Mixing Viagra and Alcohol: What You Need to Know

Mixing Viagra and Alcohol: What You Need to Know

Table of Contents

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I. Viagra and Alcohol

II. What Research Says About Combining Viagra and Alcohol

III. How Long After Taking Viagra Can You Drink Alcohol?

IV. Conclusion

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For many men, Viagra is a go-to solution for erectile dysfunction (ED), helping restore confidence and performance in the bedroom. However, when it comes to mixing Viagra and alcohol, things can get a bit tricky. While Viagra itself is generally safe when taken as prescribed, drinking alcohol while it's in your system is highly discouraged due to the potential impact on your blood pressure.

But what about those times when you'd like to enjoy a drink during a special evening out? This situation leads us to common questions like: how long after taking Viagra can you drink alcohol? And how many drinks can you have after taking Viagra?

In this article, we will discuss the effects of Viagra and alcohol on the body, examine research findings, and outline how to drink safely while taking Viagra.

Viagra and Alcohol

To grasp how Viagra and alcohol interact, it's essential to understand how Viagra functions within the body.

When arousal occurs, the brain sends a signal to the penis, triggering the release of a chemical called nitric oxide (NO). This chemical relaxes the blood vessels and muscles in the penis, allowing increased blood flow, which results in an erection. ¹

A compound called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) stops this process, leading to the loss of an erection. However, Viagra intervenes by blocking PDE5, enabling prolonged erections. Interestingly, Viagra also slightly relaxes other blood vessels throughout the body, which can cause a modest decrease in blood pressure. ¹

While this minor drop in blood pressure is generally harmless for healthy individuals, introducing alcohol into the equation can potentially exacerbate the issue. ¹ The exact reason why alcohol affects blood pressure is not entirely clear, but studies have shown that after consuming alcohol, blood pressure tends to decrease for up to 12 hours before returning to normal levels. ²

If alcohol is consumed around the time Viagra is taken, it could potentially lead to an additional drop in blood pressure. If the blood pressure falls below 90/60 mmHg, uncomfortable and potentially dangerous symptoms can occur. For example:

• Blurry vision
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Light-headedness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Sleepiness
• Weakness ³

What Research Says About Combining Viagra and Alcohol

In 2019, the journal “Sexual Medicine” published a study that investigated the effects of combining alcohol with erectile dysfunction drugs like Viagra. The researchers evaluated 325 men who were prescribed PDE5 inhibitors for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. ⁴ These participants were asked to complete a questionnaire detailing their:

• Alcohol use
• Experience taking PDE5 inhibitors with and without alcohol
• Knowledge of side effects
• Reasons for combining alcohol and ED meds ⁴

Out of the 325 men evaluated, 148 men (45.5%) had consumed alcohol while taking PDE5 inhibitors, while 177 men (54.5%) had not. ⁴ Among those who combined alcohol and PDE5 inhibitors, the most cited reasons were:

• Curiosity (35.1%)
• Enhancing sexual desire (27%)
• Recommendation from friends (16.9%)
• Reducing refractory time (14.2%) ⁴

Notably, a significantly higher percentage of men who consumed alcohol experienced side effects compared to those who did not. In the alcohol group, the most common side effects were:

• Facial flushing (69.6%)
• Headache (23.6%)
• Altered vision (3.4%)
• Dizziness (2%)
• Chest discomfort (2%)
• Skin rash (0.7%) ⁴

In fact, every single participant in the alcohol use group experienced at least one side effect, resulting in a 100% side effect rate. ⁴

Furthermore, the study participants who experienced facial flushing or headache after combining alcohol and PDE5 inhibitors reported that these adverse symptoms were significantly more intense and had a more rapid onset than when they consumed alcohol alone. Interestingly, other side effects such as altered vision and nasal congestion were reported exclusively by the alcohol group when taking PDE5 inhibitors and were not experienced when they drank alcohol alone. ⁴

At the conclusion of the study, the researchers emphasized that ingesting alcohol while using PDE5 inhibitors increases the risk of side effects. They recommended that these risks be thoroughly explained to patients with erectile dysfunction, especially those who are frequent alcohol users. ⁴

How Long After Taking Viagra Can You Drink Alcohol?

When it comes to mixing Viagra and alcohol, it's important to be cautious. While Viagra’s effects last for about four hours, it stays in your body for longer. ¹ So, how long after taking Viagra can you drink alcohol safely?

Generally, it's best to avoid alcohol while Viagra is still in your body. Viagra's half-life is around four hours. ¹ It usually takes four to five half-lives for a medication to be eliminated from the body. ⁵ In the case of Viagra, this means that it should be mostly gone after 16 to 20 hours.

The bottom line is to limit your alcohol intake while Viagra is still in your body. If possible, try to avoid alcohol altogether during this time. So, how long after taking Viagra can you drink alcohol? Well, once the 16 to 20-hour window has passed, Viagra should have left your system, and you can consume alcohol without significant risk of adverse interactions.

However, this time can vary depending on factors such as your age and your metabolism. Therefore, it is important to monitor yourself when you drink alcohol and slow down if you notice any concerning symptoms.

Conclusion

It's important to exercise caution when combining Viagra and alcohol. While having a few drinks is unlikely to cause major issues for most healthy individuals, alcohol can amplify some of Viagra's side effects. This is because both Viagra and alcohol can lower blood pressure. Combining these two substances can amplify their blood-pressure-lowering effect and lead to dangerous and unpleasant symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, and changes in vision.

To reduce potential complications, it is advisable to avoid combining Viagra and alcohol. However, if you still want to drink, it is important to limit alcohol intake after taking Viagra.

Allowing sufficient time for Viagra to fully clear your system before drinking is also wise. While the effects of Viagra typically last four hours, Viagra stays in your body for much longer. In fact, Viagra can take 16 to 20 hours to completely leave your body.