You’ve probably heard that you should not
combine grapefruit (grapefruit juices and smoothies) with ED tablets. But on
the Internet, it’s hard to find an easy-to-understand and detailed article
devoted to this issue. Our team have decided to fill the gap. No mysteries,
just scientific facts.
Grapefruit and Medications
This fruit may alter pharmacokinetics of
medicines by different ways. First, it causes irreversible inactivation of P450
(CYP) 3A4 enzyme in the intestine, which is responsible for oxidation of small
foreign organic substances. As a result, metabolism is decreased and bioavailability
of some orally taken pills increases. Secondly, it inhibits activity of P-glycoprotein
which pumps a multitude of external substances out of cells. Due to complex
mechanisms, this also elevated bioavailability of medicinal substances.
Healthcare professionals aren’t sure which chemicals in grapefruit are responsible for potentially dangerous interactions. Main candidates are furanocoumarins.
This doesn’t mean that grapefruits are harmful by themselves. They contain a lot of healthy substances, including vitamin C, Vitamin A, pantothenic acid, copper, dietary fiber, potassium, and others. However, if you take cardiovascular (and many other) types of medications, you should be careful.
A 2020 German Study
In 2001-2002 German researchers organized a study in Köln. There
were 24 healthy and HIV negative participants involved with the average age 29
years. According to the experiment men were given one glass of fresh grapefruit
juice, which they had to drink before the main meal. In 60 minutes, another one
glass of the juice, accompanied with one more component – Viagra 50mg, was
consumed. Over the next day scientists collected blood samples. The experiment
was held again in a one week. Instead of grapefruit juice, males drunk ordinary
water.
Results
It was revealed that Viagra’s absorption increased by 23 per cent when consumed with juice. With water the digestibility of the pharmaceutical is worse (which is considered normal). Grapefruit juice is also responsible for delaying of Viagra’s absorption. It’s important fact, since Viagra directly before sex may show no results if it is taken with this juice. Instead, it should be taken in advance.
The juice, involved in the research, was
produced by Döhler company. Juices, supplied by other manufacturers, types,
doses of them may show another effect. The scientists suggested that the combo
of the “blue pill” and grapefruit juice is unwanted.
Patients, who take protease inhibitors (PIs), antiviral medications that are used to treat HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C, are recommended to take much lower dosage of Viagra, than the normal one. It’s because PIs are prone to raise Viagra’s level in many times. It’s dangerous for severe adverse events. That’s why, such individuals are also prohibited to combine grapefruit juice and Viagra.
What
About Cialis and Levitra?
These two medications may also be incompatible with grapefruit. There is a comprehensive study by D.G. Bailey and G.K. Dresser (London Health Sciences Centre, Ontario, 2004). The scientists investigated interactions between grapefruit juice and medications used to treat cardiovascular problems, including erectile dysfunction. They revealed that tadalafil and vardenafil (active components of Cialis and Levitra, respectively) may lead to severe systemic vasodilation, especially when ED pills are co-administered with nitrates. By the way, nitrate-based medicinal drugs are contraindicated if a patient takes ED pharmaceuticals.
If you take an ED medication (PDE5 inhibitor
group), stay away from grapefruit. Such a combination can make the action of a
pill unpredictable and lead to undesirable consequences. When it comes to other
dietary restrictions, it is recommended not to eat heavy meals while taking
Viagra, Cialis or Levitra.
You probably know that when you treat any disease, it is not enough just to take a pill and wait for an effect. It is necessary to follow some rules of administration. Some medications should not be combined with alcohol, while some are recommended to be swallowed with milk.
Patients suffering from ED often want the
needed effect from an ED pill as fast as possible. Unfortunately, Viagra doesn’t
work immediately, but there are some tips that might help you to speed up onset
of its action. We’ve prepared five useful recommendations for you.
Tip
1. Don’t Eat Too Fatty Foods
Donald J Nichols and others at Pfizer Central
Research (Sandwich, 2002),
reported about reduction in the speed of Viagra’s absorption and no alteration
in extent of absorption when the medication was taken with high-fat meal, as
compared to administering in the fasting state. What meals may be considered
too fatty? These may be cheeseburgers, French fries, cheese fondue, salads with
high amount of oils, fatty pork, fried chicken and some others.
Moreover, high-fat food may be harmful for health when consumed too often and/or in huge quantities. This may lead to cholesterol rate elevation, weight gain, and increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Tip
2. Don’t Eat at All
If your stomach is full, this may slow
absorption of sildenafil, the main component of Viagra. The most typical
example to understand it better: if you eat well and drink alcohol, you get
drunk slower.
So if you need the fastest effect, take Viagra on an empty stomach, for example, three hours after your last meal. In this case, you will most probably feel the effect 25-30 min after ingestion.
