Losartan and Viagra: Interaction and Side Effects

Losartan and Viagra are two different medications that have gained immense popularity in recent years. Viagra is a well-known drug used to treat impotence, while losartan is primarily used to treat high blood pressure & heart failure. Despite their different uses, both medications have become household names due to their effectiveness in treating their respective conditions. However, for individuals who require both drugs, it is important to know what happens if they mix them.

This article delves into the possible interaction and side effects of combining losartan and Viagra and reveals several trusted vendors selling the meds at the best price.

What Exactly Is Losartan?

Losartan is a medication indicated for the treatment of high blood pressure & heart failure. It is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) that functions by relaxing blood vessels to increase blood flow to the heart. The drug was patented in 1986 and was developed through a collaboration between DuPont and Merck scientists. In 1995, it was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the trade name Cozaar. It was initially marketed as a branded medication, but it has been available as a generic drug since 2009.

In addition to treating hypertension & heart failure, losartan may also be used to manage kidney damage in individuals with diabetes and lessen the risk of a stroke in patients with high blood pressure & an enlarged heart. It is often prescribed in combination with other meds for optimal blood pressure control.

Losartan has been included in the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines. In 2020, it was the 9th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 50 million prescriptions. Its popularity can be attributed to its effectiveness in treating hypertension, as well as its favorable negative effect profile [1].

What Is Viagra Medicine?

Viagra is a medication used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED), a condition that is characterized by difficulty in reaching & maintaining an erection strong enough for sex. Its active ingredient, sildenafil, was discovered by Pfizer scientists in the early 1990s while they were researching a treatment for angina. During clinical trials, researchers found that the medicine had an unexpected side effect: it improved the men’s capability to achieve an erection. In 1998, the FDA approved it under the brand name Viagra for use in the treatment of ED [2].

Viagra belongs to a class of meds known as phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. It acts by relaxing the blood vessels in the penis, allowing for increased blood flow and an erection to occur. It typically takes action within 30 to 60 minutes and lasts for up to 5 hours. It comes in dose strengths of 25 mg, 50 mg & 100 mg, with 50 mg being the recommended starting dose [3].

Apart from the branded drug, generic Viagra is also available. The patent for the medication has expired, paving the way for other pharmaceutical companies, especially from India, to manufacture and market generic versions of the medication. Generic versions of Viagra are sold under various brand names, including Kamagra and Viagra Professional, and they work just as effectively as branded medication at a much lower cost.

Can You Take Losartan and Viagra Together?

You may ask, Can I use Viagra & losartan together? Is the mix bad or compatible? Before mixing any medications, it is important to check the drug interactions to ensure that they are safe to combine. According to the Drugs.com drug interaction checker, there is a moderate interaction between both meds [4]. However, as with any medication, it is important to consult a healthcare provider before combining these drugs, especially if there are any pre-existing medical conditions or other medications being taken.

Both losartan and Viagra reduce blood pressure, and mixing them can cause dangerously low blood pressure levels. The combined intake of both meds can increase vessel dilation and decrease blood flow to the body’s organs, leading to shock. So, it’s better to avoid mixing both meds without first consulting a doctor.

Possible Side Effects of Mixing

Though both meds are well-tolerated if taken as prescribed, they may cause side effects if taken for the first time or misused. Below are some mild negative effects of Viagra [3]:

• nausea;
• indigestion;
• back pain;
• temporary vision changes;
• headache;
• flushing;
• stuffy nose;
• dizziness;
• muscle pain;
• rash.

Most of these negative effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks, but if they become more intense, converse with your physician. Although serious negative effects from Viagra aren’t common, they can still happen. If you experience any of these severe side effects, contact your doctor immediately:

• non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION);
• sudden decrease or loss of hearing accompanied by symptoms such as buzzing or ringing in the ears & dizziness;
• priapism;
• low blood pressure (when Viagra is taken with certain meds like losartan);
• cardiovascular problems like an irregular heartbeat, heart attack, or stroke.

