Side effects of sildenafil

I suffer from multiple sclerosis which is why I am prescribed Viagra. I never felt a stigma about taking it but guess that some men without a specific medical reason may still feel some.

Viagra Side Effects Center

Viagra (sildenafil) is a phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitor used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

What Are Side Effects of Viagra?

• warmth or redness in the face, neck, or chest,
• stuffy nose,
• headaches,
• stomach pain,
• upset stomach,
• nausea,
• diarrhea,
• memory problems,
• back pain,
• an inability to differentiate between the colors green and blue,
• loss of hearing,
• ringing in the ears,
• and dizziness.

Viagra may cause serious side effects including:

• chest pain or pressure,
• pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder,
• nausea,
• sweating,
• vision changes,
• sudden vision loss,
• an erection that is painful or lasts longer than 4 hours,
• severe shortness of breath,
• cough with foamy mucus,
• sudden hearing loss,
• irregular heartbeat,
• swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet,
• seizure (convulsions), and
• lightheadedness

Get medical help right away, if you have any of the symptoms listed above.

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• Serious heart symptoms such as fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in your chest; shortness of breath; and sudden dizziness, lightheartedness, or passing out;
• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors.

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

Dosage for Viagra

The recommended dose of Viagra is 25-100 mg taken 30 minutes to 4 hours before sexual activity.

What Drugs, Substances, or Supplements Interact with Viagra?

Viagra may interact with similar medications [such as avanafil (Stendra), tadalafil (Cialis) or vardenafil (Levitra)], bosentan, cimetidine, conivaptan, imatinib, isoniazid, antidepressants, antibiotics, antifungals, drugs to treat high blood pressure or a prostate disorder, heart or blood pressure medications, hepatitis C medications, or HIV/AIDS medicines. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

Viagra During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Viagra is intended for use in men, and is unlikely to be used in women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. However, Viagra is not expected to be harmful to a fetus. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment with Viagra. It is unknown if Viagra passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Additional Information

Our Viagra Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

QUESTION

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop taking sildenafil and get emergency medical help if you have:

• heart attack symptoms–chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating;
• vision changes or sudden vision loss; or
• erection is painful or lasts longer than 4 hours (prolonged erection can damage the penis).

• severe shortness of breath, cough with foamy mucus;
• ringing in your ears, or sudden hearing loss;
• irregular heartbeat;
• swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet;
• a seizure; or (convulsions); or
• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out.

• flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling);
• headache, dizziness;
• abnormal vision (blurred vision, changes in color vision)
• runny or stuffy nose, nosebleeds;
• sleep problems (insomnia);
• muscle pain, back pain; or
• upset stomach.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

SLIDESHOW

SIDE EFFECTS

The following are discussed in more detail in other sections of the labeling:

• Cardiovascular [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
• Prolonged Erection and Priapism [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
• Effects on the Eye [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
• Hearing Loss [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
• Hypotension when Co-administered with Alpha-blockers or Anti-hypertensives [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
• Adverse Reactions with the Concomitant Use of Ritonavir [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
• Combination with other PDE5 Inhibitors or Other Erectile Dysfunction Therapies [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
• Effects on Bleeding [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
• Counseling Patients About Sexually Transmitted Diseases [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]

The most common adverse reactions reported in clinical trials ( > 2%) are headache, flushing, dyspepsia, abnormal vision, nasal congestion, back pain, myalgia, nausea, dizziness, and rash.

Clinical Trials Experience

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice.

VIAGRA was administered to over 3700 patients (aged 19-87 years) during pre-marketing clinical trials worldwide. Over 550 patients were treated for longer than one year.

In placebo-controlled clinical studies, the discontinuation rate due to adverse reactions for VIAGRA (2.5%) was not significantly different from placebo (2.3%).

In fixed-dose studies, the incidence of some adverse reactions increased with dose. The type of adverse reactions in flexible-dose studies, which reflect the recommended dosage regimen, was similar to that for fixed-dose studies. At doses above the recommended dose range, adverse reactions were similar to those detailed in Table 1 below but generally were reported more frequently.

