On March 6, 2012, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) warned of a possible fatal reaction occurring for men taking the erectile dysfunction drug, Viagra. The drug’s active ingredient, sildenafil, is a chemical similar to tadalafil, which is also found in the medication vardenafil. The side effect, which is known as a “purple headache,” can occur up to four hours after taking Viagra, and is characterized by severe pulsating pain in the head. While this is a relatively rare side effect, it is still quite serious. So, if you’re taking the drug, make sure you’re aware of this potential danger. Unfortunately, some men may not be as fortunate as others and could experience this side effect. The good news is that there are alternative medications to treat erectile dysfunction and prevent possible heart attack, so this is not something to fear so long as you’re taking the right pills to help you keep your heart healthy.
How Viagra Works
If you’re unfamiliar, Viagra is the world’s #1 best-selling drug, and it’s been around for more than 20 years. It was originally developed to treat erectile dysfunction, but it has since been found to be useful for numerous other conditions as well. In 2004, the FDA approved a medication form of Viagra, called vardenafil, which is used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). As mentioned above, sildenafil is the chemical active ingredient in both Viagra and vardenafil, and it’s been shown in studies to be effective for both the treatment of erectile dysfunction and the prevention of heart disease. Here’s how it works:
- Sildenafil inhibits an enzyme called PDE5, which is responsible for breaking down cGMP (cyclic guanosine monophosphate). This prevents the breakdown of cGMP and allows it to stay in the body for a longer period of time.
- Increased levels of cGMP help to relax the blood vessels and improve blood flow throughout the body. As a result, cardiac output is increased, and blood vessels in the lungs are particularly affected. This, in turn, can help to lower blood pressure and prevent heart attacks. Also, increased levels of cGMP can help to keep the heart from experiencing harmful inflammation.
- Men with erectile dysfunction have been found to have reduced levels of cGMP and are more likely to suffer from heart disease than men without erectile dysfunction. So it’s not altogether surprising that taking Viagra can help to prevent heart disease. It’s also worth noting that the risk of heart attack drops by more than 50% for men taking Viagra compared to those who are not. So it’s clear that vardenafil and sildenafil are significantly protective against cardiovascular diseases, especially heart disease.
- Taking Viagra with alcohol can potentially cause a fatal side effect called alcoholic purpura. This occurs when the enzymes in the saliva break down the cGMP and lead to excessive coagulation and eventual bleeding.
- The severity of the side effect varies from person to person, but it’s important to be mindful of the risk in the event you decide to take Viagra.
- To date, the FDA has warned of more than 70 reported cases of “purple headaches”, which is what they are calling the side effect resulting from the use of sildenafil. This is not a common side effect, but it is still quite serious and must be taken seriously. It is imperative that health care professionals are made aware of this serious side effect, which may occur hours after a person takes sildenafil. If you or someone you know has experienced this side effect, contact your doctor immediately to determine the appropriate course of treatment. Sildenafil should not be taken by people who are taking a substance that inhibits CYP3A4 or are allergic to sildenafil or any of the ingredients found in sildenafil (e.g., citric acid, sulfur dioxide).
- Although the FDA has not approved vardenafil for PAH patients who have already experienced a heart attack, many cardiac specialists do recommend the use of vardenafil for post-MI (post-myocardial infarction) patients. This is because vardenafil has been shown in studies to reduce the risk of a second heart attack by about 50% in patients who have already had a heart attack. In particular, vardenafil is known to be effective for people with heart failure who are also experiencing chronic cardiac pain. This medication is also helpful for people with heart failure and frequent headaches, as well as patients who are experiencing an acute heart attack. However, this medication should not be used by people who have already had a severe allergic reaction to vardenafil or any of its derivatives.
- The most common side effect of vardenafil is mild flushing, which occurs in about 10-20% of people who take the medication. This is followed by headaches, nasal congestion, and upset stomach, which are also quite common. Other less common, but still serious side effects include liver toxicity, low blood pressure, and sudden hearing loss. Like sildenafil, vardenafil should not be taken by people who are taking a substance that inhibits CYP3A4 or are allergic to vardenafil or any of its ingredients. Also, people who are or have been at risk for sudden hearing loss should not take vardenafil either, as this may potentially lead to a more serious condition. The most common side effects of vardenafil are similar to those of sildenafil and include flushing, headaches, and upset stomach. Although this is a relatively safe and effective drug, it should still be taken cautiously, as there are many other medications available that are both equally as effective and much safer. Still, the decision to take vardenafil should be made clinically, after serious consideration.
The Risk of Heart Attack While Taking Viagra
It should come as no great surprise that Viagra can help to prevent heart disease, especially since it’s been around for more than 20 years and is the world’s #1 best-selling drug. Aside from its direct effect on the heart, research has also shown that Viagra can help to prevent heart disease by:
- Increasing HDL (good cholesterol) levels, which help to improve the quality of blood and decrease the risk of atherosclerosis.
- Reducing LDL (bad cholesterol) by up to 30%, which has the potential to reverse cholesterol and prevent atherosclerosis.
- Increasing levels of vitamin D, which contributes to cardiovascular health and the immune system, particularly in people with low vitamin D levels.
- Stabilizing blood vessels, which can help to reduce the risk of a heart attack by about 50%.
What is the Proper Way to Take Viagra?
Although taking Viagra is quite safe and effective, there are still a few things you need to be mindful of if you’re going to take the drug. One of the most important things is that you need to make sure that you are not allergic to sildenafil or any of its ingredients. If you think that you might be allergic to sildenafil, then you should consult your doctor before taking the drug. Your doctor might also prescribe you an alternative medication that is less likely to cause an allergic reaction. In general, people who are allergic to sildenafil should not take vardenafil either, as it contains a very similar chemical compound.
Another thing that you need to be careful about while taking Viagra is consuming alcohol. It is important to note that taking Viagra with alcohol can potentially cause a fatal side effect called alcoholic purpura. This occurs when the enzymes in the saliva break down the cGMP and lead to excessive coagulation and eventual bleeding. It is still quite a serious side effect and is often caused by people who drink alcohol daily or who use tobacco products. Men with erectile dysfunction have also been known to be at a higher risk of this side effect and those who take Viagra daily should be particularly careful about their alcohol intake.
It is also quite important to be mindful of the dose that you are taking. This is because the side effects of sildenafil are quite potent and can occur at fairly small doses. As a general rule of thumb, you should start out with a low dose and then increase it if needed. It is also advisable to take the drug at a regular time, so if you decide to take it at night, then make sure you do so at night. Otherwise, it might cause some drowsiness during the day. A lot of men have reported problems with this, so if you fall within this group, then you might want to try taking the medication at different times during the day. This is why it’s important to follow the instructions that your doctor gives you carefully, so that you can get the most out of this medication.