Can you take gabapentin and Viagra together?

In this article:

• Can you take gabapentin and Viagra together?
• How long after taking gabapentin can you take Viagra?
• Are there any known drug interactions between gabapentin and Viagra?
• What medications should not be taken with gabapentin or Viagra?

In this article

• Can you take gabapentin and Viagra together?
• How long after taking gabapentin can you take Viagra?
• Are there any known drug interactions between gabapentin and Viagra?
• What medications should not be taken with gabapentin or Viagra?

For controlling seizures and treating nerve pain, including that caused by postherpetic neuralgia, gabapentin is a great option. For sustaining peak sexual performance? Not so much. Sometimes, this anticonvulsant medication can cause erectile dysfunction (ED), decreased sexual desire, and other sexual health issues. To combat those potential side effects, some patients might reach for Viagra, but is it safe, effective, and worth it to take them together? In short, yes. Most people can take gabapentin and Viagra simultaneously, but it’s still important to understand the efficacy, interactions, and possible adverse effects for both drugs. We’ve got all the information you need right here. 

Can you take gabapentin and Viagra together?

Gabapentin interacts with various drugs, but Viagra isn’t one of them. “Gabapentin targets nerve activity, while Viagra primarily affects blood flow, so they work on different systems within the body,” says Dr. Taher Saifullah, founder of Spine & Pain Institute Los Angeles. As long as you consult with your doctor beforehand, follow their instructions, and take the proper doses of each one, taking them together shouldn’t cause any issues. 

Not only are they okay to take together, but these two drugs are actually a somewhat common pairing. Because various studies show that gabapentin may cause sexual side effects like impotence and ejaculatory dysfunction in a small percentage of men, healthcare providers may prescribe Viagra or other PDE inhibitors to help. It’s unclear how, exactly, gabapentin causes sexual dysfunction, but it may have to do with the way it alters brain chemistry. Regardless, Viagra works by increasing blood flow to the penis and relaxing the surrounding muscles, making it easier to achieve an erection.

“However, Viagra can lower blood pressure, and gabapentin can increase dizziness—these two effects together may be undesirable,” says Dr. Alex Dimitriu, MD, founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine. “Consider lower gabapentin and/or Viagra dosing if taken together, and make sure you can tolerate each separately first.”

Dr. Saifullah adds, “each patient is different, so it’s important to discuss with a healthcare provider before combining medications.” They’ll give you instructions and dosages tailored to your health conditions. 

How long after taking gabapentin can you take Viagra?

Since gabapentin and Viagra don’t directly interact, many individuals won’t have to wait until one is out of their system before taking the other. However, Dr. Saifullah says, “spacing them out might reduce the risk of feeling dizzy or tired. It may be a good idea to take Viagra when you plan for sexual activity and gabapentin based on your prescribed schedule, as timing can be important for both drugs’ effectiveness.”

The standard recommended doses for each are:

• Gabapentin: 300–600 mg, three times per day.
• Viagra: 25–100 mg, once per day (before sexual intercourse). 

You’ll notice that they’re both ranges. That’s because the specific dose you take depends on the medical condition you’re treating, your medical history, your age, and other circumstances. Your doctor will prescribe the safest and most effective dosages for you, so don’t stray from what they recommend. 

Are there any known drug interactions between gabapentin and Viagra?

As we’ve mentioned, gabapentin and Viagra don’t have any known interactions. However, they each have side effects you’ll want to know before you start taking them. Gabapentin’s known common side effects include:

• Dizziness
• Sleepiness
• Viral infection (common cold)
• Tremors
• Weakness
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Constipation

On top of that, the medication may cause serious side effects in rare cases. Contact your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a very bad side effect:

• Depression, suicidal thoughts, mood changes
• Severe allergic reactions
• Swelling of the extremities
• Uncontrolled eye movements
• Tremors or twitching
• Slow breathing or shortness of breath
• Loss of coordination or abnormal movements
• Blurred or double vision
• Lazy eye
• Abnormal thinking
• Weight gain
• Slurred speech
• Memory problems
• Blue/gray skin discoloration

It may also cause withdrawal symptoms, so don’t just quit cold turkey on your own—talk to a healthcare provider before stopping. 

Viagra’s common side effects include:

• Headache
• Flushing
• Diarrhea
• Limb pain
• Back pain
• Stomach upset
• Muscle pain
• Visual disturbances
• Nosebleed
• Nasal congestion
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Skin rash
• Nausea

It may also cause serious side effects like heart problems, internal bleeding, vision or hearing loss, painful or prolonged erections, seizures, low blood pressure, low blood cell counts, and severe allergic reactions. These rarely occur, but seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of them. 

What medications should not be taken with gabapentin or Viagra?

What can’t you take with gabapentin? A few different classes of drugs. These gabapentin interactions include:

• Opioids: Prescription drugs like hydrocodone and oxycodone can knock out severe pain, but they also share some side effects with gabapentin, so they can make sleepiness and respiratory depression worse. 
• Central Nervous System Depressants: Gabapentin falls into this category, so taking it with benzodiazepines, certain antihistamines, or other CNS depressants could slow brain activity down too much, causing serious issues. 
• Antacids: Drugs like Mylanta and Rolaids can influence how the body absorbs gabapentin, making it less effective. 
• Alcohol: Alcohol’s depressant effects can compound gabapentin’s similar effects. 

And here are the medications you should avoid while taking Viagra (sildenafil):

• Nitrates: Also called vasodilators, these drugs dilate blood vessels. Viagra does too, so together, they can cause dangerously low blood pressure. 

• High blood pressure medicines: These medications (like alpha blockers) lower blood pressure, so they can compound Viagra’s hypotensive effects. 

• Enzyme inhibitors: Enzymes help process Viagra, so these drugs can increase its levels in the body, potentially worsening side effects. 
• Enzyme inducers: These can increase the rate at which the body processes Viagra, making it less effective. 

Tell your doctor about every OTC drug, prescription medication, or dietary supplement you’re taking before beginning treatment with gabapentin or Viagra.