Can you take Viagra with blood pressure medications?

Viagra is the brand name for the generic ED medication sildenafil.

Like many other prescription drugs, taking Viagra alongside other medications may come with risks of interactions, especially if the drugs work in the same way.

We explain why Viagra might interact with blood pressure medications and discuss some safe options if you need to receive treatment for both ED and high blood pressure (hypertension).

About hypertension and how it can affect ED

According to the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association, you may have hypertension if your blood pressure readings are above the usual range, per clinical recommendations. There are two different readings that make up your blood pressure:

• Systolic blood pressure: This is the first reading displayed, and it reflects your heart muscle contracting. If it’s above 120 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) doctors consider it elevated.

• Diastolic blood pressure: This is the second reading displayed, and it reflects your heart muscle relaxing. Any reading above 80 mmHg is considered high.

If you do not receive treatment for high blood pressure, it can cause damage to your blood vessels. This damage reduces blood flow throughout your entire body affecting many functions, including your sexual function, which may contribute to ED.

According to the European Society of Cardiology, men are twice as likely to experience difficulties with pelvic blood flow and ED than those with typical blood pressure readings defined by clinical criteria.

Additionally, ED may be an early warning sign that high blood pressure is damaging your blood vessels.

Why hypertension medications may interact with Viagra

Sildenafil (Viagra) works by preventing the enzyme cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) from breaking down. This enzyme is responsible for widening and relaxing your arteries.

Antihypertensive medications work in a similar way to reduce blood pressure.

Some common antihypertensive medications include:

• alpha-blockers
• calcium channel blockers (CCBs)
• beta-blockers
• central agonists
• angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors

What happens if you take them together?

Taking medications for high blood pressure alongside sildenafil (Viagra) may put you at risk of experiencing very low blood pressure (hypotension), as the desired medication effects could become greater.

How blood pressure medications work

Antihypertensive medications work in various ways to lower blood pressure. Some common mechanisms include:

• Diuretics, also known as water pills: These medications increase urine production, reducing fluid volume and lowering blood pressure. Examples include furosemide (Lasix) and bumetanide (Bumex).
• Beta-blockers: These medications reduce heart rate and the force of heart contractions, lowering blood pressure. Examples include metoprolol (Toprol) and carvedilol (Coreg).
• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE inhibitors): ACE inhibitors block the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, a substance that narrows blood vessels. Examples include benazepril (Lotensin) and lisinopril (Qbrelis).
• Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs): These medications block the effects of angiotensin II, relaxing blood vessels. Examples include losartan (Cozaar) and olmesartan (Benicar).
• Calcium channel blockers: These drugs inhibit calcium from entering heart muscle and blood vessel walls, leading to the relaxation of blood vessels. Examples include amlodipine (Norvasc) and diltiazem (Cardizem).
• Alpha-blockers: Alpha-blockers dilate blood vessels by blocking the alpha receptors. Examples include doxazosin (Cardura) and prazosin (Minipress).

The choice of medication depends on your health conditions. A healthcare professional can help guide the process to create an appropriate treatment plan.

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Contacting a doctor

If you’re taking Viagra for ED but receive a diagnosis of hypertension, it’s important to speak with a doctor or another healthcare professional.

It may be safe for you to take both types of medication, but your prescribing doctor may wish to monitor your blood pressure closely to avoid unwanted side effects.

It’s important to watch for symptoms of low blood pressure. These can include:

• dizziness
• nausea
• fatigue
• depression
• sweating
• confusion
• fainting
• feeling thirsty

Alternatives to Viagra

If a doctor or another healthcare professional believes high blood pressure is causing your ED, they may prescribe hypertension medications or recommend making some lifestyle adaptations. Following their recommended treatment plan may work to remedy your ED symptoms.

If a doctor does not believe Viagra is the right medication for you, there are alternative medications available they can prescribe, including:

• tadalafil (Cialis)
• avanafil (Stendra)
• vardenafil (Levitra)

However, if hypertension has damaged your blood vessels, medication may not be able to correct these effects. Other options a healthcare team may suggest include medical equipment like vacuum erectile devices (VED or in severe diagnoses, they may suggest penile prosthetic surgery.

Complementary therapies

If you do not wish to take medication to treat ED, you might consider acupuncture. Research indicates that acupuncture may be an effective natural alternative, and the World Health Organization (WHO) approves this traditional Chinese medicinal remedy.

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Summary

Viagra is typically a safe medication to help treat ED. But if you’re taking medication for high blood pressure at the same time, it may increase the medication’s effects, risking very low blood pressure.

For safety, a doctor will typically ask you to monitor your blood pressure if you take both medications.

However, if they deem sildenafil (Viagra) unsafe for you, there are alternative options they can recommend that you can consider to address ED symptoms, including lifestyle modifications, other medications, and vacuum erectile devices.

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