How Long Does Viagra Last?

If you’re looking for treatments like Viagra and you want one that lasts long enough for you then it makes sense to check how long Viagra can last.

Find out how long Viagra can be made to last, which treatments stretch further, and how to last longer after orgasming.

How long does Viagra last for?

The length of time Viagra will last for will depend on individual factors. For example, some men claim the effects have lasted for up to 5 hours. However, on average the effects of Viagra tend to begin to wear off between 2 and 3 hours after taking the medication. However, some outlets suggest that you can take Viagra up to 4 hours before you intend to have sex.

Lasts for 4 hours normally
Begins to wear off after 2-3 hours for some men
Can last up to 5 hours in some men

How quickly does it start working? – you should take Viagra at least 30 minutes before you intend to have sex. In most men, Viagra begins to work around half an hour after taking the medication. You will need some form of sexual stimulation for Viagra to work. Although in some men it may begin to work quicker or may take longer, the average time is around 30 minutes.

You can get more information from your doctor – you can discuss your medical history and symptoms with your doctor, as well as your lifestyle, to determine how well Viagra could work for you.

Can you make Viagra last longer?

The table below shows some of the factors that affect how long Viagra lasts and what you can do about them.

In men who are over 65, the effects of Viagra can last longer because their metabolism is slower.

This means the body doesn’t get rid of it as quickly as it might in younger men.

Viagra can be affected by the amount of fat in your diet.

Taking Viagra on an empty stomach will make it work quicker. However, if this isn’t possible opt for a healthy meal rather than a fatty burger for example.

Alcohol reduces the amount of blood reaching the penis. Therefore, it can be difficult to get an erection if you have been out drinking.

Drinking more than just 2 units of alcohol can stop Viagra from working.

If you are in poor health, this can affect how long Viagra will work for you.

Liver and kidney problems can mean Viagra will last longer as it can take the body longer to break it down and remove it.

Higher doses of Viagra are usually more effective and can have longer-lasting effects in some men.

Viagra is available in doses from 25mg to 100mg.

What can I do to help Viagra last longer? – there many lifestyle changes you could make to help Viagra last longer in your body, including:

Eat a healthy, balanced diet :

Include more whole grains, fruit and vegetables in your diet

Reduce the amount of saturated fat you are eating

Reduce the number of takeaways you eat

Reduce your salt intake – 6g per day is the maximum

Avoid grapefruit juice when you take Viagra as it can stop it from working

Cut down on your alcohol intake :

You should avoid alcohol when you take Viagra as it can stop it from working

If you do drink, keep it below 2 units of alcohol

Quit smoking :

Can make you feel better

Stop you getting out of breath quickly

Improves your cardiorespiratory fitness

Exercise :

Exercise can be beneficial for both mental and physical health

May even help to reduce the symptoms of erectile dysfunction

Can I take more than one tablet? – no. Taking too much Viagra can increase the risk of side effects. It can also cause a condition called priapism which can cause permanent damage to your penis.

You should only ever take the dose your doctor has prescribed to you. If the dose isn’t working for you, you should never take more. Instead, contact your doctor to discuss your options. They may decide to increase or reduce your current dose but you shouldn’t do this yourself.

Which treatments last longer than Viagra?

Cialis lasts longer than Viagra – there is a treatment available which lasts longer than Viagra which is called Cialis. Just like Viagra, Cialis is a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor but its active ingredient is tadalafil rather than sildenafil.

You can take Cialis once a day so you always get the effect – Cialis is available in a daily medication called Cialis Daily. The dose is 5mg and is taken once a day, allowing for spontaneous sex. Most erectile medications are not suitable for daily use, but Cialis Daily is and is most suitable for men who are likely to have spontaneous sex and who know they will have sex at least twice a week.

Therefore, the effects of Cialis Daily last longer than Viagra because you are able to have sex whenever you feel like it and don’t need to wait for the medication to get in your system to work. Once you start taking Cialis Daily, it should begin to work within 3-5 days.

Cialis Daily is essentially the longest lasting – erectile dysfunction medication, making it easy for you to get an erection. In other words, Cialis Daily gives you permanent Viagra effects.

