve the desired effects of Klonopin,
it’s essential to determine how much of the medication to take and when
to take it. It’s likely that your healthcare provider will recommend
starting with a low dose with occasional increases as needed.
If you’re taking Klonopin for anxiety or panic
disorders, it’s advisable to start with a low dose for the first week or two.
Afterward, you can slowly increase the dosage until you find the right
amount for you. It’s also a good idea to taper off of the medication
when you stop taking it, especially if you’re still feeling anxious or
depressed. This will help to prevent withdrawal symptoms, which can
include nervousness, anxiety, insomnia, and irritability. (5) In
addition to this, practitioners should also consider how the patient is
responding to the medication and whether or not it’s helping with
anxiety-related issues. If it is, then the dose can be gradually increased
until the patient is showing no further improvement in symptoms. On the
other hand, if the patient is not feeling better at any point during the
treatment, then the dosage should be lowered.
Viagra And Klonopin
Once you’ve found the right dose of Klonopin for you, it’s time to
consult with your physician or healthcare practitioner about Viagra. As
with most other medications, Viagra can be dangerous in high doses or
when taken with certain other medications or supplements. It is a PDE (phosphodiesterase) inhibitor, which is a type of medication that prevents the breakdown of cGMP (cyclic guanosine monophosphate). (6)
When taken at recommended doses, Viagra can be a
relatively safe and effective medication. However, if your healthcare
provider thinks that you might be at a higher risk of heart disease due to
other medical conditions, then they might recommend that you avoid taking
Viagra. This is especially the case if the patient is already taking
other medications that are known to interact with Viagra. (7)
Klonopin And Sildenafil
The interaction between Klonopin and Sildenafil is even more
complicated than the previous one, primarily because there are more
categories of patients for whom these two medications can be helpful
together. Let’s begin with the basics. Like most medications, Sildenafil
can be dangerous in excessive amounts or if taken for long periods of time.
However, in lower doses, it actually helps to improve the effects of
Klonopin, which is a curious contradiction. (8)
Sildenafil has been shown to improve
erections in men whose sexuality has been affected by various
illnesses, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain
psychiatric disorders. Therefore, if you’re taking Klonopin for
anxiety-related issues, then your physician might recommend that you
try Sildenafil. (9)
However, there are still
certain restrictions that healthcare practitioners must abide by. For
example, if the patient is already taking a nitrate medication, then
they should not take Sildenafil, as it can result in a dangerous
overdose. (10)
Sildenafil And Nitrates
Nitrates are a class of medication that lowers blood pressure in
patients with hypertension (high blood pressure). They work by relaxing
various blood vessels in the body, resulting in decreased blood
pressure. (11) As you can see, there is a chance that if you’re taking
Sildenafil and are also taking a nitrate medication, then the
effects of both could be amplified. Therefore, if you have any doubt
of whether or not Sildenafil will interact with your nitrate medication,
then you should refrain from taking it. It’s also advisable to consult
with your physician so that they can determine if or when it’s safe
for you to take them together. (12)
Klonopin, Sildenafil, And The Heart
In addition to the above, it’s also
important to keep in mind the potential effects that Klonopin and
Sildenafil could have on the heart. The former has been shown to
have effects on the QT interval (the time between one heart beat and the
next), depending on the dose. (13)
Although infrequently, cases
of sudden cardiac death (SCD) have been reported among patients
who are taking Klonopin, this appears to be due to an interaction with
categorically-preferred medications, such as QT-prolonging medications
and alcohol. If you have any of these conditions or are taking any of
these medications, then you should avoid taking Klonopin. (14)
Sildenafil can also cause
a significant increase in blood pressure, especially in hypertensive
patients. Those patients should also avoid taking Sildenafil, as it can
potentially lead to a dangerous increase in blood pressure. (15)
It’s also important to
remember that medications do not always mix well with other
medications, which means that the effects of one could be countered by
the other. As previously stated, both of these medications can be
dangerous in excessive amounts or when taken for long periods of time. The
only way to know for certain what interactions may exist is by
experimentation. However, as most people take one medication at a time,
it’s usually not a problem. (16)