Although the blue pill with the imprint L368 is blue and shaped like Viagra, it is NOT Viagra. The pill has been identified as Naproxen Sodium 220 mg. It is supplied by Goldline Laboratories, Inc. Naproxen is a pain medication that relieves inflammation and joint stiffness. Other NSAIDs in the same medication class include acetylsalicylic acid, diclofenac, ibuprofen, and meloxicam. Viagra on the other hand is a brand of Sildenafil, a common medication used to stimulate erections in men with erectile dysfunction (ED) and treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (high blood pressure affecting the lungs and heart).
Naproxen works by blocking the enzyme that produces prostaglandins. Prostaglandins play an essential role in inflammation. The body produces them at the site of injured tissue, and they cause redness, heat, swelling, and pain.
Naproxen is available as naproxen or naproxen sodium. The major difference between naproxen and naproxen sodium (L368 pill) is that naproxen sodium is more rapidly absorbed. The body reaches peak levels of naproxen in 2–4 hours and naproxen sodium in 1–2 hours, meaning that it absorbs naproxen sodium faster than regular naproxen.
Is there any link between L368 and Sex?
The regular use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like L368 pill is associated with higher odds of erectile dysfunction, a cross-sectional study showed. In a large healthcare system, the rate of erectile dysfunction was 35.2 percent among middle-age men who regularly took NSAIDs and 24 percent among those who did not (P<0.001), according to Dr. Steven Jacobsen, director of research at Kaiser Permanente Southern California in Los Angeles, and colleagues.
After adjustment for age, race, ethnicity, smoking, body mass index, and various comorbidities, that worked out to a 1.22-fold greater likelihood of erectile dysfunction in NSAID users, the researchers reported online in the Journal of Urology.
Nevertheless, Viagra could be used to block gastric inflammation caused by drugs such as L368 pill. The impotence drug Viagra could be used to block gastric inflammation caused by drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen, report researchers. According to studies, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including, are effective against inflammation, but their clinical use is limited by potential gastric side effects, including stomach ulcers. Pre-clinical data from Brazil suggests that patients who would otherwise benefit from regular doses of NSAIDs could avoid the risk of gastric damage. SEE: Can I Use Tramadol and Viagra Together?
What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking L368 pill (naproxen);
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to L368 pill, aspirin or other NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and ketoprofen, any medications for pain or fever, other medications, or any of the ingredients in naproxen products. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention the medications listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section and any of the following: angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin, in Lotrel), captopril, enalapril (Vasotec, in Vaseretic), fosinopril, lisinopril (in Zestoretic), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon, in Prestalia), quinapril (Accupril, in Quinaretic), ramipril (Altace), and trandolapril (Mavik, in Tarka); angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) such as azilsartan (Edarbi, in Edarbyclor), candesartan (Atacand, in Atacand HCT), eprosartan (Teveten), irbesartan (Avapro, in Avalide), losartan (Cozaar, in Hyzaar), olmesartan (Benicar, in Azor, in Benicar HCT, in Tribenzor), telmisartan (Micardis, in Micardis HCT, in Twynsta), and valsartan (in Exforge HCT); beta blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin, in Tenoretic), labetalol (Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL, in Dutoprol), nadolol (Corgard, in Corzide), and propranolol (Hemangeol, Inderal, InnoPran); cholestyramine (Prevalite); diuretics (‘water pills’); lithium (Lithobid), medications for diabetes; methotrexate (Otrexup, Rasuvo, Trexall); probenecid (Probalan; Col-Probenecid); and sulfa medications such as sulfamethoxazole (in Bactrim, in Septra). If you are taking the delayed-release tablets, also tell your doctor if you are taking antacids or sucralfate (Carafate). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medication or monitor you more carefully for side effects.
- do not take nonprescription L368 pill with any other medication for pain unless your doctor tells you that you should.
- tell your doctor if you have been told to follow a low sodium diet and if you have or have ever had any of the conditions mentioned in the IMPORTANT WARNING section or asthma, especially if you also have frequent stuffed or runny nose or nasal polyps (swelling of the inside of the nose); heart failure; swelling of the hands, arms, feet, ankles, or lower legs; anemia (red blood cells do not bring enough oxygen to all parts of the body); or liver or kidney disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant; or are breast-feeding. L368 pill may harm the fetus and cause problems with delivery if it is taken around 20 weeks or later during pregnancy. Do not take naproxen around or after 20 weeks of pregnancy, unless you are told to do so by your doctor. If you become pregnant while taking naproxen, call your doctor.
- talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking L368 pill if you are 65 years of age or older. Older adults should usually take lower doses of naproxen for short periods of time because higher doses used regularly may not be more effective and are more likely to cause serious side effects.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking L368 pill.
- you should know that this medication may make you dizzy, drowsy, or depressed. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
- remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this medication.