However, if you suffer from gastritis, dyspepsia or something like that, prolonged fasting may be inappropriate for you.
Tip
3. Avoid Alcohol
According to the study by Chinese scientists Lee AC, Ho LM et al. (The University of Hong Kong, 2010), alcohol consumption of 3 or more standard drinks per week might reduce satisfaction from sex and impair erectile function in males. In addition, high doses of alcoholic drinks taken before sexual intercourse may lead to delaying of arousal and worsening of erection. Scientists have also revealed that alcohol overconsumption negatively affects production of testosterone, a main male hormone responsible for healthy libido.
Tip 4. Avoid Illicit Drugs, Marijuana, and… Grapefruit Juice
Illegal drugs and marijuana may worsen ED
symptoms, thus leveling the effect of the blue pill. In addition, narcotics are
harmful for general health (this cannot be said for sure with regard to
marijuana, as you know, it can be used for recreational and medical purposes,
but smoking hemp may not be a good idea if you are an erectile dysfunction
sufferer and Viagra-taker).
Well, what about grapefruit? Point is that this
fruit contains a chemical that interferes with the work of an enzyme which is
responsible for removal of toxins and some medical substances from the body. As
a result, the effect of Viagra and its onset of action may become
unpredictable.
An important tip: Viagra should never be combined with nitrates. This may lead to severe blood pressure drop and even to lethal outcome. Nitrates are medicines used to treat angina. They include nitroglycerine, isosorbide dinitrate and some other meds.
As mentioned earlier, ED medications don’t work
right away. So you need to wait 30-60 min to achieve the desired effect. Viagra
enhances the activity of a chemical nitric oxide (NO) which is due to the
inhibition of PDE5 enzyme. This leads to muscle relaxation in the penile organ.
Blood flow improves and you get better erection.
Note that the pharmaceutical doesn’t work
without sexual stimulation. You need to be sexually aroused to get penis
hardening. Of course, some time is needed to get yourself in the mood.
Remember, if you are worried that the medication is not working in time, there is no need of taking another tablet. Doubled dosage will not increase efficiency but may increase the risk of side effects, such as dizziness, face redness, headache, and arterial pressure plummeting.
Scientists have recently discovered one more
property of Viagra, which is commonly used as a potency enhancer worldwide. The
drug’s efficiency in treating erectile dysfunction (ED) and boosting sexual
performance was approved by FDA in 1998. It stops the destruction of cGMP,
which is a key regulator of blood flow in penis. Viagra contributes to proper
blood supply to the men’s organ and provides excellent erection. That’s why
it’s so popular with male patients who suffer from impotence.
But now it’s also considered as an accelerator
of the weight loss. The medication, despite its main function, converts excess
fat cells, alerts resistance of insulin, and diminishes other complications,
triggered by obesity.
The research by German scientists Michaela M. Mitschke, Ana Kilic, Linda S. Hoffmann et al.(2013) was conducted on mice, which were given Viagra. The animals, which were given Sildenafil (brand name of Viagra), turned out to be resistant to overweight and obesity despite being on a fatty diet.
There are millions of people all over the world, who are overweight. The problem is urgent, indeed. Many patients are looking for the solution. For those, who take sildenafil to boost sexual performance, the solution is unexpectedly close.
The abovementioned team from the German Federal Institute for Drugs & Medical Devices (BfArM), and the Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, headed by Prof. Pfeifer administrated the medicine to the mice for a week. They were amazed by the effect, since fat cells were converted into beige ones under the effect of Viagra. These “good” fat cells convert the energy (calories) from consumed food to heat. Beige fat just melts away undesirable pounds.
Beige fat is a type of adipose tissue featuring energy-burning properties. It can burn energy which comes from food consumption (breakfast, lunch, dinner, etc.). So scientists have hopeful expectations regarding its role on the body and an appropriate influence on it. Beige fat has some similarities with brown one, however, they have different cellular lineages.
Moreover, sildenafil prevents fat cells from
accumulating lipids, which causes the release of hormones. They, in turn, lead
to inflammation, which put a person at risk of experiencing cardio-vascular
conditions (heart attack or stroke), cancer or diabetes. Sildenafil stops
inflammatory processes. Consequently, Viagra, helping to stay slim, can serve a
prophylaxis of a number of severe diseases. Scientists published their
discovery in FASEB journal.
According to prof. Dr. Alexander Pfeifer such
double influence of Viagra can be the real rescue for individuals, suffering
from both erectile disorders and obesity.
