Viagra and nitroglycerin are two of the most popular and most prescribed medications worldwide. They’re also two of the most controversial medications, too.
The former is known for treating erectile dysfunction and the latter is known for being a heart medication. If you’re taking either of these two medications, you might be wondering about the side effects. Here’s a breakdown of the most common side effects of Viagra and Nitroglycerin.
Headache
While neither drug is known to cause headache directly, previous articles have linked both medications to an increased risk of tension-type headaches. Tension-type headaches are the most common type of headache, and it’s been shown that they’re often caused by stress and mental activity. If you experience headaches while taking Viagra or Nitroglycerin, make sure you speak to your doctor about it.
Dizziness
Another potential side effect of both drugs is dizziness. The exact cause of this side effect is unknown, but it’s been suggested that it’s due to increased blood flow to the brain as a result of increased blood pressure. If you experience dizziness while taking Viagra or Nitroglycerin, make sure you drink plenty of water and get some rest. If this continues to be a problem, consult your doctor about other treatment options.
Nausea
Even though Viagra and Nitroglycerin are both widely used and accepted as safe and effective medications, there is one more important thing you need to know about them: they both cause nausea. Nausea is one of the more unpleasant side effects that some people experience while taking these medications. Luckily, it’s a fairly rare side effect and most patients simply need to adjust their dosing accordingly. If you are taking or have taken Viagra or Nitroglycerin and are experiencing nausea, it’s important to consult your doctor as soon as possible so that they can put an end to it.
Vision Changes
Some patients taking either of these medications have reported temporary changes in vision. Specifically, those taking Nitroglycerin have reported seeing colored circles or spots while taking it, and those taking Viagra have reported seeing halos around lights (this is most likely a side effect of the drug and is most often seen when the sunlight is directly overhead). If you experience vision changes while taking Viagra or Nitroglycerin, make sure you let your doctor know right away so that they can rule out any drug interactions or adverse reactions. Keep in mind that these side effects are temporary and will go away as soon as you discontinue the medication. But if you experience them frequently, or if they’re particularly disruptive, your doctor may be able to suggest alternative medications or treatment plans.
Reduced Sexual Function
Both Viagra and Nitroglycerin are known to be effective in treating erectile dysfunction, but their side effects don’t always come with a bonus. Specifically, the medication can reduce sexual function in some men, even if they aren’t suffering from erectile dysfunction. This is most likely due to increased vasoconstriction (blood vessel constriction) caused by the drug. If your sexual function has been negatively impacted by taking either of these medications, make sure you consult your doctor so that they can advise you on alternative treatment options. Although the cause is unknown, reduced sexual function has been reported to be caused by an interaction between the drug and the patient’s genes. This means that even if you don’t experience erectile dysfunction, you might still be at risk for reduced sexual function from taking these medications. Knowing your genes can help you avoid this risk. If you are taking or have taken Viagra or Nitroglycerin and are experiencing reduced sexual function, it’s important to consult your doctor so that they can put an end to it. Trying to self-diagnose and treat yourself with home remedies might end up doing more harm than good.
Memory Loss
Some patients taking Viagra or Nitroglycerin have reported experiencing short-term memory loss while on the medications. If you’re concerned about your memory while on either of these medications, make sure you consult your doctor right away so that they can rule out any drug interactions or adverse reactions. Luckily, it’s a fairly rare side effect and most patients simply need to adjust their dosing accordingly. If you are experiencing memory loss while taking either of these medications, it might be a good idea to try a different drug class or combine the two medications with other treatments.
Although this article has covered the most common side effects of Viagra and Nitroglycerin, it’s still not enough for you to know everything about the medications. If you’re interested in learning more, make sure you consult the PDR (Physician’s Desk Reference) for each drug as well as their usage and dosage information. Also, be sure to let your doctor know if you’re experiencing any side effects so that they can be on the lookout for any potential issues.