Does CBD Interact With Udenafil (Zydena)?

Does CBD Interact With Udenafil (Zydena)?

Yes. CBD may interact with udenafil. However, serious side effects occurring from this combination are rare. 

The most common side effects of this combination are headaches, dizziness, insomnia, and fatigue. 

It’s recommended to avoid using CBD and Zydena together whenever possible and to avoid using this combination on a daily or recurring basis. 

Serious side effects such as priapism and stroke are unlikely but require immediate medical attention. 

CBD can interact with udenafil in two main ways:

A) CBD May Interfere With The Body’s Ability to Metabolize Udenafil

CBD can slow down udenafil’s metabolism and removal from the body. This can occur through a process called metabolic inhibition. 

Metabolic inhibition happens when two drugs use the same enzymes for metabolism, causing them to compete against each other for dominance over those enzymes. The result is the slowdown in the metabolism of one or both drugs.

Udenafil requires the CYP3A4 enzyme for metabolism, which is also one of the primary enzymes responsible for the metabolism of CBD and other cannabinoids.

Therefore, taking CBD and udenafil together could result in both substances competing for metabolism, leading to an excess accumulation of udenafil.

Because udenafil is normally used every now and then, rather than on a daily basis, the risk of toxic accumulation is low. However, if CBD and udenafil are used on a daily basis, the chances these substances will interact goes up significantly.  

B) CBD May Increase the Risk of Side Effects From Udenafil

CBD can potentiate the effects of udenafil (makes them stronger). This is commonly referred to as an agonistic interaction. 

Agonistic interaction occurs when the same effects are exerted by two substances in the body. 

Udenafil acts by blocking phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) — which is an enzyme that breaks down cGMP in the vascular system. The end result is a widening of the arteries, a drop in blood pressure, and increased blood flow to the erectile tissue in the penis. 

A common side effect of this is a reduction in blood pressure in other areas of the body. 

CBD also has blood pressure-reducing effects, which could compound when used alongside udenafil. This may cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, leading to side effects such as dizziness, confusion, fatigue, and fainting. 

These effects are especially pronounced if dehydrated or when standing after sitting or lying down for a while.

Similar Medications: CBD & Erectile Dysfunction Medications

Udenafil is classified as a phosphodiesterase inhibitor. CBD and erectile dysfunction medications all share similar risks for interaction and side effects. It is used for treating erectile dysfunction. 

Here’s a list of similar medications that share a similar level of risk when combined with CBD:

• Sildenafil (Viagra)
• Tadalafil (Cialis)
• Vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn, and Vivanza)
• Avanafil (Stendra)
• Mirodenafil (Mvix)

Is It Safe to Take CBD & Udenafil (Zydena) Together?

There is a mild chance of interaction between CBD and udenafil when used within the recommended dosage ranges. 

However, a longer duration of intake of both drugs in larger doses can cause both drugs to accumulate in the bloodstream, potentially leading to side effects or toxicity. 

So if you want to take CBD while on udenafil, take them only after getting a proper consultation from your physician.

If you get any unusual side effects, seek medical attention immediately. 

Is CBD A Viable Alternative to Udenafil (Zydena)?

CBD cannot be considered a viable alternative to udenafil just yet. This is because CBD’s effects on erectile dysfunction may vary with users.  

One study showed that the anxiolytic property of CBD may help increase libido in users with ED [3]. Some people may have a decreased libido due to anxiety about their sexual performance, so treating it may indirectly help treat performance anxiety. 

However, those with mechanical issues, rather than performance anxiety, are unlikely to experience any direct benefits from using CBD.

Therefore, CBD may be a good option to try first before moving up to prescription medications. 

What is Udenafil (Zydena)?

Udenafil is a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor. It was developed by Dong-A Pharmaceutical and has been approved for sale in Korea, Russia, and the Philippines. Zydena is its only brand to date. It is used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

It has not been approved for use by the FDA in the west. It is available as a prescription-only drug in most countries.  