When VIAGRA was taken as recommended (on an as-needed basis) in flexible-dose, placebo-controlled clinical trials of two to twenty-six weeks duration, patients took VIAGRA at least once weekly, and the following adverse reactions were reported:

Table 2: Adverse Reactions Reported by ≥ 2% of Patients Treated with VIAGRA and More Frequent than Placebo in Flexible-Dose Phase II/III Studies

Adverse Reaction	VIAGRA N=734	PLACEBO N=725
Headache	16%	4%
Flushing	10%	1%
Dyspepsia	7%	2%
Nasal Congestion	4%	2%
Abnormal Vision†	3%	0%
Back pain	2%	2%
Dizziness	2%	1%
Rash	2%	1%
†Abnormal Vision: Mild and transient, predominantly color tinge to vision, but also increased sensitivity to light or blurred vision. In these studies, only one patient discontinued due to abnormal vision.

Body as a Whole: face edema, photosensitivity reaction, shock, asthenia, pain, chills, accidental fall, abdominal pain, allergic reaction, chest pain, accidental injury.

Cardiovascular: angina pectoris, AV block, migraine, syncope, tachycardia, palpitation, hypotension, postural hypotension, myocardial ischemia, cerebral thrombosis, cardiac arrest, heart failure, abnormal electrocardiogram, cardiomyopathy.

Digestive: vomiting, glossitis, colitis, dysphagia, gastritis, gastroenteritis, esophagitis, stomatitis, dry mouth, liver function tests abnormal, rectal hemorrhage, gingivitis.

Metabolic and Nutritional: thirst, edema, gout, unstable diabetes, hyperglycemia, peripheral edema, hyperuricemia, hypoglycemic reaction, hypernatremia.

Musculoskeletal: arthritis, arthrosis, myalgia, tendon rupture, tenosynovitis, bone pain, myasthenia, synovitis.

Skin and Appendages: urticaria, herpes simplex, pruritus, sweating, skin ulcer, contact dermatitis, exfoliative dermatitis.

Special Senses: sudden decrease or loss of hearing, mydriasis, conjunctivitis, photophobia, tinnitus, eye pain, ear pain, eye hemorrhage, cataract, dry eyes.

Urogenital: cystitis, nocturia, urinary frequency, breast enlargement, urinary incontinence, abnormal ejaculation, genital edema and anorgasmia.

Analysis of the safety database from controlled clinical trials showed no apparent difference in adverse reactions in patients taking VIAGRA with and without anti-hypertensive medication. This analysis was performed retrospectively, and was not powered to detect any pre-specified difference in adverse reactions.

Postmarketing Experience

The following adverse reactions have been identified during post approval use of VIAGRA. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. These events have been chosen for inclusion either due to their seriousness, reporting frequency, lack of clear alternative causation, or a combination of these factors.

Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular

Serious cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and vascular events, including myocardial infarction, sudden cardiac death, ventricular arrhythmia, cerebrovascular hemorrhage, transient ischemic attack, hypertension, subarachnoid and intracerebral hemorrhages, and pulmonary hemorrhage have been reported post-marketing in temporal association with the use of VIAGRA. Most, but not all, of these patients had preexisting cardiovascular risk factors. Many of these events were reported to occur during or shortly after sexual activity, and a few were reported to occur shortly after the use of VIAGRA without sexual activity. Others were reported to have occurred hours to days after the use of VIAGRA and sexual activity. It is not possible to determine whether these events are related directly to VIAGRA, to sexual activity, to the patient’s underlying cardiovascular disease, to a combination of these factors, or to other factors [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS and PATIENT INFORMATION].

Hemic and Lymphatic: vaso-occlusive crisis: In a small, prematurely terminated study of REVATIO (sildenafil) in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) secondary to sickle cell disease, vaso-occlusive crises requiring hospitalization were more commonly reported in patients who received sildenafil than in those randomized to placebo. The clinical relevance of this finding to men treated with VIAGRA for ED is not known.

Nervous: seizure, seizure recurrence, anxiety, and transient global amnesia.

