It’s fair to say that Viagra has had a profound impact on people’s lives. The drug has not only helped men who struggle with erectile dysfunction but also helped countless others live a more comfortable and satisfied life. But is Viagra going to become a violation in the eyes of the law? That seems like something the makers of the drug would rather avoid. After all, they have worked hard to ensure that their product is as undetectable as possible when appearing in a person’s system.
The good news is that recent studies have shown that Viagra is not likely to show up on a drug test. But what about other medications that are also supposed to work by increasing blood flow to the genitals? Is there a way for these drugs to show up on a drug test too? Let’s examine the issue and see what the studies have shown.
VIAGRA AND DRUG TESTING
There are two types of drug tests that employers are legally required to perform. The first test is a urine test. This is the most common type of drug test and the one that most people think about when it comes to drug testing. But in reality, drug testing for employers is mostly performed via blood sample now. This is because drugs are more likely to appear in your system when they have been administered through your bloodstream. As a result, the employer has to collect a blood sample and send it to a laboratory for analysis. This is usually done towards the end of the day when the person takes their medication.
If you are prescribed Viagra for clinical trials and your employer asks you to give a sample for drug testing, what should you tell them? More importantly, how likely is it that your Viagra will show up on a drug test?
Before answering that question, let’s explore another issue that has recently arisen due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
THE IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC ON DRUG TESTING
One of the major side effects of the pandemic has been the effect that it has had on the drug testing market. As businesses have been closed down and people have been working from home, the need for drug testing has declined. This has led to a drop in the number of drug tests that were being performed. But that doesn’t mean that drug testing has gone away completely. It just means that drug testing has become more of a police tactic than a healthcare necessity.
If you are concerned about whether or not your Viagra will show up on a drug test, you should be aware that during the pandemic, the chances of it appearing in your system have increased. Let’s take a look at the studies and see what they have to say.
IS THERE ANYTHING THAT VIAGRA MIGHT SHOW UP ON A DRUG TEST?
In late March 2020, the popular social media website Reddit published an article that examined the issue of whether or not Viagra will show up on a drug test. The study was published in the journal Addiction and was conducted by Dr. Marcella Foschio of the University of Milano-Bicocca in Italy. It also featured interviews with pharmacists and physicians who were asked to estimate how long it would take for Viagra to show up in a person’s system following a single dose.
According to the study, the answer is that it depends on the type of drug test that is being performed. Urine tests are more likely to show Viagra than blood tests are. This is because urine tests are less precise and more prone to error. They also require more testing time to properly determine whether or not a drug is present. So if you are taking a drug that is known to interfere with the metabolism of other medications, you should consult with your physician before taking it. The same goes for Viagra. If you are also taking blood pressure medication or medications for diabetes, heart disease, or liver disease, there is a chance that you might show up on a drug test for those medications as well.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR VIAGRA TO SHOW UP ON A DRUG TEST?
The following are some general estimates from the study as to how long it takes for Viagra to show up on a drug test:
- Urine tests – 1 to 3 days
- Blood tests – 1 to 3 weeks
- Double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (where participants know they are being tested but the results are concealed from them) – 2 to 6 weeks
- Open-label, blinded trial (where participants do not know they are being tested but the results are visible to them) – 2 to 6 weeks
In general, it takes longer for drugs to show up on a blood test than on a urine test. This is because the blood sample has to travel throughout the body before it is processed and analyzed in the lab. As a result, it takes longer for medications to appear in the blood stream.
IS VIAGRA TASTE INJECTABLE?
One of the most important things to consider when taking any medication is whether or not it is injectable. While other medications can be taken orally, injectable medications have to be injected directly into the bloodstream. This is usually done by professionals in a healthcare setting. However, some individuals might decide to self-inject using a syringe or needle. So is Viagra injectable?
The short answer is yes. Viagra is an injectable drug. However, the medication is supposed to be injected into the abdomen or thigh. The thigh is preferred due to its proximity to the liver. In rare cases, the drug might be injected into the buttocks or arm. This depends on the brand of the drug and whether or not the physician feels that the patient is a good candidate for subcutaneous injection.
If you decide to self-inject, make sure that you are aware of the proper place to inject it as well as the risks associated with self-injection. The chances of experiencing an adverse effect from injecting Viagra are relatively low. However, there is always the chance that you might experience an adverse effect. So before you decide to self-inject, make sure that you have discussed the issue with your physician. Also, make sure to consult with them prior to using any substances that are intended to increase blood flow to the genitals.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE THAT VIAGRA MIGHT SHOW UP ON A DRUG TEST?
As mentioned above, there are certain medications that are known to interfere with the metabolism of other medications. These are often referred to as “Drugs that boost blood flow to the genitals” or DBGTs. If you are taking any of these medications, there is a chance that you might show up on a drug test for that reason alone. Examples of medications that are sometimes detected in urine tests after a person has taken them include:
- Propafenone
- Caffeine
- Furosemide
- Digoxin
- Tadalafil
- Sildenafil
- Vasopressin
- Methyldopa
- Betaxolol
If you think that your job might be at risk due to your medication, you should consult with your physician and employer. They might be able to assist you in finding a way to safely continue your medication while at work. Alternatively, they might advise you to temporarily stop taking the medication until you can get a replacement job that does not require you to take the drug.
DRUG TREATMENT FOR ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION
Many doctors will now recommend that their patients try an oral therapy for erectile dysfunction instead of penile surgery or a prescription for Viagra. Some of the most popular alternatives include:
- Cialis
- Levitra
- Methylephedrine
- Tadalafil
While these drugs can help men with erectile dysfunction, they are not meant to be a replacement for proper medication. As with Viagra, if you are allergic to any of these drugs, you should not use them. Allergic reactions are unpredictable and can range from mild skin reactions to full-blown anaphylactic attacks. In some cases, the effects of an allergy can be more severe than the condition that the drug is intended to treat. So if you start experiencing allergic reactions to any of these medications, it would be wise to consult with your physician. He might be able to help you find an alternative treatment plan.