Interactions Between Viagra and Alcohol

Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects roughly 30 million men in the United States, and Viagra (the name-brand version of sildenafil) is one of the safest and most popular medicines used to treat the condition.

Alcohol drinking is also very common: In 2019, more than 59% of men 18 and older reported drinking alcohol in the past month, and 29% reported binge drinking.

Most men know that a few drinks affects their ability to perform in the bedroom.

For some, alcohol helps them last longer; for others, it makes it harder to get and maintain an erection.

So it’s no wonder that many men want to know if it’s safe to drink alcohol when taking Viagra and if doing so will alter Viagra’s effectiveness.

In this article, I’ll describe how alcohol interacts with Viagra as well as how drinking can play a role in impotence.

This information can help you can lead the healthy sex life that you desire.

What Is Viagra?

Viagra is a brand-name prescription drug used to treat ED.

Because it’s been on the market the longest of any ED pill, its side effects and drug interactions are well known and it’s often the first-line ED medication recommended by doctors.

The active ingredient in Viagra is a phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitor called sildenafil citrate.

Sildenafil citrate blocks the enzyme PDE5 from breaking down cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP).

This molecule is key for erections because it causes the penile muscles to relax and the blood vessels that go into the penis to widen.

Together, this increases blood flow to the penis, which can help men get and maintain better erections.

Viagra is designed to be taken shortly before sexual activity.

It takes about 30 minutes to an hour to take effect and stays in your system for 4-5 hours.

At any time during that window, if a man is aroused, Viagra may help him become erect.