How Long Does Viagra Take to Work?

How Long Does Viagra Take to Work?
Manoj Kumar Published : Feb 04, 2024 Last Updated : Feb 26, 2024

If you are planning for lovemaking with your partner and have been facing ED, then Viagra is the best solution for you. It may hardly take 30 minutes to improve your erectile function and prevent the symptoms of ED. Isn't it interesting to have the power to enjoy your sexual excitement with your partner without the interruption of ED?

Viagra, the first oral pill for ED treatment and popular as a little blue pill, contains Sildenafil citrate as its active ingredient.

A single tablet of Sildenafil is enough for many men to improve the blood flow to the penis. It helps them to produce a standard, easily sustained erection as they desire. Viagra is a perfect oral treatment for male erectile dysfunction problems. 

So, you might be thinking, how long does Viagra take to work, and how long does Sildenafil last in your body? For the most part, Generic Sildenafil and brand-name prescription drug

Viagra starts their work quickly and lasts a few hours.

However, many factors can influence the timing of the Generic Viagra ED pill. We have discussed those factors below in this article. Read on to learn about them and also find out the best way to take this ED pill for maximum benefits.

How does Viagra work to treat Erectile dysfunction(ED) or impotence?

Viagra(Sildenafil) is a PDE5 Inhibitor drug that acts on the erectile tissue to increase blood flow to the penis. Viagra works by blocking the enzyme called PDE5 and improves the levels of another enzyme, cGMP. This other enzyme (cGMP) is responsible for relaxing the blood vessels in the genital region.

Thus, it ensures increased blood flow in the corpus cavernosum during the release of nitric oxide. This process takes place when you are sexually aroused and ready to trigger a penile erection. You need to take this sexual medicine an hour before you start to have sexual activity with your partner. And to make this Ed pill work, take it when you are sexually stimulated. Note that men with premature ejaculation or early ejaculation may not benefit from Viagra.

How Long Does Viagra Work?

Usually, Viagra and Generic Sildenafil take at least 30 to 60 minutes to start their work after intake. However, if you have any other problem, there can be some change now. Otherwise, it's enough time for this Erectile dysfunction medication to start getting absorbed in your intestinal tract. It would move into your bloodstream and produce noticeable effects on your body. But if you have any other health issues, then there can be chances that Viagra wouldn't work for you. 

Also, the time Viagra takes to start its work can vary depending on several factors. Various reasons may influence the time it takes to get absorbed; one is your food intake. If you have eaten shorty before or after or are taking it on an empty stomach, that may affect absorption. Like when you take Viagra on an empty stomach, it begins working rapidly. If you have any trouble swallowing Viagra tablets, talk to your doctor.

However, taking Sildenafil on a fat-rich meal may slow down the rate of absorption. It will take a little longer longer to start working. That's the reason a doctor advises you to avoid fatty meals if you are going to Viagra. 

How Long Does Viagra Last?

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) label, Viagra(Sildenafil) lasts for about 4 hours. It means that those who use Viagra can get and keep erections for approximately for 4 hours after taking it. Also, in a study published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, men with ED who used Sildenafil at a dosage of 100mg were able to attain an "adequate" erection for four hours. But one must understand how Viagra will last in this system to help them in their sexual response. During this period, you can achieve multiple erections depending on your sexual desire and stamina. You may still have a refractory period after you ejaculate, even if you are using Viagra. It means you'll need to take a break if you wish to have sex again and again under the effects of this ED pill.

One of the most important things to note is not to make bad decisions like taking a higher dose. Some people may think that taking a maximum drug concentration will make Viagra stay longer for them.

However, during the clinical trials, the higher dosage was seen to be 82% more effective, but a more potent dose without a prescription can be unsafe. In the place of making it last longer, you may experience low blood pressure, and it may potentially stop your heart. So do not try overdosing on Viagra or any other ED pill, as it may only raise the risk of getting the side effects of these drugs. 

Factors That Can Affect How Long Viagra Lasts

Several factors may influence the amount of time Viagra or Generic Sildenafil stays active for you. We have listed these factors below-

  • Diet - Eating a high-fat meal may slow this drug's absorption rate. It can prevent this ED pill from starting its work at the usual time that it takes.
  • Age - Age can also impact your body's ability to absorb the medication. If you are older than 65 years or if you have hepatic or renal impairment, then it may take longer for Viagra to start its work. Also, it would have a slow exit from your body.
  • Alcohol consumption: Drinking excessive amounts of Alcohol while taking Viagra may affect your sexual function. It will make it harder to maintain a satisfactory erection and may also increase the risk of side effects. However, it's unknown whether Alcohol affects the amount of time Viagra(Sildenafil) lasts.
  • Sildenafil Dosage: The half-life of Sildenafil citrate tablet remains the same regardless of the dosage. However, taking a higher dose of Viagra or Sildenafil may result in somewhat longer-lasting effects on your body. Take the Sildenafil dose 30 to 60 minutes right before you plan to have sexual intercourse. It will give the drug enough time to help you get an erection. 
  • Overall health: Some health issues may interrupt or impact your sexual function. For example, conditions like diabetes and multiple sclerosis (MS) may affect your erectile function in a way that ED drugs may not be effective. Also, your doctor may check for high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes before prescribing Viagra dosage. So, such conditions can prevent Sildenafil from being effective for you.
  • Mental well-being: Several psychological factors can make the treatment of erectile dysfunction less effective. It can be due to depression, stress, or sexual performance anxiety. You must note to make this Ed pill work for you, you need sexual stimulation to trigger an erection. 
  • Use of Other medications: Certain drugs may cause drug interaction with Viagra (Sildenafil) tablets. It can be antidepressants, blood pressure drugs, tranquilizers, antiandrogens, and many others. Use of these EDs may also make ED symptoms more severe and may affect the amount of time Sildenafil takes to work.

