Viagra and High Blood Pressure: Understanding the Connection

Some medications for high blood pressure can cause sexual dysfunction in men, often leading to a desire to take an erectile dysfunction drug such as Viagra.

Background

• The two high blood pressure medicines most likely to cause erectile dysfunction are diuretics (water pills) and beta blockers. They both can decrease the blood flow to the penis, making it difficult to get an erection. Beta blockers also can have an adverse effect on the nervous system reaction that causes an erection.

Other Medicines

• According to the Mayo Clinic, high blood pressure medicines that are less likely to cause sexual side effects include angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, angiotensin II receptor blockers and alpha blockers

Considerations

• Sometimes a particular combination of medications contributes to erectile dysfunction, so make sure your doctor knows about everything else you're taking, including herbal supplements and over-the-counter drugs.

Combining Medicines

• According the Mayo Clinic, you can usually safely take sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil (Levitra) and tadalafil (Cialis) along with high blood pressure drugs. But it is important to check with your doctor before combining medications to make sure it's OK for your particular situation.

Caution

• Taking erectile dysfunction drugs, including Viagra, with nitrates for chest pain can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure.