It's not uncommon for tests of residential drinking water to turn up levels of Viagra and other prescription drugs. We addressed this in another post, explaining how it gets there (what goes in comes out, basically).But here's a new one: Officials in Columbus, Ohio, are warning Viagra users (along with pregnant women and babies) not to drink city tap water.
The reason? Elevated nitrate levels. And the source is ubiquitous in the heartland: fertilizer. "Elevated nitrate levels are primarily a result of fertilizer and agricultural runoff within the 1,000 square mile Scioto River watershed--80% of which is agricultural," explains the warning on the city's website.
While nitrates can cause a number of serious health problems, from birth defects to ovarian and thyroid cancers, the danger for Viagra users is the way sildenafil interacts with nitrates, possibly causing an unsafe drop in blood pressure. That's why amyl nitrate (used to treat heart conditions, and recreationally as "poppers") is contraindicated with Viagra.
However, it's unlikely that ERs will be swamped with Viagra users who missed the memo: "There's a limited risk; it's a cautionary event," said Henry Spiller, director of the Central Ohio Poison Center of Nationwide Children's Hospital. "These levels are very low -- these levels are less than if you eat a hot dog. ... That said, I want them to take caution."
So, fellas in Columbus, when you knock back that blue pill, be sure to wash it down with bottled water, not tap.
