COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), also known as emphysema, is a type of respiratory disease that affects the lungs making it difficult for the patient to breathe. It is caused by smoking or exposure to smoke and usually appears in older adults. In most cases, surgery is the preferred treatment for COPD but in recent years, drug therapy has proven effective as well. One of the most popular and successful drugs for treating COPD is Viagra (sildenafil). Let’s take a closer look at whether or not Viagra can help COPD patients and if so, how it works to alleviate the symptoms of this disease.
How Does Viagra Work To Alleviate COPD Symptoms?
The most obvious side effect of Viagra is its effect on blood pressure and the heart, causing them to relax and slow down. This is why, in most cases, it is not used alone but instead is combined with other medications that address these issues. In contrast, the primary effect of Viagra on COPD is its apparent ability to improve the dilation of the bronchial tubes allowing for increased airflow and therefore, improved oxygenation. This improvement in oxygenation is what gives Viagra its effect in treating COPD and is also the reason why many patients experience side effects such as headache, flushing, or facial effects such as swelling or redness. Nonetheless, these side effects are usually mild and short-lived. For this reason, in select cases, patients with COPD may benefit from higher doses of Viagra than those used for treating other conditions. Inhale slowly and deeply while on the drug and you might barely feel any side effects at all.
Can Viagra Help Prevent COPD Relapse?
One of the most significant issues facing patients with COPD is the fact that this is a disease that often returns after treatment. This is a major problem considering that the treatment itself is often expensive and that the disease progresses rapidly leading to increased health care costs. For this reason, doctors often prescribe drug therapy for short durations which is then followed by a therapy that addresses other concerns such as emphysema (and sometimes even bronchitis) which is called post-treatment observation (or “PTO”). When followed by PTO, drug therapy for COPD is called post-treatment control (or “PTC”). The post-treatment control phase is usually about three months long and is meant to monitor for any signs of the disease returning (called a “COPD flare”). The benefit of using Viagra in conjunction with PTO or PTC is that it helps prevent COPD flares, offering patients some peace of mind during this period.
Is There A Formulation Of Viagra That Is Better Suited For COPD Patients?
Although Viagra is extremely effective for treating and preventing COPD flares, it is not effective for all patients. The form of Viagra that is most effective for treating COPD is called Pulmonary Arterial Pressure Reducing Therapy (or “PARPT”). This is because when used in combination with oxygen therapy and a blood pressure medication, it helps reduce the stress that large doses of Viagra place on the pulmonary arteries. This, in turn, reduces the strain that the lungs are under and therefore decreases the risk of COPD flares. In order to benefit from PARPT, you must be on oxygen therapy and be taking a blood pressure medication. Additionally, you must take the drug for at least three months before you can see any benefits and ensure that you continue to do so for the rest of the treatment. As with most medications, side effects are relatively minor and include headache, flushing, facial effects, and sometimes, stomach discomfort. Nevertheless, these side effects are usually mild and do not require termination of the drug. Like most medications, overdose or interaction with other substances can potentiate the effects of Viagra or increase the likelihood of side effects. When used appropriately, however, Viagra is an extremely safe and effective medication for COPD patients.
Does Viagra Help Treat Bronchitis As Well?
Like COPD, bronchitis is another common type of respiratory disease that affects the lungs. It is often caused by a virus or bacteria and is characterized by persistent cough and sputum production. Just like with COPD, bronchitis is commonly treated with drug therapy. One of the most popular drugs for treating bronchitis is Viagra. In fact, similar to the effect that Viagra has on COPD, it can help relax the bronchial tubes, allowing for free airflow and therefore more oxygen to be taken in. This improvement in oxygenation is what gives Viagra its effect in treating bronchitis and is also the reason why many patients experience side effects such as headache, flushing, or facial effects such as swelling or redness. Just like with COPD, these side effects are usually mild and short-lived. As with most medications, overdose or interaction with other substances can potentiate the effect of Viagra or increase the likelihood of side effects. When used appropriately, however, Viagra is an extremely safe and effective medication for bronchitis patients.
The fact that both COPD and bronchitis are types of respiratory diseases that affect the lungs makes them perfect candidates for treatment with Viagra. Just like with most medications, the correct dose for Viagra will vary from person to person depending on several factors such as weight, gender, and age. Additionally, like with most medications, the form of the drug that is best suited for treating COPD or bronchitis is usually the same so that the right dose is always effective. Taking the same dose for both diseases might increase the risk of overdose or toxicity which is why doctors usually prescribe different doses for the two conditions. Additionally, Viagra is usually started at a low dose and increased over time based on effectiveness and tolerability of the medication. Just like with most medications, side effects are relatively minor and include headache, flushing, facial effects, and sometimes, stomach discomfort. Nevertheless, these side effects are usually mild and do not require termination of the drug. Like most medications, overdose or interaction with other substances can potentiate the effects of Viagra or increase the likelihood of side effects. When used appropriately, however, Viagra is an extremely safe and effective medication for COPD and bronchitis patients.