Key takeaways:
Combining Viagra (sildenafil) or other erectile dysfunction (ED) medications with alcohol increases the risk of side effects such as headaches, flushing, and dizziness. More seriously, very low blood pressure is possible, though rare.
Pairing Viagra and alcohol can make Viagra less effective. This is because alcohol can worsen your ability to get an erection.
If you plan to take Viagra or another similar ED medication, talk to your prescriber about whether you can drink alcohol. Having one or two drinks may be OK for some people, though limiting alcohol use in general is the safest option.
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If you have erectile dysfunction (ED), prescription medications such as Viagra (sildenafil) can help bring confidence back to your sex life. Viagra belongs to a group of medications called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. Other PDE5 inhibitors that treat ED include Cialis (tadalafil), Stendra (avanafil), and vardenafil (formerly known by the brand name Levitra).
Before starting a PDE5 inhibitor, your prescriber may want to discuss whether you drink alcohol. That’s because combining Viagra and alcohol can be a risky combination in some cases.
Here, pharmacists cover what you need to know about drinking alcohol with PDE5 inhibitors.
Can you take ED medications like Viagra with alcohol?
In general, it’s best to limit alcohol consumption if you’re taking an ED medication. And in some cases, your prescriber may ask you to avoid alcohol altogether.
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Taking Viagra (or other medications like it) with alcohol can prevent your medication from working as well. This is because a side effect of alcohol is that it may be harder to get an erection. And the risk is greater if you drink a large amount at once. So if you’re taking a medication like Viagra for erection support, know that alcohol may be counteracting its effects.
Drinking alcohol with Viagra can also potentially worsen the medication’s side effects. A study of men drinking alcohol at the same time as taking a PDE5 inhibitor like Viagra found that combining alcohol with these medications increases the risk of side effects, such as facial flushing, headache, and heart palpitations.
There is somewhat conflicting data about these side effects, though. For instance, one small study didn’t find that drinking red wine increased the risk of sildenafil side effects.
Is having 1 or 2 drinks OK?
Having 1 or 2 drinks with Viagra or other PDE5 inhibitors may be OK for many people. But it’s important to discuss this with your prescriber before trying it out on your own. This is largely because other health conditions you have or other medications you take can impact how likely you are to experience side effects.
For example, Viagra can lower blood pressure. This is a mild effect for many people. But if you have preexisting low blood pressure or a heart condition, you may be at risk of more serious health problems. Drinking alcohol can make this worse, which can temporarily decrease blood pressure in its own right.
In cases like this, your prescriber may recommend avoiding alcohol if you take Viagra.
Comparing PDE5 inhibitors: From Viagra to Cialis, here’s how different PDE5 inhibitors compare.
How to talk to a healthcare professional about Viagra: Erection problems are common, so don’t be embarrassed to speak up. A healthcare professional can help assess whether Viagra is right for you.
Viagra side effects: Pharmacists discuss notable Viagra side effects and how to manage them.
How long after taking Viagra can you drink alcohol?
If your prescriber recommends avoiding alcohol with your ED medication, it’s best to wait until all of the medication leaves your system before you drink. Generally speaking, Viagra and vardenafil stay in the body for about a day. Cialis can last for about 4 days.
Keep in mind that Viagra, vardenafil, and Stendra are used as needed — not regularly — for sex. So you may not always know ahead of time when you’re going to take it. That means that you may want to think twice before taking ED medications if you already have a few drinks in your system. Cialis, on the other hand, is often taken daily and can last in your body for over a day.
Does alcohol cause ED?
Alcohol use isn’t known to cause ED. In fact, some research shows that mild-to-moderate alcohol use can actually decrease your risk of ED, though other studies don’t show any effect.
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When it comes to heavy drinking (currently defined as 15 drinks or more per week for men), the research is less clear. Some research shows heavy drinking doesn’t make you more likely to develop ED. But drinking heavily, and over the long term, affects virtually every organ in your body. It can affect your nerves and blood vessels, including those in your penis. It can also affect the levels of your sex hormones. These actions can all contribute to ED.
What’s more, sexual dysfunction is common in men with alcohol dependence — and ED is especially common. This may be because alcohol can negatively affect your central nervous system, which is made up of your brain and spinal cord. Your brain plays a significant role in an erection.
For this reason, and several other negative effects of alcohol, it’s best to limit your alcohol use whether you have ED or not.
What are the typical side effects of Viagra and other ED medications?
Regardless of whether you drink alcohol, Viagra and other PDE5 inhibitors can cause various side effects, including:
Headache
Flushing
Dizziness
Stomach upset
Stuffy nose
Back pain
Usually, these side effects are mild and manageable at home.
Are there any serious side effects or risks from ED medications?
More serious risks of ED medications include priapism (prolonged erection that lasts more than 4 hours), heart rhythm changes, and vision changes. They can also cause dangerously low blood pressure, especially if you already have low blood pressure or take certain medications such as alpha blockers, nitrates, or medications that treat hypertension (high blood pressure).
Seek immediate medical attention if you have blurred vision or vision loss, chest pain, or severe dizziness. And if you have an erection lasting more than 4 hours, this is a medical emergency as well. Call 911 or go to the nearest ER.
The bottom line
Combining erectile dysfunction (ED) medications like Viagra (sildenafil) or Cialis (tadalafil) with alcohol can increase the risk of side effects such as headaches, flushing, and heart palpitations. The pair can also make Viagra less effective, because alcohol can make it harder to get an erection.
Although having 1 or 2 drinks with Viagra may be safe for some people, it’s important to talk to your prescriber first. Your medical history and other medications can help them decide if it’s safe for you to drink alcohol with Viagra.
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References
Andersson, K-E. (2001). Neurophysiology/pharmacology of erection. International Journal of Impotence Research.
Arackal, B. S., et al. (2007). Prevalence of sexual dysfunction in male subjects with alcohol dependence. Indian Journal of Psychiatry.
AvPAK. (2020). Tadalafil- tadalafil tablet, film coated [package insert].
Jiann, B. (2010). Effect of alcohol consumption on the risk of erectile dysfunction. Urological Science.
Julian, T. H., et al. (2019). Alcohol-induced autonomic dysfunction: A systematic review. Clinical Autonomic Research.
Kim, J. N., et al. (2019). Influence of alcohol on phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors use in middle- to old-aged men: A comparative study of adverse events. Sexual Medicine.
Leslie, S. J., et al. (2004). No adverse hemodynamic interaction between sildenafil and red wine. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics.
Li, S., et al. (2021). A meta-analysis of erectile dysfunction and alcohol consumption. Urologia Internationalis.
McKesson Corporation dba SKY Packaging. (2019). Sildenafil- sildenafil tablet, film coated [package insert].
Prabhakaran, D. K., et al. (2018). Prevalence and correlates of sexual dysfunction in male patients with alcohol dependence syndrome: A cross-sectional study. Indian Journal of Psychiatry.
