Can Viagra cause priapism and low libido?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

I read an article online that made me worried. 10 years ago I took a viagra tablet from a night club machine. I have had no problrms since. I keep reading about priapism as a potential long term side effect ( I presume this didnt happen to me i just cant remember) Would I know if i had caused any damage to my libido for the future? Im just not sure if I could have caused damage without knowing? I know it sounds a silly question but difficilt to get an answer. Thanks

Answered by Dr. Muhammad Zohaib

Thanks for the query Viagra is SILDENAFIL which is chemically a Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor. This cause dilatation of arteries specifically in penis and lungs. Side effect is visual halos, blood pressure dropping and headache. This medicine is also used in Pulmonary Hypertension. Once serious side effect is dropping of blood pressure if combined with a nitrate, the medicine used to treat angina. These 2 medicines should never be overlapped in 24 hours at least. SILDENAFIL is safe and effective. No other serious side effect. No direct effect on libido but indirectly is can boost libido due to confidence. Dose should be minimized. Regards

Patient's Query

Thank you for your quick response. I suppose the surprise for me was that a very rare side effect was priapism - a sustained erection for over 4 hours can do lasting damage. I don’t think this happened. So my question is would I have known if I had done lasting damage at the time? could I be surprised and it effect me years later ? Thank you

Answered by Dr. Muhammad Zohaib

Thanks for the follow-up sir Priapism is an emergency and it can cause serious damage to penis if not treated within 4 hours. Continuous dilatation of penile arteries causes constriction of penile veins and blood flow may cease thus leading to serious damage. This is rare if drug is not overdosed. If you have done damage to your penile tissue, it would have caused severe penile pain and swelling and later may develop necrosis/gangrene. So, you would have known this. As I mentioned, common side effects are headache and visual changes. Dropping of blood pressure is serious if taken with nitrates. Regards

Patient's Query

Thank you for all your help. I really appreciate your responses. Yes I only took the recommended dose once. Last question please, when you mention damage to the penile tissue? I can gain and maintain erections fine, does this mean the tissues are all healthy? Could I have damaged a small part of the tissue and not realise? Thank you

Answered by Dr. Muhammad Zohaib

Thanks for the follow-up sir If you can have erections without pain it means penile tissue is safe / healthy. No, there is no damage, don't worry sir. Regards

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Answered by Dr. Muhammad Zohaib

Medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team

November 24, 2020

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Muhammad Zohaib

Cardiology

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