Udenafil (Zydena) Specs: 

Other Names For Udenafil (Zydena)

Zydena is the only known udenafil brand name to date.

What Does Udenafil (Zydena) Do?

Udenafil is a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor. PDE5 is mainly found in corpora cavernosa, vascular smooth muscles, visceral smooth muscles, and platelets.

Udenafil stops the actions of cGMP (cyclic guanosine monophosphate)-specific phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) on cyclic GMP in the smooth muscle cells present in the blood vessels in different kinds of tissues.  

Udenafil causes erection by increasing the blood flow to a flaccid penis. After an adequate amount of foreplay during sexual intercourse, there will be a release of nitric oxide (NO) from nerve terminals and endothelial cells. This releases cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) as well.  

The release of cGMP causes relaxation of the muscles of corpora cavernosa in the penis, leading to the dilation of the blood vessels. Following this, there will be a rapid entry of blood into those vessels, causing engorgement of the penis and making it erect. The erection will then last until the end of the intercourse and until after ejaculation occurs.  

The enzyme PDE5 can cause the degradation of the cGMP in the penis, preventing any major blood flow into the blood vessels. In most ED patients, the blood vessels in the penis have some kind of defects and will be unable to loosen up. These vessels may also have some obstructions in them. 

Udenafill increases the cGMP level in the corpus cavernosum by inhibiting the PDE5. The penis will now be able to become erect enough to have sex. 

However, udenafil needs proper sexual stimulation to work. It cannot cause an erection without proper sexual stimulation. 

 It has a half-life of 11 to 13 hours, which is longer than sildenafil, another popular PDE5 inhibitor drug. It can also lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Udenafil has no addictive or dependence-causing properties.  

Side Effects of Udenafil (Zydena)

Udenafil can cause a series of mild to severe side effects [4]. Consult your prescribing physician if you experience any of the following:

• Headaches
• Hot Flushes
• Skin rash
• Abdominal pain
• Abnormal vision
• Nasal blockage
• Prolonged and painful erection

Contraindications of Using Udenafil (Zydena)

There are some cases where Zydena isn’t considered safe. Here’s a list of contraindications that doctors will use to rule out patients from using Zydena or other PDE5 erectile dysfunction medications: 

1. It should not be used with medications such as nitrates, antihypertensive medications, guanylate cyclase stimulators, antacids, grapefruit products, CYP3A4 inhibitors, and CYP3A4 inducers
2. It is not recommended for use in women and children
3. It should not be consumed with alcohol
4.  It must be avoided in users with severe heart disease, hypersensitivity to sildenafil, priapism, severe renal and liver disease, stomach ulcers, retinitis pigmentosa, and blood disorders.

Key Takeaways: Is it Safe to Take Udenafil (Zydena) With CBD?

CBD and Zydena have a low risk of interacting together. However, side effects are still a possibility. 

Taking large doses of both drugs taken for a longer time may make udenafil’s metabolism sluggish, causing more side effects. 

Do not take these two medications without consulting your medical practitioner first. And if you encounter any abnormal side effects, such as prolonged and painful erections or severe dizziness and lethargy, seek medical attention at once. 

References

1. Carvalho, R. K., Andersen, M. L., & Mazaro‐Costa, R. (2020). The effects of cannabidiol on male reproductive system: A literature review. Journal of Applied Toxicology, 40(1), 132-150. 
2. Pizzol, D., Demurtas, J., Stubbs, B., Soysal, P., Mason, C., Isik, A. T., … & Veronese, N. (2019). Relationship between cannabis use and erectile dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis. American journal of men’s health, 13(6), 1557988319892464. 
3. Blessing, E. M., Steenkamp, M. M., Manzanares, J., & Marmar, C. R. (2015). Cannabidiol as a potential treatment for anxiety disorders. Neurotherapeutics, 12(4), 825-836. 
4. Rambhatla, A., & Rajfer, J. (2018). Male sexual dysfunction.