No ED meds before anesthesia

We have a new, firm warning from the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists to the millions of guys taking erectile dysfunction drugs who are heading into surgery: When combined with anesthesia, medications such as Viagra (sildenafil), Levitra (vardenafil) and Cialis (tadalafil) can cause a dangerously severe drop in blood pressure. That’s because ED meds contain — and promote the body’s own ability to produce — nitric oxide. Nitric oxide opens blood vessels and relaxes muscles, making it much easier for erections to occur. Adding anesthesia and other medications used during surgery to the blood-vessel dilating actions of an ED med can increase those effects.

Since the average American male can expect to undergo more than nine surgical procedures during his lifetime, and a growing number of ED pills are dispensed to men in the U.S. (annually it’s around 1.2 million Viagra and almost 3.6 million Cialis), this is a warning lots of guys need to take seriously. We also predict that when generic Viagra is available this December, there will be a big increase in the size of the market -- and with that, an increased risk for the one-two punch of ED drugs and anesthesia.

Our advice if you’re taking an ED medication and headed for surgery:

– Stop taking ED drugs 48 hours before the procedure; that will allow the drug to clear your system.

– Presurgery: Alert your anesthesiologist to all medications and supplements you’re taking, including ED meds. Your emergency contact also should know to tell medical staff about any ED drug use.