Viagra is the most popular erectile dysfunction medication in the world, so it’s not surprising that there are plenty of people out there who misuse it either intentionally or unintentionally. Nowadays, with the availability of affordable generic options, it has become even easier for anyone to buy the medication whenever they want. When it comes to consuming any drugs, it’s important to determine whether you will benefit from them or not, as every individual is completely different. If you are serious about your treatment and want to avoid the pitfalls of Viagra misuse, continue reading.
When is Viagra prescribed to patients?
As it was mentioned previously, Viagra for men is a drug used to treat erectile dysfunction and it should be prescribed by a medical specialist after undergoing a physical examination and possible laboratory tests. Viagra is used to treat physical erectile issues i.e. those that develop due to some health problems in the body and usually affecting blood circulation – cardiovascular problems, clogged blood vessels, diabetes, and others. If erectile dysfunction has been caused by depression or other mental health issues preventing a person from getting aroused, Viagra is not the right treatment, as it requires your body’s response to sexual stimulation in order to work.
While it’s always recommended to consult a medical professional first before taking any drugs, including Viagra, a lot of men do not take this step and start taking drugs without determining the underlying cause of their problem. This irresponsible approach often leads to Viagra misuse, as men are not aware of the possible drug interactions and contraindications, which can make the treatment dangerous.
Nowadays, there is also a tendency among young people that don’t suffer from erectile dysfunction to experiment with the drug as they believe that it can improve their performance in bed. Consuming the medication when it’s not necessary is never a good idea and something that should be avoided as Viagra side effects are not something you want to deal with.
Avoiding drug interactions: what you need to remember
Viagra is a drug that doesn’t cause complications in the majority of male patients that take it and follow the recommended safety requirements. A lot of people these days see commercials for different drugs and start taking them without taking into consideration how the medications can interact with each other, which can lead to harmful side effects. For this reason, it’s essential that you always take a look at the list of the ingredients before taking any drugs and ask a medical professional if they can be consumed simultaneously.
The groups of medications that you should avoid while taking Viagra include:
- Alpha-blockers
- Nitrate drugs
- Other PDE5 inhibitors
- Macrolide antibiotics
- HIV protease inhibitors
- Some antifungal medications
Potential drug interactions should always be taken seriously as they can lead to severe adverse reactions. For instance, consumption of Viagra with nitrate medications or alpha-blockers can lead to sudden drops in blood pressure, which can even be fatal.
Grapefruit and alcohol interactions
Besides drug interactions, you should also be aware that Viagra is incompatible with some foods and beverages. It is best to take Viagra on an empty stomach as consuming a large fatty meal will delay the effect and, in some cases, not even deliver it at all. When it comes to the foods that should be avoided completely when you consume Viagra, the only food on the list is grapefruit. This fruit decreases the level of enzymes that are responsible for breaking down the active ingredient Sildenafil Citrate before it enters the bloodstream. When this happens, the levels of Viagra in the body get increased, which can lead to overdosing and side effects associated with it. The same applies to the grapefruit juice. It should be noted that grapefruit stays in the system for about 24 hours, so you need to pick the right time to take your tablet.
Also, when undergoing the treatment using Viagra, it’s important that you don’t consume excessive amounts of alcohol, as it can not only cancel out the effect of the drug but also cause adverse reactions. If you want to be confident in the results that you get from your Viagra dosage, you shouldn’t drink alcohol on the days that you take a pill.
Viagra and ecstasy: a worrying combination
Besides the careless misuse of Viagra due to not knowing the basic safety requirements, some men use the medication in ways that it was not intended to be used. According to the research, there are people who consume Viagra in combination with ecstasy to induce the state of euphoria, but this combination can be extremely detrimental to one’s health. The way it works is the ingredients in Viagra interact with ecstasy and lead to the so-called “serotonin syndrome,” which is a dramatic increase in the levels of serotonin in the body. While serotonin is a chemical that is responsible for the stabilization of the mood and plays an essential role in inducing the feeling of happiness, too much of it can lead to hallucinations and confusion. In more severe cases, high levels of serotonin can cause irregular heartbeat, seizures, and even coma. In such a way, it’s never a good idea to combine Viagra with ecstasy and other drugs, as the results can be devastating.
Viagra misuse is something not to be taken lightly
Because erectile dysfunction is not a life-threatening condition, a lot of men view Viagra as a supplement instead of an actual medication that should be taken seriously. Numerous men come to the conclusion that they have erectile dysfunction on their own as they feel uncomfortable discussing their issues with medical professionals. As a result, Viagra gets misused a lot more frequently than it should. If you notice that you are unable to achieve or maintain erections on a regular basis, it is time to visit a medical specialist as the causes of this problem can vary. The earlier you discover the issue causing your erectile dysfunction, the more chances you have of treating it.