Everything about Sildenafil Interactions with other Drugs
Although not many men openly talk or discuss problems related to their sexual desire, erection, ejaculation, or even detumescence i,e penile flaccidity, there are multiple effective medications available in the market for such medical concerns. Sildenafil is one such medication that is quite effective against erectile dysfunction.
Yet these medications need to be taken carefully under the guidance of an authorized medical practitioner. It is important that patients share everything about their past medical history and also current medical conditions so that there are no severe interactions with the existing medications and the patients suffer even worse conditions. Here, we will talk about the interactions that Sildenafil may have with other medicinal and non-medicinal items. But to start with, let us first understand what a drug interaction is all about.
What is a drug interaction?
A drug interaction is a reaction between two or more drugs, between a drug and a food, or with a drink or beverage, or even with a supplement. It is the change in the way a pharmaceutical drug works in a body when taken with some specific other drugs, natural and herbal items, or foods, while with certain medical conditions.
What is Sildenafil?
Sildenafil is a potent and selective inhibitor of cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5), i,e vasodilatation pharmaceutical drug.
What are the primary uses of Sildenafil?
It is associated with the treatments of Erectile Dysfunction (ED) or impotency in men, NYHA Functional Class II-III Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), and Premature Ejaculation (PE).
How does Sildenafil work?
A Sildenafil tablet has no direct relaxant effect on isolated human corpus cavernosum; but increases the effect of nitric oxide by inhibiting phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5), which is responsible for the degradation of cGMP in the corpus cavernosum.
So when sexual stimulation causes the local release of Nitric Oxide, inhibition of PDE5 by sildenafil causes increased levels of cGMP in the corpus cavernosum, resulting in effortless muscle relaxation and inflow of blood to the corpus cavernosum.
Sildenafil has no effect in the absence of sexual stimulation.
What is Sildenafil interaction?
There are certain medications that are capable of affecting the molecules of Sildenafil if taken together; which again, causes serious side effects to the patient. Sildenafil interacts with medications that lower blood pressure, like nitrates. It also interacts with alcohol and grapefruit juice.
Other Drug Interactions with Sildenafil: Drugs to Avoid
There are certain pharmaceutical drugs you need to avoid while taking a medication like Sildenafil, in order to avoid severe interactions and suffer even worse conditions.
- Medications based on nitrates, such as isosorbide mononitrate (Monoket) and nitroglycerin (Nitrostat)
- Blood pressure drugs, such as calcium channel blockers, or alpha-blockers, which can also treat an enlarged prostate
- Certain pulmonary hypertension drugs, such as riociguat (Adempas)
- Protease inhibitors, a class of HIV medications
- Antifungal drugs, such as ketoconazole and itraconazole (Onmel, Sporanox)
- Antibacterial drugs, such as clarithromycin (Biaxin)
- Anticoagulants
- Antihistamines
- Benzodiazepines
- Cardioselective beta blockers
- Corticosteroids
- Gamma-aminobutyric acid analogs
- Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid
- Miscellaneous analgesics
- Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
- PDE5 inhibitors
- Statins
- Stimulants
- Selective Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SSNRIs)
- Vitamins- B12, C and D
Tell your doctor even if you are taking supplements of Vitamins- B12, C, and D; or Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid.
Other Non-Medicinal Interactions
There are some other non-medicinal items like high-fat content meals and alcohol, which interact with Sildenafil and slow down its effects.