Angina, or chest pain, happens when the heart isn’t getting enough blood. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is when a man has trouble getting or maintaining an erection. Both are pretty common.
Nitrates like isosorbide help with angina, while PDE5 inhibitors like sildenafil (Viagra) help with ED. Isosorbide mononitrate and isosorbide dinitrate are two common nitrates used to prevent and treat angina.
The problem is, combining these medications can be really dangerous. Taking Viagra or other PDE5 inhibitors with isosorbide can cause a drastic drop in blood pressure.
If you’re taking isosorbide, you might wonder how long after taking isosorbide can you take Viagra safely, if at all. This article will cover the risks, waiting times, and safer alternatives.
How Isosorbide and Sildenafil Work
To understand why taking isosorbide and sildenafil together is dangerous, it’s important to know how each medication works.
How Isosorbide Works
Isosorbide mononitrate and isosorbide dinitrate are nitrate medications. Nitrates widen your blood vessels, making it easier for blood to flow through them. This eases the heart’s workload and improves blood flow, relieving and preventing chest pain (angina).
How Sildenafil (Viagra) Works
Sildenafil is in a class of medications called PDE5 inhibitors. PDE5 inhibitors increase the effects of nitric oxide, which relaxes muscles in the penis and allows more blood to flow into the penis. This helps men get and maintain an erection.
Why you should never mix isosorbide and sildenafil
The interaction between nitrates like isosorbide and PDE5 inhibitors like sildenafil (Viagra) is a big deal from a medical perspective. Combining these two medications can cause a severe drop in blood pressure, a condition known as hypotension.
This isn’t just a mild side effect. Severely low blood pressure increases your risk of heart attack and stroke.
Both isosorbide and sildenafil lower blood pressure, but they do it in different ways. Nitrates widen your blood vessels, while sildenafil enhances the effects of nitric oxide, which also widens blood vessels. Combining them creates a synergistic effect, meaning the impact is far greater than simply adding the two effects together.
If you have underlying heart issues, this combination is even more dangerous. Do not take these two medications together unless a healthcare provider specifically tells you to and closely monitors you. It’s simply not worth the risk.
How long should you wait between taking isosorbide and sildenafil?
The general recommendation is to never take nitrates and ED drugs together. They can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure, which can lead to serious problems, including death.
If you absolutely have to take a nitrate, most doctors recommend waiting at least 24-48 hours before taking sildenafil (Viagra). However, that timeframe can change depending on the specific nitrate you’re taking and your own health factors.
The best course of action is to talk to your doctor to determine the safest waiting period in your specific situation. Don’t take chances with your health!
What to do if you accidentally take both medications
If you accidentally take isosorbide and Viagra (sildenafil) together, seek immediate medical attention. Call 911 right away. Combining these medications can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure.
Symptoms of severely low blood pressure include dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting. Prompt treatment is absolutely crucial to prevent serious complications like heart attack or stroke. Don’t delay – call for help immediately.
Alternative treatments and lifestyle changes
Alternatives to sildenafil for ED
If you need to take nitrate medications, ask your doctor about other treatments for erectile dysfunction that might be safer for you, being mindful of potential side effects of products like Durex Prolong.
Lifestyle changes like exercise, losing weight, and eating a healthy diet can also help improve sexual function and mitigate certain risks, such as those discussed regarding steroid transmission.
Alternatives to isosorbide for angina
There are other medications for preventing angina attacks, such as beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, ivabradine, nicorandil, and ranolazine. Talk with your doctor to find out whether one of these medications might be right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to tell if a man is taking Viagra
It’s difficult to definitively know if someone is taking Viagra unless they tell you. Physical signs, such as a flushed face, headache, or nasal congestion, might suggest use, but these symptoms aren’t exclusive to Viagra and could indicate other conditions. Open communication is always the best approach.
How long does it take for isosorbide to get out of your system
The half-life of isosorbide dinitrate varies, but is generally around 1 hour. It typically takes about 5 half-lives for a drug to be almost completely eliminated from the body. So, isosorbide dinitrate is usually cleared from your system within about 5 hours. Isosorbide mononitrate has a much longer half-life, around 5 hours, meaning it takes roughly 25 hours to clear.
What drugs should not be taken with isosorbide
Isosorbide should never be taken with phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors like Viagra (sildenafil), Cialis (tadalafil), or Levitra (vardenafil) due to the risk of dangerously low blood pressure. Other medications to avoid include riociguat and certain blood pressure medications. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist about potential drug interactions.
What can I take with Viagra to make it more effective
You should never combine Viagra with other medications without consulting your doctor. There are no safe over-the-counter or herbal remedies proven to enhance Viagra’s effectiveness. Trying to boost its effects can lead to dangerous side effects. Talk to your doctor about optimizing your Viagra dosage or exploring alternative treatments.
Can isosorbide cause erectile dysfunction
While not a common side effect, isosorbide can potentially contribute to erectile dysfunction in some individuals. This is due to its effect on blood pressure and blood vessel dilation. If you’re experiencing ED while taking isosorbide, discuss it with your doctor. They can evaluate the cause and explore potential solutions.
The Bottom Line
It’s really important to understand that taking isosorbide and sildenafil (Viagra) together can be very dangerous.
Always tell your doctor about every medication you’re taking, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements, before considering additional treatments like Roman pills. This will help them make sure your medications work safely together.
If you take these drugs and experience symptoms of low blood pressure, seek medical attention right away. Low blood pressure can be life threatening.
If you have angina and erectile dysfunction, talk to your doctor about safer ways to manage both conditions.