Men who take multiple blood pressure medications can also take Viagra without risking additional problems.
Some previous studies have shown that up to 70 percent of men with hypertension also have erectile dysfunction. Men who suffer from erectile problems are at increased risk of choosing to stop their blood pressure medications. Experts have, however, been concerned that men who take Viagra and blood pressure medications might experience a precipitous drop in blood pressure. This concern stemmed from observations that men who take a class of drug called nitrates for angina can experience a dangerous plunge in blood pressure after taking Viagra. It may be potentially hazardous to take Viagra with more than one blood pressure medication. The concern was that multiple blood pressure medications might increase the risk of problems more than just one drug.
Researchers from the Columbia University in New York, USA, asked 568 men with erectile dysfunction on two or more blood pressure-lowering drugs to try Viagra or an inactive (placebo) drug for 6 weeks, then gave everyone Viagra for another 6 weeks. Overall, 71 percent on Viagra said their erections improved, relative to only 18 percent on placebo. Another 69 percent of men on Viagra said intercourse improved, compared to only 20 percent of placebo-takers. During the first six weeks of the study, 40 percent of men on Viagra and 25 percent of men taking the placebo reported side effects, including headache, flushing and abnormal vision. Four patients from each group chose to stop treatment because of the side effects.
Overall, the side effects were nothing serious and no patients reported chest pain or feeling like they were going to faint. The researchers explained that Viagra both works and wears off quickly, so if there were dangers from the drug, they would likely have seen them. The findings, hence, suggest that for many men coping with both high blood pressure and erectile dysfunction, Viagra may help.
American Journal of Hypertension,
January 2005
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