The
Medication’s Impact Isn’t Clear Yet
However, it’s still unclear whether it’s legit or not, since rodents are not humans. That is why, it cannot be still prescribed for the sake of getting rid of the couple of extra pounds. Naturally, there is no FDA approval for this. The proper dosage of Viagra for weight loss is not revealed yet. Possible side effects, in particular back pain, stomach ache, headache also have to be taken into consideration. Moreover, scientists are not sure about the probability of taking Viagra for the purpose of dealing with obesity by females. Further studies have to be conducted. Anyway, it would be great if the efficacy of Viagra in removing fat in humans were approved by specialized establishments.
Well, if you wanna get rid of fat, you need to maintain negative energy balance, that is, you should consume less energy than your body spends. If you still cannot lose fat, this means that you eat too much. Consult a nutritionist.
Keep in mind that food products have different
caloric value. Fat is the most high-calorie nutrient, but in everyday diet
carbs are usually key contributors for adding pounds.
Don’t forget about physical activity. It helps the body to spent excessive calories and maintain health of internal organs and systems.
Additional tips:
Drink enough water.
Eat more protein (poultry, legumes,
etc.);
Eat at least 400 g of fruit and
vegetables a day.
Sleep well.
Track and regularly measure your
results.
Remember, that healthy weight prevents a bunch
of diseases and helps to live happily.
Viagra is a very popular drug with those who
suffer from erection problems. Numerous research papers prove that Viagra is a powerful
remedy for combatting erectile dysfunction. But the capabilities of the drug
are not limited to this function. It can be also a great option for treating
various diseases, in particular, heart failure, which is a very dangerous
condition.
Viagra-Like
Drugs and Heart Failure Treatment
Scientists have recently revealed that drugs, usually taken in case of problems with erection, are also effectual for treatment and prevention of heart failure. Among them is Viagra-like drug tadalafil. People, who face this heart disease, have a poor heart muscle, which fails to pump blood properly. Consequently, organs and tissues don’t get enough oxygen to maintain vital functions. According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) approximately 6 million of American adults are diagnosed this condition. Half of them live fewer than 5 years after learning the doctor’s verdict.
Prof. Trafford together with his team conducted
a study, aimed at revealing the properties of tadalafil. This drug belongs to
the same category as Viagra (brand name of sildenafil) and is marketed as
Cialis. The experiment was made on sheep, which were given tadalafil for
removing symptoms of heart failure. Humans usually take tadalafil to escape
from problems with erection. The 3 week research showed the significant
improvement of the state of animals’ hearts. This drug contributed to the enhancement
of the contraction of the heart as well as restoration of the organ’s reaction
to the hormone, called epinephrine. Poor response to it leads to the heart
failure. Professor claims, that the effect, experienced by the animals, will be
the same in people. He adds that individuals, who take tadalafil for treating
bad erection, unwittingly help their
heart to opposite negative impact of ageing, bad habits and unfavorable
conditions.
Another remedy, which is also probably good in
dealing with heart conditions, is Viagra (sildenafil). It’s a revolutionary
product, which helped millions of males to combat sexual dysfunction. Like
tadalafil Viagra only theoretically can be beneficial for treating heart
failure. As there is no clear scientific research in this respect further studies
are required.
The main question is whether it’s safe to take
Viagra if the patient has heart disease.
Some doctors insist that Viagra shouldn’t be
taken by individuals with heart disease of certain type. It can cause dangerous
outcomes.
There are certain side effects of sildenafil. Firstly, it can potentially minimize the pressure of the blood. Secondly, the interaction with nitrates is observed. Being a vasodilator, which dilates vessels, sildenafil puts down systolic pressure of the blood. Such vasodilating influence is hazardous in combination with the nitrates’ vasodilating effect. Nitrates are commonly prescribed to patients, who have problems with coronary artery. Those, who simultaneously take these two drugs, are at risk of getting strong hypotension and syncope. Therefore, sildenafil is prohibited to be taken together with nitrates (nitroglycerine such as Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur patches, etc.).
On the other hand, sildenafil is tolerated
quite well in males, suffering from coronary artery condition, if they don’t
have severe ischemia and don’t take nitrates.
As sildenafil
may contribute to the blood pressure drop, it may be dangerous for
individuals with constant hypotension.
Viagra and Cialis are usually administered on
demand, that is, a person takes a pill when he plans to have sex in near time.
Sometimes, people need to take these tabs every day. Is it ok? Are there any
health risks?
Everyday
Use of Viagra
Theoretically, one can use Viagra on an everyday basis. However, in practice such cases are not very frequent as not everyone (especially after 40, when prevalence of ED begins to rise) has sex every day. Moreover, some reported occasions of blindness which may be associated with prolonged administration of sildenafil may play a role of a preventive factor despite the fact that direct link between its use and hearing impairment hasn’t been established. Moreover, sildenafil is an active component of Revatio drug. Doctors prescribe it for treating pulmonary arterial hypertension, and patients need to take it every day. So we can conclude that “blue diamond” with the same sildenafil in composition is safe when taking on an ongoing basis.
