A common question among men is, “How do I talk to my doctor about taking the erectile dysfunction drug, Zoloft, with my Viagra?”
After hearing numerous horror stories about people who tried to independently diagnose themselves (and succeeded in killing themselves), the makers of Viagra and Zoloft decided to create a medication guide for patients taking these two drugs together. The question is: How do I talk to my doctor about taking Zoloft with Viagra?
The Basics
The first thing you need to know is that Zoloft and Viagra work differently. Zoloft is a depression medication and a member of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class of medications. What this means for you is that Zoloft slows down the reabsorption of serotonin by brain cells, which results in a boost in serotonin levels. This helps to improve your mood. While Viagra is a drug that treats erectile dysfunction and helps bring about an erection, it does not affect serotonin levels in the brain.
Now that you know a bit about how Zoloft and Viagra interact, let’s discuss how to properly administer them together.
When to Take Viagra
Another question that frequently comes up is “When should I take Viagra?” You should know that Viagra is usually taken at least 30 minutes before sexual activity to maximize its effects. However, this time delay can be annoying, so if you’re planning on having sex right away, you can consider taking a fast-acting form of Viagra. Even so, the general rule of thumb is: Wait at least 30 minutes before you have sex to insure that you have the best chance of achieving an erection.
How to Take Zoloft and Viagra
Another question that comes up frequently among people who are combining Zoloft and Viagra is “How do I take these drugs?”
You should know that you need to follow a specific dosing schedule when taking Zoloft and Viagra together. The primary purpose of this medication guide is to help you understand how to take the two drugs safely and how to avoid any dangerous interactions or complications. Here is the recommended dosing schedule for Zoloft and Viagra:
- Take Viagra 5 mg daily before breakfast.
- Take Zoloft 50 mg daily, in the morning, with food or on an empty stomach.
- Do not take the two drugs at the same time.
What About Side Effects?
One of the questions that people frequently ask is “What about the side effects of Zoloft and Viagra when used together?”
The short answer is that, while there are some side effects associated with Zoloft and Viagra, they’re usually not that severe. The most common side effect is nausea, which a lot of people experience, especially when they first start taking the combination, but it usually goes away after a while. The more severe side effects include serotonin syndrome, which is a rare but very serious condition that involves dangerously high blood pressure and in some cases, even death. Another possible side effect is a prolonged erection, which can be dangerous for your health and cause you to lose the ability to walk or drive a car. While these are potentially serious side effects, they’re not that common and are easily treatable if you’re aware of them.
In Conclusion
As you can see, there are a lot of variables that you need to think about when taking Zoloft and Viagra together. This is why it’s important to talk to your doctor about your plans to use the two drugs concomitantly. Be sure to follow the recommended dosing schedule and notify your doctor of any unexpected symptoms or side effects. Most importantly, if you’re feeling suicidal or if you have thoughts about harming yourself, contact your doctor immediately.