Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDrinking After Taking ItReactions When DrinkingAlcohol and EDOther Treatments For ED
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Drinking After Taking It
Reactions When Drinking
Alcohol and ED
Other Treatments For ED
If you’re taking Viagra (sildenafil)—an erectile dysfunction (ED) drug—you might be wondering whether it’s safe to drink alcohol soon after a dose. Viagra does not seem to interact with alcohol when consumed in small amounts.
However, alcohol use can still increase the risk of side effects. It can also affect sexual performance, which counteracts the reason for using Viagra in the first place. For this reason, it’s best to limit the amount consumed. Moreover, it’s generally recommended to avoid or limit alcohol altogether for overall health.
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Can You Drink Alcohol After Taking Viagra?
Drinking alcohol in moderation does not seem to have any major risks when you take Viagra. According to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) label guidelines, Viagra and alcohol don’t interact.Therefore, there’s no time limit to wait before consuming alcohol after taking it.
However, it’s likely best to avoid drinking in excessive amounts if you’re planning to use Viagra.
Alcohol can still affect sexual performance, making it harder to achieve the desired effects withED medications. This is because alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that might constrict blood vessels and reduce blood flow throughout the body.
Therefore, taking Viagra when drinking alcohol can decrease the efficacy of Viagra and similar drugs and contribute to ED.
Alcohol and Your HealthDrinking any type or amount of alcohol can have a variety ofshort and long-term effectson your health. Moreover, what’s considered “moderate” amounts of drinking can be different for each person. For some people, no amount of alcohol is safe. Consider the potential health risks associated with alcohol, your individual health status, and other medications you’re taking before consuming.
Alcohol and Your Health
Drinking any type or amount of alcohol can have a variety ofshort and long-term effectson your health. Moreover, what’s considered “moderate” amounts of drinking can be different for each person. For some people, no amount of alcohol is safe. Consider the potential health risks associated with alcohol, your individual health status, and other medications you’re taking before consuming.
How Many Drinks Can I Have?
Mild drinking with Viagra is not dangerous, but heavy drinking may lead to adverse effects.
Moreover, chronic, excessive drinking can worsen ED. Light to moderate drinking, such as having one to three drinks (or sticking to less than 20 drinks per week), should not have any major effects on ED in healthy people.
In one clinical study, Viagra (50 mg) did not increase the low blood pressure effects of alcohol in healthy volunteers, with mean maximum blood alcohol levels of 0.08%.
Still, this does not mean everyone will react in the same way. Alcohol tolerance varies based on the individual. To be safe, avoid drinking any alcohol when planning to use Viagra. This can ensure the medication works as effectively as it can.
How Long Does It Take Viagra to Leave Your System?
Viagra and Grapefruit JuiceGrape juice increases Viagra levels in the blood, prolonging its effect or increasing side effects. It is advisable to avoid this combination.
Viagra and Grapefruit Juice
Grape juice increases Viagra levels in the blood, prolonging its effect or increasing side effects. It is advisable to avoid this combination.
What Happens When You Drink Alcohol With Viagra?
Viagra is a brand name of the prescription drug sildenafil, which belongs to a class of drugs called phosphodiesterase inhibitors (PDE5) that can help witherectile dysfunction.
Alcohol is a CNS depressant and acts as a vasodilator, as it also relaxes and widens the blood vessels.
However, both alcohol and PDE5 inhibitors can also cause your blood pressure to drop. When combined, the two can cause your blood pressure to drop too low, leading to side effects such as light-headedness or dizziness.
Side Effects of Viagra And Other ED Drugs
On their own, PDE5 inhibitors can cause side effects such as:
If an erection lasts longer than four hours, seek urgent medical help.
Alcohol-Viagra Side Effects
There’s no known direct interaction between Viagra and alcohol. However, drinking alcohol in excess while taking Viagra or other drugs of the same class could worsen some of the drug’s side effects.
Viagra can lower blood pressure. The combination of Viagra and alcohol can potentially decrease blood pressure to a dangerous level and lead to:
A study on males of different ages showed that combining the use of alcohol and PDE5 inhibitors increases the risk of PDE5-associated complications, including vasodilation symptoms. However, life-threatening complications are rare.
Alcohol and Erectile Dysfunction
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), excessive alcohol use can interfere with testicular function and male hormone production, resulting in erectile dysfunction and infertility.
Blood flow is a prime factor in achieving an erection. If used chronically, alcohol could provoke vascular damage, which can be a risk factor in worsening ED.
However, results from different studies showed that a moderate intake of alcohol may lower the risk of erectile dysfunction.
Depending on your symptoms of ED and personal preference, additional treatment options you may benefit from include:
Summary
Erectile dysfunction is a common sexual dysfunction. Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol is one of the contributing factors to the problem affecting sexual function.
Viagra (a PDE5 inhibitor drug) is a widely used medication for treating ED. It’s generally safe to drink a small amount of alcohol with Viagra, as there are no major interactions between the two. However, drinking in excess is one of the contributing factors to the problem affecting sexual function. Drinking excess alcohol can also increase the risk of side effects when taking Viagra.