At the same time, the medication doesn’t cause
tolerance worsening. According to the study by James G McMurray et al. (Medical Affiliated Research Center, Pfizer Inc. etc., 2007), most of
participants who had used the medication for a long time responded
affirmatively when the surveyors asked them about successfulness of erectile
dysfunction treatment. This means that durable administration of Viagra doesn’t
cause loss of tolerability, it maintains the same effectiveness.
Conclusion: Viagra can be taken every day, that would be ok for your health. However, if you practice daily using (especially in high dosages), it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional.
Administration
of Cialis on Daily Basis
Well, it depends. There are two recommended modes of taking Cialis. The first one is taking it on demand (as needed). Considering the fact, that tadalafil acts up to 1.5 days (36 hours), its administering on an everyday basis may be associated with increased risk of side effects as the substance just doesn’t have time to leave the body in full. Two pills are stacked, and the concentration of tadalafil in the blood remarkably increases, causing semi-overdose condition.
The second mode is
daily treatment. A
male can take low doses of Cialis (2.5 or 5 mg) every day, preferably at the
same time, say 12 am. Such treatment can last long. It features the great
advantage: there is no need for a patient to plan sex at all, he can have it anytime,
as the active substance remains in the body on a permanent basis. This regime
can bring more romanticism in a couple’s relationship.
Interestingly, Cialis in minimal doses can treat benign prostate hyperplasia (prostate adenoma, BPH in short). Moreover, according to Konstantinos Hatzimouratidis (Hellenic Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 2014), this is the only pharmaceutical product that can successfully treat both BPH and ED, because traditionally used medications for reducing urinary tract symptoms, including α-adrenergic antagonists and 5α-reductase inhibitors, are associated with sexual adverse events and may worse impotence.
Conclusion: Cialis in low dosages (2.5 mg or 5 mg) can be used daily, this has been officially allowed. If you take higher dosages (10 mg or 20 mg), time interval between doses should desirably be 36 hours.
Takeaways
Both Viagra and Cialis can be taken every day.
But you can do that only if there is a real need. Plus, in case of Cialis you need
to use the lowest dosage.
Viagra is one of the most known pills in the
world. However, its branded version, to put it bluntly, is not cheap.
Fortunately, there is a widely accepted scheme according to which, when a patent
for an original medication expires, other pharmaceutical companies (which are
eligible to do this) acquire the right to manufacture an unpatented drug
(generic). After appearance of generic products, original Viagra sales didn’t nosedive
but remarkably decreased. Such a situation even forced Pfizer to announce the launch
of its own generic product line. However, other drugmakers managed to earn
fame, so now their drugs are very popular.
Well, do you want to know exactly which companies produce generics of Viagra? Then this article is for you.
Indian
Drugmakers that Produce Sildenafil Generics
India is the biggest generic supplier in the
world. Many companies producing generics of different kinds are based in Indian
jurisdiction (examples are Cipla and Dr. Reddy’s). Such a position of India is
associated with favorable conditions for pharmaceutical companies’ operating, relatively
low salaries for workers, and some inapproachability with regard to patents’
action and lawsuits of genuine products’ manufacturers. Indian medicines are
often sold over-the-counter.
Ajanta Pharma is a specialized pharmaceutical company engaged in the development, production and marketing of high-quality medicines in both the Indian and international markets. This company was founded in 1973 with headquarters in Mumbai-India. Thus, this company has extensive experience (over 40 years) in manufacturing medicines. Ajanta consistently provides high quality affordable medicines for patients in different parts of the world. Recently, it has focused its production on exports and on the final Western consumer, in particular, tablets of this manufacturer are widely advertised in Europe (although they are not approved in all countries).
Ajanta Pharma is probably the most known
producer of generic sildenafil, as this company produces Kamagra, Kamagra
Jelly, and Kamagra Super. Let’s take a brief look at these preparations:
Kamagra is
an ordinary sildenafil. Unlike genuine Viagra (the so-called “blue diamond”),
this drug has turquois color. The most popular dosage is 100mg, but 50mg is
also sold.
Kamagra Jelly.
This is a unique remedy which is marketed in a gel form contained in sachets. It
features various flavors such as banana, mint, strawberry, pineapple, orange,
chocolate, cream, mango, rose and a few others.
Kamagra Super.
This is a combination of sildenafil (an anti-ED agent) and dapoxetine, a
substance which helps to handle premature ejaculation.
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
Sun Pharma was incorporated back in 1983. Initially it sold psychiatric products (five medications). In 1994 it launched IPO (Initial Public Offering). After parabolic growth, it expanded the network of drugs’ sale across more than 20 counties. Regarding innovative activity of the company it’s worth mentioning that it introduced gastroenterology products in India (in 1989).
