Foods to Avoid When Taking Viagra

Sildenafil Citrate, commonly known by the brand name Viagra, is a drug to treat erectile dysfunction in men. Now, according to a study, by 2025  it’s projected that 322 million men will have erectile dysfunction. That is a 207% increase. While there are assured treatments for all forms of this sexual problem, some precautions need to be followed. Viagra is used by a large group of men to attain a satisfied sexual capacity. However, without the right consumption, it might go the other way around and cause even more serious health issues.

So, if you take Viagra daily or are about to start consuming it, this is an important fact to note.

What is Viagra and Why is it Used?

Viagra is an FDA-approved drug (since 1998) to treat erectile dysfunction and impotence in men. The actual product is Sildenafil Citrate which is a PDE-5 inhibitor. Smooth erection depends on the release of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) protein. Another protein PDE-5 or phosphodiesterase-type 5 actually manipulates the release of cGMP followed by a disturbed erection.

Sildenafil is used to prevent the flow of PDE-5 protein and allows a smooth blood flow in the penis. This relaxes the muscles and blood vessels and perform a smooth erection. Generally, it starts working within an hour of consumption and lasts up to 4 hours. However, depending on the dosage and other medical conditions, Viagra might take 30 minutes to 4 hours to start showing the action as well.

It is important to maintain a regular erection for certain physical and mental well-being. The process of erection first starts in your brain with sexual arousal and gradually involves your nervous and circulatory systems. As a result, one’s emotional and sexual health becomes spontaneous.

There can be some common side effects of Viagra including headaches, indigestion, stuffy nose, lightness or dizziness, skin flushing, and redness. While these side effects can be cured by doctors by regulating the medicine intake, there are some precautions you need to maintain by yourself.

How Foods Interact with Viagra (Sildenafil Citrate)

There are certain foods that can manipulate the effect of Viagra on your body. Sometimes, it can just lower the efficiency of the medicine and sometimes it can cause bigger health issues. To avoid all of them, follow through the next sections.

High-fat Meals

High-fat meals can occupy and upset the stomach and prevent the absorption of the main ingredient in Viagra, Sildenafil Citrate. It is advised to have the heavy meal of the day(like breakfast or lunch) early and give it time to get digested. Then, consume the medicine to not reduce its effectiveness.

Alcohol

Consuming Viagra with alcohol is not a good idea. Although there’s no direct effect on the medicine, alcohol can still reduce the efficiency of it. Sometimes, people like to take a few drinks before sexual activity to feel relaxed. However, when you’re intaking Viagra and on the other hand, consuming alcohol, don’t expect the best results. Alcohol is a CNS (Central Nervous System) depressant and it can slow down brain signals. Limiting consumption and avoiding it just before intaking the medicine would be far more helpful.

Fruit Juice

Fruit juices like grapefruit, pomelo, and pomegranate can eventually reduce the effect of Viagra on the body. Although it generally depends on an individual’s metabolic rate, time of consumption, and dosage of the medicine- it’s preferable to avoid it while consuming Viagra. For instance, Grapefruit can block an enzyme (CYP3A4) that prevents Viagra from being absorbed into the gastrointestinal tract. It avoids the gut and directly mixes into the bloodstream which boosts the potency of Viagra.

Milk

There is no clinical proof suggesting avoiding milk while consuming Viagra. However, whole milk has a high amount of fat and that can make the stomach upset. Also, for lactose intolerant persons, avoiding milk should be the primary choice. So, you can consume Viagra with milk, but that can lead to a delayed effect.

Risk Factors

Consuming Viagra without maintaining the guidelines can lead to serious health damage. Manipulating the dosage, frequency, or food interaction may reduce the effect of the medicine or there’s no potential improvement altogether. Viagra is available in the general dosage of 25 milligrams (mg), 50 mg, and 100 mg. And the medicine should be taken once a day. For some people, the effect might start a little late, but that should not be the reason for unadvised manipulation.

Some of the major risks include:

• A sudden drop in the blood pressure
• Retinal toxicity including blurred vision, changes in color vision, and light sensitivity
• Chest pain
• A sudden hearing loss
• Buring and itching during urination

Conclusion

The takeaway is, the effect of Viagra depends on the dosage, pre-existing medical conditions, and age. However, avoiding some foods during Viagra consumption escalated the potential of the medicine. Erectile dysfunction is now a common problem in men and it can be treated with such medicine. All it requires is following the general guidelines.