In light of the recent media spotlight on the Jackson family patriarch Joe Jackson following a stroke and multiple heart attacks after he allegedly took three Viagra pills during his recent birthday celebration in Brazil, Dr. Mona Vand – The Modern Pharmacist discusses the safety profile of the popular drug, including interactions and adverse effects in a new video clip.
Dr. Vand explains, “Viagra works by dilating your blood vessels which in turn increases blood flow; a common side effect is a decrease in blood pressure. With any drug, side effects can be increased when matched with a drug interaction.
“For this reason, Viagra has a severe contraindication with a class of medications called Nitrates, which are commonly prescribed to treat chest pain. They dilate blood vessels and drop blood pressure. Because the two of these taken together have such an intensified effect, it’s actually life-threating and they should not be taken together.”