This company produces, in particular, Caverta
medication. It is interesting that earlier Caverta was produced by Sun
Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, but on 25th March 2015 Sun Pharma
completed the acquisition of Ranbaxy Laboratories, so nowadays Ranbaxy actually
doesn’t exist as a separate firm being an integral part of Sun.
In addition, according to the information on
the company’s official website, it offers sildenafil in different dosages under
the name RAN SILDENAFIL.
Centurion
Laboratories
Centurion Laboratories is one of the largest
generic manufacturing plants located in India. Centurion Laboratory produces
more than 100 types of generics, from simple drugs, sedatives, drugs for the
treatment of erectile dysfunction to serious anti-hepatitis, anti-tuberculosis,
and anti-cancer drugs. Centurion Laboratories Pvt. was founded in 1998 in the
city of Guyarat. In 2017, the company’s turnover amounted to more than $5
billion.
Centurion Labs produces several names of Viagra
generics, in particular, Eregra and
Cenforce. In addition to generic sildenafil, the company also manufactures
generics of other PDE5 inhibitors, as well as drugs for the treatment of
premature ejaculation, and natural remedies for the treatment of impotence.
Ranbaxy
Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited is the largest
pharmaceutical corporation in India, a multinational manufacturer of a wide assortment
of medicines.
Ranbaxy was established in 1961. In 2008, it entered into an alliance with one of the biggest Japanese innovative businesses, Daiichi Sankyo Company Ltd. As a result of this merger, the major player in the market of innovative and generic drugs emerged. The combined company today is among the 20 largest pharma behemoths in the world. In particular, it produces supplements (for example, iron-containing ones), antibacterial drugs, drugs for treating hypertension, medicines for men’s health, and many others.
The most known generic drug manufactured by
Ranbaxy is Caverta.
Cipla
Cipla Limited is an Indian multinational
pharmaceutical and biotechnology company, headquartered in Mumbai, India. Its production
facilities are located in Belgium, Surrey in the EU, Miami, Florida in the
United States, as well as in other countries. The company specializes in the
production of drugs for respiratory, cardiovascular diseases, arthritis,
diabetes, erectile dysfunction, and other conditions. It was founded by the
Indian nationalist and scholar Khwaja Abdul Hamied back in 1935 in Mumbai. The
products of this Indian corporation are approved by the American FDA.
Sipla produces a medication which is called Silagra. Another less-known generic is
Assurans (in a tableted form).
Other Manufacturers
There are also other Indian companies less preeminent than the abovementioned ones. These are FDC (Zerect tabs), Medley (Vigreks tab), Bestochem (Rocky-50), Human Pharmacia (Sex-Gra), Dr. Reddy’s Lab (Rezum), Dynamic (Ratigra), Protec (Progra), Zydus Alidac (Penegra), Kopran (Nyte tab), Unichem (Erix), Torrent (Androz), IND-SWIFT (Adams Delite), and a bunch of others.
Canadian
Companies Manufacturing Generic Viagra
Canada is considered a world leader by a
quantity of online pharmacies which are based in this country. But in fact, in
this country there are no many manufacturers producing Viagra generics
comparing, for instance, with India.
Teva
Teva is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of generic drugs, which is among the 15 largest international pharmaceutical manufacturers. In addition to a wide selection of high-quality generics in such areas as cardiology, pulmonology, oncology, neurology and urology, the company also produces its own innovative medical products.
Teva is a company originating from Israel (its earliest
predecessor was Jerusalem-based “Salomon, Levin, and Elstein Ltd.”).
But it has multiple affiliated firms in different companies of the world, in
particular, in Canada. Sildenafil Teva is a recognizable drug among many
patients.
Pharmaris Canada
Pharmaris
Canada is a young company, whose activity began in Peru in 2009 with subsequent
expanding to other countries (Peru, Chile, Canada, and others). The Canadian
branch is based in British Columbia.
It should also be noted that Mylan, a widely known pharma company,
has launched sales of generic Viagra in 11 countries. But Canadian facilities
of this corporation most probably don’t produce this medication, and it is not
offered by Canada-based drugstores.
Mexican
Drugmaking Companies
According to statistics, the United Mexican States
is one of the largest markets for erectile dysfunction products (both
pharmaceuticals and herbal products).
In addition, Mexico is famous for its producers of anabolic steroids, which are (although in Mexican pharmacies some anabolics may be bought without a prescription). Keep in mind that some of medications sold in this country may be counterfeited, this applies not only to anabolically active drugs but also to other kinds of meds, including Viagra.
Besides semi-legal and underground
manufacturers, Mexico is a base for many giant pharmaceutical corporations
which have opened affiliate companies there. For instance, these are local
branches of Schering Plough, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bayer, AztraZeneca, and GlaxoSmithKline.
