Erectile dysfunction (ED) drugs like Viagra (sildenafil), Cialis (tadalafil), and Levitra (vardenafil) improve blood flow to the penile organ during sexual stimulation.
Snorting Viagra bypasses the controlled release properties of the drug, leading to fast intranasal absorption into the bloodstream, but the dose absorbed is much higher than normal.
ED medications are often abused by men who use the drug recreationally by snorting or injecting it. Snorting Viagra increases the risk of dependency, addiction, and other dangerous side effects.
Learn more about the risks of snorting drugs.
Recreational Abuse Of Viagra
Recreational Viagra use through snorting or injecting is one of many forms of prescription drug abuse.
Often, men who abuse Viagra will mix the drug with other illegal drugs such as cocaine, Ecstasy, or amphetamines, to enhance sexual performance and produce a euphoric, sexual high.
Viagra abuse may be caused by an underlying mood disorder, such as anxiety or depression. However, Viagra may also cause these symptoms, as it can create psychological addiction and even psychogenic-based ED.
When this prescription medication is abused with other illicit drugs, risks of psychological dependency and addiction increase even more.
Side Effects Of Snorting Viagra
Even when Viagra is prescribed safely under the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional, the drug comes with risks of experiencing adverse side effects.
The active ingredient in Viagra is sildenafil citrate, which is a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor (PDE5i). It blocks the enzyme PDE5, which prevents the relaxation of smooth muscle tissue in the body.
As a result, Viagra relaxes and widens the walls of arteries throughout the body. This effect can exacerbate heart disease and increase the risk of heart attack, strokes, or heart rhythm irregularities.
Snorting this medication can place people at higher risk of experiencing side effects because snorting sidesteps the normal dosing route of the medication.
Additional Side Effects Of Snorting Viagra
People who snort Viagra may experience a host of other side effects, including nosebleeds, nasal pain, and headaches.
Some additional side effects of Viagra include:
- flushing
- headache
- indigestion
- changes to vision
- blurry or sensitive eyes
- nasal congestion
- back pain
More serious side effects may include:
- hearing loss or vision loss — individuals may experience a sudden loss of hearing or vision when taking Viagra, which requires immediate medical attention.
- priapism — painful erection that does not go away on its own, which requires immediate medical attention to avoid permanent damage to the penis.
Risks Of Dependency And Addiction
Men can develop an addiction to Viagra when they use the drug habitually to get high during sexual activity, especially in cases when the medication is mixed with other illegal substances.
The habitual abuse of Viagra may create chemical tolerance to the drug requiring large doses to achieve the same effects.
High doses of Viagra may lead to the increased risk of experiencing dangerous adverse effects from the drug. The risk compounds when men use Viagra with illicit substances.
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- Harvard Health Publishing — Erectile dysfunction: The Viagra revolution
https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/Erectile_dysfunction_The_Viagra_revolution - National Center for Biotechnology Information — Side-effect profile of sildenafil citrate (Viagra) in clinical practice
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10962318/ - National Center for Biotechnology Information — Long-term safety and effectiveness of sildenafil citrate in men with erectile dysfunction
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2387281/ - Mayo Clinic — Sildenafil (Oral Route)
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/sildenafil-oral-route/side-effects/drg-20066989?p=1
