How Long Does Viagra Last?

If you’re thinking of taking Viagra to treat erectile dysfunction (often referred to as ED), you may be wondering what to expect. It's important that you take it correctly to get the best results, and it's also helpful to know how long the effects last.

Our experts break down how to take Viagra, how long it stays in your system and what factors affect it.

Article Summary:

• Viagra is an erectile dysfunction (ED) medication containing the active ingredient sildenafil. It’s used to treat male impotence, helping you achieve and maintain an erection for sex.
• The amount of Viagra you take affects how long it lasts. It can also be impacted by factors such as your age, diet, and mental health.
• Viagra will stay in your system for around 24 hours, but the effects can typically last up to 6 hours. However, ED medications only work when you are sexually aroused.

What is Viagra?

Viagra is the best-known medication for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (male impotence). This is when a man cannot get or maintain erections hard enough for penetrative sex.

Viagra contains the active ingredient sildenafil, which is a PDE5 inhibitor. PDE5 is an enzyme your body produces, which can reduce blood flow into your penis. PDE5 inhibitors like Viagra stop this enzyme being released, relaxing your blood vessels and improving blood flow to your penis. This blood flow helps you to get an erection when you're sexually aroused. [1]

It’s been proven in clinical trials and studies to be very effective. In one study, men who took sildenafil were able to get and keep an erection long enough for sex 57% of the time, compared to 21% for men who didn’t take it. The same study found that 78% of men had better erections while taking this treatment. [2]

When should you take Viagra?

You should take Viagra around an hour before sexual activity, as the average time it takes to work is around 30-60 minutes. Think in advance about when you expect to have sex and take a pill then.

If you’re taking Viagra for the first time, you might like to have a ‘trial run’ and take it without a partner to see how it feels. Your healthcare provider will usually start you on a low dose, so you can try it and see if it works for you, and roughly how long it takes to work.

You should only take ED treatments like Viagra once in any 24 hour period, to help avoid side effects.

How long does Viagra last?

Viagra usually starts to work within 30-60 minutes, and its effects peak after about 1-2 hours. Viagra continues to help you get an erection for around 4 hours after you’ve taken it, so you don’t need to rush things.

Unlike the effects often shown in pop culture, Viagra only works when you're feeling sexually aroused. You won't have a constant erection when you take it. Instead, it works with your body’s natural response to sexual stimulation, helping you to get and maintain an erection during sexual activity while it’s in your system.

Factors that affect how long Viagra lasts

You may need to try Viagra a few times before you get the results you're looking for. Factors including stress, anxiety, alcohol and lifestyle habits can impact your sexual performance, even when using an ED treatment.

If sildenafil doesn't improve your erections the first time you use it, try again another day before thinking about changing your dose or trying a different medication. Here are some factors to consider that might impact how well it works for you:

• Dosage: The dose strength 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 speak to our clinical team before taking a higher dose, as it may not be safe for you. The standard dose is 50 mg, which can be increased or decreased depending on the effect it produces.
• Age: The older you get, the more your metabolism slows down. This means that the effects of Viagra could last longer as you get older.
• Medications: Some medications can interact with Viagra, so it’s best to check with your doctor if you’re thinking about taking it. Make sure you tell them about any medication you’re already taking (especially nitrates, alpha-blockers or blood pressure medications) as this may mean it’s not suitable for you.
• Food: Eating a high-fat meal before taking Viagra can delay its absorption, meaning it takes longer to work. Instead, take it on an empty stomach, or at least 2 hours after a heavy meal. You should also never take Viagra with grapefruit juice. It can stop your body from breaking down sildenafil properly, which can make it stay in your body for longer and make the effects stronger than they should be. Taking them together can lead to undesirable side effects, like a big drop in blood pressure or a long-lasting, painful erection (known as priapism). [3]
• Medical conditions: Diabetes and heart conditions like atherosclerosis can make Viagra less effective.
• Alcohol: Drinking alcohol decreases blood flow to your penis. Excessive alcohol consumption can affect erections, whether you have erectile dysfunction or not. You can drink alcohol while taking Viagra, but it may affect its results.
• Illegal drugs: 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 amyl nitrate, or 'poppers', as this can have negative side effects.
• Mental health: If you're feeling stressed or anxious, or have performance anxiety, Viagra may not work as well for you. [4]

Can I do anything to make Viagra last longer?

