Side effects of strong drugs if taken not according to doctor's recommendations

Strong drugs are often the first choice to increase stamina for men to last longer during sex. However, did you know that strong drugs like Viagra, Levitra, or Cialis were not originally intended for over-the-counter recreational tonic drugs at roadside shops? Be careful, using strong drugs carelessly if not needed and without consulting a doctor first can cause unwanted side effects. What are the side effects of strong drugs that may occur?

The true function of strong medicine

Erectile dysfunction is a fairly common health condition among men. According to an article from BJU International, this condition is estimated to be experienced by nearly 76.5% of men worldwide.

This condition causes the penis to be unable to erect normally. In fact, a full erection is needed for sexual intercourse.

To get an erection, you need three things: healthy blood flow, a healthy nervous system, and sexual arousal (libido).

If the blood flow to the penis is not working properly, for example, if the blood vessels in the penis are too narrow, you may have difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection.

Erectile dysfunction is a condition that can be caused by many factors, from psychological problems to physical health. Hence, strong drugs are here to overcome this problem.

According to the Mayo Clinic, some examples of powerful drugs commonly prescribed to treat erectile dysfunction include:

Sildenafil (trademark of Viagra)
Tadalafil (trademark of Cialis)
Vardenafil (trademark of Levitra)
Avanafil (Stendra's trademark)
Alprostadil (a Caverject trademark)

Strong drugs themselves are available in various forms, ranging from oral drugs, injectable drugs, to topical or topical drugs.

The drugs above work by increasing the production of chemical compounds in the body that can relax the muscles of the penis.

Thus, blood flow to the penis becomes smoother and it is easier for the penis to erect normally in response to sexual stimulation.

Unfortunately, these drugs can still be obtained without a doctor's prescription, so many people abuse them.

In fact, strong drugs can only be redeemed through a doctor's prescription, especially for men who have erectile dysfunction problems.

Common side effects of strong drugs

Like other medicines, strong drugs may also cause some side effects in some people, either in the form of oral, injectable, or topical drugs.

The most common side effects of strong drugs include the following.

Headache
Stomach pain to heartburn
Body that feels warm
Nasal congestion
Changes in vision
Back pain
Hearing loss
Indigestion

The above side effects are classified as rare and are reported to appear in only a few people.

Even so, strong drugs are still not recommended to be consumed carelessly without a prescription, especially in men who have heart disease and are currently using nitrate drugs such as nitroglycerin to treat their disease.

The interaction of sildenafil (the main ingredient in Viagra) with nitrate drugs can cause severe headaches in men with heart disease, as well as in people with liver disease and kidney failure. We recommend that you consult your doctor before taking Viagra.

Harmful side effects of strong drugs

If you show any of the following symptoms after taking strong medication, contact your doctor immediately to get the right treatment:

A reddish rash develops on the skin of the penis
A very painful erection
Chest pain
Burning feeling when peeing

In rare cases, the use of strong drugs also carries the risk of causing side effects that are far more serious and dangerous as below:

1. Priapismus

On the other hand, if you are taking strong drugs carelessly without consulting your doctor first, one of the risks of strong drug side effects that may arise is priapism.

Priapismus occurs when your erection lasts longer, more than four hours, without experiencing arousal or getting any sexual satisfaction.

Normally, an erection occurs when your penis is filled with blood and then trapped in the shaft of the penis until orgasm occurs, when this excess blood eventually leaves the penis.

Priapismus occurs when the blood flow after taking strong medication is too heavy, so it can't flow past the shaft of your penis.

As a result, the blood over time turns to acid and clots due to loss of oxygen after staying in the penis for too long. The trapped red blood cells in the penis are difficult to get out of the penis and back into the heart.

Priapism can lead to physical defects of the penis, such as a bent penis or even a broken penis, for men who have never had this problem before.

If you experience a prolonged erection that lasts hours after taking strong drugs, immediately visit the nearest emergency room.

2. Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION)

There is one more side effect of strong drugs that is very rare, but can be fatal.

Carelessly taking strong drugs, when not really necessary, can cause sudden vision loss. This condition is called nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, or NAION for short.

However, it is not certain what the relationship between the consumption of strong drugs and sudden loss of vision is.

3.Retinitis pigmentosa (RP)

Retinitis pigmentosa or RP is another side effect of taking strong medications that are not prescribed by a doctor. This condition affects the retina of the eye and causes a gradual loss of vision.

RP is a hereditary disease, but its severity can be triggered by the use of strong drugs. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the content of powerful drugs can reduce the content of PDE6, an enzyme needed for normal vision function.

This is why consulting a doctor before taking strong drugs is necessary so that you know if there are congenital diseases that can interact with the drug.

Not everyone can and should take strong drugs

According to an article from The Journal of Sexual Medicine, the success rate of strong drugs such as sildenafil is as high as 59-80%, depending on the age of the user.

The thing to remember, just like other medical drugs, strong drugs also have their own dosage and how to use them.

Make sure you read the packaging label to find out how to use and contraindications and possible side effects before taking strong medications.

It is recommended that you get strong drugs through the official route to redeem a prescription, by consulting your doctor about your erectile dysfunction problem to find out what causes it. Your doctor can then determine if your condition should be treated with strong drugs.

In addition, there are several other things that need to be considered for further consultation with the doctor:

Drug allergies, including allergies to other types of strong drugs
Any other medications you are taking, including herbs and supplements
Operations, including dental surgery
Take medications for blood pressure or prostate problems. When used with strong drugs, it can lower blood pressure

Therefore, maybe you can choose natural tonic drugs that are safer and have minimal side effects.