In Mexico, there is also a branch of Pfizer company. It is interesting, that in 2011 Pfizer launched a special version of Viagra in Mexico. This was Viagra Jet (“Tabletas Masticables”), a chewable medication for males who didn’t like swallowing pills or capsules (but it is not known whether this version is sold nowadays). However, males may simply choose Kamagra Jelly.
Which
Dosages Are Offered by Generic Viagra Manufacturers?
Of course, generic drugmakers offer classic
dosages of Viagra, that is 25mg, 50mg, and 100mg. However, other variations are
also possible. Sometimes you can find enhanced doses, like 150mg and 200mg. Some
males can take advantages from increased quantity of sildenafil in the chosen
product, but keep in mind that an increase in dosage does not necessarily mean
improvement of the medication’s effectiveness.
Conclusions
There are a lot of generic Viagra producers on the market. But the key thing for a customer is not the choice of a manufacturer (as manufacturers don’t sell medications directly to users), his task should rather be finding a reliable supplier. Read more: Why is Canadian Health&Care Mall the Best Way to Order Generic Drugs?
Very often, patients wash down drugs with whatever turns up, without thinking about it. It can be soda, juice, milk, tea, coffee and so on. But it can be unsafe for the human body. Below we will consider whether it is possible to take Viagra with milk and indicate the combinations that can never be done.
Is It Possible To Wash
Down Medicines With Milk?
Sometimes
doctors recommend taking some medications with milk in order to reduce the risk
of damaging the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract and soften the
bitter taste of drugs. For instance, hydrocortisone
is recommended to be taken with food or milk to prevent upset of the
stomach.
Do not use
milk to wash down medicinal products with acid-resistant coating, because the
safety cover dissolves and the drug is destructed before reaching the point of
absorption. For example, the combined use of the drug Dulcolax (a constipation
drug) in the form of tablets with milk can lead to premature dissolution of the
tablet shell and irritation of the stomach and duodenum.
Milk stops
resorption of iron from iron-containing preparations (ferrous fumarate, ferrous
gluconate, ferrous sulfate). It also impairs the absorption of tetracycline
antibiotics.
Is It Possible To Wash
Down Viagra With Milk?
Viagra has neither an acid-resistant coating nor iron elements. Therefore, theoretically, it can be taken with milk. But you, as a patient, should always know that you need to consistently and systematically observe official instructions.
Is Milk Good For Potency?
Milk contains such valuable components as vitamins (D, B, A, PP), macro- and microelements (zinc and iron, phosphorus and potassium, iodine and magnesium, potassium and sulfur, chlorine and selenium). Natural milk is rich in lactose, enzymes and lactic acids, globulins, casein and albumin. In general, milk is good for the body and can be good for potency. However, it cannot be used by people with lactose intolerance. There is also a point of view that milk is one of potential causes of acne and allergies in people prone to it. Some experts attribute this to the fact that milk supposedly contains elements of hormones intended for calves (if we are talking about cow’s milk) consequently, it is not suitable for the human body. But this is only a theory that still requires documentary evidence.
Viagra And Juices
It is usually not recommended to take preparations with juices (unless otherwise indicated in the instruction, for example, creatine, which, however, is an additive and not a drug may be recommended to be washed down with grape juice). But the most important thing you need to know (must-know rule) is that you cannot combine Viagra with grapefruit or grapefruit juice. This fruit contains a substance that inhibits the activity of the enzyme responsible for the removal of drugs and toxins. Therefore, sildenafil can be released into the blood in unpredictable concentrations. Do you need it?
It may seem
difficult to remember what you can, and what you cannot use to wash down this
or that medicine. But in fact, there is nothing complex here. It is enough to
read the instructions or ask the attending physician, and if it is not possible
to do this, then wash down the medicine with water, you will not be mistaken
for sure.
Final Recommendations
Always take Viagra or Sildenafil with water as directed. This will ensure that the drug will work as it should. You should not experiment with different liquids for this purpose. Especially it concerns grapefruit juice (it is also not recommended to wash down the medicine with other citrus juices).
It is known that the maximum dosage of the
original Viagra is 100 milligrams of sildenafil. The maximum dosage of branded
Cialis is only 20 mg of tadalafil. However, can these dosages of two drugs be
considered equal in terms of the strength of the effect?
Viagra vs Cialis: What’s the Difference?
We’ve thoroughly analyzed these drugs and
decided to highlight key factors of
differentiation.
Producer. Genuine Viagra is manufactured by Pfizer Inc., a renowned American pharmaceutical company. Original Cialis is produced by Eli Lilly, which is also a US-based pharma giant. However, this difference is not determinative in case of generics. They are produced by less-known Indian, Canadian, and European manufacturers. We would not advise to buy generic drugs from China, as a risk to get a counterfeit is elevated.
