This guide explains important safety considerations before using erectile dysfunction medication.
ED medications are not suitable for everyone. Some medical conditions and medications can make ED treatment unsafe, especially nitrate medication, certain heart conditions, and some blood pressure treatments.
Use this guide to understand:
- Who should not take ED medication
- Why nitrates must not be combined with ED medication
- Which medications may interact with ED treatment
- Which medical conditions may affect your eligibility
- Whether you can drink alcohol while taking ED medication
- Whether you can take ED medication with food
- How MedExpress assesses whether ED treatment is suitable for you
Who should not take ED medication?
Do not take ED medication if you:
- Take any medication containing nitrates in any form, including tablets, sprays, patches, or ointments used for chest pain or angina
- Use recreational drugs known as “poppers”, including amyl nitrate or any nitrate or nitrite inhalant
- Take medication for pulmonary hypertension, such as riociguat
- Have had a previous serious allergic reaction to sildenafil, tadalafil, or any ingredient in your ED medication
- Have been told by a doctor that sexual activity could be dangerous for your heart
- Have had loss of vision in one or both eyes caused by non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy, also known as NAION
If any of these apply to you, ED medication may not be suitable. Tell your MedExpress clinician during your consultation so your clinician can assess your safety.
Why are nitrates dangerous with ED medication?
Nitrates are the most important safety warning for ED medication.
Never take ED medication if you are using any form of nitrate medication.
Nitrates are commonly used to treat chest pain or angina. Nitrates may come as:
- Tablets
- Sprays
- Patches
- Ointments
- Other nitrate-containing medicines
Combining ED medication with nitrates can cause a sudden and dangerous drop in blood pressure. This drop in blood pressure can be life-threatening.
If you are unsure whether any of your medications contain nitrates, ask a healthcare professional before starting ED treatment.
What medications may interact with ED treatment?
Some medications can interact with ED medication or affect whether ED treatment is safe for you.
Tell your MedExpress clinician if you take:
- Alpha-blockers, used to treat high blood pressure or prostate problems
- Other medicines for high blood pressure
- Medicines used to treat HIV, such as ritonavir or saquinavir
- Medicines used to treat fungal infections, such as ketoconazole or itraconazole
- Medicines used to treat bacterial infections, such as erythromycin
- Other medicines or treatments for erectile dysfunction
Your MedExpress clinician may adjust your dose, recommend a different ED medication, or decide that ED treatment is not suitable based on your current medications.
Do not combine ED medications unless your clinician specifically tells you to.
What medical conditions may affect whether I can use ED medication?
A MedExpress clinician will review your medical history during your online consultation to decide whether ED treatment is clinically appropriate.
You must tell the MedExpress clinical team if you have:
- Heart problems, such as angina, heart failure, irregular heartbeat, or a history of heart attack
- A history of stroke, especially within the last 6 months
- Low blood pressure
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure
- Liver problems
- Kidney problems
- Conditions that may increase the risk of priapism, such as sickle cell anaemia, multiple myeloma, or leukaemia
- A deformed penis shape
- Peyronie’s disease
- An eye condition called retinitis pigmentosa
- Diabetes
- Any allergy to medication or medication ingredients
Providing complete and accurate information helps the MedExpress clinician assess whether ED medication can be prescribed safely.
Can I drink alcohol while taking ED medication?
You should limit alcohol while using ED medication.
Excessive alcohol can:
- Reduce your ability to achieve an erection
- Reduce how well ED medication works
- Increase the blood pressure-lowering effects of ED medication
- Increase the risk of side effects, such as dizziness or light-headedness
Moderate alcohol intake, such as one or two standard drinks, is unlikely to cause significant problems for most people. However, heavy drinking may make ED treatment less effective and may increase side effects.
Can I take ED medication with food?
Food guidance depends on the ED medication you are taking.
Tadalafil tablets and tadalafil chewable tablets can usually be taken with or without food.
Sildenafil usually works best when taken on an empty stomach or after a light meal. A high-fat meal may delay how quickly sildenafil starts working.
Follow the dosing instructions provided by your MedExpress clinician.
How does MedExpress assess whether ED medication is suitable?
MedExpress provides an online consultation where a licensed clinician reviews your suitability for ED treatment.
A MedExpress clinician will assess:
- Your medical history
- Your current medications
- Any allergies
- Any health conditions that may affect ED treatment safety
- Whether ED medication is clinically appropriate for you
MedExpress will only prescribe ED medication if the clinician decides that:
- ED medication is clinically appropriate
- ED treatment is safe based on your medical history
- The expected benefits outweigh the potential risks
Not everyone who completes a MedExpress consultation will qualify for ED medication.
Need more help?
If you still need help after reading this information, please contact MedExpress customer support for further assistance.