From claiming government IDs to undergoing further medical examinations, drug testing is starting to be a staple in the medical field. Especially for those with active sex life, a common question before a drug examination is this – “does Viagra show up on a drug test?”
Before heading straight to the answer itself, it is essential to know what Viagra is all about – what it means, how it works, and possible effects to watch out for.
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An Overview of Viagra
Contrary to popular belief, Viagra is actually a brand name of Sildenafil. This medication is commonly used to alleviate the effects of erectile dysfunction (ED) and treat specific cardiac ailments. Although Viagra and Sildenafil can be used interchangeably, the term “Viagra” shall be used for a better context.
Viagra works by relaxing men’s blood vessel walls – which in return allows blood to flow seamlessly into the body, particularly the penis.
Hence, it results in an outright erection. An erection occurs when the corpus cavernosa, which are a couple of cylinder-shaped spongy chambers along the penis, relaxes, lets blood in, and stimulates the organ (1).
Although Viagra can be solely taken orally, it can be produced in two ways – either in the form of liquid or a pill. For those taking Viagra via oral syringe, make sure to thoroughly shake the liquid for 10 seconds beforehand.
While dosage procedures can vary for pill users, a standard prescription would be to take Viagra three times daily with or without meals.
For maximum results, it’s essential to have a consistent schedule for taking Viagra. Moreover, it is equally important to take medications between four- to six-hour intervals.
Typically, Viagra starts working between one to two hours upon oral intake. However, taking Viagra by itself won’t result in an erection. Men still need to be sexually aroused for Viagra to work.
On average, the arousing effects of Viagra take around two to three hours. Such duration can increase or decrease depending on three factors: the taken dosage, the body’s natural metabolism, and more external variables.
What Really Happens on Drug Tests
There are seven primary specimens for drug testing wherein patients can be subjected to.
These include breath, blood, oral fluid, urine, sweat, hair, and meconium. Since some substances tend to be more easily detected in one medium than the other, anticipating multiple drug testing media is a must for any patient.
Upon ingesting substances, the gastrointestinal absorbs them before distributing them to other tissues of the body.
For snorted, inhaled, and injected substances they are then immediately delivered to the body’s tissues. With Viagra typically taken orally, it falls on the former route.
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Does Viagra Intake Affect Oral Drug Tests?
Depending on the circumstances, this could be answered in two ways.
As mentioned, the effects of Viagra on a man’s body can last from two to three hours, depending on the dosage.
N-desmethyl sildenafil, Viagra’s major active metabolite, can be detected in the form of a serum, plasma, or whole blood to monitor the pharmacokinetic status in people taking medication therapeutically (2). Predominantly, the human body excretes Viagra’s by-products in the form of feces and urine (3).
Correlating its absorption and excretion methods to the fact that urinary, salivary, and blood drug tests can detect substances taken hours before the test, it can be concluded that Viagra can be detected in drug tests.
It can even be searched upon request to confirm the possibility of poisoning, forensic investigation, or cases of overdose in affected patients.
However, its detection is instead considered insignificant when taking drug tests for the detection of illegal substances. Since Viagra isn’t a controlled chemical that is entirely legal for medical use, most drug tests do not include its detection in the body’s blood and urine.
In summary, yes – Viagra can be detected in a patient’s body. However, its presence is somewhat ignored as it’s not as life-threatening as other substances.
Precautionary Measures to Take
Before taking any form of ED treatment, especially Viagra, it’s highly essential to consult a medical professional first.
Before any prescription of Viagra, doctors will have to consider the patient’s age, body mass, and other physiological factors to determine the right dosage. This can further eliminate the possibility of life-threatening risks due to incorrect dosage recommendations.
Although Viagra is relatively safe to use, it’s essential to be aware of the possible side effects it can yield. This includes the following:
- Burning, numbing, or tingling feeling in the feet, legs, and arms
- Color vision changes (difficulty in differentiating blue and green tints
- Diarrhea
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Feeling of warmth or flushing
- Headache
- Heartburn
- Light sensitivity
- Muscle aches
- Nosebleed
While the abovementioned effects are not that serious, anyone observing the following effects below must seek medical help:
- Blurred eyesight
- Burning or itching sensation
- Chest pains
- Decreased sense of hearing
- Fainting
- Intense loss of vision
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Painful erection or one that lasts more than four hours
- Ringing in the ears
- Shortness of breath (4)
To minimize the possibility of experiencing Viagra’s side effects, it is essential to have a doctor’s appointment before medication. Moreover, it’s critical to take ownership of one’s drugs. Meaning that doesn’t let anyone ingest Viagra medications apart from the patient himself.
Secure Viagra pills out of children’s reach – keeping them at room temperature away from extreme moisture and heat. If left unused, immediately dispose of them after two months.
For cases of overdose – which can be observed upon collapse, seizures, difficulty breathing, or unconsciousness, immediately call the locality’s emergency services.
Does Viagra Show up on a Drug Test?
While this question might sound insignificant to some, its answer can result in a life-or-death situation for some.
Given that the answer to this question will purely depend on a case-to-case basis, it can be either positively or negatively seen depending on the reason why a patient is asking the question itself.
Now, does Viagra show up on a drug test? With the facts entirely laid above, it is up to the patient himself to craft a definite answer based on his needs.
For more insights on this topic, you can read our detailed guide on how to tell if a man is taking Viagra. This resource provides valuable information for those who want to learn more about the signs and implications of Viagra use.
FAQ
Does Viagra show up on a drug test?
No, Viagra is not typically included in standard drug tests. Most drug tests are designed to detect illegal or recreational drugs, not prescription medications like Viagra.
What types of drug tests might detect Viagra?
While Viagra is not typically included in standard drug tests, it is possible for a test specifically designed to detect PDE-5 inhibitors (the class of drugs that Viagra belongs to) to show a positive result. These tests are not commonly used, and would likely only be administered in specific cases or for research purposes.
Can I fail a drug test for taking Viagra?
No, as long as you are taking Viagra as prescribed by a doctor and not using it recreationally, it is unlikely that you will fail a drug test.
Will taking Viagra affect the results of my drug test?
No, taking Viagra will not affect the results of a standard drug test.
What should I do if I am asked to take a drug test and I am currently taking Viagra?
If you are concerned about taking a drug test while taking Viagra, you should talk to your doctor or the person administering the test. They will be able to provide you with more information and clarify any concerns you may have.