Special senses

Hearing: Cases of sudden decrease or loss of hearing have been reported postmarketing in temporal association with the use of PDE5 inhibitors, including VIAGRA. In some of the cases, medical conditions and other factors were reported that may have also played a role in the otologic adverse events. In many cases, medical follow-up information was limited. It is not possible to determine whether these reported events are related directly to the use of VIAGRA, to the patient’s underlying risk factors for hearing loss, a combination of these factors, or to other factors [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS and PATIENT INFORMATION].

Ocular: diplopia, temporary vision loss/decreased vision, ocular redness or bloodshot appearance, ocular burning, ocular swelling/pressure, increased intraocular pressure, retinal edema, retinal vascular disease or bleeding, and vitreous traction/detachment.

Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a cause of decreased vision including permanent loss of vision, has been reported rarely post-marketing in temporal association with the use of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors, including VIAGRA. Most, but not all, of these patients had underlying anatomic or vascular risk factors for developing NAION, including but not necessarily limited to: low cup to disc ratio (“crowded disc”), age over 50, diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease, hyperlipidemia and smoking. It is not possible to determine whether these events are related directly to the use of PDE5 inhibitors, to the patient’s underlying vascular risk factors or anatomical defects, to a combination of these factors, or to other factors [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS and PATIENT INFORMATION].

Urogenital: prolonged erection, priapism [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS and PATIENT INFORMATION], and hematuria.

Read the entire FDA prescribing information for Viagra (Sildenafil Citrate)

© Viagra Patient Information is supplied by Cerner Multum, Inc. and Viagra Consumer information is supplied by First Databank, Inc., used under license and subject to their respective copyrights.

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Side effects of sildenafil

Like all medicines, sildenafil can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.

Common side effects

Common side effects of sildenafil happen in more than 1 in 100 people.

If you’re taking it for erection problems you’re unlikely to get side effects as you’re only taking it for a short time.

If you’re taking sildenafil for pulmonary hypertension and get these side effects, there are things you can do to help cope with them:

Make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Do not drink too much alcohol. Ask your pharmacist to recommend a painkiller. Headaches should usually go away after the first week of taking sildenafil. Talk to your doctor if they last longer than a week or are severe.

It may help if you avoid rich or spicy food. If you’re taking sildenafil for pulmonary hypertension, it may help to take it after a meal or snack.

Try cutting down on coffee, tea and alcohol. It might help to keep the room cool and use a fan. You could also spray your face with cool water or sip cold or iced drinks.

The flushing should go away after a few days. If it does not go away, or if it’s causing you problems, contact your doctor.

If you need something to ease the discomfort, try taking an antacid, but do not put off going to the doctor if it bothers you. They may be able to prescribe an extra medicine to protect your stomach.

Speak to a pharmacist or doctor. They may be able to recommend a nasal spray that helps.

If sildenafil makes you feel dizzy when you stand up, try getting up very slowly or stay sitting down until you feel better. If you begin to feel dizzy, lie down so that you do not faint, then sit until you feel better. Do not drive, cycle or use tools or machinery if you feel dizzy.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if the advice on how to cope does not help or the side effects get worse.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects are rare and happen in less than 1 in 1,000 people.

Stop taking sildenafil and contact your doctor or 111 straight away if you have a sudden decrease or loss of vision.

Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111. Call 111 if you’re worried about a child under the age of 5 years.

Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E now if:

• you or someone around you has a seizure or fit
• you have a prolonged or sometimes painful erection, especially if it lasts for more than 2 hours

Immediate action required: Call 999 now if:

If this happens during or after sex and you are taking nitrates, do not take them to treat your chest pain.

Serious allergic reaction

In rare cases, it’s possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to sildenafil.

Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E now if:

• you get a skin rash that may include itchy, red, swollen, blistered or peeling skin
• you’re wheezing
• you get tightness in the chest or throat
• you have trouble breathing or talking
• your mouth, face, lips, tongue or throat start swelling

You could be having a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital.

Other side effects

These are not all the side effects of sildenafil. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicine packet.

