Q. If a man takes Viagra that is not prescribed to him, can it hurt him? If the man has no sexual problems with having a erection and takes the Viagra, can it cause him to go impotent? My brother-in-law is doing this because he thinks it will enhance his sex life. My sister is trying to get pregnant, and I’m worried about her.
A. First, no one should ever share prescriptions. Viagra has been associated with deaths in some circumstances. If someone with certain heart problems takes it, that person could have a heart attack and die. In fact, I ask many of my patients to see a heart doctor before giving them the OK to start Viagra.
Second, if a person is already having normal erections, Viagra will not make a better or longer-lasting erection. The medication is designed for people who have weak erections due to poor blood flow into the penis. The medication causes more blood to go into the penis, resulting a more rigid erection. If the person already a rigid erection, Viagra offers no benefit. There is no evidence, however, to suggest that Viagra causes impotency.
Lastly, Viagra is not approved for pregnant women. If the man ejaculates his semen into her while taking Viagra, there may be detectable levels of Viagra in the semen. Once in her womb, it may be absorbed into her body, which may put any fetus at risk.