Additionally, alcohol can interfere with how well Viagra takes effect. So, it’s best to avoid drinking or only drink in limited amounts when taking it.
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.DailyMed.Label: sildenafil citrate tablet.MedlinePlus.AlcoholWang XM, Bai YJ, Yang YB, et al.Alcohol intake and risk of erectile dysfunction: a dose-response meta-analysis of observational studies.Int J Impot Res.2018;30(6):342-351. doi:10.1038/s41443-018-0022-xU.S. Food and Drug Administration.Viagra (drug approval package)Kim JN, Oh JJ, Park DS, et al.Influence of alcohol on phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors use in middle- to old-aged men: a comparative study of adverse events.Sex Med.2019;7(4):425-432. doi:10.1016/j.esxm.2019.07.004Huang SA, Lie JD.Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors In the management of erectile dysfunction.P T. 2013;38(7):407-19.MedlinePlus.SildenafilCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Alcohol and public health.Li S, Song JM, Zhang K, Zhang CL.A meta-analysis of erectile dysfunction and alcohol consumption.Urol Int.2021;105(11-12):969-985. doi:10.1159/000508171National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for erectile dysfunction.Maiorino MI, Bellastella G, Esposito K.Lifestyle modifications and erectile dysfunction: what can be expected?Asian J Androl. 2015;17(1):5-10. doi:10.4103/1008-682X.137687
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.DailyMed.Label: sildenafil citrate tablet.MedlinePlus.AlcoholWang XM, Bai YJ, Yang YB, et al.Alcohol intake and risk of erectile dysfunction: a dose-response meta-analysis of observational studies.Int J Impot Res.2018;30(6):342-351. doi:10.1038/s41443-018-0022-xU.S. Food and Drug Administration.Viagra (drug approval package)Kim JN, Oh JJ, Park DS, et al.Influence of alcohol on phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors use in middle- to old-aged men: a comparative study of adverse events.Sex Med.2019;7(4):425-432. doi:10.1016/j.esxm.2019.07.004Huang SA, Lie JD.Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors In the management of erectile dysfunction.P T. 2013;38(7):407-19.MedlinePlus.SildenafilCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Alcohol and public health.Li S, Song JM, Zhang K, Zhang CL.A meta-analysis of erectile dysfunction and alcohol consumption.Urol Int.2021;105(11-12):969-985. doi:10.1159/000508171National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for erectile dysfunction.Maiorino MI, Bellastella G, Esposito K.Lifestyle modifications and erectile dysfunction: what can be expected?Asian J Androl. 2015;17(1):5-10. doi:10.4103/1008-682X.137687
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
DailyMed.Label: sildenafil citrate tablet.MedlinePlus.AlcoholWang XM, Bai YJ, Yang YB, et al.Alcohol intake and risk of erectile dysfunction: a dose-response meta-analysis of observational studies.Int J Impot Res.2018;30(6):342-351. doi:10.1038/s41443-018-0022-xU.S. Food and Drug Administration.Viagra (drug approval package)Kim JN, Oh JJ, Park DS, et al.Influence of alcohol on phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors use in middle- to old-aged men: a comparative study of adverse events.Sex Med.2019;7(4):425-432. doi:10.1016/j.esxm.2019.07.004Huang SA, Lie JD.Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors In the management of erectile dysfunction.P T. 2013;38(7):407-19.MedlinePlus.SildenafilCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Alcohol and public health.Li S, Song JM, Zhang K, Zhang CL.A meta-analysis of erectile dysfunction and alcohol consumption.Urol Int.2021;105(11-12):969-985. doi:10.1159/000508171National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for erectile dysfunction.Maiorino MI, Bellastella G, Esposito K.Lifestyle modifications and erectile dysfunction: what can be expected?Asian J Androl. 2015;17(1):5-10. doi:10.4103/1008-682X.137687
DailyMed.Label: sildenafil citrate tablet.
MedlinePlus.Alcohol
Wang XM, Bai YJ, Yang YB, et al.Alcohol intake and risk of erectile dysfunction: a dose-response meta-analysis of observational studies.Int J Impot Res.2018;30(6):342-351. doi:10.1038/s41443-018-0022-x
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Viagra (drug approval package)
Kim JN, Oh JJ, Park DS, et al.Influence of alcohol on phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors use in middle- to old-aged men: a comparative study of adverse events.Sex Med.2019;7(4):425-432. doi:10.1016/j.esxm.2019.07.004
Huang SA, Lie JD.Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors In the management of erectile dysfunction.P T. 2013;38(7):407-19.
MedlinePlus.Sildenafil
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Alcohol and public health.
Li S, Song JM, Zhang K, Zhang CL.A meta-analysis of erectile dysfunction and alcohol consumption.Urol Int.2021;105(11-12):969-985. doi:10.1159/000508171
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for erectile dysfunction.
Maiorino MI, Bellastella G, Esposito K.Lifestyle modifications and erectile dysfunction: what can be expected?Asian J Androl. 2015;17(1):5-10. doi:10.4103/1008-682X.137687
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