How Long Does it Take for Viagra to Work?

Date: 2018-07-24 15:16

By: Medical Community Member

How Long Does it Take for Viagra to Work

How long does before the effects of Viagra start kicking in?

The amount of time required for Viagra to start working is different for each person. It has been reported to take effect as early as 30 minutes. Usual recommendations suggest taking sildenafil 30–60 minutes before sexual activity. Many people reported an earlier onset of action when the drug was taken on an empty stomach. Taking it with food, especially with a high-fat meal, may delay its absorption.

How does it work and how long does it last?

The human penis is composed of two chambers, known as the corpora cavernosa. When a person is aroused, the arteries dilate, causing the chambers to be filled with blood. The spongy tissues inside these chambers allow blood to flow in, leading to an erection. Patients with erectile dysfunction may have an underlying medical condition affecting the nerves and blood vessels that supply the penis. Sildenafil works by improving blood flow to the penis through widening or relaxing the blood vessels. This is done by blocking the action of the enzyme phosphodiesterase type-5, a chemical that destroys cGMP, which is primarily responsible for controlling the amount of blood being delivered and removed from the penis.
Erection from Viagra usually lasts between 3–4 hours, after which the drug’s effect starts to diminish. The drug’s duration of effect, however, depends on the dosage, how the patient’s body metabolizes it, and other external factors. The higher the dose, the longer it will stay in the body. Viagra may not work again right after ejaculation. For patient safety, only take Viagra once per day.

Quick Facts:

Viagra (generic name: Sildenafil) is used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) or impotence in men.
It is recommended to take Viagra at least one hour before sexual activity.
The drug starts to kick in 30–60 minutes after intake.
Viagra can be taken with or without food, but it will take longer for the drug to work following a high-fat meal.
The drug is found to be effective for up to six hours.
Patients should not take Viagra if they are taking other medications with nitrates.
Common side effects associated with Viagra include headache, heartburn, diarrhea, sensitivity to light, and changes in color vision.
Temporary or permanent vision loss and hearing loss has been reported with Sildenafil use.
This drug is found to be effective and well-tolerated for erectile dysfunction regardless of patient age, including in men over 70 years of age.
Patients must seek medical help immediately if they experience an erection lasting for more than four hours (priapism).

What is Viagra?

Viagra, referred to colloquially as the “little blue pill,” is a groundbreaking prescription drug developed by Pfizer to treat erection disorders in males by increasing blood flow to the penis. Generic versions of this drug were made available in December 2017—two years earlier than Pfizer’s patent expiration. This means the drug can be bought for a cheaper price, increasing patient access.

Recommended Dosage

Viagra is available in tablet form and comes in three strengths: 25mg, 50mg, and 100mg. The maximum recommended dose is 100mg. A dose of 50mg is usually prescribed as needed, at least one hour before sexual activity. In spite of the recommended dose, patients can still take Viagra between 30 minutes to four hours before sexual activity. If the dose is not well tolerated, it may be decreased to 25mg.

Factors that affect the drug’s duration:

Age—the effects of sildenafil may be longer in older patients (men > 65 years of age) due to slower drug metabolism in this age group
Diet—taking Viagra right after consuming a large meal with a high fat content may delay the drug’s onset of action
Dosage—a higher dosage will have a longer effect
Alcohol—more than 2 units of alcohol may affect blood flow to the penis
Underlying medical conditions—certain conditions such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and atherosclerosis can affect the duration of the drug
Drug interactions—other medications can affect how long the drug will last

Success Rate

While Viagra is still unsurpassed as an effective and fairly safe treatment for erectile dysfunction, its success rate ranges from 50%–60%, according to most studies. If patients find the drug ineffective, they must not increase their prescribed dose without a doctor’s permission. Only a specialist can recommend other treatment plans and alternatives to treat this condition.

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