Q. I have heard that Viagra is effective for altitude sickness. Is this true? Diuretics don’t help me.
A. Viagra is best known as a treatment for erectile dysfunction. There are, however, reports that it may have some off-label uses in treating a number of other conditions, including pulmonary hypertension (elevated blood pressure in the artery to the lungs).
One of the problems that may occur when climbing mountains is high-altitude pulmonary edema. In this condition, fluid accumulates in the lungs and makes breathing difficult. The sufferer may have rapid heart rate, shallow rapid breaths and start to turn blue. It can be quite dangerous.
Drugs such as Viagra (sildenafil) and Cialis (tadalafil) can increase the levels of nitric oxide in the blood vessels of the lungs and help them relax (Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases, May-June, 2010). This can reduce the fluid that is leaking into the lungs.
Don’t try to treat yourself for altitude sickness, but discuss this issue with your doctor before you travel since such drugs have side effects. Another option is a blood pressure medicine called nifedipine.
