ACE inhibitors, prescribed primarily for the treatment of high blood pressure, are generally compatible with Viagra and the other erectile dysfunction drugs known as PDE5 inhibitors. High blood pressure can be a contributing cause of ED.
One of the most widely prescribed classes of medication in the United States, ACE inhibitors are designed primarily for the treatment of high blood pressure. By temporarily inhibiting the effects of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), a substance that narrows blood vessels, ACE inhibitors help to reduce blood pressure and keep it under control.
Among the many drugs classified as ACE inhibitors, according to MayoClinic.org, are benazepril (Lotensin), captopril, enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril, lisinopril (Zestril), moexipril, perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril, and trandolapril.
Hypertension and ED
The largest single cause of erectile dysfunction is insufficient blood flow to the penis, a contributing cause of which is high blood pressure. So it’s not at all unusual for men who have ED to take ACE inhibitors or vice-versa.
Generally speaking, the two drugs are compatible, although it’s essential that your doctor be informed about all the medications that you are taking — prescription and over-the-counter.
As you may already know, ED drugs should never be taken by men who also take nitrate-based drugs, which are prescribed for the treatment of angina or intractable high blood pressure. Both of these drugs lower central blood pressure; taken together, they could cause a potentially life-threatening drop in blood pressure. Fortunately, the blood pressure-lowering effects of ACE inhibitors are not nearly as dramatic as those of the nitrate-based drugs.
Don’t Use Diuretics with Viagra
Although Viagra and other ED drugs can be taken with ACE inhibitors, the same cannot be said for a handful of other antihypertensive drugs. Diuretics, which help to lower blood pressure by squeezing excess fluids out of the body, can adversely interact with the blood flow-optimizing effects of PDE5 inhibitors. Avoid diuretics if you’re taking Viagra or similar drugs.
In addition to their blood pressure-lowering effects, ACE inhibitors are prescribed for the treatment of other medical conditions. These include certain chronic kidney diseases, diabetes, migraines, and scleroderma.
What About Side Effects?
Both ACE inhibitors and PDE5 inhibitors have side effects, most of which are mild and tend to disappear as one continues to use the drugs. Actually some of the side effects of the two classes of medications overlap. For example, both ACE inhibitors and PDE5 inhibitors can cause dizziness and headaches. Other side effects of ACE inhibitors include a dry cough, fatigue, loss of taste, and increased blood levels of potassium, a condition known as hyperkalemia.
Other common side effects of Viagra include back pain, facial flushing, muscle aches, nausea, and runny or stuffy nose. On rare occasions, Viagra can cause more serious side effects, including priapism, an erection that persists for four hours or more, and a sudden reduction or loss of hearing or vision. If such serious side effects occur, seek medical attention immediately.
A rare but serious side effect of ACE inhibitors is angioedema, an allergic reaction that manifests as swelling in the deep tissues of the skin, especially soft tissues such as eyelids, mouth, and throat. If such swelling threatens breathing, see a doctor right away.
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