Erectile dysfunction (ED) medication
Explore the effects, risks, and ways to reduce harms associated with erectile dysfunction meds. Learn how they're taken, their effects on blood flow, and potential side effects. Understand the risks of priapism and interactions with other drugs.
Overview
As many chems cause difficulties for some people in maintaining erections, erectile dysfunction meds are often used to counter these effects. There are a variety of drugs available. Types commonly include:
- Viagra
- Sildenafil citrate (non branded or ‘generic’ versions of Viagra)
- Cialis, Tadalafil, Levitra, Vardenafil, Kamagra
- Trimix or Caverject/Alprostadil are also common injectable erectile dysfunction medication (papaverine, phentolamine, prostaglandin E1)
How it's taken
Orally administered erectile dysfunction meds usually come in tablet or gel format and are normally ingested before sexual contact. Injectable erectile dysfunction drugs are injected directly into the penis.
A higher dose doesn’t necessarily mean better hard-ons, just more side effects. More than one dose is not recommended to be taken within 24 hours.
Effects
These drugs commonly work by increasing the flow of blood to the penis, giving a harder, longer lasting hard-on. Viagra may last around four hours while Cialis tends to last longer (up to one or two days for some men).
The desired effect doesn’t work as well if you’ve had a fatty meal or alcohol.
Risks and impacts
All ED meds will enhance risks when used with any other recreational substances.
Common side effects include blocked nose, headache, red face and chest, upset stomach, changes in vision and significant changes in blood pressure.
Less common side effects include priapism, blindness, stroke, heart attack and sudden death.
Priapism is a persistent, often painful, erection lasting more than four hours that is not associated with sexual interest or stimulation. This requires immediate medical attention to prevent long-term complications.
Combining erectile dysfunction meds with other drugs
When taking Viagra-type meds, there can be interactions with other recreational drugs you might be taking which may result in side effects and health risks.
Poppers
You should not combine erectile dysfunction medications with poppers, as both lower blood pressure. Poppers are nitrites. Similar drugs called nitrates are taken by people with heart conditions. Taking ED meds while on nitrates has killed people by causing a fatal drop in blood pressure.
Crystal meth
Mixing ED meds with crystal meth puts extra strain on the heart, causing sudden shifts in blood pressure which can lead to strokes, chest pains and heart attacks.
MDMA
ED meds and MDMA together can strain the heart, and this mixture has been known to cause priapism.
Other drugs
Ketamine, cocaine, mephedrone and amphetamine/speed, or chems that might have amphetamine/speed in them such as MDMA, when taken together with ED meds can put extra pressure on the heart.
Recommendation
Best practice would be buying ED medications ‘over the counter’ in a pharmacy, or to buy online from an approved UK pharmacy.