If you’ve been prescribed ED medication such as Viagra, you could be on your way to improving your arousal function and bedroom health like millions of men before you. If you’re just starting Viagra (congrats!), you probably want to know everything about it — from dosages and adverse effects, down to things like foods to avoid while taking Viagra.

We get it.

Viagra has been one of the industry standards for decades when it comes to the treatment of ED. It’s FDA-approved and is considered safe and effective. But that doesn’t mean it’s foolproof.

Just wait until we tell you about Viagra and grapefruit…

Image Credit: Depositphotos.com.

Basic Info on Viagra

While it’s important to know what foods to avoid when taking Viagra, knowing the basics of this medication is also important.

Viagra, a brand-name prescription drug, is commonly used for ED in men.

ED is a condition in which a man is unable to get or stay hard good enough or long enough for intercourse. This condition can also mean you have trouble staying hard during intercourse or not getting aroused at all, even with sensual stimulation.

Viagra belongs to a class of drugs (medications that act similarly) called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. These medications work to stop the PDE5 enzyme, making it easier for blood to flow into the blood vessels in your privates, allowing you to get — and stay — hard during intercourse.

The active ingredient in Viagra (sildenafil) is also used to treat pulmonary hypertension, a type of high blood pressure that affects your heart and lungs. However, the medication for pulmonary hypertension is marketed under a different name, called Revatio.

For the treatment of ED, Viagra works by increasing blood flow to the member during intimate activity. You can learn more about the exact details in this guide to how Viagra works.

Like any medication, there can be mild side effects. Some of the common side effects of Viagra include:

• Headache

• Heartburn

• Warm feeling or flushing

• Nosebleeds

• Trouble falling or staying asleep

• Numbness or tingling in the arms, hands, feet or legs

• Muscle aches

There can also be more negative effects, such as:

• Sudden loss of vision or blurred vision

• Loss of hearing

• Dizziness or lightheadedness

• Chest pain

• Shortness of breath

• Painful arousal or one that lasts longer than 4 hours

• Itching or burning during urination

Some men have also reported high blood pressure, an irregular heartbeat, heart attack or stroke when taking sildenafil for ED, although many of these men had heart conditions before taking the medication.

You should let your healthcare provider know if you’re experiencing any negative effects of Viagra.

Viagra dosage can vary by person but is available in three doses: 25mg, 50mg and 100mg doses, with the 50mg option being the usual starting dose. This usual starting dose of 50mg is taken one hour before intercourse.

While the rest of these slides will cover Viagra foods to avoid, it should also be noted that there can be drug interactions between Viagra and other medications. Viagra shouldn’t be taken with nitrate medication, a medication typically used for chest pain. Examples of nitrate drugs include isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil), isosorbide mononitrate (Monoket) and nitroglycerin (Nitrostat).

You also shouldn’t take Viagra with alpha-blocker drugs, another medication typically used for high blood pressure or prostate issues. If you currently take blood pressure medication, certain anti-fungal medications, blood thinners or medication for seizures, be sure to let your healthcare provider know.

Now that you know the basic information, keep reading to know which foods to avoid when taking Viagra.

Image Credit: samael334/Istockphoto.

What Foods Should I Avoid When Taking Viagra?

You may wonder which foods to avoid when using this medication and certain foods to be careful of while taking Viagra, depending on your health and any existing conditions.

Image Credit: Jelena Danilovic/istockphoto.

High-Fat Meals

First, you can take Viagra with or without food.

However, a heavy or high-fat meal can block the absorption of the active ingredient in Viagra (sildenafil citrate) and can make the drug less effective for your arousal. Taking Viagra with a high-fat meal delays absorption by about one hour.

If you do plan to eat before taking Viagra, make sure it’s your breakfast or lunch to give your body time to digest the food, making it quick and easier for the medication to absorb into the bloodstream.

Image Credit: Adobe.

Grapefruit Products

Grapefruit juice may also impede or delay the absorption of Viagra in the body.

Grapefruit can block an enzyme known as CYP3A4, which prevents certain medications — like Viagra, for instance — from being absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. Similarly, grapefruit will interact with Cialis as well.

Instead, the medication passes the gut and goes straight into the bloodstream, which increases the potency of the medication.

Mixing grapefruit juice with Viagra could lead to some side effects like headaches, flushing or low blood pressure.

Make sure to talk to healthcare professionals about eating grapefruit products and drinking grapefruit juice while taking Viagra.

Image Credit: Liudmila Chernetska / iStock.

Alcohol

While there aren’t any negative effects or serious risks, combining alcohol and Viagra may increase your chances of experiencing mild side effects.

A study of over 300 men with ED found that men who consumed above-average amounts of alcohol were more likely to develop headaches and flushing from ED medications than men who didn’t drink.

Image Credit: Carso80 / iStock.

Final Words on Viagra Foods to Avoid

If you’re dealing with ED, your healthcare provider may recommend Viagra as an effective treatment option.

Since Viagra is a prescription medication, you’ll have to talk with a healthcare professional before you start taking it. They’ll ask you what kinds of medications you’re on, give you a specific dosage to take (which you should follow at all times) and may even talk to you about your diet.

Because yes, some foods can alter the way Viagra works with your body.

You can learn more about Viagra and if it’s the right treatment for you by consulting with a licensed provider. You can also learn more about the best ED pills or what to expect from ED medication.

This article originally appeared on Hims.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.

Image Credit: PeopleImages/istockphoto.

More from MediaFeed

How Much Viagra Is Too Much?

Image Credit: Robby Fontanesi / iStock.