About AIDS

Heard the one about the guy who was hung so big that getting an erection drained too much blood from his head, causing him to faint? Well, if he was taking an HIV "drug cocktail," there could be a possible explanation.

Once again, the FDA is advising physicians and patients of a possible drug interaction with AIDS meds and the "erectile dysfunction" drugs Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra. This time, the warning is about using these lifestyle enhancers when also taking the anti-HIV medication Reyataz (atazanavir).

Taking Viagra (sildenafil) and its cousins while also on a treatment combo using Reyataz poses a significant risk of causing serious side effects from the erection producers. It turns out that all these drugs are processed by the same liver enzyme pathway. If Reyataz is already tying up the needed enzyme, then excess levels of Viagra et al. will build in the blood stream, rather than getting broken down and eliminated. It's akin to taking a double dose of Viagra: Side effects are more likely with higher concentrations of the drug.

The potential side effects are the same ones that users of Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra may experience anyway, but the chance of having them is raised, and they may be more severe. They include hypotension (too low blood pressure, which is the joke dude's problem), headache, disturbed vision, and priapism. (Priapism is an erection that won't go away. While that may sound like heaven to some guys, trust us – this is one "blessing" you don't want!)

Bristol-Myers Squibb, the maker of Reyataz, is advising patients on their drug not to combine it with the erection drugs without checking first with their doctors. (More information should be available at www.reyataz.com soon.)