Drug interactions
Nitroglycerin rectal + Sildenafil
Severity: Contraindicated
Nitroglycerin rectal and Sildenafil: contraindicated interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Sildenafil potentiates the hypotensive action of nitrates, including rectal nitroglycerin. The combination may cause severe, potentially life-threatening hypotension.
What this interaction means in plain words
Nitroglycerin rectal and Sildenafil are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two.
Why it happens
Nitric oxide donation increases cGMP and sildenafil inhibits PDE5-mediated cGMP degradation, producing additive vasodilation.
What to do
Avoid use together; keep nitrates at least 24 hours away from sildenafil. Choose non-nitrate therapy when treatment is needed within that window.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there an alternative to one of these two medicines for me?
- If both are essential, who is monitoring me and how often?
- Which symptoms mean I should stop and seek help straight away?
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Other interactions of Sildenafil
- Amyl nitrite + Sildenafil Contraindicated
- Atazanavir + Sildenafil Contraindicated
- Cobicistat + Sildenafil Contraindicated
- Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df + Sildenafil Contraindicated
- Glyceryl trinitrate pr + Sildenafil Contraindicated
- Isosorbide dinitrate + Sildenafil Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Nitroglycerin rectal with Sildenafil?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Nitroglycerin rectal and Sildenafil are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two. Sildenafil potentiates the hypotensive action of nitrates, including rectal nitroglycerin. The combination may cause severe, potentially life-threatening hypotension.
How serious is the interaction between Nitroglycerin rectal and Sildenafil?
MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid use together; keep nitrates at least 24 hours away from sildenafil. Choose non-nitrate therapy when treatment is needed within that window.
What other medicines interact with Sildenafil?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Sildenafil with, for example, Amyl nitrite, Atazanavir, Cobicistat. The full list is on the Sildenafil page.
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