MD orders Viagra for pulmonary hypertension?!

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Specializes in Cardiology, Oncology, Medsurge.

[evil]

[color=white]if someone knows the reason for ordering viagra for pulmonary hypertension i'd like to know. yes, i could have asked the doctor but with such a controversial drug others might be all ears and make mockery of my asking..."ya know that was the funniest thing when you asked doctor so and so about that impotence drug...ya ta yat a ya ta!"

[/evil]

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Specializes in CCU,ICU,ER retired.

I know that when DH ever took the drug his B/P would go way down. One of the side effects is hypotension.

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Specializes in Float.

Because it vasodilates arteries. We keep it as floor stock (never given it though) Which is why men taking nitrates shouldn't take Viagra or similiar meds.

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The drug would do this by actually dilating the blood vessels in the heart.... taking care of potentially life-threatening pulmonary hypertension. It dilates the blood vessels leading to the lungs.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

This was actually what the drug was originally developed to do.

Then, they noticed this strange side effect . . .

~faith,

Timothy.

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not to sound snippy but if you are not sure why a drug is ordered...ask the doctor ask the pharmacist or just look it up. Are we professionals or just tittering school kids when we hear certain things? Viagra was originally developed to reduce pulmonary hypertension. It is usually given orally 20 mg TID gnerally 4-6 hours between doses for it.

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Specializes in Me Surge.

That's what the drug was designed to do. The other thing is a accidental side effect. And boy did they get rich off that side effect!

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Specializes in Cardiology, Oncology, Medsurge.

[mouse]

not to sound snippy but if you are not sure why a drug is ordered...ask the doctor ask the pharmacist or just look it up. Are we professionals or just tittering school kids when we hear certain things? Viagra was originally developed to reduce pulmonary hypertension. It is usually given orally 20 mg TID gnerally 4-6 hours between doses for it.

[/mouse]

Can't help it but sometimes the tittering school kid in me gets to the better more professional part! Thanks for your level headed comment!

PS. Rogaine was originally developed also to reduce hypertension and it too had a side effect that made the company $$$. I'm noticing a trend here!//

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Specializes in icu, er, transplant, case management, ps.

Can't help it but sometimes the tittering school kid in me gets to the better more professional part! Thanks for your level headed comment!

PS. Rogaine was originally developed also to reduce hypertension and it too had a side effect that made the company $$$. I'm noticing a trend here!//

I thought of several wise cracks to post but decided not to. But if this drug is given to help control hypertension, what do the male patients do about it's side effect?

Woody:balloons:

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I thought of several wise cracks to post but decided not to. But if this drug is given to help control hypertension, what do the male patients do about it's side effect?

Woody:balloons:

now to prove that I do have a sense of humor...your question then your name gave me a chuckle.

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

titter, titter... :lol2:

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Specializes in Psych, Assertive Community Resource Team.

Viagra does not cause a man to get an erection, it only allows a man, who was physically unable due to ED, to achieve an erection when aroused by something. Unless the nurses on the floor are exotic dancers I don't think there would be much of a risk of that (ahem) side effect occurring while treating him for hypertension.

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