MD orders Viagra for pulmonary hypertension?!

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[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!"

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Specializes in Cardiothoracic Transplant Telemetry.
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:

It might actually help with compliance, just kidding. Just think of how unhappy all of those men who suffer from impotence or lack of drive because of beta blockers..... hmmm I'm thinking maybe a combo drug. Beta blocker with a tiny bit of viagra added?

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Specializes in Cardiothoracic Transplant Telemetry.
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.

I used to give it all the time on my old unit when we had a cardiologist that specialized in pulmonary hypertension. All these little ladies would always joke that they wish they were taking it for a happier reason

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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.

The nurses on your floor AREN'T exotic dancers????????????

;)

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When I took Peds clinical, we were on a cardiac floor. We gave Viagra for pulmonary HTN all the time...Imaging the look on my face the first time I saw it....

Better yet...Imagine explaining that to a teenage mother.

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Specializes in Hospice, Med/Surg, ICU, ER.
But if this drug is given to help control hypertension, what do the male patients do about it's side effect?

Put it to good use? :idea:

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ACTUALLY, viagra was initially designed to work as an antidepressant. It was never marketed as such, though, because you can make a lot more money off of giving men erections than you can with "just another antidepressant."

Conveniently, though, for men with ED, it pretty much takes care of both issues ;)

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
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.

Yeah, I am actually dying with laughter...:lol2: But, I guess we make sure that he has a healthy relationship with his wife or get a great magazine.:devil:

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
When I took Peds clinical, we were on a cardiac floor. We gave Viagra for pulmonary HTN all the time...Imaging the look on my face the first time I saw it....

Better yet...Imagine explaining that to a teenage mother.

:lol2::lol2::lol2:I am no more good...

Actually, I can sort of see how this happened. I opened my nursing drug guide to read about Viagra since reading this post, and mine says NOTHING about pulmonary hypertension. I would have certainly asked the doctor, but would have been shocked.

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Specializes in icu, er, transplant, case management, ps.
Yeah, I am actually dying with laughter...:lol2: But, I guess we make sure that he has a healthy relationship with his wife or get a great magazine.:devil:

Hate to disappoint you guys, I am a female, not a male. And even at 62, I have no problem with my sex drive.

Woody:balloons:

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Specializes in Cardiology, Oncology, Medsurge.

actually found out via the web that the drug was not developed to treat depression or pulmonary hypertension or impotence but simply to treat angina. medication did not decrease chest pain however increased sexual arousal and therefore patients were reluctant to stop taking the drug.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
Hate to disappoint you guys, I am a female, not a male. And even at 62, I have no problem with my sex drive.

Woody:balloons:

I knew that you were female; I was laughing at the idea of explaining to a parent of a young person the need for Viagra since the most common reason being advertized is for ED. But, the name Woody added to the mix really made it even cuter...:lol2:

And, of course, I am thrilled to know that your sex drive is A-Okay (and sure your SO feels the same)

I am also finding it interesting to note that even my recent drug books are not listing other indications for viagra or other drugs. I just learned on Friday that Ramipril is also prescribed for proteinuria. My drug guide (2006) says that one of the side effects of ramipril is proteinuria. You learn something new each day; one of the main reason I really enjoy frequenting or loitering at allnurses.com.

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