Dealing With Headaches

Headaches are a common side effect of the PDE 5 inhibitors, and they are not dangerous in and of themselves. There are a couple of different options available if you get headaches that are bothersome from the medications.

1️⃣ Lowest effective dose.

First of all you should make sure you are on the lowest effective dose of the medication. For example: if 50 mg of Viagra gives you a headache, it’s possible that 25 mg will still work well and not give you a headache.

2️⃣ Try Another Medication

Once you are on the lowest effective dose, if you still get headaches one option is to try a different medication from the same class (e.g. switch from Viagra to Levitra). Although they can all cause headaches, it is possible that in a given individual one will cause headaches while another will not.

3️⃣ Premedicate with Tylenol or Motrin

Another option is to premedicate with tylenol or motrin about 1 hour before taking the medication to preempt the headache before it happens. This works well for many people.

Always consult your physician if you're experiencing side effects. 

This information is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns, please talk to your doctor.