Viagra

[Nunk]

Hello everyone, prior to my heart attack I was prescribed Viagra and it helped me greatly. Since my HA I was told to stop using it due to the medication I’m now taking. Since then I’ve really struggled, does anyone know if I have to stay off it permanently?

[Lowerfield_no_more]

Talk to your local pharmacist,having equipped yourself with the full list of medication that you take. The pharmacist will be qualified to answer your question, whereas most on here won't be, especially since we don't know what your medical history comprises.

[Nunk in reply to Lowerfield_no_more]

Thank you, that makes sense.

[Happyrosie]

As Lowerfield says, but your doctor’s group of surgeries probably employs one or two pharmacists so they would be a very good source too.

[Nunk in reply to Happyrosie]

Thank you Rosie.

[Seal59]

I don’t know what medication you are on, so check with the pharmacist but my husband is on the usual heart meds and is prescribed it by the doctor.

[Nunk in reply to Seal59]

Thank you Seal59.

[JennyRx]

You will probably fall out of the scope of being able to purchase it as there are restrictions for retail Viagra. So speak to your GP first. You might have to have it prescribed.

[Nunk in reply to JennyRx]

Thank you Jenny.

[Nunk in reply to JennyRx]

Thank you Jenny.

[JennyRx in reply to JennyRx]

Also ED can be caused by atherosclerosis - the same cause as a HA. it may well be your ED was a warning sign. Viagra is allegedly safe 6 months after a HA. But until things settle you shouldn’t take it. Also need to think about exertion post HA…..

[Bingo88]

Good morning Nunk. Your best talking to your doctor. But there's alternatives to Viagra available these days. So he may be able to give you something else. Brian

[Nunk in reply to Bingo88]

Thank you Bingo88.

[Bingo88 in reply to Nunk]

Your welcome. There's something called Cialis. I think it is as an alternative to Viagra. Never used it myself but seen it advertised on tv. Good luck and hope you get some help. Brian

[Mitchum in reply to Bingo88]

My "friend's" cardiologist told me that sildenafil was preferred over cialis. It seems to work for him and he's 76!🙂

[Bingo88 in reply to Mitchum]

I have never heard of that. But obviously there are things available now for people with heart trouble that can't use Viagra

[Mitchum]

I have a "friend" who takes Sindenafil a few times a week (sorry, month)! He takes Levothyroxine, Simvastatin and Warfarin. The only drawback I (sorry, he) has, is that "he" has to pay for it. He uses a generic drug which is cheaper than Viagra and buys it online. If you want more details you can PM me and I'll ask him.🙂

[Nunk in reply to Mitchum]

Thank you Mitchum, I think I’m going to speak to my pharmacist first.

[Mitchum in reply to Nunk]

As far as I am aware it's only nitrates that can't be used with sildenafil, or vice versa.

[Mitchum]

My "friend" says!😉

[Taviterry]

When my faulty heart valve was diagnosed my GP took me off Viagra and instead prescribed a warming cream that had to inserted inside, if you get my drift. It was not all effective (but, I think very expensive if purchased privately). Three weeks after my TAVI I saw my heart surgeon and got him to include in his letter to my GP a comment that I could resume Viagra. When I got home, I found that his very efficient PA had already copied the letter to me but that the letter itself was still finding its way through the GP's email system. She wouldn't prescribe until she'd read the letter the next day.

(I had gathered from all the guidance that I had read before the operation that I might have to wait a few more weeks for the go-ahead, but the surgeon's follow-up was sooner than I had been led to believe, as was his approval of my resuming mowing the lawn (not exciting as using Viagra!).

[Nunk in reply to Taviterry]

Thank you Taviterry.

[Taviterry in reply to Nunk]

I started off by paying my GP for a private prescription for the original Viagra, then when generic products became available I got a limited number via the NHS. After I'd been on 50mg for a while a friendly GP pointed out that I could have 100mgs and split them in half. Some pills have a helpful groove down the middle, and pill cutters are available. A few years ago, I got confused when my 100mgs apparently had "75" on them. It turned out that I was reading the manufacturer's initials "SL" upside down!

[quirk13]

I was told I couldn't take Viagra while on a nitrate, I found a study that suggested it was reasonably safe if taken as far apart as possible. I take my nitrate first thing and use Viagra in the evening and have had no problems. I discussed with my GP first. I read that Viagra was initially developed to treat heart problems as it dilates blood vessels. The concern is around blood pressure dropping too low