The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) gives several reasons as to why it's dangerous to mix medications and alcohol. There are two ways in which drugs and alcohol can interact in your body. The first is that alcohol can alter the normal working of the medication, and the second is that some drugs can change the effects of alcohol in your body.
Alcohol is known to reduce the effectiveness of certain medications on the illness for which they are taken by interfering with their absorption process in the digestive tract. In other cases, alcohol raises the bioavailability of the drug, which causes it to be more concentrated in the blood to toxic levels.
Additionally, drinking alcohol while taking medications can worsen or give birth to new symptoms of that medication. This is true mostly for drugs that make you feel dizzy or cause sleepiness. For instance, mixing alcohol with opiates can cause breathlessness which leads to sudden death. Therefore, we advise people taking prescription medications daily to consult with their doctor if it's safe for them to take alcohol. Sometimes, you can safely consume a limited amount as long as you adhere to specific rules.
How Does Viagra React with Alcohol?
Alcohol is among the most commonly abused substances in Canada. Most people who take it also depend on prescription drugs, like Viagra. Online Viagra tablets in Canada are prescribed to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). Initially, the drug was designed for hypertension patients and is occasionally used today to address pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Viagra tablets work by relaxing blood vessel walls in certain areas of the body. This way, it helps men suffering from penile erectile dysfunction to help simulate their response after a stimulation. In the absence of stimulation, viagra does not work since it's a non-stimulant.
Viagra Side Effects
The most common side effects reported by Viagra users include nasal congestion, poor digestion, headaches, increased light sensitivity, and sometimes impaired vision. There is vision loss in only a few cases, but mostly in people with underlying conditions like hypertension, heart disorders, diabetes, or existing vision conditions.
In addition to these, other side effects that may occur from mixing alcohol with Viagra are:
- Priapism – a long-term painful erection
- Sudden loss of hearing
- Sudden loss of sight
- High intraocular pressure – eye fluid pressure
- Ventricular arrhythmias
There is also the possibility of Viagra overdose, and its symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weak vision, swelling of the optic nerve, and muscle failure.
Alcohol Side Effects
Alcohol depresses the central nervous system, slowing some body functions and brain activity. Its effects depend on several factors, including the amount taken, the drinking timeline, how much food one ate, and the consumer's body-mass index.
Short term side effects include:
- A change in senses and perceptions
- Drowsiness
- Headaches
- Poor coordination
- Loss of senses
- Memory changes and loss
- Vomiting
- Unsteady walking
Long-term use can cause other side effects like psychological addiction, tolerance, and alcohol poisoning. It can also affect vital organs like the heart, liver, pancreas and cause certain cancer types. It also lowers the effectiveness of the immune system and overall body wellness.
Is it Dangerous to Mix Alcohol and Viagra?
When done in moderation, no. It means that it's possible to take prescription Viagra tablets in Canada and drink moderately – three or fewer drinks daily. This should be less than two for women and only one drink per hour on average. So mixing alcohol with Viagra does not have immediate health risks.
However, the interaction between the two drugs and the effects they cause to the body should be considered. Alcohol is known to intensify the Viagra side effects. Also, alcohol can cause Viagra to be useless in the body. Since alcohol slows certain functions and body parts, including blood flow, it can undermine the aptitude of Viagra tablets.
Long-term dangers of drinking alcohol while taking Viagra tablets include the inflammation of the prostate gland, a condition associated with ED. It's also known to alter testosterone levels, the hormone responsible for men's sexuality. Chronic alcohol use decreases testosterone production, worsening ED. However, the effect is the opposite in women as it increases estrogen levels.
Finally, moderate to heavy alcohol intake while on a Viagra prescription may worsen the side effects of both drugs. Viagra effects are mild in many people, but taking alcohol worsens them. For example, the patient can experience a sudden blood pressure drop or have extreme dizziness and rapid blurred vision.
Therefore, someone with an alcohol problem should not drink while taking Viagra. People considering taking online-bought Viagra tablets in Canada while drinking should always consult their health care provider first for the available treatment options.