On the other hand, here is a list of some common side effects of losartan [5]:

• nausea;
• vomiting;
• dizziness;
• headaches;
• diarrhea;
• joint or muscle pain.

While serious negative effects from losartan are rare, they can occur. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience the following symptoms:

• yellowing of the whites of the eyes or skin, which may indicate liver problems;
• severe stomach pain, which may indicate pancreatitis;
• unusual fatigue, dizziness, paleness, or purple spots on the skin, which may indicate a blood or bone marrow disorder;
• irregular heartbeat, weakness, muscle cramps, or tingling sensations, which may indicate changes in blood potassium levels.

As for the possible side effects of taking losartan and sildenafil together, it’s important to note that the latter can intensify the blood pressure-lowering effect of the former. If you experience symptoms of low blood pressure, such as fainting, flushing, dizziness, lightheadedness, headache, or a rapid pulse or heart rate, contact your doctor immediately. It’s also possible that you may experience these symptoms at the commencement of therapy, following a dose increase, or when therapy is restarted after an interruption. As a precaution, you should avoid driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how your body reacts to the mix.

Withdrawal Period

The withdrawal period for losartan can vary depending on factors such as the dosage used, duration of treatment, and individual patient characteristics. Stopping the drug abruptly can lead to a sudden increase in blood pressure, which can cause symptoms such as headache, dizziness, and shortness of breath. In some cases, this may result in serious complications such as a heart attack or stroke. Therefore, it is important to consult a healthcare provider to develop a plan for safely discontinuing losartan. They may recommend gradually reducing the dose of the drug or switching to an alternative medication before stopping completely.

On the other hand, Viagra doesn’t cause any withdrawal symptoms, as it is not considered addictive or habit-forming [6]. However, if you have been taking the ED med regularly for a prolonged period and decide to stop it, your ED symptoms may return. This is because Viagra only provides temporary relief from the condition and does not cure the underlying cause. If you are experiencing persistent ED, it is important to speak with your doctor about alternative treatments or addressing the underlying cause of your ED. It is also essential to never stop or change the dosage of any medication without first consulting a healthcare provider.

Interaction of Viagra Plus Losartan with Alcohol & Food

It is generally recommended to avoid drinking large amounts of alcohol or eating high-fat meals when taking Viagra or losartan. Consuming high-fat meals before taking any med can interfere with its absorption into the bloodstream, making it take longer for the drug to start working. This is because fatty foods can slow down the process by which the body breaks down and absorbs the medication. It is recommended to take either of the meds on an empty stomach or after a light meal to ensure it is absorbed quickly and efficiently. While you can take both meds with or without food, it is generally recommended to take them with a substantial amount of water.

Alcohol can augment the risk of certain side effects of Viagra and losartan, such as dizziness, flushing, and headaches. It can also decrease blood pressure, which may exacerbate the effects of losartan. Therefore, it is best to limit alcohol consumption when taking these meds.

What Are the Best Places to Buy These Drugs OTC?

Although there are numerous e-pharmacies selling these meds, only a handful of them can be trusted. ViaBestBuys.com, CialisBit.com, and HighStreetPharma.com are reputable online vendors that deliver Viagra & other ED meds fast and affordably. However, while they are considered reputable, it is always best to know how they operate. Let’s take a detailed look at each of these e-pharmacies.

ViaBestBuys

ViaBestBuys (VBB) is a trusted online pharmacy that specializes in delivering high-quality generic ED medications, all at competitive prices. It ships orders using 2 main shipping methods: Registered Airmail and Express Mail Service (EMS). Airmail orders typically arrive within 10–18 business days, while EMS orders take 7–12 working days to arrive in the USA, the US, Europe, and Australia. In addition, the e-pharmacy also offers US domestic delivery via USPS Priority Mail Express, which takes 3–4 business days.

