Last Updated on February 29, 2020 by Douglas C. Goldberg, MD
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.
Page Contents
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).
I’m an Oncologist and Hematology Specialist primary located in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. I have over 55 years of experience in the medical field and more than 20 years of practice. I’m skilled at the treatment & diagnosis of a large array of ailments & diseases in adults.
Board certifications
- American Board of Internal Medicine Certification in Internal Medicine
- American Board of Hematology Certification in Hematology
- American Board of Medical Oncology Certification in Medical Oncology
