Table of Contents
I. Combining Viagra and Alcohol
II. Side Effects of Excessive Alcohol
III. Managing Alcohol Consumption With Viagra
IV. When Can You Safely Drink After Taking Viagra?
V. Alcohol and Erectile Dysfunction
If you’re curious about whether it’s okay to have a drink or two when taking Viagra, the short answer is yes—in moderation. Combining a small amount of alcohol with Viagra is typically fine and unlikely to cause any harmful side effects. However, drinking too much alcohol while taking Viagra can lead to some unwanted complications. [1]
In this article, we’ll walk through exactly how Viagra and alcohol interact, how many alcoholic drinks you can safely have in combination with Viagra, and how alcohol impacts erectile dysfunction.
Combining Viagra and Alcohol: What You Need to Know
While enjoying an occasional alcoholic drink when taking Viagra is typically fine, moderation is key. Having one or two drinks is unlikely to cause any issues for most men. However, excessive alcohol consumption while taking Viagra can lead to dangerous side effects. [1]
This is because alcohol has a different effect on your blood pressure depending on the amount consumed. [2]
- A low dose of alcohol increases your blood pressure slightly.
- A higher dose of alcohol decreases your blood pressure for up to 12 hours before it starts to increase again. [2]
Viagra also lowers blood pressure, usually by a maximum of 8.4/5.5 mmHg, which is normally not problematic for healthy men. But when combined with heavy alcohol use, blood pressure may drop to an unsafe level that can require medical intervention. [1]
Side Effects of Combining Excessive Alcohol and Viagra
In a two-year-long research study, 325 male participants taking PDE5 inhibitors were evaluated on their alcohol use and the side effects they experienced. [3]
Among the participants, Viagra and Cialis were the most used PDE5 inhibitors:
- 9% of participants were taking Viagra (sildenafil) 100 mg
- 8% of participants were taking Cialis (tadalafil) 20 mg [3]
The researchers divided the 325 participants into two groups:
- Participants who consumed alcohol while taking PDE5 inhibitors: This group had 148 participants, of which 64.8% consumed more than 15 alcoholic drinks per week.
- Participants who did not drink alcohol while taking PDE5 inhibitors: This group consisted of 177 participants. [3]
The results showed that combining alcohol and PDE5 inhibitors led to a significantly higher rate of side effects. In fact, all the alcohol users experienced at least one adverse reaction. [3] The common side effects were:
- Facial flushing (69.6%): Participants felt that the facial flushing came on more rapidly and was more intense than when they drank alcohol without PDE5 inhibitors.
- Headaches (23.6%): Like facial flushing, participants felt that headaches came on more rapidly and were more intense than when they drank alcohol without PDE5 inhibitors.
- Altered vision (3.4%): Participants who experienced vision changes did not experience symptoms like this while drinking only alcohol.
- Chest discomfort (2%): One participant presented with severe chest pain that lasted for around ten minutes and required medical intervention.
- Dizziness (2%): Most participants experienced dizziness for less than 30 minutes. However, one participant experienced amnesia-like confusion for around five minutes. [3]
The researchers found that 84.5% of participants who used alcohol with PDE5 inhibitors were not aware of the risks associated with this combination. [3] If you are considering drinking alcohol with Viagra, it’s essential to stay educated about the risks and limit your alcohol intake.
Managing Alcohol Consumption With Viagra
Drinking in moderation when taking Viagra is considered safe by most health professionals. [1] But what does "moderation" really mean?
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans defines moderate drinking as:
- For men: Two drinks or less per day
- For women: One drink or less per day [4]
One standard alcoholic drink contains about 14 grams (0.6 oz) of pure alcohol. [4] This equates to:
- 12 ounces of regular beer (5% alcohol)
- 5 ounces of wine (12% alcohol)
- 5 ounces of distilled spirits (40% alcohol) [4]
When Can You Safely Drink After Taking Viagra?
The good news is that you can safely enjoy a drink or two while taking Viagra. Having a couple of beers or a glass of wine along with your dose of Viagra is unlikely to cause any problems. Just be sure to keep your drinking light to moderate while Viagra is in your system. [1]
Viagra has an average half-life of about four hours. This means that roughly half of the active ingredient in Viagra, sildenafil citrate, leaves your body after four hours. However, the amount of time Viagra takes to fully exit your body depends on several personal factors like your weight, age, and metabolism. Therefore, the exact amount of time that Viagra stays in your body can vary. [1]
Alcohol and Erectile Dysfunction
Excessive alcohol consumption can hurt erectile function, even when using Viagra. While enjoying one or two drinks is unlikely to cause erectile dysfunction or interfere with the effectiveness of Viagra, it is important to be aware of the potential risks associated with excessive alcohol consumption. [5]
Alcohol-induced erectile dysfunction is a temporary condition that occurs when a person overindulges in alcohol. [5] This can manifest as:
- An inability to achieve an erection
- An erection that is weaker or shorter-lasting than normal [5]
The reasons behind alcohol-induced erectile dysfunction are complex, as multiple factors influence ED. [5] However, researchers have identified several ways in which excessive alcohol consumption can affect male sexual function:
- Alcohol acts as a depressant: Alcohol slows down central nervous system (CNS) activity. This impairs the signals between the brain and the penis, potentially leading to ED when alcohol is consumed excessively.
- Alcohol is a diuretic: Alcohol increases urination frequency and can result in dehydration. Dehydration reduces the volume of blood in the body, diminishing blood flow to the penis and making it more difficult to achieve and sustain an erection. Furthermore, dehydration increases angiotensin levels in the body. This hormone is associated with ED. [5]
Conclusion
It is generally safe to have a glass or two of wine when taking Viagra. However, it is important to avoid excessive alcohol consumption as it can worsen the side effects of Viagra and contribute to ED.
We recommend having a conversation with your doctor to determine what amount of alcohol is safe for you based on your medical history and current prescriptions. Your doctor can provide personalized guidance and ensure that you are taking Viagra safely.
The content provided in this article is based on thorough research and in some cases, reviewed by a medical professional. Our goal for the information is to provide helpful, general health informational. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice.