Many men consider Viagra and alcohol as a normal part of a healthy, active sexual lifestyle. Viagra is widely used for “boosting” sexual performance, regardless of whether the users have ED (erectile dysfunction) or not.
On the other hand, alcohol, like beer and spirits, has always been used as a fear suppressant to make men bolder and more sexually assertive. Thus, the combination of alcohol and Viagra is believed to guarantee better and more satisfying sexual experiences in men.
This is the main reason why some breweries and distilleries create Viagra-laced alcoholic beverages. The drinks are claimed to be specially made for customers who need performance boosts for their honeymoons and date nights.
However, these drinks have become highly controversial. Some of these Viagra-laced drinks are even banned in countries where sex drugs are illegal.
The main point of controversy is the safety of the drinks. Health professionals advise against the mixing of alcohol and Viagra because it can cause dangerous effects on the body.
The following information will help shed light as to why Viagra and alcohol don’t make a perfect match.
Page Contents
Understanding What Is Viagra
Viagra is basically a drug that is commonly prescribed for the treatment of ED in men. Its primary purpose is to help men with ED cure symptoms of impotence by leveraging their male parts during sexual activity.
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The main active ingredient of Viagra is Sildenafil, which is classified as a PDE-5 inhibitor. Sildenafil is a drug that helps improve male erections by increasing blood flow in the male parts.
Viagra is a drug that is primarily intended to help men with ED regain normal sexual function. It is an effective treatment for impotence, and it helps men with ED regain sexual confidence and improve intimate relationships (1).
However, because of its extensive use among men without ED, it is viewed more like a sex drug rather than a medical drug. Vague marketing methods are also to blame for Viagra’s seedy reputation.
How Viagra Works in the Male Body
To understand how Viagra works, you need to understand first what ED is and how it affects men’s sexual health.
Symptoms of ED
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a sexual disorder characterized by weak or impaired erections of the male sex organ.
An erection is mainly achieved by increasing blood flow into the muscles of the penile shaft, namely the corpus cavernosum. The blood that flows into the muscles is collected in the vessels along with the muscles so that the shaft becomes distended, making it hard and erect.
When a man has ED, the muscles of the penile shaft are unable to relax and sustain blood flow. This makes erections weak and unsustainable during penetrative intercourse, thus causing sexual impotence.
The degree of impotence caused by ED may vary widely. Some can achieve an erection but only for a short period, while some are unable to get an erection at all.
This resulted in poor sexual performance and decreased sexual confidence. That’s why men with ED may also experience sexual anxiety and depression.
Effects of Viagra
PDE-5 inhibitors like Sildenafil in Viagra work as a muscle relaxant that targets the smooth muscles of the corpus cavernosum. When this group of muscles relaxes, more blood will be able to flow into the muscles’ blood vessels.
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This helps men with ED achieve and sustain an erection for a certain amount of time. The resulting erections are also strong enough to perform penetrative intercourse successfully.
Although Sildenafil doesn’t directly affect or influence libido, it does help improve sexual sensitivity. This helps men with ED react better to sexual stimuli.
The effects of Viagra commonly last around 2 to 4 hours under normal circumstances. However, studies find that Sildenafil may remain active in the body for up to 12 hours (2). This timeframe is enough for men with ED to experience nearly-spontaneous erections.
Dosage and Safety of Viagra
Before, Viagra could only be obtained with a doctor’s prescription. This is because Sildenafil is a drug that is also prescribed for other diseases, such as pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Now, Viagra is available over the counter in some countries. The purpose of this is to improve access to medication for those who use Viagra on a regular and long-term basis.
However, it is still recommended that you always consult with a doctor first before buying or taking Viagra over the counter. Medical consultation is especially important if you are taking medications for other health problems.
Recommended Dosage of Viagra
The recommended dosage of Viagra is 50 mg to 100 mg for men who have no comorbid medical conditions. Men are usually advised to start at 50 mg, and the dosage may be gradually increased to 100 mg to achieve optimum results (3).
For men who are over 60 years of age, and those who have other medical conditions, the recommended dosage is 20 mg to 25 mg. This amount is significantly lower because older men have a lower tolerance to the medicine. Some medical conditions may also become worse when a high dose of Sildenafil is taken (4).
Viagra and Alcohol: Combined Effects on the Body
Usually, alcohol and Viagra are safe when taken a few hours apart. However, bringing them together at the same time would be a different story.
Alcohol as a Drug
Viagra is a drug. Alcohol—contrary to what many people believe—is also a drug. And like with any other medication, these two may cause drug interactions within the body.
Alcohol is a CNS (central nervous system) depressant that lowers one’s alertness and consciousness level. It also slows physical coordination and reaction time.
These alcohol effects are the opposite of the effects of Sildenafil, which helps increase sensitivity and excitability. If these two different drugs are taken together, the effects of one will likely counteract the impact of the other.
That is why taking Viagra with beer or other alcoholic drinks is often counterproductive.
Drug Interaction and Side Effects of Alcohol and Sildenafil
If taken alone and in moderate amounts, alcohol is relatively safe for healthy men (5). However, if taken with other drugs, alcohol may act as both an inhibitor of the other drug’s desired effects and as an enhancer of the unwanted effects (6).
The common side effects of alcohol alone include:
- Low blood pressure
- Visual distortion or blurriness
- Slurring or inaudible speech
- Gastric irritation
- Dizziness, headache, and nausea
On the other hand, Sildenafil can cause the following side effects:
- Fluctuations in blood pressure
- Visual blurriness
- Dizziness and headaches
- Gastric discomfort
- Muscle pain or soreness
- Flushing of skin or redness
When alcohol and Sildenafil are taken together, their side effects are enhanced and may result in adverse reactions. Some of the symptoms of adverse reactions that you need to watch out for include:
- Chest pain and heart attack-like symptoms
- Visual loss and temporary blindness
- Breathing problems
- Loss of consciousness
- A painful and prolonged erection
If you experience any of these adverse reaction symptoms, you should seek medical help immediately. Adverse reactions are also more likely to occur in older men and those who suffer from other ailments.
Safety Tips When Taking Viagra and Alcohol
If drinking alcohol cannot be avoided while you’re taking Viagra for ED treatment, you can safely do so by following these safety tips:
- Take Viagra a few hours before drinking.
Don’t drink Viagra and beer together at the same time. This will render the medication ineffective and can likely cause adverse reactions.
Instead, you should take Viagra a few hours ahead of your drinking schedule. This will allow enough time for your body to absorb the medication and decrease the side effects.
- Limit your alcohol intake to one or two drinks.
Healthy men may be allowed to have up to two drinks per day while on Viagra (7). Older men and those with other medical conditions, however, should limit their alcohol intake to one drink per day on an occasional basis.
One drink equals 12 ounces of beer, 4 ounces of wine, and one ounce of hard liquor.
- Avoid taking other drugs besides Viagra.
If you plan to drink while you’re on Viagra, it’s recommended that you avoid all other medications, such as OTC drugs. This will help prevent the possibility of adverse reactions.
For more specific information on how you can safely drink Viagra and alcohol, you should always consult with your doctor first. Your doctor’s consent and recommendations are crucial to your ED treatment’s success.