If you are taking Sildenafil and know it's not working for you, you must consult a healthcare provider. Let them know about your medical history and how you are taking your ED pill. They may suggest you make dose adjustments or other changes in how you take your medication.

Can I Make Viagra(Sildenafil) Last Longer?

The half-life of Viagra is something that you can't change. You can't make it last longer than usual once it's in your body. But there are a few things you may do after or before taking Viagra to make it as effective as possible:

Take Viagra(Sildenafil) as prescribed: Make sure to take the prescribed dosage of this ED pill. Taking the Sildenafil dose exactly as prescribed will ensure maximum benefit. 

Avoid High-fat meals: As you already read, eating a high-fat meal may take longer to kick in. It would take more time for Viagra to start working, and also it may reduce its effectiveness.

Avoid consumption of Alcohol: It would be best to avoid Alcohol intake while taking Sildenafil. It will not only affect your sexual performance negatively, but also it may increase the risk of side effects.

Take it easy and relax: Stay relaxed and stress-free before intimate with your partner. Anxiety or general worry can negatively impact your sexual desire and negatively affect your sex life.

Can Viagra Produce Permanent Effects?

If you take Viagra correctly, then there is no chance of having a lasting side effect of this Sildenafil tablet. It stops working after four hours and does not induce any long-term side effects on a person's body.

As you have read above, the half-life of Viagra(Sildenafil) is approximately four hours. It means that Viagra takes four hours to decrease by 50% in your bloodstream. And, on average, a single dose of Viagra may have its effects for up to 24 hours on your body.

Eventually, When Viagra is no longer in your bloodstream or tissue, it will not cause any effect on your body. And, talking about the side effects then, like other medications, this PDE5 Inhibitor drug may also cause several side effects.

Some common side effects you may note while using Viagra are dizziness, headaches, and flu-like symptoms. However, not everyone taking this oral Sildenafil will experience these side effects. Some people may also experience severe side effects from this Ed medication. They may face prolonged or painful erection(priapism), chest pain, and loss of hearing-like symptoms. If you experience these side effects, seek emergency medical attention soon.

To prevent these side effects from happening, you should also take care of drug interactions. You should not take Viagra if you take Nitroglycerin or other nitrate drugs and beta blockers. The interaction of these drugs can cause a sudden drop in your blood pressure, which can be dangerous. If you accidentally consume these drugs together, please seek medical attention immediately. 

Viagra(Sildenafil) Half-Life vs. Other ED Medications

Although Viagra is one of the most popular medications used for treating ED, It was the first FDA-approved medication for the treatment of erectile dysfunction and is famous as the little blue pill. Viagra contains an active ingredient, Sildenafil citrate, that belongs to a group of medicines known as PDE5 Inhibitors.

However, Viagra is not the only treatment when it comes to oral ED medicines. Other common prescription medications used to treat Erectile Dysfunction(ED) are Cialis, Levitra, and Stendra. All of these ED drugs have similar positive effects as Viagra(Sildenafil). It's a checkup of their half-life:

Cialis(Tadalafil): 

The second most known ED pill is Cialis (Tadalafil), especially for its long-lasting effects. It takes 60 minutes to take its impact on your body and lasts for as long as 36 hours in your blood. Cialis comes in low dosage strengths and is suitable for regular and need-based dosage regimens. It may help in treating symptoms of pulmonary hypertension and enlarged prostate problems. 

Levitra(Vardenafil)

It has a similar half-life to Viagra(Sildenafil). Vardenafil takes about 30 to 60 minutes to start working and lasts around four to five hours. As a prescription drug, you can take it under the advice of a healthcare professional.

Stendra(Avanafil)

It is primarily known for its fewer side effects than any other ED pill may have. It is one of the newer blocks of ED medicines. It comes out with a half-life of five hours and slightly longer than Viagra if compared. So, you can expect five hours of relief from ED after taking Stendra with a reduced risk of side effects. Also, it starts working quickly where. Some men experience improvement in their erection within 15 minutes of taking this pill.

Final Line on How Long Viagra Lasts

How long does Viagra last? We hope that this article answers this question perfectly. You may now be aware that either without food or with a small meal, Viagra dosage may start working in around one hour. It may provide relief from the symptoms of erectile dysfunction for approximately 4 hours at a time.

And some takeaways that we offer you in our final words about Viagra and ED medications are as follows:

  • Viagra with sexual stimulation may not work for you. It only assists you to get an erection by improving blood flow to the penis. Thus, the sexual arousal you need to trigger an erection is generally required to make these ED pills work for you.

  • If you want long-lasting relief from erectile dysfunction, then a stable medication such as Tadalafil is the best. It comes in low dosage form and may be considered for use after healthcare professionals' advice.

  • When it comes to treating Erectile dysfunction, there are many over-the-counter supplements available for it. However, they are not a safe alternative to FDA-approved ED drugs. So, choose your ED treatments only under professional advice. Prescription drugs like Generic Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra can be a perfect match to treat ED.

And, if a doctor prescribes you FDA-approved ED medicines, you can buy them online from us. We offer top-generic medications at the best price and make purchase healthcare drugs pocket-friendly. If you wish to buy a generic version of Viagra or any other medications, make sure to visit our online pharmacy. Get these ED pills delivered right to your doorstep and start enjoying your sexual life.