The pharmacy is committed to customer satisfaction and offers a 100% money-back guarantee. If a package is lost or damaged, VBB will reship the products or provide a full refund. It also offers a variety of discounts and incentives to encourage customer loyalty, including a 25% discount on Bitcoin payments, free tabs for customers who write a review after the purchase, and free shipping on orders over $80. VBB accepts multiple payment methods, including PayPal, Bitcoin, MasterCard, and Zelle.

While it is important to purchase prescription medications with a valid prescription from a licensed healthcare provider, VBB doesn’t require a prescription but encourages its shoppers to consult a doctor before ordering ED meds from it. So, if you are looking for a safe and reliable online pharmacy to purchase Viagra pills, ViaBestBuys.com is an excellent choice. Unfortunately, it only focuses on generic ED meds and doesn’t offer losartan.

CialisBit

CialisBit (CB) is a reputable e-pharmacy known for offering high-quality ED drug brands at low prices. In addition to generic Viagra, CB provides a broad range of other ED meds, such as Cialis and Levitra, but it doesn’t have losartan in stock. Like VBB, the vendor has tons of positive reviews on trusted platforms such as Trustpilot & Yotpo.

Similar to VBB, CB offers 2 main shipping options: Airmail and EMS. The Airmail option takes 10 to 18 business days, while the EMS option usually takes 7 to 12 business days to deliver parcels to the UK, the EU, and the USA. For customers living in the US who need their orders delivered super-fast, the pharmacy also provides the USPS Priority Mail Express shipping option, which takes up to 4 business days.

CialisBit is committed to providing the best prices and offers discounts to keep customers coming back. It offers a special 25% discount on Bitcoin payments, free shipping on all orders over $130, and 10 free soft tablets for returning customers. It also has a money-back guarantee.

Payment on the website is secure and straightforward, as it accepts trusted and proven methods such as MasterCard, PayPal, Zelle, and crypto, among others. CialisBit is an ideal pharmacy for those searching for affordable Viagra or any other ED drug.

HighStreetPharma

HighStreetPharma (HSP) is another reliable vendor that sells Viagra, as well as a diverse range of other drugs, including losartan, for treating various medical conditions, available in both generic and brand-name versions. Similar to CB & VBB, it offers 2 shipping options, EMS and Airmail, but delivery times may be slightly longer. EMS shipments typically take 7 to 14 working days, while Airmail takes 14 to 21 working days.

To encourage customer loyalty, HSP offers several incentives, including a 10% discount for returning customers, free tabs with certain meds, and free shipping on orders over $150. It accepts a variety of payment methods, including cryptocurrency, PayPal, credit cards, and gift cards. If you’re looking for a reliable source to buy generic Viagra or losartan, HighStreetPharma is a good vendor worth considering.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while combining losartan and Viagra may be possible under certain conditions, it is crucial to consult a physician before doing so. There is a moderate interaction between both meds, as sildenafil can heighten the blood pressure-lowering effect of losartan. Taking both drugs together in high doses can trigger dangerously low blood pressure levels. Besides, combining them without proper medical guidance may result in serious negative effects. Additionally, it is important to purchase them from reputable online pharmacies, such as ViaBestBuys, CialisBit, and HighStreetPharma, to ensure their quality and efficacy. Remember to always prioritize your health and safety when taking any med.

References

1. Losartan. Retrieved: May 4, 2023. Wikipedia.org.
2. FDA Approves Viagra. Last updated: March 24, 2021. Retrieved: May 4, 2023. History.com.
3. Viagra (Sildenafil). By Helen Marshall. Medically reviewed by Alex Brewer. Updated: February 15, 2023. Retrieved: May 4, 2023. Medicalnewstoday.com.
4. Drug Interactions Between Losartan and Viagra. Retrieved: May 4, 2023. Drugs.com.
5. Side Effects of Losartan. Last reviewed: February 24, 2022. Retrieved: May 4, 2023. Nhs.uk.
6. Is Viagra Dependency a Thing? By ForHims Editorial Team. Medically reviewed by Kristin Hall, FNP. Last updated: January 21, 2022. Retrieved: May 4, 2023. Forhims.com.