Other long-lasting erectile dysfunction treatments – other treatments which can provide long-lasting effects for erectile dysfunction include:

Exercise :

Weight loss can help to improve the ability to get an erection

Stress can cause ED – exercise is good for relieving stress

You should aim for 150 minutes of exercise per week spread over a few days

E.g. 30 minutes per day for 5 days

Managing alcohol :

Reduce your alcohol intake

Just 2 units of alcohol can stop Viagra from working

Alcohol consumption is related to a greater risk of erectile dysfunction

Counselling :

ED can be due to an emotional problem

Anxiety and depression can be treated with therapies such as counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy

Can Viagra make you last longer after orgasm?

No, Viagra only works for erectile dysfunction – if you lose your erection too quickly then Viagra can help you to last longer in bed. However, it won’t make you last longer if:

You come too early (premature ejaculation)

You have a low sex drive

You tire during sex

What is erectile dysfunction? – erectile dysfunction is where you can’t get or maintain an erection and so maybe you can’t last as long as you want to in bed. Viagra improves the blood flow to the penis, allowing you to get and keep an erection. Therefore, Viagra only works for erectile dysfunction.

Why does it not work just after you orgasm? – although it can make you last longer, Viagra doesn’t get rid of the refractory period. Therefore, you will need to wait between your erections after orgasm, but getting an erection after the first one will be easier with Viagra. Viagra allows you to have multiple sessions while it is working.

What can you do if you orgasm early? – if you are suffering from premature ejaculation (PE) then you may require different treatment. PE occurs when a man is unable to control or delay ejaculation. If it occurs within the first 2 minutes of sex then this is classed as premature. Treatments include:

Does Viagra have any long-lasting effects?

Some of the side effects of Viagra can last longer than the effects of Viagra – for example:

However, these symptoms should subside and should not be permanent. If you are worried seek medical advice immediately.

Viagra is a safe ongoing treatment for erectile dysfunction – some studies have shown that Viagra has had a low incidence of adverse effects which result in discontinuation of use or dosage change. You can take Viagra on consecutive days, but if you are going to have sex at least twice per week then you may be better suited to Cialis Daily.

What if the effects last too long? – the effects of Viagra should have subsided around 4 hours after you first took the pill. This is because the body will have metabolised it and will be working to get rid of it. However, if the effects are not wearing off this may be a sign of priapism. Priapism is a prolonged and painful erection and if left untreated can cause permanent damage to the penis.

If your erection has not gone after 2 hours you should seek medical assistance straight away.

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Goldstein, I. et al (1998). Oral Sildenafil in the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction. NEJM; 338: 1397-1404.

Jetter, A. et al (2002). Effects of grapefruit fuice on the pharmacokinetics of sildenafil. Clin Pharmacol Ther; 71(1): 21-29.

Jiann, B. P. (2010). Effect of alcohol consumption on the risk of erectile dysfunction. Urol Sci; 21(4): 163-168.

Levinson, I. P. et al (2003). Efficacy and safety of sildenafil citrate (Viagra) for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in men in Egypt and South Africa. International Journal of Impotence Research; 15(suppl 1): S25-S29.

McCullough, A. R. et al (2002). Achieving treatment optimization with sildenafil citrate (Viagra) in patients with erectile dysfunction. Urology; 60 (suppl 2B).

McMurray, J. G. et al (2007). Long-Term Safety and Effectiveness of Sildenafil Citrate in Men with Erectile Dysfunction. Ther Clin Risk Manag; 3(6): 975-981.

Padma-Nathan, H. et al (2000). On-demand IC351(Cialis) enhances erectile function in patients with erectile dysfunction. International Journal of Impotence Research.

Shah, P. C and Trivedi, N. A. (2018). A meta-analysis on efficacy and tolerability of sildenafil for erectile dysfunction in patients with diabetes mellitus. Indian J Sex Transm Dis; 39: 1-6.

Can Viagra Make You Last Longer In Bed

How Long Does Viagra Last?

How long does Viagra last for?

Can you make Viagra last longer?

Which treatments last longer than Viagra?

Can Viagra make you last longer after orgasm?

Does Viagra have any long-lasting effects?

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