Diving and Viagra

[josh]

There was an article on this question in the DAN magazine around a year ago. Don't have my copy here, but maybe some one can dig it up? Think the essence was diving while under the influence of *any* drug is contraindicated (of course), but that in general, in the absence of any better info, so long as sufficient time has passed, its *probably* OK (I am prepared to be corrected on this i some one has access to the article!). The different formulations (Viagara, Kamagra blah blah blah) do have different efective times in the body, so this may also be a factor.

As said however, the *reason* for taking viagara may also be important. Recreational usage (which I don't believe in by the way) has somewhat different implications to therapeutic usage.
-j-

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi Swampdogg,

Here's brief piece which I wrote that touches on many of the issues:

Diving on Popular Medications for Erectile Dysfunction
http://www.awoosh.com/Doc Vikingo's Resource Page/Erectile_Dysfunction_Meds.htm

In short, given an otherwise healthy and fit diver, scuba the morning after using Viagra (sildenafil) the night before poses no known risks. It has a terminal half-life of 4-5 hours and no accumulation of the drug is expected if used just once-daily.

Helpful?

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual and should not be construed as such.

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[Tortuga James]

As said however, the *reason* for taking viagara may also be important. Recreational usage (which I don't believe in by the way) has somewhat different implications to therapeutic usage.
-j-

The reality is (right or wrong) with the grey market availability of viagra, it has become a very popular "recreational" drug. The original thread degenerated to "diving ON Viagra" jokes, which missed the intent of the posted question.

Viagra does have some lingering effects, and the original question was addressing whether it was safe to dive "the morning after".

 

[CBulla]

The reality is (right or wrong) with the grey market availability of viagra, it has become a very popular "recreational" drug. The original thread degenerated to "diving ON Viagra" jokes, which missed the intent of the posted question.

This is acutally the original thread, the off topic comments have been removed as this is a legitimate question about a prescription (or grey market) drug. Choice of words that don't incite the incessent Beavis and Butthead remarks and chuckling is the most difficult part about responding to the original post.

Viagra does have some lingering effects, and the original question was addressing whether it was safe to dive "the morning after".

Between DocVikingo's article and his synapsis I believe it answers the question. I learned something from this post!

"In short, given an otherwise healthy and fit diver, scuba the morning after using Viagra (sildenafil) the night before poses no known risks. It has a terminal half-life of 4-5 hours and no accumulation of the drug is expected if used just once-daily."

 

[Fish_Whisperer]

No humor allowed, or else the moderator will throw your post in the TRASH!!! :shakehead

 

[Scuba-Jay]

Aww Cbulla ya gotta' loosen up a little!!! I was having fun with this thread in its original form!!!!!

 

[CBulla]

Hey now boys, I didn't do the moderation on this thread. However, I did see that this was a valid question from the get go and supported it being cleaned up so that the OP had his question answered. Sometimes its not cool to grab someones thread and make a mockery of it, that sort of defeats the purpose of boards mission to provide information, ya know?

However, if it were in the surface interval section where most things typed are let go (within reason of course) this would have never been MODified

 

[pescador775]

Seriously:

If it improves blood flow to all parts of the anatomy at depth wouldn't you have a more generalized and efficient nitrogen gas absorption.

Conversely, as you ascend would you not off-gas the nitrogen more efficiently?

Seems that it would be bad if the viagra wore off while you were at depth (if such a thing could happen) since tissues that were thoroughly saturated with nitrogen due to the initial good blood supply could not get rid of the nitrogen very well due to blood flow returning to normal.

But I ain't no dive physiologist.

You are confusing blood flow and blood volume. My theory involves increase in total volume of blood through sildenafil based dilation and the intake of fluids, gator aid, water, salt tablets which would result in reduced urination, increase in total volume and higher surface tension of the blood. Not only would this reduce incidence of bubbling but possibly allow micro bubbles to circulate unimpeded. There are several factors which constrict or otherwise reduce the diameter of vessels including age, nicotine, cold, caffeine, beta blockers, etc. Preventing just one bubble from lodging in the spinal cord could prevent so-called "underserved" bends the consequences of which can be quite serious.

PS: where did all these jokers come from? I presume this "medical" board is rather obscure.

 

[pescador775]

Digger, something you said roused my curiosity. I assume from your comments that you believe that increased blood flow (exercise) at depth increases nitrogen uptake. This is not supported by any physics that I am aware of. Where did that theory come from, Florida? Arghhh. Those DIR people get my goat. I will say that the contention promoted a couple years ago by Irvine(?) or some other "expert" down in never-never land is probably correct; eg, that exercising during the decompression phase results in increased scrubbing of nitrogen and shorter decom time. During deco, the lungs process dissolved nitrogen and MICRO BUBBLES. The shedding of bubbles will increase with flow. This situation is quite different from the reverse which occurs during the dive.

 

[ScubaTexan]

No humor allowed, or else the moderator will throw your post in the TRASH!!! :shakehead

Aww Cbulla ya gotta' loosen up a little!!! I was having fun with this thread in its original form!!!!!

*** MODERATOR POST ***​

I'm the mod that "trashed" your ridiculous posts. The OP asked a legitimate question and you guys did nothing but poke fun at him and the entire subject matter. Do us a favor and keep your snide remarks in your own area. If you have something constructive to say in a forum like this, feel free to. If you don't, please stay out.

*** MODERATOR POST ***​