Viagra and Food Interactions: All You Need to Know

If you bought any drug in a pharmacy, it’s not enough just to take it at any time you like. It is necessary to adhere to certain rules in order to achieve a predictable and maximum effect of the pill. Viagra is basically safe to combine with any foodstuff, but there are a few exceptions to be aware of.

Grapefruit – Citrus Paradisi

Grapefruit is often non-grata food when taking medications. The ban is due to the fact that this pink-orange fruit contains the substance furanocoumarin (furocoumarin) which inhibits the activity of the intestinal enzyme responsible for processing toxins and active substances of many drugs. As a result, the concentration of medicines in the blood may increase and their effect may become unpredictable. In addition, the liver and kidneys experience a much greater toxic load.

Interesting fact: A group of researchers from the Lawson Institute of Health in Canada published an article in the scientific journal Canadian Medical Association Journal, which reported that the list of drugs that could be dangerous when taken with grapefruit increased from 17 in 2008 to 43 in 2012.

According to Dr. David Bailey, one tablet taken with a glass of grapefruit juice can be equivalent to five tablets, which is a serious blow to the body. This statement does not apply to Viagra but to all medicines that can interact with furanocoumarin.

To avoid unpleasant surprises, it is better to refuse grapefruit while you are taking Viagra. Also consider that the medication needs time to be excreted from the body, the same goes for grapefruit. Just in case, avoid it the day you use a sexual enhancer. Of course, this recommendation applies to other products made from grapefruit (smoothies, jams, etc.).

It is important to note that other citrus fruits, such as lime, Seville orange, lemon and pomelo, also contain furanocoumarins, albeit in smaller quantities.

Viagra and Grapefruit: Mystery Revealed by My Canadian Health Care Mall experts.

Fatty Food

In general, the use of fatty food does not affect the bioavailability of Viagra and its effect should be identical to taking it on an empty stomach.

There are also studies (Zinner N., 2007) that indicate that there is no decrease in the effectiveness of sildenafil tablets if taken shortly before or during meals.

However, the moment of the onset of the first effect and the maximum effect can significantly move in time. Therefore, if you need a quick action pill, avoid fatty foods (ribs, cheese, French fries, etc.). Eat a light salad or don’t eat at all. In this way, you will make the azure pill work as quickly as possible.

On the other hand, if you want a longer lasting blue pill effect, combining it with a fatty meal can help achieve this. According to some reports, 4-6 hours is the minimum period during which the tablet is active, but exceptions are possible (up to 10 or even up to 12 hours).

Fond of Alcoholic Drinks?

Both Viagra and alcoholic beverages are vasodilators. Therefore, their combination can lead to a decrease in blood pressure, which is manifested by such symptoms as dizziness, slight blurred vision, weakness and headache. Drinking alcohol is not a strict contraindication for taking Viagra. But this combination has an additional burden on the heart and blood vessels. Therefore, it is recommended to either minimize its use or eliminate it at all in order to avoid the risk of additional unpleasant side effects. The use of large doses of alcohol during Viagra-based treatment is strictly prohibited, as the risk of side effects increases dramatically, moreover, alcohol can actually neutralize the effect of the potency-enhancing pill.

*Consulting with a licensed healthcare professional in your own country is always recommended before considering purchasing medications online.