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One side effect of Viagra (sildenafil) is heartburn (1). In people with heartburn (burning sensation in the throat or chest due to acid reflux) before the use of Viagra, the use of this medication can aggravate their condition.
If you’re experiencing this side effect, know that there are ways how to eliminate heartburn from Viagra.
How Does Sildenafil Work?
Sildenafil is the main ingredient in Viagra and BlueChew, and it is used for erectile dysfunction treatment. It is also used for treating pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Taken by mouth or by injection, Viagra acts by blocking phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5), an enzyme that breaks down cGMP, which functions as a regulator of blood flow to the penis. The drug requires sexual arousal to work.
Side Effects
The vasodilatory property of sildenafil (2) is also one responsible for the drug’s side effects which include:
- Headache
- Flushing (due to vasodilation)
- Dyspepsia (due to relaxation of the smooth muscles of the gastroesophageal sphincter)
- An erection that remains for an extended period (called priapism). This can cause damage to the muscles of the penis, resulting in difficulties of erection in the future (3).
- Loss of vision
- Loss or reduced hearing – In some cases, it can lead to ringing in the ears (called tinnitus)
- Dizziness
Reducing Heartburn From Viagra: What’s Actually Happening Inside?
While Viagra causes the smooth muscles of the penis to relax, causing more inflow of blood into the area, it also relaxes other smooth muscles of the body.
One of these other smooth muscles is the sphincter, which is the part that closes when food is ingested, naturally forming a barrier between the stomach and the esophagus.
In this relaxed condition, there is an opening for the stomach acid to go up, a condition known as acid reflux.
Ways to Eliminate Heartburn From Viagra: Symptoms of Acid Reflux
Acid reflux symptoms include:
- Swallowing problems
- Burning sensation in the throat
- Bad taste in the mouth
- Stomach noises
- Stomach gas
People with acid reflux often feel full and nauseous. They may also feel like they need to vomit (4).
When avoiding heartburn due to the use of Viagra, you can use an antacid, a drug that counteracts stomach acid to relieve heartburn and indigestion. This drug is available as chewable tablets or in liquid form.
Foods that can help with acid reflux include bananas, yogurt, oatmeal, melons, and green vegetables. Drinking a lot of water may also help. On the contrary, alcohol, and smoking worsen symptoms.
Dosage
Sildenafil overdosage can cause serious side effects associated with the drug, including heartburn and indigestion. Ingesting just the right dosage every time may help prevent the occurrence of heartburn from Viagra.
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Sildenafil is absorbed rapidly in the body. A study showed that dose-proportional peak blood concentrations are achieved within the first hour of administration. The elimination half-life for the drug is 3 to 5 hours.
Your doctor might recommend that you try the 50 mg first, to be taken 1 hour before sex, only one time per 24-hour period. Follow your doctor’s recommendation to avoid overdosage and adverse reactions.
The maximum daily dose that doctors usually give is 100 mg. Lower doses are specifically recommended for renal or hepatic patients and those receiving drugs such as cimetidine, erythromycin, ketoconazole, saquinavir, and ritonavir.
Improvements in frequency, hardness, duration of erection, and the ability to achieve and maintain erection enough for successful sexual intercourse be dose-related (5).
Contraindications to the Use of Sildenafil
Consult with your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:
- Liver disease
- Multiple myelomas
- Leukemia
- Hearing loss
- Pigmentary retinopathy
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure
- Heart attack
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Low blood pressure
- Kidney disease
- a bent penis with an erection
- Vision loss
Drug Interactions
Sildenafil should not be used by people who are using blood pressure medications and organic nitrates.
Some protease inhibitors can augment sildenafil levels in the body, while drugs, such as nevirapine and efavirenz (anti-HIV drugs), can reduce sildenafil levels (6, 7).
Protease – an enzyme that increases the rate of proteolysis, the breakdown of proteins into smaller single amino acids.
Factors That Affect the Time That Viagra Lasts
The amount of Viagra one takes is a factor in how long it can last in his body. Another factor is medication. Some medications, like antibiotics, interact with Viagra and affect how long it lasts.
Other factors include:
- Age – Metabolism slows down as people get older. This means Viagra lasts longer in older people than in younger ones. In research, it was shown that the drug lasts the longest in people aged 65 years or more.
- Diet – Before taking Viagra, avoid eating high-fat foods or overeating. Both conditions will prevent the effective and quick absorption of the drug.
- Overall health – Having diabetes, a heart condition, or a nervous system disorder can make Viagra less effective and work only for a short time. In contrast, some kidney conditions lengthen Viagra’s effect.
- Mental state – Bad emotional feelings, such as being nervous, depressed, or anxious, influence how the body responds to sexual stimulation. If you have any negative feelings inside, do not be surprised if Viagra may not fully work in your case (8).
Evaluating ED for Possible Viagra Medication
The medical evaluation is simple. Analysis of the patient’s medical history, including a review of his health habits and medications, is the initial step.
Next would be an evaluation of risk factors – heart, atherosclerosis, hypertension, and diabetes. The testosterone blood levels may also be checked.
Elaborate laboratory tests can be done, but in many cases, they are hardly necessary. Instead, testing of oral medications – Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra – on the patient will be the next step.
The success rate is fairly high. Seventy percent of men respond well to these three drugs, with rates lower among men with diabetes who also underwent prostate cancer. A few men abandon using the pills due to their side effects.