You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme.

More in Sildenafil (Viagra)

Page last reviewed: 2 March 2022
Next review due: 2 March 2025

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‘The stigma is more in my own mind’: men on using Viagra

P rescriptions for Viagra and other erectile dysfunction drugs have nearly tripled in the past decade, according to NHS data. The rise is partly due to the fact the cost of Viagra fell by 85.9% in 2013.

Doctors say there is also increased awareness among men of the use of Viagra as medication for a serious illness and less stigma around erectile dysfunction.

We asked readers to share their thoughts and experiences of taking Viagra.

‘Talk about it and don’t bottle things up’ – Philip, 67, living in France

A lot of men still feel inadequate if they suffer from erectile dysfunction, so won’t discuss the subject with a doctor even though this should be their first port of call.

I switched from Cialis to sildenafil [Viagra] because the former gave me a headache, but the latter doesn’t. Also, sildenafil costs less. Living in France, this medication is not cheap, so I have an account with a UK-based online medical consultancy, which is regulated and reliable.

If erectile dysfunction is a problem then talk about it with your partner and then your GP. In my case, it was age-related. Second, Viagra is not an aphrodisiac. You need good stimulation from your partner to achieve an erection. Third, Viagra is not for younger men who don’t have erectile dysfunction. Fourth, take it with water not with grapefruit juice as it can lead to a big drop in blood pressure. Last, talk about it and don’t bottle things up.

There are thousands of dodgy website selling erectile dysfunction medication which men will use to avoid talking about the problem. Don’t use these websites. There are reputable services in the UK. But, if you can go via your GP to the NHS, all the better.

‘Viagra has been a real life-changer for me’ – Mark, 55, from Berkshire

I suffer from multiple sclerosis which is why I am prescribed Viagra. I never felt a stigma about taking it but guess that some men without a specific medical reason may still feel some.

My GP can only prescribe four pills per month on NHS so I need to buy additional from the internet. I have probably bought from a dozen suppliers on the web before and have always received a legitimate product at a fraction of the private price. As with everything you need to take note of vendor reviews and feedback. Maybe I’ve just been lucky.

When I started taking Viagra, many years ago now, it made an enormous difference to my quality of life and the quality and stability of my relationship. It was a real life-changer.

‘My GP said he was prescribing it more and more’ – Ian, 67, from Dorset

Since I was prescribed Viagra I mentioned it to several friends and found that most (80% of a statistically useless sample) either had used it or were taking it. This is men of all ages, from their mid-50s to over 70. I also know of one younger guy who takes it, an acquaintance in the gym.

My GP said that he was prescribing it more and more and one of my friends didn’t bother with the doctor but went straight to an internet site to obtain it. He used the same site for extra supplies as the NHS limits you to four tablets every 28 days.

Is the NHS limit that reasonable? ‘Taking Viagra has greatly benefited my marriage’ – David, 69, from Wales

I have never discussed taking Viagra with anyone except my doctor and wife, so I don’t know whether there is less stigma. I take a low 25mg dose when hoping to have sex. It does not always produce an erection, you need to have strong and continuing desire for it to work.

Minor side-effects for me sometimes include headaches, flushing and loose bowels. It’s not a problem. Taking the drug has greatly benefited my marriage. A stronger erection means better sex.

‘There is less stigma perhaps, but it’s still there’ – Lee, 80, from Buckingham

Perhaps the stigma – if it exists – is not so much with Viagra as it is erectile dysfunction. It’s difficult to admit you’ve “lost” your manhood.

Erectile dysfunction crept slowly up on me during my 60s and 70s but the desire is still strong. I tried Viagra and Cialis for many years but in the end the side-effects – flu-like symptoms, red eyes, hot flushes – proved the game not worth it. I also suffered a thrombosis in the retinal vein. I’m told there is some history for this with Viagra and though it has not been scientifically investigated, it should be. I now use a topical cream called Vitaros: tumescence without the side-effects.

