Can You Take Viagra With Other Erectile Dysfunction Treatments?

Erectile dysfunction is a condition that affects 20% of men in the UK, however, it is ignored by over half of sufferers. It is a condition where a man has difficulty in starting or maintaining an erection that is hard enough for satisfactory sexual performance. It is quite normal for a man to experience difficulty in getting an erection at some point in life. Whether it is due to stress causing problems or not enough sexual arousal or simply wanting to ‘get in the mood’. However, it is more serious when it is a continuous problem and affects relationships as a result. It can also affect self – confidence in some men and so should not be taken lightly.

There are many possible causes of erectile dysfunction which may be physical, psychological, or both. In general, the causes affect the blood supply going to the penis and/or nervous stimulation to cause an erection. Any interruption to the blood flow to the penis will reduce the chance of an erection happening.

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Possible physical causes of erectile dysfunction include:

  • Diabetes
  • Heart disease
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol levels
  • Obesity
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Possible psychological causes of erectile dysfunction include:
  • Depression
  • Stress
  • Anxiety
  • Other mental health conditions

There are factors that can increase the risk of having erectile dysfunction. As you get older, it is common to have some difficulty in getting an erection. It may take longer to get an erection and may not be as firm. Certain lifestyle choices can affect the ability to get an erection:

  • Smoking – reduces blood flow and is linked to developing heart disease
  • Medication – side effects of some medication can affect blood flow to the penis
  • Alcohol – chronic, over-consumption of alcohol can affect erections

 

Treatment

Not every man who suffers from erectile dysfunction decides to seek medical help. Some men feel too embarrassed or ashamed, thinking having erectile dysfunction reduces their ‘masculinity’. Some men develop low self – esteem and of course an unsatisfactory sex life. Some couples who plan to have children may find difficulty in conceiving as a consequence of erectile dysfunction. Without seeking the help needed to treat erectile dysfunction, the man (and his partner) can suffer significant stress, anxiety or can even lead to depression. It potentially can put relationships under strain and in some cases has led to relationship failure. So we should not underestimate the physical and psychological damage erectile dysfunction can have on some men and their partners too.

Viagra (Sildenafil)

Luckily, there are treatments out there that have been proven to work and are very effective. Viagra is the first medicine that was licensed for the treatment of erectile dysfunction back in 1998 and is still very popular to this day. Viagra is the brand name for Sildenafil, a drug used to widen the blood vessels that supply blood to the penis. The result is that it increases the blood flow and helps a man to get an erection quicker and for longer too.
Viagra is available in strengths 25mg, 50mg and 100mg tablets. It is taken orally with a full glass of water and a maximum of one tablet in 24 hours. Viagra is best taken on an empty stomach so that it can absorb and act quicker and usually starts to work within 30 minutes to 1 hour. You should take the tablet one hour before planned sexual activity and it will last up to four hours.

There are other treatments that work in the same way as Viagra and are also licensed for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. These include:

All of the above medication, including Viagra, work in the same way. They all enhance the effect of nitric oxide which is a chemical in the blood vessels that causes the blood vessels to widen. As a result, there is an improved blood flow to the penis hence allowing an erection to happen if there is sexual arousal.

So what are the differences between them?

The main difference between each of the treatments for erectile dysfunction is the duration of action and choosing which one to take is based on individual needs and preferences. For example, Viagra will work up to 4 hours whereas Tadalafil can work up to 36 hours. It is important to note that if you take any of these tablets it does not mean you will get an erection straightaway and for that length of time! There must be sexual stimulation for any of these medications to work.
The dosage between them also differs. For example, the usual starting dose of Viagra is 50mg and can be increased to 100mg maximum, or reduced to 25mg if needed. Tadalafil is usually prescribed at 10mg starting dose and can be increased to 20mg strength.

All of these medicines can have very similar side effects which include:

  • Headaches
  • Upset stomach
  • Nausea (feeling sick)
  • Facial flushing
  • Nasal congestion

Some men experience more or stronger side effects from one medication over another, so each person is different. It is therefore very important that you have a consultation with the doctor as they will assess you as an individual. The doctor will consider your own personal situation and decide which medicine is the best choice for you, taking into account the duration of action and side effects. Sometimes, the doctor will try one medicine and see if it works for you if it doesn’t then you may be given a different strength or even switched to another medicine. So you may need to wait for a little to find the right choice and the right strength for you!

So…can I take Viagra with other erectile dysfunction treatments?

The answer is no, you cannot.
You will find that you will always be prescribed only one of the medicines mentioned above which are licensed for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. If you are taking Viagra, you do not need to take another of these treatments but if you feel that Viagra is not working for you, always consult the doctor and do not top with with a seperate ED medication.

Reasons why the Viagra tablet is not effective could include:

  • The strength is not high enough for you
  • You are having sex too soon after taking the Viagra tablet
  • You are waiting too long to have sex after taking the tablet
  • There is not enough sexual stimulation to cause an erection and make the tablet effective

If you take Viagra with another erectile dysfunction treatment such as those mentioned earlier, you will significantly increase the risk of side effects such as dizziness, headaches and nausea. These can become serious such as a sudden drop in blood pressure which can lead to heart attacks. Severe headaches are not something to be ignored and painkillers such as paracetamol may not work effectively.
However, one particular side effect of erectile dysfunction treatment is classed as a medical emergency and the risk of it happening is greatly increased if you take Viagra with another treatment and this is ‘Priapism’. Priapism is a medical emergency. It is where there is a sustained and painful erection that lasts more than 4 hours. Immediate medical help is needed because if left alone it can lead to permanent damage to the penis.
So if you are prescribed treatment for erectile dysfunction such as Viagra, do not consider taking another treatment alongside it as you will do more harm than good! If the Viagra tablet is not effective enough for you, it may just be a case of needing to increase the strength of tablet or be advised to take it in the correct way, or simply switch to another medicine instead.

 

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References:

  1. Mayo clinic (Erectile dysfunction)
  2. www.express.co.uk
  3. BNF.org (Cialis, Viagra)
  4. www.nhs.org (erectile dysfunction)

Mens Pharmacy is not liable for the currency or accuracy of the information contained in this blog post. For specific information about your personal medical condition, please contact our doctors or pharmacists for advice on [email protected].