What To Expect When You Take Viagra For The First Time

Did you know that over half (53%) of people with erectile dysfunction avoid seeking medical treatment because they feel anxious discussing it? [1] We understand that starting any treatment for the first time is a big step, especially when addressing intimacy. That’s why we’re here to help.

In this article we’ll explain what may happen when you first take Viagra, explain some common side effects and share tips to improve your experience.

Article Summary:

• Viagra is a prescription medication. It may help those who experience erectile dysfunction to achieve stronger, longer lasting erections.
• Once you have been approved for treatment, there are several ways you can prepare yourself for your first experience. These include taking a trial run, seeing how long it takes to begin working and having open discussions with your sexual partner(s) about your treatment.
• Knowing the side effects of Viagra may also help you feel more comfortable during your first experience.

Is Viagra safe?

If this is your first time trying Viagra, it’s normal to want to know if the drug is safe. The short answer is: yes, Viagra is considered to be very safe. In fact, it’s been used to treat erectile dysfunction for nearly 30 years.

It’s worth noting that some people may experience side effects with Viagra. Also, if taken under certain conditions or by people who have other health issues, it may cause adverse effects. That’s why you need a prescription for Viagra and most other types of erectile dysfunction treatment. Also, always be sure to read your Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) before use.

What happens when you take Viagra for the first time?

Viagra contains the active ingredient sildenafil, which is a type of drug called a PDE5 inhibitor.

At the base of your penis there are smooth muscles which surround your blood vessels. They're normally contracted, and stop blood flowing into your penis.

When you experience sexual arousal, your body releases a series of chemicals which send signals to your brain to relax these smooth muscles. This increases blood flow to your penis, enabling an erection. [2]

When you’re no longer aroused, an enzyme called PDE5 makes these muscles contract again, causing your penis to go soft and your erection to disappear. If you have erectile dysfunction, PDE5 can stop you getting an erection even when you experience sexual stimulation. [3]

Viagra and other erectile dysfunction treatments suppress this enzyme, improving blood flow to your penis and helping you stay hard for longer. [3]

So, you’ve ordered Viagra online. What happens next?

• Consider a ‘trial run’: Some people choose to take a ‘trial run’ when taking Viagra for the first time. Instead of having sex with your partner you might want to take it on your own, just to see what it’s like.
• Talk with your partner: Communication is the key to better sex. If you feel comfortable doing so, speak with your partner about your plans so you both feel prepared.
• Timing: Viagra normally takes 30-60 minutes to start working, so give it some time to feel the effects. [4] It's best to take it around an hour before sex. It'll stay in your body for around 4 hours, helping you get erections throughout that time. [4]

In most cases, you’ll notice that your erections will remain hard for as long as you are aroused. You may also be able to have sex more often when on Viagra, because the ‘refractory period’ (the amount of time you need to wait between sexual activity) is often shorter. [5]

How much Viagra should you take the first time?

Your healthcare provider will usually prescribe you a low starting dose to begin with. It comes in 3 doses: 25mg, 50mg and 100mg. The recommended starting dose is 50mg. [6] The maximum dose is 100mg. However, if you feel that you need a higher starting dose, you should first discuss this with your healthcare provider. You'll also need to be fit and have no other medical conditions.

Does Viagra work every time?

While Viagra has a high success rate for around 90% of people, it doesn’t work for everyone. [7] If your first use of Viagra isn’t successful, there could be a solution:

• You might benefit from a higher dose than you’ve been prescribed.
• You may want to try a different type of erectile dysfunction treatment.
• You need to be more sexually stimulated. Viagra only works when you're aroused so if you’re not turned on when you take it, it won’t work.
• You could be too stressed or anxious. While Viagra often works well for those whose erectile dysfunction is primarily due to mental or emotional factors rather than physical, it still may not work if you are feeling too stressed or anxious. [8] In this case, you may want to consider combining medication with therapy.

It’s also worth noting that Viagra may not work if you are taking other kinds of medication, using illegal drugs or have other medical conditions. [9]

If you’ve considered these points, and Viagra still doesn’t work on the second or third time you take it, we recommend contacting your healthcare provider for more advice.

Side effects

While most people who take Viagra experience no side effects at all, there are some minor symptoms you may notice.