‘For me, it has always been about making sex last longer’ – Charles, 64, from London

I have been using Viagra to enhance the sexual experience for the last 15 years. It has never been about not getting an erection. It has always been about making sex last longer. Erectile dysfunction is a complete misnomer.

It is now very cheap, around £1.50 for a 100mg tablet which does at least two sessions. There are no real side-effects except a bit of a flush. It works like magic within half an hour.

‘I suspect the stigma will stop some men from getting it and lead to depression’ – Ben, 47, from London

I told my partner and she was very supportive, but she thinks I take it now and then. I would be too embarrassed to tell her how often I take it – basically every time we have sex. It is embarrassing. There is stigma. I use an online pharmacy and pay more than I should. My NHS GP was supportive but totally impractical. They gave me a prescription for four tablets at a time and this meant I was constantly going to the local GP for appointments to collect repeat prescriptions.

It should be cheaper and easier to get it in the NHS. I buy sildenafil and one side-effect has been I no longer take antidepressants. My sex life is great and it’s helped me feel better about myself. I would much rather take Viagra or an equivalent than an antidepressant. I suspect the stigma will stop other men doing this and lead to depression.

‘The stigma is more in my own mind than in reality’ – Ken, 64, from Nottingham

I think stigma is probably getting less but it’s not something that comes into general conversation. I imagine that people like myself have no second thoughts about using Viagra because there is a need to maintain relationships, or in my case make new ones following a divorce. It is a godsend.

I got erectile dysfunction as a result of a mixture of medical and psychological causes. I was reluctant to tell my partner at first but when it came to light I was chastised only for thinking that I needed to hide it at all. So there is a degree of stigma more in my own mind than in reality.

Can Viagra Cause Headaches?

How long does it take for Viagra to relieve a headache?

Headaches occurring with sildenafil are usually migraine headaches. Typically, a cluster headache manifests in bouts. These bouts typically last from 7 days to several months. During these periods, patients experience recurrent attacks. However, remission can last for months or even years. A man with a history of cluster headaches is the subject of this case report.

Is 50 mg Viagra enough? Follow the recommended doses for medication always. Your doctor will prescribe the recommended dose of Viagra for treating ED, which is 50 mg. If you want Viagra to be effective, you should follow the dosage and usage instructions provided by your doctor. UK Meds offers the cheapest sildenafil in the UK. Viagra can also affect other parts of your body like your heart and lungs.

Can Viagra lead to flu-like symptoms?

Some common side effects of Cialis and Viagra are flushing, headaches, stomach pain, flu-like symptoms, memory problems, muscle or back pain, blurred vision, and changes in color vision. [1]

Can you drink alcohol while taking Viagra or Cialis? You can usually drink alcohol moderately while taking Cialis, but you should always talk to your doctor first. You should drink no more than one or two alcoholic beverages a day to avoid negative side effects.

Can you take Viagra and ibuprofen at the same time?

Headaches are unfortunately a very common side effect when taking Viagra (sildenafil) and other ED tablets. You can take Viagra with a pain reliever like paracetamol, ibuprofen, or aspirin. Sildenafil tablets are a prescription medication used to treat erectile dysfunction.

Can you take Viagra and ibuprofen together?	Is it okay to take Viagra with ibuprofen?
Can u take paracetamol with Viagra?	Can I take ibuprofen with Viagra?
Is it OK to take ibuprofen with Viagra?

What does Viagra do to your body? Viagra helps with erectile dysfunction by assisting with maintaining an erection. The drug works by increasing blood flow into your penis when you’re sexually aroused. Viagra is a drug that inhibits phosphodiesterase type 5. By blocking the action of PDE5, it allows for proper blood flow to the penis.

How long do the headaches last that are a side effect of Viagra?

The headaches occurred once or twice per day, typically lasting for 1.5 to 2 hours. Viagra pills are the most popular way to take Viagra. He typically experienced one 4-month-long bout of whatever each year until two years ago when he began taking verapamil. [2]

Does Viagra or Cialis work better? What is the difference between Cialis and Viagra? Both Cialis and Viagra can effectively treat erectile dysfunction. Cialis may be the preferred option for those who want to take a pill once a day and experience longer-lasting effects. Cialis may be the preferred option for those who want the effects of the pill to last longer.

