Viagra and Alcohol: Risks, Safety, and Guidelines
Viagra can be a game-changer for many men, helping them to get and maintain an erection when experiencing erectile dysfunction (ED). However, given that many people have sex after a couple of drinks, you may be wondering if mixing alcohol and Viagra is safe.
Mixing Alcohol and Viagra
The short answer is that drinking in moderation (generally defined as up to two standard drinks per day for men) while taking Viagra is generally considered safe for most individuals, but excessive alcohol consumption may counteract its benefits. Heavy alcohol use can impair erectile function and increase the risk of side effects such as dizziness, hypotension, and fainting.
Effects of Alcohol on Sexual Performance in Men
While many people turn to alcohol to help them feel relaxed before having sex, it’s likely to have unwanted effects on sexual function.
Alcohol impairs erectile performance by interfering with the brain signals that trigger erections. More specifically, it affects the parasympathetic nervous system, which relaxes the muscles in the penis.
Alcohol will also negatively affect the blood supply to the penis, which is required to get or maintain an erection. This is because it widens (dilates) the blood vessels, resulting in a drop in blood pressure. Without sufficient blood in the penis, the ability to have an erection becomes a problem.
Regular overdrinking can also cause a loss of libido, as alcohol is a depressant that can reduce sensitivity to touch and affect orgasms.
In fact, 67% of men with alcohol abuse addictions report [2] having some type of sexual problems. Erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, and a lowered libido are the most common issues.
Alcohol withdrawal can also make erectile dysfunction temporarily worse. While worth it in the long-term, the sudden changes in the brain can cause heightened excitatory neurotransmitter activity, which can impair erections. You may also experience temporary surges in cortisol (the stress hormone), which is likely to reduce testosterone and impair erections, too.
How Alcohol Affects Viagra Effectiveness
While alcohol is not shown to directly impact Viagra’s effectiveness, it will independently affect sexual function by impairing the arousal signals sent by the brain. Add in dehydration, impaired blood flow, and central nervous system depression, and you’ll effectively be counteracting the drug’s benefits.
Potential Health Risks of Mixing Viagra and Alcohol
Taking prescription drugs around alcohol always requires caution. Here is what's advised:
Is It Safe to Take Viagra with Alcohol?
The NHS says it’s safe to responsibly drink alcohol in moderation while taking Viagra or generic Sildenafil [3], and moderate drinking (such as 1 to 2 units of alcohol - one pint of beer, up to two glasses of low-strength wine, or one or two single measures of spirits) shouldn’t affect Viagra’s benefits much.
It’s also important not to be tempted to increase your dosage beyond the recommended limit if you find the alcohol is impairing your erection.
There are rare reports of serious adverse reactions caused by mixing alcohol and Viagra, including strokes [4]. Evidence of this is very rare and usually involves dosage misuse. For this reason, Viagra should always be used as directed by a healthcare professional.
The NHS states that if you experience chest pain during or after sexual activity, you should seek emergency medical attention immediately (call 999 in the UK or the appropriate emergency number in your country). [6]
Common Side Effects of Mixing Alcohol with Viagra
While moderate alcohol intake is generally permitted, drinking alcohol while taking Viagra can increase the likelihood of side effects. Common effects include headache, dizziness, flushing, nasal congestion, and indigestion. These occur because both alcohol and Viagra widen blood vessels and can lower blood pressure. [6]
Alcohol increases the chances of temporary erectile dysfunction, reduced libido or reduced sexual desire, reduced sensitivity, impaired orgasms, and dehydration. However, this was caused by alcohol itself, not the interaction with Viagra.
The interaction between Viagra and alcohol in healthy men shows that moderate alcohol consumption (0.5 g/kg body weight) does not cause any clinically significant differences in blood pressure or heart rate compared to sildenafil alone. However, at higher doses of ethanol, symptoms such as headaches and dizziness are exacerbated. [7]
How Does Viagra Work?
Viagra is the brand name of Sildenafil Citrate, a prescription medication used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). In simple terms, Viagra works by causing smooth muscle relaxation in penile tissue, leading to vasodilation and increased blood flow. Effects can be seen between 30 minutes and 1 hour, lasting up to 6 hours on average when sexually stimulated.
In more scientific terms, it enhances the effect of nitric oxide (NO), by inhibiting PDE5 (an enzyme that controls blood flow) - NO is released naturally during sexual stimulation. As a result, an erection is easier to achieve and maintain. But this may not be the case when a heavy amount of alcohol invades your body.
Guidelines for Safe Use of Alcohol with Viagra
- Moderate (1-2 units) alcohol consumption is considered safe when using Viagra.
- However, heavy drinking should be avoided as it can counteract Viagra’s effectiveness.
- You shouldn’t take more than the prescribed dosage of Viagra, especially when drinking alcohol.
- Separating alcohol intake and sildenafil administration may help reduce the likelihood of symptomatic hypotension, although strict spacing is not medically required.
- Staying hydrated and eating beforehand will slow alcohol absorption and reduce side effects.
- Talk with your GP if you have heart disease, take blood pressure medication, or have other risk factors that you may be concerned about.
FAQ on Taking Viagra with Alcohol
Here's a quick-fire look at the most frequently asked questions on taking Viagra with alcohol:
Can alcohol cause erectile dysfunction?