Common side effects include:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Changes in vision (objects may appear to have a blue tinge)
• Feeling flushed or warm
• Stuffy nose
• Nausea (feeling sick)
• Indigestion [10]

There’s also a small chance you might develop a condition called priapism, where you have a painful erection that lasts for more than 2 hours. [9] This usually happens because Viagra has interacted with another medication or illegal drug in your system. Seek urgent medical attention if this happens.

You should also get urgent medical attention if you experience any of these severe side effects:

• Chest pains
• A sudden decrease or loss of vision
• Sudden hearing loss
• Severe hypotension (severely low blood pressure) or high blood pressure
• Allergic reaction (wheeziness, difficulty in breathing or dizziness, swelling of the eyelids, face, lips or throat)
• Serious skin reactions (severe peeling and swelling of the skin, blistering of the mouth, genitals and around the eyes, fever)
• Seizures or fits [10]

For a full list of potential side effects, please refer to your Patient Information Leaflet (PIL).

Other tips for your first Viagra experience

There are a number of things you can do to improve your experience when taking Viagra for the first time. These include:

• Avoid taking it at meal times: Viagra will work faster if you take it on an empty stomach. [9] Avoid eating for at least a couple of hours before you take the drug. If you do eat, avoid high-fat foods or large, heavy meals.
• Avoid smoking, alcohol and recreational drugs: Drinking lots of alcohol and smoking are both known to cause erectile dysfunction, so it’s important to cut down on these. [9] It’s also best not to take Viagra when you've been drinking as it may reduce the effects of the drug. [9] You should avoid illegal drugs too, as this could cause drug interactions and serious side effects. [9]

Make the most of your first experience with Viagra

Taking Viagra may feel like a big step in your journey towards managing erectile dysfunction. But knowing what to expect, and how to prepare, may help you feel more comfortable.

Erectile dysfunction is very common, but it shouldn’t define your sexual experiences. [11] And with the correct treatment and open, honest conversations with your sexual partner(s), it’s not a condition you need to face alone. Support is available when you feel ready.

Find out what treatment is suitable for you with MedExpress.

References

1. Survey reveals men are still not taking erectile dysfunction seriously - The Urology Foundation [Internet]. The Urology Foundation. 2024 [cited 2026 Mar 19]. Available from: https://www.theurologyfoundation.org/about-us/media/press-releases/dolor-amet/
2. Akorede BA, Hassan SA, Akhigbe RE. Penile erection and cardiovascular function: effects and pathophysiology. Aging male/˜The œaging male. 2024 Apr 3;27(1).
3. Dhaliwal A, Gupta M. PDE5 Inhibitor [Internet]. PubMed. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549843/
4. NHS. About Sildenafil (Viagra) [Internet]. nhs.uk. 2022. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/sildenafil-viagra/about-sildenafil-viagra/
5. Aversa A, Mazzilli F, Rossi T, Delfino M, Isidori AM, Fabbri A. Effects of sildenafil (Viagra) administration on seminal parameters and post-ejaculatory refractory time in normal males. Human Reproduction (Oxford, England) [Internet]. 2000 Jan 1 [cited 2021 Jul 19];15(1):131–4. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10611201/
6. Hatzimouratidis K. Sildenafil in the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction: An Overview of the Clinical Evidence. Clinical Interventions in Aging. 2006 Dec;1(4):403–14.
7. Sairam K, Kulinskaya E, Hanbury D, Boustead G, McNicholas T. Oral sildenafil (ViagraTM) in male erectile dysfunction: use, efficacy and safety profile in an unselected cohort presenting to a British district general hospital.. BMC Urology. 2002 Apr 18;2(1).
8. Cai Z, Song X, Zhang J, Yang B, Li H. Practical Approaches to Treat ED in PDE5i Nonresponders. Aging and disease. 2020;11(5):1202.
9. NHS. Sildenafil (Viagra): medicine for erection problems [Internet]. nhs.uk. 2018. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/sildenafil-viagra/
10. Sildenafil 50 mg film-coated tablets - Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) - (emc) [Internet]. www.medicines.org.uk. Available from: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/7141/pil
11. Erectile dysfunction [Internet]. www.nhsinform.scot. Available from: https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/sexual-and-reproductive/erectile-dysfunction-impotence