According to Harvard Health Publishing, when taken as directed, prescription drugs for erectile dysfunction (ED) are generally safe, unless a man has cardiovascular disease. Only a medical professional can evaluate a patient’s physical wellbeing before determining whether a prescription for ED would help their condition.
Men with heart or circulatory issues should work with their doctors to reduce the risk that ED drugs can pose to them. Some men with cardiovascular disease can’t use ED drugs at all, while others must follow strict precautions. It’s important to know that male enhancement pills aren’t right for everyone. For that reason, there are other treatment options available for ED.
Side Effects of Prescription ED Drugs
The largest competitors in the ED drug market are Viagra®, Levitra®, Cialis®, and Stendra®. All four of these medicines can cause diarrhea, headaches, back pain, nasal congestion, and facial flushing.
Some men experience a temporary impairment seeing colors when they take Levitra® or Viagra®. Any man that has been diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa should first consult with his ophthalmologist, as these drugs can significantly impair eyesight when combined with this condition.
Cardiac Concerns
Harvard Health Publishing reports that men who don’t have cardiovascular disease or take nitroglycerin can experience a temporary drop in blood pressure of around 5 to 8 mmHg when taking ED medication. The reason for this decrease in blood pressure is that these drugs affect the arteries. ED pills can widen any or all of the arteries in the body, not only the blood vessels in the penis.
A man who takes nitroglycerin (usually prescribed for heart disease) shouldn’t use male enhancement drugs. ED pills can rapidly lower the blood pressure of a man who takes nitroglycerin by as much as 25 to 51 mmHg, which could be dangerous.
It doesn’t matter what type of nitroglycerin preparation a man takes. Nitroglycerin patches, pastes, long-lasting pills, short-acting sprays, or sublingual (under the tongue) tablets and all other forms of organic nitrate could lead to life-threatening or fatal consequences when interacting with ED drugs.
Medical News Today cautions men against taking ED pills if they:
- Have experienced a stroke, heart attack, or arrhythmia within the last six months
- Have low blood pressure
- Have uncontrolled hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Have ever had congestive heart failure
- Have a history of unstable angina
- Are of advanced age
- Have significant liver or kidney disease
- Take erythromycin, anti-HIV drugs, or certain antifungal medications
Doctors also warn that one shouldn’t drink alcohol before taking drugs for ED.
What to Know About Buying ED Drugs Online
According to the Mayo Clinic, some online pharmacies are reliable, but others are scams or illegal. Here are a few things to keep in mind when buying ED medications online.
Legitimate, Licensed Pharmacy or Scam
The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy is a good resource to determine whether an online U.S. pharmacy has a license and is in good standing. If the website doesn’t contain a phone number to contact the business, the cost of the drug is extremely low, or the company doesn’t require a prescription to fill the order, this may be a red flag.
Illegal online marketers sell fake prescription drugs to unsuspecting buyers. The actual contents of the product may be toxic or simply not work.
Double-Check What Comes in the Mail
If a man chooses to purchase medication online, he should make sure that the dose from the online order matches what was advertised on the website. Medication errors harm and kill many people each year.
Non-Prescription Substances
Many products claim to be “herbal Viagra®” or the same as prescription ED pills without a doctor’s prescription required. There is no evidence that the so-called “herbal Viagra®” works. The ingredients in these products could be harmful and illegal.
Drug-Free Treatment for ED
Men who want effective ED therapy without having to pop pills or endure invasive, painful procedures have options today.
There is a treatment available that:
- Is a quick, 20-minute procedure performed in a medical office
- Doesn’t involve drugs
- Requires no surgery or invasive intervention
- Has little or no side effects
- Involves no downtime
GAINSWave® therapy is a revolutionary treatment that uses sound waves to improve male sexual performance. The extracorporeal high-frequency shockwaves increase blood flow to the penis, eliminate micro-plaque that builds up in the organ, and encourages the release of growth factors to form new blood vessels. This treatment is a game-changer for how medical professionals handle ED.
For more information, contact a GAINSWave® therapy provider near you today.
