Viagra is among the most popular meds used to therapy erectile dysfunction (ED). Undoubtedly, because of how efficacious it is, many men rely on it to augment their erections, fix their egos, & ultimately, aid satisfy their partners sexually. Unfortunately, like every other pharmaceutical med, it has negative effects, one of the most typical being nasal congestion. Though this doesn’t deter most of its users; rather, they resort to administering meds such as decongestants to remarkably tackle the congestion & other meds for other reactions. But is the mix safe? Indeed, while the outcomes sound ideal, it’s crucial to consider safety [1]. This guide explores everything you need to know about Viagra vs. decongestant mix & the possible outcome.
Let’s find out more below if the mixture is safe.
Basic Info About Decongestant
Decongestants are meds utilized to treat symptoms of a stuffy, blocked, or runny nose. They’re constantly useful for congestion induced by a standard cold, allergies, & also the effects of certain meds like Viagra.
Decongestants function by inducing the blood vessels in the nasal passageways to shrink, which, in turn, thwarts fluid from seeping out from the blood vessels into the tissues that line the nasal passages.
These meds are usually obtainable in different forms, including capsules, tabs, syrup, as well as nose drops, nasal sprays, & inhalers. Additionally, decongestants obtainable as nose drops & nasal sprays certainly aren’t to be utilized for more than 7 days in a row. Again, they’re inappropriate for children under six years old [2].
Remarkably, nasal decongestants are normally safe, though they’re not without negative effects. Users, particularly those administering them for the first time, are normally more probable to undergo negative symptoms [3]. These meds should not be used by pregnant females or breastfeeding mothers because they can get absorbed into the bloodstream. It can be used only when necessary & if its benefits outweigh the perils.
What Is Viagra Med?
Viagra, popularly comprehended as the “little blue tab,” is indeed a potent med for treating impotence in men. Its active component is sildenafil & belongs to a class of meds referred to as phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. It remarkably functions by augmenting blood flow to the penile area upon stimulation, making it super rigid & firm enough for satisfactory penetration during sex [4].
Being the first-ever ED med administered by mouth, it was authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1998. Because sildenafil is so efficacious, with about 70% of men reacting well to it, it’s usually the first-line therapy prescribed by physicians [5].
Viagra is a robust vasodilator, implying that it heightens the widening of blood vessels close to the surface of the skin. While this aspect is indeed awesome in certain possibilities, e.g., in treating ED, it could periodically be problematic. For instance, it’s its dilation of blood vessels that remarkably induces the engorgement of nasal membranes as well as nasal congestion ultimately [6] [7].
Certainly, the “little blue tab” is extremely safe, but it may also induce some negative effects, particularly in individuals who administer it for the first time. The most typical adverse reactions linked with the med are usually mild & tend to go away unassisted without therapy. While it’s a truth that most of these negative effects typically fade on their own, occasionally, it evolves necessarily to administer meds for the particular symptoms.
Sildenafil may indeed not be safe for individuals with specific underlying health conditions, e.g., cardiovascular illnesses, hypertension, hearing concerns, pulmonary disorders, etc. It’s only endorsed for use in individuals age 18+ [8].
Can You Administer Decongestant & Viagra Jointly?
As a note, hundreds of meds interact negatively with Viagra, & it’s indeed paramount to refrain from administering them, as they can induce or worsen negative effects. Luckily, when it anchors to lessening nasal congestion, there transpire to be a few decongestants that certainly don’t interact with Viagra negatively. In this case, Afrin & Sudafed happen to be some of them. After running an examination on Drugs.com, no interactions were discovered between either Afrin or Sudafed & Viagra. Regardless, it’s worth mentioning that this doesn’t entirely rule out the likelihood of negative effects [1].
In this case, it's prudent to consult your physician for detailed info on combining these meds with more possible therapy options for Viagra-influenced congestion.
So, in a nutshell, you can take certain decongestants alongside Viagra since it's safe [1]. Nonetheless, the need to guarantee the potential of interaction between any decongestant you select to administer can’t be overemphasized.
Consequently, individuals experiencing nasal congestion resulting from sildenafil administer certain decongestants for relief, as such a blend isn’t inherently perilous in terms of direct health risks. Regardless, while using these meds jointly, it’s vital to pay attention to any uncommon changes & make foolproof they don’t affect you in any way.
Pro-tip: If planning on administering a decongestant with Viagra, carefully do so in moderation. Recollect that it’s inadvisable to utilize decongestants for more than 7 days in a row, unless counseled otherwise by a physician. Report any continued negative effects or discomfort you undergo to your physician ASAP.
References:
- Viagra Mixed with Decongestant: Is It Safe? By Fred Moore. Published: April 17, 2022. Moreforce.com.
- Decongestants | Types, Uses and Side Effects. Written by Dr. Mary Harding. Medically reviewed by Dr. Jacqueline Payne. Retrieved: June 8, 2022. Patient.info.
- List of Nasal Decongestants Antihistamines and Side Effects. Written by Omudhome Ogbru, PharmD. Medically reviewed by Jay W. Marks, MD. Retrieved: June 8, 2022. Medicinenet.com.
- Viagra: Side effects, dosage, how long it lasts, and more. Written by Helen Marshall, BPharm, MRPharmS. Medically reviewed by Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBA. Retrieved: June 8, 2022. Medicalnewstoday.com.
- Which drug for erectile dysfunction?. Retrieved: June 8, 2022. Health.harvard.edu.
- Viagra: For ED, Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Interactions, Warnings. Retrieved: June 8, 2022. Rxlist.com.
- There are 4 basic causes of nasal congestion. By Staten Island Advance. Retrieved: June 8, 2022. Silive.com.
- Viagra Interactions. Retrieved: June 8, 2022. Drugs.com.