Changes

Viagra can improve exercise at altitude, though it is not clear if a single dose is sufficient, or if it needs to be taken regularly. It is also not clear if everyone responds to Viagra in high altitude exercise the same way. In addition, Viagra may be a treatment for altitude sickness.

=Viagra and Performance=

Viagra can cause headaches<ref name="Aldashev-2005"/> at altitude or at sea level<ref name="Hsu-2006"/>. No other side effects were noted in any of the altitude studies. Viagra is a vasodilator which can cause systemic hypotension (low blood pressure), especially given with nifedipine, but a review of 56 subjects administered Viagra for altitude sickness did not have this problem<ref name="JonesStokes2013"/>.The primary use of Viagra for Erectile Dysfunction does raise some questions about other possible side effects, as well as being a source of endless jokes. However, background reading suggests that Viagra does not result in unwanted erections and requires physical or mental stimulation. In the treatment of ED, noted side effects included headache, flushing, dyspepsia, nasal congestion and impaired vision, including photophobia and blurred vision<ref name="ViagraSideEffect"/>.

=Viagra and Doping=

=What this means=

Viagra is a prescription medication and should only be taken under medical supervision. I believe that self-medication is foolish and I urge you to talk to your doctor if you think Viagra would help. The performance benefits of Viagra at altitude might be significant enough to warrant further investigation, but personally I would only use Viagra as a treatment for altitude sickness.

* [[Intermittent Hypoxic Exposure]] and [[The Science of Intermittent Hypoxic Exposure]]

* [[Chronic Mountain Sickness]]

=References=

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