Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Aug 18, 2022.
You can take Viagra (sildenafil) if you have high blood pressure that is controlled by blood pressure medications. Viagra (sildenafil) works by blocking an enzyme called PDE-5, which, in turn, prevents the break down of another substance called cGMP, which causes smooth muscle to relax and dilate. This allows more blood to flow to the penis and also causes blood vessels around the heart to open wider. This effect is called vasodilation, and it lowers blood pressure.
Viagra is used to treat erectile dysfunction in men. You should tell your doctor if you have high or low blood pressure before starting Viagra.
Caution is warranted in some cases:
- If you take Viagra with a blood pressure medication that also works by lowering blood pressure through vasodilation, your blood pressure could drop low enough to make you dizzy or make you pass out
- Taking Viagra with a blood pressure or prostate medication called an alpha blocker can be dangerous. If you take an alpha blocker and you need Viagra, your doctor may need to lower the dose of the alpha blocker or lower the dose of Viagra
- Another type of drug that lowers blood pressure is a nitrate drug. Nitrate drugs are used in people with heart disease to relieve chest pain called angina. You should not use Viagra if you use a nitrate drug. This can also lead to a dangerous drop in blood pressure.
Blood pressure is measured in units called millimeters of mercury (mmHg). The higher number in a blood pressure measurement is the pressure in your arteries when your heart pumps, called the systolic pressure. The lower number is the pressure between heartbeats, called the diastolic pressure. Studies in healthy volunteers show that a single dose of Viagra lowers systolic blood pressure by about 8 mmHg and diastolic pressure by about 5 mmHg.
You should tell your doctor if you have high or low blood pressure before starting Viagra. You should also tell your doctor about all the medications or supplements you take. If you take a medication or supplement that lowers blood pressure along with Viagra, it may drop your blood pressure too much, which could make you dizzy or fall over. This is called hypotension.
Related Questions
- Cialis vs Viagra - What's the difference between them?
- Can women take Viagra?
- How long does Viagra last and how soon does it work?
References
- U.S. National Library of Medicine DailyMed. Viagra. July 9, 2021. Available at: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=0b0be196-0c62-461c-94f4-9a35339b4501. [Accessed 18 August 2022].
- Viagra (sildenafil). July 01,2021. Pfizer. https://www.drugs.com/pro/viagra.html
Read next
The safest way to get a prescription for Viagra is from your doctor. You can even do this over a telehealth call (on the phone or computer) in many cases, although for your first prescription your doctor may want to examine you. Viagra and its generic options can be shipped from verified digital pharmacies in the U.S. Use caution as there are reports of counterfeit online Viagra for sale in the U.S. Continue reading
Research has suggested that taking your blood pressure medication at night instead of in the morning can provide better blood pressure control at night without compromising daytime blood pressure control and reduce your overall risk of dying because of cardiovascular disease by 45%. Continue reading
Metoprolol is available as two different salts: metoprolol tartrate and metoprolol succinate.
The main difference between metoprolol tartrate and metoprolol succinate is that metoprolol tartrate is only available as an immediate-release tablet which means it must be taken several times per day, whereas metoprolol succinate is an extended-release tablet that can be taken once a day. As a result, there are differences in the dosages and indications for both metoprolol tartrate and metoprolol succinate and they are not considered interchangeable. Continue reading
Related medical questions
- Do you know these 11 amazing facts about Viagra?
- Is generic Viagra available in the U.S.?
- Does generic Viagra work just like regular Viagra?
- Are there any drug interactions between prednisone and Viagra?
- What are the side effects of beta blockers?
- Does Losartan block the receptor used by the Coronavirus?
- Best time to take amlodipine - day or night?
- Should you drink a lot of water when taking Lasix?
- Does minoxidil work for beards?
- I have high blood pressure. Can I take Mucinex DM safely?
- Can you eat bananas when taking losartan?
- Losartan vs Valsartan - What's the difference between them?
- How quickly does propranolol work?
- How long after taking 5 mg lisinopril will my blood pressure drop down?
- How is atenolol superior to metoprolol?
- Does caffeine cause high blood pressure?
- Can carbidopa/levodopa cause high blood pressure?
- Can Armour Thyroid cause high blood pressure?
- Is high blood pressure considered heart disease?
- Is loss of sense of smell a symptom of COVID-19?
- Can Gilenya cause high blood pressure?
- Are you Experiencing Side Effects from your Medicine? Here's what you should know
- What's the buzz on Ozempic and Wegovy?
- Is high blood pressure a risk factor for COVID-19?
- How are hypertension, heart disease and stroke related?
- What is the strength of Qbrelis (lisinopril) oral solution?
- What is the strength of Prexxartan (valsartan) oral solution?
- What drugs are contained in Consensi?
- High blood pressure or heart disease: Which drugs should I be careful with?
Drug information
- Viagra Information for Consumers
- (for Health Professionals)
- Side Effects of Viagra(detailed)
Related support groups
- Viagra(166 questions, 402 members)
- High Blood Pressure(482 questions, 1,602 members)
- Erectile Dysfunction(201 questions, 690 members)
- Sexual Dysfunction, SSRI Induced(53 questions, 166 members)
Medical Disclaimer
