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Viagra sent shock waves all over the world when it was approved by the FDA in 1998. It is the first effective treatment for erectile dysfunction [1], and because of that, millions of men use it regularly. Given the high number of men using the said drug, many have wondered how to take Viagra with water or milk.
Viagra, like other medications, may produce complications when taken with certain substances. You don’t have to worry about this, though, since we are listing down the substances that interact with Viagra, its side effects, and how you can take Viagra safely.
What Substances Interact With Viagra?
Interaction, when viewed through the pharmaceutical lens, is the process of one drug affecting another. Drug interactions can produce unwanted effects or reduce the effectiveness of some drugs [2].
The most commonly known drugs that interact with Viagra are nitrates [3], which are usually taken to lower blood pressure. But the most surprising substance that interacts with Viagra is something taken by many households ―grapefruit juice.
These are the most common substances that interact with Viagra:
Low Blood Pressure Triggers
- Flomax (Boehringer Ingelheim)
Potential Toxicity
- Grapefruit juice
- Reyataz (Bristol-Myers Squibb)
- Gleevec (Novartis)
- Diflucan (Pfizer)
- Mifeprex (Danco Labs)
- Crixivan (Merck)
- Ketek (Sanofi-Aventis)
- Tykerb (GlaxoSmithKline)
- Viracept (Pfizer)
Potential Inhibitors
- Sustiva (BMS)
- Viramune (Boehringer)
- Provigil (Cephalon)
What are the Side Effects of Viagra?
Aside from interactions with other substances, Viagra has side effects, too. The most common ones are skin flushing at 30.8% and skin flushing at 25.4%. Other recorded side effects of Viagra are dizziness, nasal congestion, and indigestion [4].
However, all of Viagra’s side effects are mild and short-lived. They easily go away as well, often without the aid of any medication.
Tips for Taking Viagra
Since we are on the topic of taking Viagra, here are some tips for taking Viagra:
1. Get into the mood.
Viagra does not automatically give you erections. You have to be aroused first for it to work.
2. Avoid alcohol and food with high-fat content.
Fatty food and alcohol may get in the way of Viagra working properly.
3. Taking Viagra on an empty stomach is the best way to go.
It is safe to take Viagra with or without food. However, taking Viagra with a meal may slow down its metabolism [5]. As a result, you may have to wait longer until Viagra takes effect.
How to Take Viagra with Water or Milk Safely
As you may know, taking tablets with water is safe. Pretty much everyone orally takes medicine with water. The same thing applies to Viagra.
Doctors sometimes allow their patients to take their medication with milk. It’s because milk is mild for the stomach and can eliminate the usual bitter taste of many drugs.
Just like water, milk can also be taken with Viagra. There is no recorded interaction between Viagra and milk. The only exception is when you have lactose intolerance or other coexisting conditions that will make your doctor stop you from drinking milk.
Thus, taking Viagra with water or milk is generally safe, but with a few exceptions.
Remember, how to take Viagra with water or milk depends on your preference and what your doctor tells you.
