Is Viagra safe to take with Eliquis?
Ask the doctor
Q. I take Eliquis because I have atrial fibrillation. Would taking Viagra be dangerous?
A. Apixaban (Eliquis) is one of the commonly prescribed anticoagulant drugs in people with atrial fibrillation to help prevent a stroke. Some people take rivaroxaban (Xarelto) or warfarin (Coumadin) for a similar indication.
Sildenafil (Viagra) may very slightly increase the risk of bleeding, such as bloody nose, in people taking an anticoagulant. This is also true for the other commonly used drugs to treat erectile dysfunction (ED), such as tadalafil (Cialis) and vardenafil (Levitra).
However, you may want to be cautious if you tend to develop a fast heart rate with your atrial fibrillation when engaging in physical activity. Some people with atrial fibrillation develop low blood pressure when they have an increased heart rate. Viagra and the other ED drugs mentioned above could exaggerate the drop in blood pressure during sex.
When starting Viagra or a similar drug, it's safest to start with a low dose as directed by your doctor.
Also, ask your doctor or pharmacist if any of your other drugs could interact with the Viagra.
Image: © Jeffrey Coolidge/Getty Images
About the Author
Howard E. LeWine, MD, Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
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