What are the effects of Viagra on inflammation?

Recent studies by the authors of an MS model induced in wild-type C57BL6 mice found that sildenafil has an anti-inflammatory action. 100mg sildenafil tablets are the most common dose. This action reduces levels of proinflammatory cytokines and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and protects the myelin structure. [3]

What is the best way to take Viagra for best results? Viagra is most commonly taken in the form of a small blue pill. You should take Viagra on an empty stomach, and not after a heavy meal. You should avoid taking this medication if you are consuming alcohol. You should take Viagra approximately one hour before sexual activity for it to be most effective.

What are the possible side effects of Viagra?

The most common side effect associated with ED medications is headaches. . The headaches are caused by the sudden change in blood flow from the increased levels of nitric oxide. This side effect is common with all forms of ED medications, so switching brands may not necessarily alleviate your symptoms. [4]

References

Viagra Side Effects and Other Impacts on the Body

Viagra may also cause serious side effects that require immediate medical attention. Symptoms may include:

• chest pain
• fainting
• blurred vision
• severe, sudden loss of vision
• ringing in ears
• sudden loss of or decrease in hearing
• dizziness
• rash
• burning during urination
• itching during urination
• shortness of breath that worsens
• an erection that lasts longer than 4 hours and may be painful

Viagra is a powerful drug that increases blood flow to the penis so you can get and maintain an erection. It’s effective, but it can also cause some side effects.

Viagra is a brand-name version of the generic drug sildenafil. It’s a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor. PDE5 is an enzyme that regulates certain chemicals in your blood, but because of its effect on the body, it can make it harder for you to get and keep an erection.

Viagra is used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). While it helps you temporarily maintain an erection so you can have sex, it does not cure ED. It does not affect sexual desire either. You still need mental or physical stimulation to get an erection.

This medication is only available with a doctor’s prescription.

The appropriate dosage of Viagra may vary between people. Your doctor will be able to determine the right dosage for you.

The number of doses taken daily depends on why Viagra is being used. Viagra is taken orally.

• Adults ages up to 64 years old typically take 50 milligrams (mg) 1 hour before sexual intercourse, no more than once a day.
• For adults ages 65 and older using Viagra for erectile dysfunction, or for those with cirrhosis or severe renal impairment, the average dose is 25 mg as a single dose, taken 1 hour before sexual intercourse, but no more than once a day.

Viagra may also be taken between 30 minutes to 4 hours prior to sexual intercourse.

Your doctor may adjust your dosage to meet your needs.

Viagra may also be used for pulmonary arterial hypertension. When used for this purpose, the average dose is 5 to 20 mg of Viagra taken 3 times a day. The doses of Viagra should be taken between 4 to 6 hours apart when used for pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Age	Dosage	When to take
Adults ages up to 64 years old	50 mg, no more than once a day	1 hour prior to sexual intercourse (alternatively, may also be taken between 30 minutes and 4 hours prior to sexual intercourse)
Adults ages 65 and older, or with cirrhosis or severe renal impairment	25 mg, no more than once a day	1 hour prior to sexual intercourse (alternatively, may also be taken between 30 minutes and 4 hours prior to sexual intercourse)

It takes a finely choreographed series of events to produce an erection. It begins with arousal signals from your brain, and it all hinges on good blood flow to the penis.

Within the penis are two chambers called the corpora cavernosa. Nitric oxide (NO) is released in the chambers during sexual stimulation. NO activates an enzyme called guanylate cyclase. That increases levels of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), which causes muscles to relax.

The chambers also contain a network of blood vessels. When those blood vessels relax and widen, blood rushes in. The resulting pressure is what causes an erection.

PDE5 can dampen the effect of cGMP. Viagra works by inhibiting PDE5.

Viagra is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream. Maximum concentrations are reached within about an hour.

One of the more common side effects is flushing, or redness.

This medication can also cause a decrease in blood pressure, particularly 1 to 2 hours after taking it. If you already have low blood pressure, discuss the pros and cons of Viagra with your doctor.