Yes. Alcohol can affect the ability to get an erection; it’s a central nervous system depressant. Even moderate amounts of alcohol may temporarily impair erectile function by disrupting neural signalling and vascular responses required for erection. Long-term excessive alcohol consumption can contribute to persistent erectile dysfunction, as chronic alcohol use may affect hormone levels (including testosterone), nerve function, and vascular health.
What is the recommended time gap between Viagra and alcohol?
There is no medically required minimum time gap between alcohol and sildenafil. However, limiting alcohol intake and avoiding simultaneous heavy consumption may reduce the risk of side effects such as dizziness or low blood pressure.
How much alcohol can you drink with Viagra?
Drinking one to two units of alcohol (for example, a couple of beers, one to two glasses of red wine, or a pint of lower-strength beer) is generally considered safe when taking Viagra and is unlikely to significantly affect how well it works. Consuming larger amounts of alcohol may reduce the effectiveness of Viagra and result in the increased risk of side effects such as dizziness or low blood pressure.
Can taking Viagra cause a heart attack?
Viagra does not directly cause heart attacks in healthy individuals when used as prescribed. However, sexual activity itself places stress on the cardiovascular system, and sildenafil may not be safe for individuals with certain cardiovascular conditions. People who have recently had a heart attack, stroke, or unstable cardiovascular disease should consult a healthcare provider before using sildenafil. Combining sildenafil with alcohol may increase the risk of symptomatic hypotension, but alcohol alone is not considered a direct cause of sildenafil-related cardiac events.
How long does Viagra last?
Viagra’s effects can last for up to 6 hours with sexual stimulation.
How long before sex should I take Viagra?
Viagra is usually taken 30 to 60 minutes before sexual activity. Its effects typically last up to 4–6 hours, meaning it can support erections during this time when sexual stimulation occurs. If you plan to drink alcohol, allowing some time between drinking and taking Viagra — and keeping alcohol intake moderate — may help reduce side effects and support effectiveness.
Can you take Viagra with high blood pressure?
Viagra can be used by many people with well-controlled high blood pressure, provided it has been prescribed by a doctor. However, it may not be suitable if you are taking certain blood pressure medicines (such as nitrates or some alpha-blockers), so medical advice is always required before use.
Can you take Viagra with low blood pressure?
The NHS warns against taking Viagra if you have low blood pressure (hypotension).[5] If you have any concerns, contact your GP.
Does regular alcohol use affect long-term Viagra results?
Yes. Regular alcohol use can affect the benefits of Viagra. As a depressant, alcohol weakens the signals the brain sends to the body during arousal. This, combined with reduced blood circulation and disrupted hormones, means that you effectively cancel out Viagra’s benefits.
Does Viagra help with alcohol-related erectile problems?
Yes, it can. But this will depend on the type of alcohol-related ED you have. Although alcohol will affect Viagra’s performance as the body is inhibited, it will still improve blood flow to the penis if this is the cause of your ED.
If a person drinks heavily, the alcohol may cause long-term nerve damage, liver disease, and severe vascular damage, which affects Viagra’s impact.
Will Viagra cause an instant erection?
No. ED medications take 30 minutes to 1 hour to start working, and you will not have an erection without sexual arousal. It does not cause arousal, but instead helps the body to get and maintain an erection under normal circumstances.
Can mixing Viagra and alcohol cause dizziness or fainting?
Yes. Feeling dizzy is a known side effect of Viagra, as it lowers blood pressure. Alcoholic drinks have similar effects as it relaxes blood vessels, so you may experience lightheadedness and dizziness.
How can you get Viagra in the UK?
To get Viagra in the UK, you must have a valid prescription to treat ED from your GP or a private doctor. You can then purchase it from a registered provider, such as a pharmacy or online services like Apomeds.
Read more
What Causes Erectile Dysfunction? Physical, Mental and Lifestyle Triggers Explained
Sources
[2] Soni PA, Jadhav BS, Verma R. Study of Sexual Dysfunctions in Male Patients with Alcohol Dependence Syndrome. Journal of Psychosexual Health. 2024;6(1):89-97. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/26318318241255801
[3] NHS. Common questions about sildenafil. nhs.uk. Published March 3, 2022. https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/sildenafil-Viagra/common-questions-about-sildenafil/
[4] Pandit JN, Kumari R, Kumari M, MP AR, Yadav A, Arava S. Rare fatal effect of combined use of sildenafil and alcohol leading to Cerebrovascular Accident. Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine. 2023;95:102504. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jflm.2023.102504
[5] NHS. Who can and cannot take sildenafil. nhs.uk. Published March 3, 2022. https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/sildenafil-Viagra/who-can-and-cannot-take-sildenafil/
[6] NHS. Side effects of sildenafil. nhs.uk. Published March 3, 2022. https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/sildenafil-Viagra/side-effects-of-sildenafil/
[7] Kim JN, Oh JJ, Park DS, Hong YK, Yu YD. Influence of Alcohol on Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors Use in Middle- to Old-Aged Men: A Comparative Study of Adverse Events. Sex Med. 2019;7(4):425-432. doi:10.1016/j.esxm.2019.07.004 doi: 10.1016/j.esxm.2019.07.004