Protoflow and Erectile Dysfunction Drugs

Because ED drugs widen blood vessels, and several herbs in the blend do the same in lab studies.

Sildenafil and tadalafil lower blood pressure a little. Epimedium's icariin acts on the same pathway in lab work (MSK, Epimedium). Hawthorn and niacin can lower pressure as well (NCCIH, Hawthorn). None of this proves harm, but it is the kind of pile-up that a pharmacist checks before you start.

Nitrates and ED drugs together can drop blood pressure to dangerous levels, so they must never be combined.

If you take nitroglycerin or a long-acting nitrate for angina, you cannot take sildenafil-type drugs. Adding herbs that also widen vessels only adds to the concern. Tell every clinician about every product you use, and carry a card listing your medicines in case of an emergency.

• A painful erection lasting more than four hours
• Chest pain or pressure
• Fainting or severe dizziness
• Sudden vision or hearing loss

These are emergencies. Call emergency services and tell the staff what you took.

Ginseng has some trial support, epimedium has lab evidence and limited human data, and the rest are weak.

NCCIH describes oral Asian ginseng as seeming to help erectile function (NCCIH, Asian Ginseng). Tested prescription drugs have much stronger evidence, and a doctor can discuss them. The blend has no trials as a whole, so the benefit for erections is a claim and not a finding.

Check first, never combine with nitrates and treat sudden severe symptoms as emergencies.

The safest plan is the one that your doctor knows about. Write the names of your ED drug, your heart medicines and this blend on one card, and keep it in your wallet, so that any clinician who treats you in a hurry can see the whole picture at once.