If you’re thinking of taking Viagra, it’s useful to know what to expect from the ‘little blue pill’. One questions many people have is around how long it will be active for in their system. So, what is Viagra, how long does Viagra last, and what might affect this?

What is Viagra?

Viagra is the most popular treatment for adult men with erectile dysfunction. This is when a man cannot get or keep a hard, erect penis suitable for penetrative sex. Viagra is one of a class of drugs known as PDE-5 (Phosphodiesterase type 5) inhibitors. PDE-5 is basically an enzyme your body produces which stops the flow of blood into your penis – PDE-5 inhibitors stop this enzyme being released for a certain amount of time.

Viagra and the other PDE-5 inhibitors can help men with erectile dysfunction (male impotence) by enhancing the erectile response when a man is sexually stimulated.

How long does Viagra last?

Viagra is most effective in the first 0-5 hours after taking it – but the drug can, in many cases, continue to give you an erection for quite a few hours longer. Viagra will remain in your system for around 24 hours, although after about 12 hours its effects will normally be reduced.

Once you take Viagra, you can normally expect a hard erection to last up to 33 minutes (on average), or a little less if you are older.

Viagra effects only kick in when you actually feel aroused – you won’t get an erection with Viagra if you aren’t feeling ‘turned on’. You won’t have a constant erection either – despite some depictions of the drug in pop culture! Your penis will ‘go down’ if you’re not feeling turned on, so you needn’t worry about it causing any embarrassment in public.

When to take Viagra?

Viagra should be taken an hour before you expect to take part in sexual activity. Although the drug has been shown to kick in as soon as 12 minutes after taking for some people, the average time is around 30-60 minutes. Think in advance about when you expect to have sex and take a pill then. The good news is that Viagra will continue to work for quite a few hours after you’ve taken it, so you don’t need to rush things.

Factors that affect how long Viagra lasts include:

• Dosage – The amount of Viagra you take affects how long it lasts. The smallest dose (25 mg) won’t last as long as the largest dose (100 mg). It’s important to consult your doctor before taking a higher dose as it may not be safe for you.
• Age – The older you get, the more your metabolism slows down. This means that Viagra could last longer as you get older.
• Medications – Some medications can interact with Viagra and affect how long it lasts. It’s best to check with your doctor if you’re thinking about taking Viagra and tell them about any medication you’re taking (especially for diabetes and high blood pressure).
• Food – It’s best not to eat too much before taking Viagra. This is because eating a heavy meal before taking the drug can keep it from being broken down.
• General Health – Conditions such as diabetes and heart conditions like atherosclerosis can make Viagra less effective.
• Alcohol – Drinking alcohol decreases the blood flow to the penis. Excessive alcohol can affect erections whether you have erectile dysfunction or not.
• Illegal drugs – Illegal drugs may, like alcohol, affect how well Viagra works, so it’s best to avoid them. It’s also important not to mix Viagra with the kinds of drugs known as ‘poppers’ in particular, as this can have negative side-effects.
• Psychological health – If you are feeling especially stressed or anxious, Viagra may not work for you.

How often should Viagra be taken?

It’s important to remember that Viagra should be taken just once every 24 hours. This means simply one pill, no matter the dosage. It’s also important to never take Viagra along with other erectile dysfunction drugs as this may cause physical damage to your penis.

If the prescription your GP has given you doesn’t seem to be working, don’t be tempted to ‘double up’ on dosage. This can have adverse effects and do more harm than good. If Viagra doesn’t work for you first time, speak to your doctor and they might either increase your dosage or put you on an alternative treatment.

What Viagra dosage should I take?

Viagra comes in three doses: 25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg. The recommended starting dose is one 50 mg tablet. 100 mg is the maximum dosage, but it’s important to be fit and have no health conditions if you are looking to start on such a high dose.

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