Viagra (sildenafil) can be consumed with a little alcohol, however, drinking an excessive amount of alcohol can increase the chance of facing various side effects like dizziness, headaches, hypotension, and in some cases inability to achieve an erection.
Hence, it is better to limit or cut down the alcohol consumption while using Viagra. Imagine, you have got a dinner reservation, there is a fine bottle of wine on the table and an ED pill you took an hour ago. The question arises: is this really a good decision?
You’re not the only one with this question in mind. The combination of Viagra and alcohol is among the most frequently searched online ED questions, and the reactions are always either “never do it” or “don’t worry”. The truth lies somewhere in the middle. So, let’s see what really happens in your body and how to behave.
Can you take alcohol and Viagra together?
Men who are in good health can definitely consume Viagra with alcohol, but it is best to keep it to a couple of drinks. It is ok to take sildenafil, the main ingredient in Viagra, after having, say, a glass of wine or two.
Alcohol and ED drugs like sildenafil widen blood vessels and lower blood pressure. When combined, these effects are multiplied. Some patients may not have any negative experience, while others might have dizziness, flushing, or headache.
In rare cases, men might feel uncomfortable and experience palpitations or disorders related to standing up. Therefore, the answer to the question whether one can take Viagra and alcohol is quite straightforward: it is not worth drinking a lot of alcohol before taking this medication.
Why don’t alcohol and sildenafil mix perfectly?
Sildenafil helps dilate blood vessels in the penis allowing the blood to fill the penis more freely. It produces a similar but less pronounced effect in the rest of the body.
Alcohol also has a similar effect. It’s a vasodilator too, which means that it expands blood vessels. You can get both of them working together allowing for dropping your blood pressure lower than it would be due to either of them taken alone.
The sildenafil alcohol combined effect may show in symptoms like:
- Dizziness and lightheadedness
- Headaches
- Facial flushing
- Fast and/or irregular heartbeat
- Fainting spells when standing up
If you already have low pressure, take medication for high pressure or have heart problems, those effects are much more important to consider. Consult with your doctor before taking anything together.
Alcohol can reduce the ED pill effectiveness!!!
The irony lies in the fact that although alcohol can be taken with your medications safely, it can still negate the purpose of taking the drugs in the first place.
Alcohol is a depressant that inhibits communication between the brain and the other parts of the body. The communication process is what is responsible for the sustenance of an erection. This phenomenon is usually known as brewer’s droop and is recognized.
Consistent consumption of heavy doses of alcohol only acerbates the problem since it damages blood vessels, nerves, and testosterone levels. Thus, if one has been taking Viagra and is still having difficulties after a couple of drinks, alcohol is more likely to contribute to the issue than the drug itself.
How many beers can you have with Viagra?
You may be able to drink a small amount of alcohol while taking Viagra, but it depends on your health and how your body reacts. Drinking too much can make it harder to get an erection and may cause dizziness or low blood pressure.
This is a common issue, and it is impossible to determine a number that would suit everyone. Body weight, individual tolerance, and health play a significant role in this issue. Most doctors recommend limiting alcohol consumption to a couple of drinks while taking medications.
A drink in this case means a regular drink, such as beer, wine, or spirits. Some drinks can be counted as more than one. Also, remember to listen to your body. If you start feeling dizzy, stop drinking, sit down, and drink some water.
Cialis and alcohol: is it any difference?
The action of Cialis (tadalafil) is similar to that of Viagra, so it needs the same precautions. Both tadalafil and drinking can lower blood pressure, while heavy alcohol consumption can increase the chance of fainting or experiencing sudden dizziness.
One key distinction is the duration of action. Viagra’s effect lasts about four to five hours, while that of Cialis can last for as long as 36 hours, leading to the accidental overlap between tadalafil and alcohol consumption the day after.
Guidelines on tadalafil use recommend avoiding drinking an excessive amount of alcohol, such as five glasses of wine or five shots of hard liquor, since both of them increase risk of fast heartbeat and sudden decrease in blood pressure. Drinking a glass of wine with your dinner is a completely different situation.
Can you crush Viagra into a drink?
You will encounter this query frequently; however, the solution is straightforward – abstain from taking it.
Viagra is intended to be taken whole through the mouth and not dissolved in a beverage. Mixing Viagra into a beverage will not yield the expected dosage since some amounts remain in the glass or powder form, additionally affecting the rate of absorption. The unpredictability is even higher when alcohol is involved.
When should you skip alcohol completely?
Some men would do better to avoid drinking altogether when they are taking ED drugs. This group contains men who:
- Use nitrates for chest pain. The combination of those drugs and ED medications can have a disastrous effect on blood pressure, alcohol or not.
- Suffer from heart disease, have had a stroke at some point, or have abnormally high or low blood pressure.
- Encounter issues with their kidneys and/or liver.
- Take alpha-blocking drugs or other medication that affects blood pressure.
- Have experienced negative consequences after taking ED drugs.
If you are taking any other medicine, you should consult your pharmacist or physician about any possible interactions before consuming alcohol.
Tips for drinking more safely if you take ED medication
There’s no need to sacrifice your social life. There are some tips, which can help.
- Take it easy. There’s no need to take your tablet and start drinking. Take an easy drink after taking your first pill.
- Eat beforehand. Having a full stomach slows down the absorption of alcohol, but keep in mind that it can also affect the time Viagra takes to start working.
- Be aware of your limits. If two drinks are too many for you, then do not force yourself to take one more drink.
- Do not double dose. Taking more than one tablet right after taking alcohol is not a good idea and can lead to unwanted consequences.
Get up slowly after sitting down. Doing this can prevent the drop of blood pressure.
The bottom line
Combining alcohol with Viagra is permissible for most healthy men in moderation, the more alcohol consumed the more problems likely to occur and the greater the chances that the pill will not work. Both sildenafil and tadalafil do have the same recommendations for use: consume it moderately, know your medical history, and keep in mind how the medication works for you.
When in doubt, consult a physician or pharmacist to find out whether this combination is advisable.
FAQs
Can you drink on Viagra?
Certainly, a drink or two is okay, anything over that can lead to symptoms that can worsen your health.
Does alcohol affect Viagra?
Alcohol can reduce blood pressure, this can potentially make it more difficult for a man to have or maintain an erection, despite taking medication.
Is it safe to mix sildenafil and alcohol every time?
Drinking lightly from time to time is fine for healthy males. Heavy drinking on a regular basis is not recommended especially when taking ED pills.
How long after taking Viagra can I drink?
Generally, there are no rules, but a guy should wait to see how the pill acts on him and only then drink. Some men drink lightly for the four to five hours when the drug is active.
Can I drink the day after taking Cialis?
Tadalafil can remain in the body for up to 36 hours.