Dosage.Viagra comes in three main dosages: 25mg, 50mg, and 100mg. There are four versions of Cialis: 2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg, and 20mg. As you can see, even the minimal dosage of Viagra (25mg) has less pharmaceutical substance than the maximal-dosed Cialis version (20mg).
Appearance. Viagra is supplied as a diamond-shaped blue pill while Cialis is sold in the form of almond-shaped yellow-colored pills. In case of generics, the difference may be another (depending on the product you choose).
Uses. Viagra and Cialis are both used to treat erectile dysfunction. In addition, other drugs with their active agents are used to fight pulmonary arterial hypertension. These are Revatio (sildenafil) and Adcirca (tadalafil). What is more, there are perquisites to assume that Viagra may be also used for urinary symptoms of BPH, however, there is no official approval for such a purpose.
Time of Action. Viagra works for 4-6 hours, in some males the needed effect may be observed within a 12-hour period. Cialis acts much longer (see below).
There may also be other differences, but they are not significant.
What is the Key Feature of Cialis?
The main advantage of Cialis is an increased biological
half-life of the active substance, which is approximately from 17 to 20 hours.
Due to this, the desired effect is guaranteed
within 36 hours after consuming the pill. As we have noted above, the
maximum possible period of action of
Viagra is only 6 hours (rarely 12 hours). Interestingly, this advantage is
achieved without the use of a higher dosage of tadalafil.
For one and a half days, Cialis (or tadalafil) suppresses the production of PDE5 enzyme in the body, causing the cessation of erection. This drug, as well as Viagra, is a selective PDE5 inhibitor. What does it mean? Cialis blocks PDE5 (phosphodiesterase type 5) enzyme more actively, virtually not affecting the rest of useful PDE enzymes. For example, PDE3 is involved in cardiac muscle contraction, vascular smooth muscle and platelet aggregation. The effect of Cialis on this enzyme is 10 thousand times weaker than on PDE5.
Cialis 20mg vs Viagra 100mg: What’s the Best Choice?
These drugs belong to
the same family – PDE5 inhibitors. They also have about the same efficiency: they work in 80-90% of
patients with the highest possible dosage.
However, Cialis is believed to have either a
more concentrated or more potent substance, so it contains a lower dosage than
its main competitor.
However, Cialis 20mg and Viagra 100mg are almost the same in terms of improving erections. Some may get the best effect from Cialis, while others may prefer Viagra. But do not think that Cialis in the 20-milligram dosage is weaker than Viagra and vice versa.
Thus, in terms of dosage strength, these doses
can theoretically be considered identical. But at the same time, they cannot be fully equated. Cialis has
a different half-life, which makes its action time six times longer than that
of Viagra (sildenafil lasts up to 6 hours, while tadalafil provides the desired
effect up to 36 hours). So choosing one or another preparation is generally a
matter of taste. Administering other medications may also influence the choice,
since Cialis lasts longer in the body, consequently, the period of possible
harmful interactions with other drugs becomes longer.
Viagra medication is very popular among male persons suffering from an erection disorder. However, sometimes it does not work as it should, and sometimes patients want to get a “double” effect. They might ask whether it is possible to take two pills at once.
Some Important Facts About
Viagra (Sildenafil)
The drug
acts by improving blood flow in the genital area. Sildenafil (the basic
component of Viagra) does not enhance sexual desire / libido and does not help
improve feelings towards your partner. The blue pill isn’t an aphrodisiac. It only
affects the physiological level, contributing to the filling of blood vessels
in the vessels. Viagra will not work without excitement.
Some athletes use the drug to increase endurance in long-lasting or high-intensity workouts, to achieve new results in a gym. This practice is associated with the fact that sildenafil allegedly improves blood flow and muscle pumping. With careful use and proper dosage, some athletes do improve athletic performance. By the way, this category of people may be inclined to use higher dosages of the drug (taking two tablets or more per day). Partyers is another category which is prone to Viagra abusing.
Viagra Dosages on the
Pharmaceutical Market
Traditionally, the drug is available in three dosages: 25mg, 50mg and 100mg. In some fellows, minimal dosages work, while other patients need an increased amount of the active ingredient of the product (sildenafil) to get the desired effect. The maximum daily dosage of Viagra is 100 mg; you should keep this in mind. However, some pharmacies offer elevated doses of the product, for example, 150mg and 200mg.
Increased Dosages of
Viagra: Risks and Dangers
In this case, bigger dosages don’t mean better effect. “More” can actually mean “worse”, as has been shown by several clinic studies.
The fact is
that super high doses of Viagra increase the risk of side effects, such as
dizziness, back pain, facial flushing, dyspeptic disorders and the like. If a
man gets these side effects, he is unlikely to want to have sex, or at least
the pleasantness of intercourse will be overshadowed by a headache. Therefore,
it is better not to expose your body to pharmaceutical dangers. Therefore, it
is not advised to administer more than 100 milligrams of sildenafil per day.
Can You Take Two Viagra
Pills at Once?
You already know the two most important facts:
there are three typical dosages of
Viagra;
you cannot take more than 100 mg
(0.1 g) per day.
From this
we can conclude that taking two 100-milligram tablets is prohibited. However,
theoretically you can take two pills of 25 mg or 50 mg at once. Keep in mind
that for patients suffering from serious renal and hepatic diseases even a
dosage of 100 mg may not be allowed.
Conclusion
Consuming two 100-milligram dosages at a time is definitely considered a potentially harmful practice. However, the use of two 25 or two 50 mg tablets at a time might be considered relatively safe, especially if you do not have other serious diseases (heart, kidney, liver, etc.).
Viagra is a blockbuster drug that helps millions of men around the world fight a terrible intimate nuisance called erectile dysfunction. It also generates million dollar profits for pharmaceutical companies, and, we believe, it’s fair. For some men, this medicine has become a real lifesaver, which makes it possible to get the right effect at the right moment.
However, according to some people, Viagra can theoretically cause addiction, that is, a man loses the ability to get a normal erection after discontinuation of the drug in case of cure of the disease. Is it so? Can Viagra (sildenafil) cause physiological or psychological dependence?
Can Viagra Cause Physiological Addiction?
Definitely not, it just cannot do that. Let’s
see why.
Physiological dependence is formed when the body gets used to the constant exogenous intake of substances involved in the metabolic processes and therefore reduces their endogenous production. For example, in the human body (in the process of metabolism) ethyl alcohol is produced in small quantities. With alcohol abuse, the body stops producing it and a person begins to feel bad. There are medicaments and substances that can cause physiological dependence. They belong to psychoactive substances that affect the functioning of the central nervous system, leading to a change in the mental state, sometimes up to an altered consciousness. They can be used for recreational purposes or in medicine.
These include neuroleptics (clozapine, haloperidol), depressants (barbiturates, chloroform), hallucinogens (dimenhydrinate – Draminate, Dramamine; scopolamine), stimulants (amphetamines, caffeine), and nicotine, which is contained in cigarettes. Viagra doesn’t belong to any of the above groups of substances.
Moreover, the instructions to the product do not indicate that it can cause psychotropic or other effects.
Can
Viagra Cause Psychological Dependence?
According to the official instructions, the
medication cannot cause side effects of a psychological nature. Some patients
may experience headaches, backache, facial flushing, gastrointestinal
disorders, etc., but the drug itself does not affect the psyche. However,
unfortunately, a patient can affect his state of mind. Even sunflower seeds may
be addictive, you know…
There are several possible scenarios when
Viagra can cause a psychological dependence, which is usually transient.
The first scenario is when a man suffers from psychogenic erectile dysfunction, that is, he cannot achieve the desired hardness of the sexual organ due to fear, nervousness, anxiety, etc. Viagra can certainly help in such cases, as it activates the mechanisms of erection and improves a man’s confidence in himself. When a patient cancels a drug, he may lose some support at a psychological level. He begins to believe that he can get an erection only after taking Viagra and he cannot have sex without a “blue pill” because of psychological prejudices. It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy because of the so-called performance anxiety.
The second scenario is when a man suffers from organic erectile dysfunction and then cures the underlying cause of this condition, however, he gradually develops a psychological addiction to the drug. The mechanism of habit formation is the same as in the previous case.
The third scenario is when a man begins to abuse the drug and, accordingly, demand more sex. According to doctors and psychologists, excessive use of the blue pill is a threat to the romantic relationship between partners and even to marriage. As a result, this form of drug dependence especially affects the emotional state of a patient.
The fourth scenario is when a man is completely healthy and does not suffer from penile impotence, however, he begins to take Viagra (or another PDE5 inhibitor) for recreational purposes. After some time, he may notice that he is psychologically accustomed to this drug. This means that he cannot get a satisfactory erection without the help of sildenafil, the main active component of the “blue tablet”. He simply must take a pill, after which he gets the confidence that he will succeed. The number of fellas with psychological dependence on Viagra is gradually increasing, since it is widely used at parties, often in combination with narcotic drugs.
Finally, let allow us to set your mind at rest: such cases are relatively rare. If a man has a stable psyche and does not use other psychoactive compounds (narcotics) he most likely will not develop addiction to this excellent drug. The main thing is not to abuse the drug and have sex without it, if sexual health allows this. Viagra is not addictive like psychotropic preparations and cannot cause physiological addiction, but some patients may develop psychological dependency.
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