Can I take Viagra safely?

Sep 9 2007 DR GARETH SMITH

Q I AM on tablets for high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Is it safe for me to take Viagra?

A NITRATES - used to treat angina - are the only medicines that are not safe with Viagra. Many of the medications used to lower blood pressure can cause erectile dysfunction - especially beta blockers and calcium channel blockers - though most men think it is something to do with them or their age. Speak to your doctor about your prescription.

Q I AM 18 and have had a sore throat for weeks. My GP gave me antibiotics but they haven't helped. I also have a large, hard lump in my groin and feel tired all the time. What can I do?

A GO back and see your GP and show him the lump in your groin. It could be a lot of things but a sore throat, tiredness and swollen lymph nodes are classic signs of glandular fever. A blood test will confirm if you have it. It is a generalised viral infection that antibiotics don't touch and you will need a lot of rest and TLC.

Q I FELL on my hand a few weeks ago. It was painful at the time but I didn't bother going to casualty and kept working. Over the last week though the pain has got much worse, especially around the wrist. Surely if I had broken something it would have healed by now?

A YOU need to get it X-rayed as soon as possible. There is a small bone in the hand - the scaphoid - that can fracture easily and it doesn't tend to heal as well as other bones in the body. It can even get worse over time as the bone separates and gets pulled apart rather than knitting together and joining. Get it seen to before you suffer permanent damage.

Q I AM in terrible pain whenever I pass urine. I have been to the doctor who has given me a couple of courses of antibiotics and won't give me any more because he says my urine is clear. The pain is awful, especially at night. What do you advise?

A YOU may be suffering from urethritis - an inflammation of the urethra, not the bladder, which often leaves a clear urine specimen. Or it could be a problem with the bladder itself. I think you need to be checked out by a specialist. If your GP won't refer you, you can self-refer to your local genito-urinary medicine clinic and they will run some tests and get to the bottom of your pain.