For most people, sexual activity is good for cardiovascular health. However, if you have cardiovascular disease, ask your doctor if it’s safe for you to take Viagra. You should also avoid Viagra if your doctor advised you to not have sex.

You should not take Viagra if you’ve had a stroke or heart attack or if you have unstable angina.

Certain drug interactions can harm your heart. Avoid taking PDE5 inhibitors if you also use long-lasting alpha-blockers or take medications that contain nitrates.

Viagra can be quite effective, but it’s no magic pill. It does nothing for the libido. You still need some kind of stimulation to get an erection.

The effects of Viagra usually last about 4 hours, though they may last longer for some men. A rare, but serious side effect, is priapism. That’s when you get an erection that lasts for a long period of time. It can become quite painful.

If you have an erection that lasts for more than 4 hours, seek immediate medical attention.

You should also be wary of PDE5 inhibitors if you have an anatomical abnormality of the penis. If you have Peyronie’s disease, your doctor may advise against taking Viagra.

Viagra is a temporary fix and does not cure ED. It offers no protection from sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Viagra helps to improve blood flow to the penis, but your brain is still your most valuable sex organ. Viagra will not work if you’re not in the mood.

Some potential side effects of Viagra are headache, runny or blocked nose, or a nosebleed. Some men feel lightheaded or dizzy. In rare cases, Viagra can cause fainting. Some men taking PDE5 inhibitors report back or muscle pain.

It’s not common, but some men experience ringing in the ears, hearing loss, or vision loss after taking PDE5 inhibitors.

Avoid PDE5 inhibitors if you have a history of an eye condition called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). NAION is characterized by the interruption of blood flow to the optic nerve.

If you have hearing or vision loss while taking Viagra, seek immediate medical help.

Viagra is dispensed in a film-coated tablet. You can take Viagra with or without food, and it’s best to take it about an hour before you plan to have sex.

Do not take Viagra more than once per day.

About 80 percent of Viagra leaves your body in your feces. The rest is washed out with your urine.

One fairly common side effect of Viagra is indigestion or stomach upset. PDE5 inhibitors can sometimes cause nausea or vomiting.

How long do the effects of Viagra last?

Viagra typically lasts between 2 and 5 hours before the effects start to wear off. It’s important to make sure to take this medication correctly and ideally take the tablet 30 to 60 minutes before you plan to engage in sexual activity. It’s also important to keep in mind that you must be sexually aroused for the tablet to work properly.

Will Viagra make you bigger?

Viagra is a drug that works by helping men maintain an erection. Without touch to the penis, like that experienced in sexual intercourse, an erection will not occur, and the penis will not harden or grow in size.

The effects of Viagra on the body are temporary and will not result in a permanently hard or enlarged penis. In rare cases, some men may experience a prolonged erection that is painful. This requires professional medical attention.

Does Viagra keep you hard after coming?

In some men, it’s possible that using Viagra will result in a prolonged erection that is painful. This requires medical attention.

It’s also possible that using Viagra will help shorten the refractory period. This is the time after orgasm when the body recovers, and the penis returns to a flaccid state. During this time, the penis does not respond to sexual stimulation.

What are the side effects of taking too much Viagra?

In studies of healthy participants taking up to 800 mg of Viagra, there were similar adverse reactions as those found at a lower dosage. However, the incidence of some adverse reactions and severity of adverse reactions increased with the dosage of Viagra.

Possible adverse reactions from Viagra include:

• headache
• abnormal vision
• flushing
• dyspepsia
• nasal congestion
• nausea
• dizziness
• rash
• back pain
• muscle aches and pains

There are a few common side effects that can result from Viagra. These include:

If these symptoms become severe, contact your doctor immediately.

More severe side effects from Viagra can include:

Seek immediate medical attention if you are experiencing these symptoms.

For severe side effects from Viagra, stop using the drug immediately and seek medical attention.

For more common side effects, talk with your doctor about changing your dosage of the drug.

Last medically reviewed on January 18, 2022