Viagra has been a lifesaver for many men who struggle with erectile dysfunction; however, for those who suffer from Alzheimers disease, it might do more harm than good.
While there is no evidence that the two diseases are directly related, men with an earlier diagnosis of Alzheimers are more likely to be on Viagra, or a similar drug, than men who don’t have the disease. And when men with Alzheimer’s disease take drugs to boost their memories, their bodies become more vulnerable to overdose. That’s why it’s so important to monitor medication usage among people with Alzheimer’s.
Why Does Viagra Pose Risks For Men With Alzheimer’s?
Viagra is a medication that’s frequently prescribed for men with erectile dysfunction and other sexual disorders. What is often not mentioned is that it’s not an exclusive medication for these issues and can be taken by men for a variety of reasons, including to boost their memory and to treat arthritis pain. Men who have Alzheimer’s disease and take Viagra are more likely to experience the following adverse effects:
- Infections
- Urine tract infection
- Nose and throat infections
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Heart palpitations (feeling of rapid heartbeat)
- Flushing
- Rash
- Purple spots on the skin
- Blood in the urine
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Hot flushes
- Sleep disruption
- And more…
What Is Viagra And How Does It Work?
Viagra has been a medication that’s frequently prescribed for men with erectile dysfunction and other sexual disorders. What is often not mentioned is that it’s not an exclusive medication for these issues and can be taken by men for a variety of reasons, including to boost their memory and to treat arthritis pain. Men who have Alzheimer’s disease and take Viagra are more likely to experience the following adverse effects:
- Infections
- Urine tract infection
- Nose and throat infections
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Heart palpitations (feeling of rapid heartbeat)
- Flushing
- Rash
- Purple spots on the skin
- Blood in the urine
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Hot flushes
- Sleep disruption
- And more…
What Does The Evidence Say About The Link?
While there is no evidence that the two diseases are directly related, men with an earlier diagnosis of Alzheimers are more likely to be on Viagra, or a similar drug, than men who don’t have the disease. And when men with Alzheimer’s disease take drugs to boost their memories, their bodies become more vulnerable to overdose. That’s why it’s so important to monitor medication usage among people with Alzheimer’s.
How Can You Tell If Viagra Is Hurting You?
Many men with Alzheimer’s disease experience sexual dysfunction, so it’s not surprising that some would turn to Viagra. But since there’s no evidence that it helps with Alzheimer’s, how do you know if taking the drug is causing you more harm than good?
While there are several possible signs that Viagra is having an adverse effect on a man with Alzheimer’s disease, it’s not always easy to tell. Some of the more obvious signs that it’s not working include:
- Decreased interest in sex
- Decreased erectile function (ability to get an erection)
- Difficulty getting or maintaining an erection
- Erections that last longer than four hours
- Inability to maintain an erection during sex
- Painful erection
- Frequent and painful ejaculation (ejaculation occurring before or during sex)
- Reduced libido (desire for sexual activity)
- Loss of sexual desire
- Gynecomastia (an increase in the size of the male breast) in men
- Weight gain
- And more…
However, not all men with Alzheimer’s disease will experience all of these issues. Some men with Alzheimers disease will experience none of these issues, while others will experience one or two. So while there’s no hard evidence that Viagra improves Alzheimer’s disease, it’s still a medication you need to be aware of.
Considerations For Men With Alzheimers
Whether you’ve been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or are just learning about it, there are things you need to consider. One of the most important is whether or not to take medications, including Viagra, to treat the disease. While there is no evidence that the two diseases are directly related, men with an earlier diagnosis of Alzheimers are more likely to be on Viagra, or a similar drug, than men who don’t have the disease. And when men with Alzheimer’s disease take drugs to boost their memories, their bodies become more vulnerable to overdose. That’s why it’s so important to monitor medication usage among people with Alzheimer’s.
The Bottom Line
While there is no evidence that the two diseases are directly related, men with an earlier diagnosis of Alzheimers are more likely to be on Viagra, or a similar drug, than men who don’t have the disease. And when men with Alzheimer’s disease take drugs to boost their memories, their bodies become more vulnerable to overdose. That’s why it’s so important to monitor medication usage among people with Alzheimer’s.