How Long Before Sex Should You Take Viagra?

Viagra, manufactured by Pfizer, treats Erectile Dysfunction, a common sexual disorder faced by men. It is available as an oral medicine and allows the flow of blood towards the penis, enabling a prolonged erection. 

However, without proper knowledge, using this drug could lead to unwanted side effects. In this blog, we will answer one of the most common questions, 'How long before sex should you take Viagra?', its side effects and precautions. 

How Long Viagra Takes to Work?

You should always remember that Viagra is a prescription drug and reacts differently for everyone. The medicine contains Sildenafil Citrate, one of the most effective Phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors. 

According to a Pubmed study, more than 80% of men experienced an erection within 45 minutes after taking 50mg of Viagra, while 71% reported noticing the effects within 30 minutes. 

Based on these findings, the simple answer to how long before sex should you take Viagra is 30 minutes to 1 hour. 

How Long Does Viagra Last?

The effects of Viagra last for up to 5 hours in your body. If you are sexually aroused, Viagra will enable you to get an erection up to 4 hours after taking a dose of Viagra. 

The drug's half-life or effectiveness is 3-5 hours, meaning that after this period, the amount of medicine in your body is reduced by half. It exits your body through excretion and urine.  

Even though Viagra might have its effect on your body for several hours, your erection should not last that long. However, in rare instances, it may cause priapism, leading to a long-lasting and painful erection. 

Priapism is considered a medical emergency and needs to be treated as soon as possible. Without medical intervention, priapism might damage the penile tissues and may also cause irreversible erectile dysfunction. If you have an erection that lasts longer than 4 hours, you should seek medical assistance right away. 

Factors Affecting Viagra’s Onset Time

While Viagra takes around 30 minutes to an hour on average to be effective, certain factors affect its onset time. Being aware of these individual factors can guide you to set realistic expectations for yourself: 

• Dosage: The dosage of Viagra can impact how quickly it takes effect. Higher prescribed doses, such as 100mg or 50mg, may begin to work sooner than lower doses like 25mg. 

• Diet: Diet also plays a crucial part in Viagra’s onset. For instance, fatty meals tend to slow down absorption, which results in a delayed onset time. 

• Age: Age also affects Viagra's onset time, as older individuals may experience a slower onset time. 

• Metabolism: A faster rate of metabolism facilitates absorption of the drug, which reduces its onset time. 

• Other Factors: Several other elements can affect Viagra’s absorption and onset time, including medication use, existing health conditions, and lifestyle habits. These factors influence Viagra's absorption and how quickly it starts working in your body. For instance, excessive drinking and alcohol may interfere with the drug's absorption and can result in delayed onset time. 

Alternatives to Viagra

Viagra is a pioneer medicine treating Erectile Dysfunction. The drug was first developed by Pfizer and has significantly contributed to men's sexual health. However, since it is a brand-name drug, many people are not able to access it due to its higher pricing. Fortunately, other alternatives exist at affordable rates. They are: 

Side Effects of Viagra to be Aware Of

Whilst researching when to take Viagra before sex, you should also understand the potential side effects. While most of the side effects are mild and temporary, some can be severe and require medical attention. 

Common side effects are generally mild and usually subside as your body adjusts to the medication:

• Headaches

• Flushing (Redness of the skin)

• Blocked nose (Nasal congestion)

• Indigestion

• Lightheadedness or dizziness

• Temporary vision changes

• Nausea

• Muscle and back aches

Rare side effects are not as common as the ones previously mentioned and should be monitored:

• Irregular Heartbeat:

Viagra can cause mild irregularities in the heart rate, leading to palpitations. If you have a heart condition, you should consult your doctor before taking Viagra.

• Insomnia:

Some people have reported difficulty sleeping after they have taken Viagra. If this happens, you should avoid caffeine and use Viagra earlier in the evening.

Serious side effects require immediate medical attention. Here are some of the extremely serious side effects that require immediate medical attention: 

1. Sudden Hearing Loss or Tinnitus (Ringing in the Ears): In extremely rare cases, Viagra may cause ringing in the ears or even hearing loss. This mainly happens due to Viagra’s effect on the blood flow to the ear. If you experience hearing loss, stop taking Viagra and immediately consult a doctor. 

2. Sudden Vision Loss (Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy - NAION): In very rare cases, Viagra has been linked to vision loss due to reduced blood flow to the optic nerve. Individuals with eye diseases, diabetes, or heart conditions are at a higher risk of getting this side effect. If you experience vision impairment or blindness, stop using Viagra and consult a doctor immediately. 

