As man dies after consuming two Viagra pills while drinking alcohol, experts share its health effects

Viagra tablet is effective for erectile dysfunction and a lot of evidence has proven its safety in all types of patients," said Dr Tejas Gundewar, chief male and female fertility consultant

A man died after having viagra pills along with alcohol (representative) (Source: Pixabay)

In a rare incident, a 41-year-old man died after taking two Viagra pills while drinking alcohol, according to a study published in the Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine. The study analysed the case of a man who met up with a female friend at a hotel where he downed two 50mg tablets of Sildenafil, which is sold under the brand name Viagra. The unidentified man, with no significant past medical and surgical history, was also consuming alcohol at the time.

The following morning the man developed uneasiness, and also vomited, after which his female friend urged him to seek medical help. However, he dismissed her concerns telling her he had previously also experienced the symptoms. As his condition started to get worse, he was rushed to the hospital where he was declared dead on arrival. According to the study, the man died of a cerebrovascular haemorrhage, a condition in which oxygen delivery to the brain is reduced.

In post-mortem scans, the doctors found a 300g mass of clotted blood. They concluded that a mixture of alcohol, medication, and pre-existing high-blood pressure led to his death. Other significant findings on microscopic examination were a hypertrophic ventricular wall of the heart, fatty changes in the liver, acute tubular necrosis, and hypertensive changes in the kidney, the study read.

Sildenafil is the first internationally approved drug for erectile dysfunction. The journal noted that unsupervised and non-prescribed use of sildenafil among the young Indian population has increased in the last few years.

Here’s what to know about Sildenafil or viagra (Source: Pixabay)

In light of the literature about the lethal complications of combined use of sildenafil and alcohol including cerebrovascular accidents, the study authors urged for more public awareness. The study also mentioned that the documented adverse effects of sildenafil are headache, flushing, nasal congestion, dyspepsia, and a slight decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Also Read | Even a little alcohol can harm your health

Concurring that sildenafil can lower blood pressure, and combining it with ethanol may further increase this effect, Dr Shrey Srivastav, MD (Internal Medicine), Sharda Hospital said that one may be more likely to experience symptoms such as dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, flushing, headache, and heart palpitations. “But rarely it may cause fatal complications like cardiac arrhythmia and brain haemorrhage. Sildenafil causes dilatation of blood vessels of the brain, which increases blood flow and may lead to haemorrhage,” Dr Srivastav told indianexpress.com. “It may also cause haemorrhage in the eyes,” added Dr Srivastav.

Dr Tejas Gundewar, chief male and female fertility consultant, Ruby Hall Clinic said that a sudden fall in blood pressure can cause decreased blood flow to the heart resulting in myocardial ischemia, which is a heart attack or mini heart attack which can lead to death. “In this rare case, probably the man had some undetected heart disease which could have caused this problem. Viagra tablet is effective for erectile dysfunction and a lot of evidence has proven its safety in all types of patients,” said Dr Gundewar.

What are some of the precautions to take?

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– Avoid taking alcohol with sildenafil
– One should also avoid overdosing on medication

Dr Gundewar mentioned, despite viagra’s safety, it should be used under the guidance of a qualified andrologist and over-the-counter use should be discouraged.

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