A number of lifestyle factors can affect Viagra’s efficiency. By changing some of your behaviours and habits, you might be able to affect how well Viagra works to help you last longer in bed.

• Get fit: Losing weight and getting into shape could help make Viagra more effective, allowing blood to flow more efficiently around your body.
• Drink less alcohol: Excessive drinking has long been associated with erectile dysfunction, so reducing your alcohol intake can make getting erections easier.
• Don’t smoke: Smoking is linked to erectile dysfunction because it can damage blood vessels. Quitting smoking may help you get the best results from Viagra.
• Reduce stress: Try and find ways to relax before sexual activity, like practising mindfulness, or spending time with your partner.

How long does Viagra stay in your system?

Viagra will remain in your system for around 24 hours, but the effects are reduced around 4-5 hours after taking it, meaning it may be more difficult to achieve and maintain erections from this time.

How often should you take Viagra?

You should only take Viagra once in a 24-hour period. This means one pill, no matter the dosage. It’s also important you never take Viagra alongside other erectile dysfunction drugs as this can cause physical damage to your penis.

If your prescription doesn’t seem to be working, don’t be tempted to ‘double up’ the dosage. This can have adverse effects and do more harm than good. If Viagra doesn’t work for you the first time, speak to our clinical team, they may either increase your dosage or recommend 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.

What to expect as Viagra wears off

The effects of Viagra will reduce after around 4-5 hours, so erections are usually easier to achieve in the first few hours after taking it. The benefits will gradually wear off over time, and any side effects such as flushing, warm face, mild headache, and lightheadedness will fade as it leaves your system.

I’m not getting the Viagra effects I want, can I take more than one tablet?

No, you should never take more than your prescribed dosage of Viagra. If it’s not working as well as you’d like, consult with your clinical team. Remember, it can take a while for your body to adjust to taking Viagra, so don’t be disheartened if it doesn’t work for you the first time.

What are the side effects of Viagra?

Viagra does have side effects, but these are usually mild and tend to ease as the drug wears off over several hours. Most people no longer feel noticeable side effects once the dose has worn off.

Headaches are the most common side effect when taking Viagra, but you might also experience the following:

• Dizziness
• Changes in vision
• Feeling flushed or warm
• Stuffy nose
• Nausea
• Indigestion

Because of the way it relaxes your blood vessels, sildenafil can also temporarily lower your blood pressure. If you take alpha-blockers for high blood pressure, your dose should be steady and well‑tolerated before you start sildenafil in order to avoid dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting. When you’re ready, it’s safer to start sildenafil at a low 25 mg dose.

What are the best alternatives to Viagra?

There is a range of alternative treatments for erectile dysfunction, including:

• Cialis: Contains the active ingredient tadalafil and offers a long-lasting solution to erectile dysfunction. Find out more about tadalafil vs sildenafil here.
• Sildenafil: Sildenafil is the generic form of Viagra. It doesn't have a premium brand name, so it's available at a much lower price. Read our guide to compare Sildenafil and Viagra here.
• Spedra: Spedra is the fastest acting ED medication, and you can take it just 15 minutes before having sex, making it ideal for more spontaneous sexual encounters.

Find out what treatment is suitable for you on our website.

References

1. Sildenafil 50 mg film-coated tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc) [Internet]. www.medicines.org.uk. Available from: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/7141/smpc#gref
2. Fink HA, Mac Donald R, Rutks IR, Nelson DB, Wilt TJ. Sildenafil for Male Erectile Dysfunction. Archives of Internal Medicine. 2002 Jun 24;162(12):1349.
3. Jetter A. Effects of grapefruit juice on the pharmacokinetics of sildenafil. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 2002 Jan;71(1):21–9.
4. Althof SE, Berner MM, Goldstein I, Claes HI, Cappelleri JC, Bushmakin AG, Symonds T, Schnetzler G. Interrelationship of sildenafil treatment effects on the physiological and psychosocial aspects of erectile dysfunction of mixed or organic etiology. J Sex Med. 2010 Sep;7(9):3170-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2010.01882.x. PMID: 20626608.