3. Chest Pains and Heart Attack symptoms: Although Viagra is considered to be safe, it can strain the heart, especially in people with a history of heart disease. If you are experiencing symptoms like chest pains or tightness, or pain spreading to the jaw, shoulder, or arm, stop taking the medication and seek medical attention immediately. 

4. Priapism: Priapism is an extremely rare, but dangerous condition where the erection does not go away. It occurs when blood is trapped in the penile area and leads to a painful and prolonged erection lasting more than 4 hours. You should seek medical help immediately if the erection does not go away within 4 hours. If this is left untreated, it might cause permanent erectile dysfunction.

5. Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension): Viagra may sometimes cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, especially if it is taken with nitrate medications (Used to treat heart diseases). Always consult a doctor before taking Viagra, if you are on nitrate medications. 

6. Severe Allergic Reactions (Anaphylaxis): Signs of an allergic reaction include hives, swelling of the face/lips/tongue/throat, and can be accompanied by difficulty breathing. If you suspect an allergic reaction, seek medical help immediately. 

Talking to Your Doctor

Viagra is a prescription drug and requires doctor consultation. Discussing how long before sex to take Viagra with your doctor is essential, as they can accurately state the medicine’s onset time based on your health. 

Apart from this, discuss your medical history as well. Let your doctor know about:

• Recent heart attack 

• Kidney problems

• Liver problems 

• Low blood pressure 

• Heart rhythm problems

• Chest pain

• Stroke 

• High blood pressure 

• Stroke 

• Heart surgery 

• Sickle cell anemia

• Retinitis pigmentosa

• Peyronie’s disease 

• Diabetes 

• Pulmonary Veno-occlusive disease 

• Bleeding problem 

• Stomach ulcers 

Talking with your doctor about these along with how long to take Viagra before sex will ensure the most satisfying result. 

Conclusion

Viagra's onset time varies from person to person. Various factors such as diet, age, and dosage are at play. So, there is no straight answer to 'How long before sex should you take Viagra?'. 

Before taking Viagra, always discuss your medical history with your doctor. Also, remember to notify your doctor if you do not see any results after multiple uses. Your doctor may suggest a dosage or active ingredient change. 

With the right information, you can improve your sexual experience with ED medications. Consult a doctor and shop Viagra from Indogenmed today!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does Viagra keep you hard after ejaculation?

Viagra is an ED medicine that helps you maintain an erection, but it requires sexual arousal. Therefore, it does not keep you hard after you have ejaculated. 

2. How long does it take for Viagra to peak?

After ingestion, Viagra takes about 1 - 2 hours to reach peak concentration in the bloodstream. This is the time when it is most effective for getting an erection.

3. Is it OK to take Viagra 2 hours before sex?

Yes, it is okay to take Viagra 2 hours before sex as it remains active in the body for about 5 hours. However, the recommended time to take Viagra is 30 to 60 minutes before sexual intercourse for maximum effect. 

4. How long does Viagra’s effect last?

Generally, the effects of Viagra last for up to 5 hours in most men. However, this depends on many factors like metabolism, dosage and age of the individual. 

5. Can I take Viagra with Tadalafil?

No, it is not recommended to take Viagra with Tadalafil or any other ED medication. There is an increased risk of low blood pressure and heart problems if these medications are taken simultaneously. 

6. Can I take Viagra with Vardenafil?

No, combining Viagra with Vardenafil is dangerous and this can even lead to severe complications such as dizziness and excessive blood pressure drops. 

7. Will using two medicines help me get hard?

No, taking two ED medicines together will not help you achieve or enhance your erection. On the contrary, it may lead to some dangerous side effects. Always follow your doctor’s advice and avoid taking two ED drugs simultaneously. 

8. Can I take Viagra 3 hours before sex?

Yes, you can take Viagra 3 hours before sexual intercourse as its effectiveness lasts for up to 5 hours in the human body. However, taking it very early may reduce its peak effectiveness.

9. What affects Viagra’s onset time?

The onset time of Viagra is generally 30 minutes to an hour after taking the medicine. However, there are several factors like age, diet, metabolism, dosage, and alcohol consumption, which affect its onset time. 

10. Does Viagra have any severe side effects? 

Yes, Viagra does indeed have some severe side effects which require medical attention. Priapism, sudden vision and hearing loss, heart complications, and low blood pressure are some of the serious side effects. Consult a doctor immediately if you face these. 

Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only. It does not intend to replace a professional doctor’s prescription. Viewer discretion is advised. 

Reference:

https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-7418/sildenafil-oral/details

https://www.drugs.com/viagra.html

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1874251/#:~:text=Results,82%25%20responded%20within%2045%20min