The Dangers of Combining Viagra and Blood Thinners: Uncovering the Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Mix the Two.
1. Introduction
Viagra is a popular medication used to treat erectile dysfunction. It works by increasing blood flow to the penis and allowing men to achieve and maintain an erection. However, it may not be safe to take Viagra if you’re also taking blood thinning medications such as warfarin or heparin. This is because of the potential for dangerous interactions between these two types of drugs, which can lead to serious side effects. In this article, we will discuss why you should not take Viagra with blood thinners, potential side effects of doing so, and alternatives that are safe for use with these medications.
2. Blood Thinners and Viagra
Blood thinners are medications that reduce the risk of stroke or heart attack in people who have existing cardiovascular diseases or conditions that put them at a higher risk of developing these conditions. These drugs work by reducing the clotting ability of the blood, which helps prevent dangerous clots from forming in the arteries or veins. Viagra is a medication used to treat erectile dysfunction by increasing blood flow to the penis and allowing men to achieve and maintain an erection. Taking these two medications together can be dangerous because they both affect how the body regulates blood flow and clotting ability, leading to an increased risk of serious side effects such as bleeding or stroke.
3. How Blood Thinners Work
Blood thinners work by reducing the body’s ability to form clots in the arteries or veins. This helps reduce the risk of stroke or heart attack in people who have existing cardiovascular diseases or conditions that put them at a higher risk of developing these conditions. These drugs work by blocking certain proteins involved in clotting, preventing them from forming clots in the arteries or veins. They also help keep existing clots from growing larger and causing more damage.
4. Potential Side Effects of Taking Viagra with Blood Thinners
The main concern when taking Viagra with blood thinners is an increased risk of bleeding due to their combined effect on how the body regulates clotting ability and blood flow. Other potential side effects include dizziness, headaches, nausea, vomiting, flushing, blurred vision, chest pain, fainting, irregular heartbeat, swelling in your legs and feet, rash or hives on your skin, difficulty breathing or swallowing, priapism (an erection lasting more than four hours), seizures, hearing loss or ringing in your ears (tinnitus), loss of vision in one eye (temporary), blurred vision (temporary),redness/pain/swelling around your eyes (conjunctivitis).
5. Who Should Not Take Viagra with Blood Thinners?
It is important to talk with your doctor before taking Viagra if you are taking any type of blood thinner medication such as warfarin or heparin due to the potential for serious interactions between these two types of drugs which can lead to serious side effects including bleeding and stroke-like symptoms such as dizziness and confusion.. People who have had recent surgery should also avoid taking Viagra with blood thinners due to increased bleeding risks associated with this combination therapy.. Additionally those who suffer from liver disease should avoid taking this combination due to potential liver toxicity associated with both medications when taken together..
6 Alternatives To Taking Viagra With Blood Thinners
If you are currently taking a blood thinner medication but still wish to treat erectile dysfunction there are other options available which may be safer for use alongside your current medications.. For example there are topical treatments available such as creams which contain vasodilators like nitroglycerin which help increase circulation without having any interaction with anticoagulant medications.. Additionally there are oral medications such as Cialis which do not interact negatively with anticoagulants but still provide relief from erectile dysfunction symptoms.. Finally lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking can help improve circulation naturally without any need for additional medication..
7 Conclusion
In conclusion it is important for anyone considering taking Viagra while also using a blood thinner medication such as warfarin or heparin talk first with their doctor about any potential risks associated with combining these two types of drugs before beginning treatment.. Additionally there are alternative treatments available including topical creams containing vasodilators like nitroglycerin oral medications like Cialis as well as lifestyle changes like quitting smoking all which can help improve circulation without any need for additional medication..
8 FAQs About Taking Viagra With Blood Thinners
Q: Is it safe to take viagra while on a blood thinner?
A: No it is not safe because there is an increased risk for dangerous interactions between these two types of drugs leading to serious side effects including bleeding and stroke-like symptoms such as dizziness and confusion therefore it is important you talk first with your doctor before beginning treatment if you are currently using a blood thinner medication.
Q: Are there alternatives I can use instead?
A: Yes there are alternatives available including topical creams containing vasodilators like nitroglycerin oral medications like Cialis as well as lifestyle changes like quitting smoking all which can help improve circulation without any need for additional medication.
9 Sources & References
Blood Thinner Medications – American Heart Association https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/consumer-healthcare/what-is-cardiovascular-disease/blood-thinner-medications
Viagra – Uses Side Effects Interactions – Canada https://www.canada Pharmacyonline com /drugs /viagrra#:~:text=Vi agra%20(sildenafil )%20is%20a%20prescription %20medication %20used %20to%20treat%20erectile %20dysfunction % 20(ED ).&text=It % 20works % 20by % 20increasing%20blood% 20flow % 20to% 20the % 20penis % 20and% 20allowing%20men % 20to%20achieve % 20and maintain an erection.
What happens if you take Viagra with blood thinners?
Will Viagra interact with blood thinners like warfarin or Xarelto? There are no known interactions between Viagra and blood thinners such as warfarin or Xarelto (rivaroxaban). Warfarin and Xarelto are used to treat or help prevent conditions such as blood clots in the body.
What drugs should Viagra not be taken with?
If you are taking or have recently taken nitrates (chest pain medicines) such as riociguat (Adempas) isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil) isosorbide mononitrate (Monoket) or nitroglycerin (such as Minitran Nitro-Dur Nitromist) do not take sildenafil.
Can Viagra cause a blood clot?
Viagra helps stimulate an erection by increasing levels of cGMP – which is also involved in blood clotting. Therefore by increasing cGMP levels Viagra may actually increase the risk of blood clots according to the researchers.
Can you take Viagra or Cialis with eliquis?
No interaction was found between Eliquis and sildenafil.
Can I take erectile dysfunction with blood thinners?
However there are significant interactions between sildenafil or other drugs used to treat blood disorders and blood thinners.
What effect does Viagra have on the heart?
Viagra is thought to act on the penile arteries but its effects are systemic. All arteries in the body produce nitric oxide so Viagra can potentially cause vasodilation in other arteries such as those around the heart which can cause a temporary drop in blood pressure of 5 to 8 mmHg. February 15 2022
