The Risks of Taking Viagra When You Don’t Have Erectile Dysfunction
Key takeaways:
Medications like Viagra (sildenafil) are FDA approved to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). But some people take Viagra off-label to enhance sexual performance, or improve other sexual problems, even when they don’t have ED.
Taking non-prescription Viagra, or using it recreationally, can be dangerous. You could unknowingly be taking a dose that’s higher than what’s considered safe. Illegal pills may also contain contaminants.
There isn’t an equivalent pill to Viagra for women. But there are medications that can help with low sexual desire.
Access savings on related medications
Table of contents
The discovery of Viagra (sildenafil) — the first FDA-approved oral erectile dysfunction (ED) medication — was a significant event in men’s sexual health history. Within 6 months after its approval in 1998, there were 5.3 million prescriptions written for this medication.
Fast forward to today, and it’s still a commonly prescribed medication — especially since it’s estimated that as many as 30 million men are affected by ED in the U.S. However, some people take medications like Viagra even though they don’t have ED. This off-label use can be risky. Below, we talk about the risks of taking medications like Viagra when you don’t have ED.
What is Viagra?
Viagra is an oral medication that is commonly used to treat ED. It may be referred to as the “little blue pill” due to the color of some brand-name Viagra pills. But the generic version may be known as the “little white pill” since it’s white.
Other medications that are similar to Viagra include Cialis (tadalafil), vardenafil (previously known as Levitra), and Stendra (avanafil). They all work similarly, though the effects may vary slightly between each medication. Viagra and Cialis tend to be the most commonly used to treat ED.
Quiz: Is it erectile dysfunction?
Can you take Viagra if you don’t have ED?
It’s not recommended to take Viagra if you don’t have ED.
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However, some people use Viagra to enhance their sexual performance, even if they don’t have ED. In fact, several studies have shown this to be the case. And research suggests that recreational Viagra use seems to occur frequently in certain groups (e.g., men who have sex with men). Some studies also found that off-label Viagra use is associated with illegal drug use and misuse of prescription sedatives, painkillers, and antidepressants. Off-label Viagra use is also associated with higher rates of risky sexual behavior.
If you don’t have ED, why is taking Viagra risky?
First, obtaining Viagra without a prescription from questionable sources, like illegitimate online pharmacies, can be dangerous. These pills may be contaminated with other substances — such as commercial paint and printer ink. Or they may contain inaccurate quantities of the active ingredient sildenafil. In fact, ED pills are one of the most common counterfeit medications.
Second, medications like Viagra can have several side effects:
Headache
Dizziness and low blood pressure
Flushing
Upset stomach
Runny or stuffy nose
Serious reactions can also occur from Viagra, especially if you take certain other medications. For example, you shouldn’t take Viagra if you’re also taking nitroglycerin or other nitrates, such as nitroglycerin (Nitrostat) and isosorbide mononitrate (Monoket). This can result in dangerously low blood pressure. Combining alpha blockers, like tamsulosin (Flomax), or blood pressure medications, like lisinopril (Zestril), with Viagra can also amplify blood pressure-lowering effects.
Additionally, medications like Viagra can cause priapism — an erection lasting over 4 hours that can result in permanent damage. If this happens, you’ll need to get medical attention right away.
Lastly, some research shows recreational Viagra use may have psychological effects. You may develop a lack of confidence in your ability to get an erection ━ which can negatively impact sexual function down the road.
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How to talk to a healthcare professional about Viagra. Erection problems are common, so don’t be embarrassed to speak up. Your 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.
Does Viagra use improve sexual performance in men without ED?
Research shows that Viagra is effective at treating ED and improving sexual performance in men with ED.
As for using it recreationally, some men without ED report improved sexual performance. Another small study showed that Viagra helped erections last longer and occur faster in men without ED. But another small study showed no improvement in sexual function, though Viagra shortened the time in between orgasms.
What happens if women take Viagra?
Women may also have trouble with sexual health — though it’s usually different from the problems men experience. An estimated 40% of women will have challenges with sex at some point. So you may be wondering if women can use medications like Viagra.
One study looked at Viagra use in women with sexual dysfunction, including arousal issues. However, it failed to show improvement compared to a placebo — a pill with no medication in it.
Another study reported a sexual benefit for women taking Viagra if the sexual problems were caused by certain antidepressant medications. For this reason, some healthcare professionals may prescribe Viagra off-label for women. However, it’s not FDA approved for this purpose, so safety and efficacy have not been established.
Is there an equivalent medication to Viagra for women?
Since medications like Viagra don’t seem to be as effective for women, there has been an interest in developing a medication that will help them with sexual performance. However, because sexual dysfunction in women can be complex, there isn’t a medication for women that’s similar to Viagra for men. But there are medications that are FDA-approved to treat low sexual desire (libido) in women: Addyi (flibanserin) and Vyleesi (bremelanotide). But they don’t necessarily enhance sexual performance.
Addyi is available as a once-daily oral pill, and Vyleesi is an injection that’s administered before sex. These medications aren’t recommended for low libido caused by medical issues, relationship problems, or medications.
Frequently asked questions
After taking Viagra, its effects typically last about 4 hours. But it can take your body up to 20 hours to metabolize (break down) and remove Viagra completely. This can take even longer for people who are 65 years old or older. People this age may also be more likely to experience side effects from taking Viagra.
Viagra starts working in about 30 minutes to 1 hour. Your prescriber may recommend taking Viagra may 30 minutes to 4 hours before sex.
Viagra is only meant to be taken once per day. Taking more than one dose in a day can increase your risk for side effects.
If Viagra isn’t working for you, talk with your prescriber about what to do next.
Viagra is only FDA approved for treating ED. Another form of sildenafil, called Revatio, is approved at a lower dose for a lung condition called pulmonary arterial hypertension.
If you take Viagra and don’t have sex or sexual stimulation, you’re unlikely to have an erection. This is because Viagra and other phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors only work to improve erections during sexual stimulation.
Your body will clear the medication as it normally would otherwise. And you’re not more or less likely to experience side effects.
The bottom line
Viagra (sildenafil) and similar medications are useful for improving sexual function in men with erectile dysfunction (ED). But some men without ED use these medications off-label or without a prescription to try to improve sexual performance.
You shouldn’t take Viagra or medications like it without a prescription. It’s risky since you don’t really know what you’re taking. You could be taking a dose that’s higher than what’s safe, or unknowingly consuming contaminants in illegal pills.
Some women may experience more sexual desire from taking Viagra, especially if their sexual dysfunction is caused by antidepressants. But Viagra is not an approved medication for women’s sexual function.
Before taking Viagra, you should always talk with a healthcare professional.
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References
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