Erectile dysfunction (ED), a condition that causes difficulty getting or maintaining an erection, is a common sexual problem that affects up to 30 million people in the United States. Because sexual health is a big part of their overall health, it’s important to talk to your health care provider if you have any problems during sex. Erectile dysfunction can also be a sign of other underlying medical conditions, such as high blood pressure or diabetes.
Your chances of developing erectile dysfunction increase with age, and lifestyle factors such as smoking or addiction can increase your risk. Certain medications and medical conditions can also contribute to erectile dysfunction.
If you have erectile dysfunction, you may be prescribed a drug like Viagra (sildenafil) and you may be wondering if it is okay to drink alcohol while you are taking it. Next, we’ll take a look at how alcohol consumption can affect people with erectile dysfunction and how it can interact with erectile dysfunction medications such as Viagra.
How Does Alcohol Affect People With Erectile Dysfunction?
Some people may drink alcohol to feel more relaxed before sex. And while a drink or two can help get you in the mood, it can cause erection problems before you do. For heavy drinkers, these problems can be more frequent and ultimately frequent.
If you already have erectile dysfunction, it might not be easier to get or maintain an erection by drinking alcohol. This is because alcohol suppresses the central nervous system (CNS), which means that it can slow down brain signals. Your central nervous system plays an important role in erections, so slowing down these signals can cause erection problems.
Additionally, alcohol can have other effects on your health that can contribute to erectile dysfunction. This can include low testosterone levels in your body and affecting your nerves, heart, and blood vessels.
Can I take erectile dysfunction like Viagra with alcohol?
Viagra (sildenafil) is a drug commonly used to treat erectile dysfunction. It is part of a class of drugs called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. Other examples of PDE5 inhibitors used for erectile dysfunction include tadalafil (Cialis), vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn), and avanafil (Stendra).
As mentioned above, alcohol can potentially cause or worsen erectile dysfunction. Therefore, if you take a medicine like Viagra to help you get or maintain an erection, alcohol may counteract its effects. In other words, it is better to limit your alcohol intake if you are taking any erectile dysfunction drug or to avoid it altogether.
Taking these medicines with alcohol can not only prevent your medicines from working properly, but can also make side effects such as redness and headaches worse.
Can I have a drink or two?
Taking a drink or two with medication like Viagra may not be a problem for some people. However, there are several factors that can increase your sensitivity to alcohol or Viagra, or both, such as age, what other medications you are taking, and your dosage, which can make this combination more harmful.
Therefore, it is best to speak to your health care provider before considering drinking alcohol while taking erectile dysfunction medication.
Are there people at higher risk with a combination of alcohol and erectile dysfunction drugs like Viagra?
Some people may have a stronger response to the effects of erectile dysfunction drugs than others who drink the same amount. For example, you may feel the effects of alcohol more as you age. And as mentioned above, alcohol can make Viagra side effects worse.
With age, the risk of erectile dysfunction also increases, so you can take these medications during your lifetime when alcohol affects you the most. This can potentially increase the risk of complications if you take drugs and alcohol together.
How does alcohol interact with erectile dysfunction medications?
PDE5 inhibitors work by blocking a protein that breaks down (removes) the chemical needed for an erection, allowing more of them to stay on for longer. The result is muscle relaxation in the penis and dilation of blood vessels (called vasodilation), which helps improve blood circulation and maintain an erection. In other words, more blood in the penis helps improve the quality of an erection.
Alcohol can also dilate your blood vessels, which is why you may have redness (warmth and flushing) or a headache when you drink.
Vasodilation can also lower blood pressure. In fact, drugs like Viagra should be used with caution while taking certain blood pressure medications (such as alpha blockers) due to low blood pressure. And other drugs, such as nitrates for chest pain, should be avoided completely with Viagra, as they cause dangerous drops in blood pressure. Adding alcohol to the mixture can eventually lower your blood pressure.
Combining erectile dysfunction drugs with alcohol may exacerbate potential vasodilator side effects or occur more quickly.
What are the typical side effects of erectile dysfunction drugs?
Medicines like Viagra can cause headaches, hot flashes and dizziness on their own. One study found that these effects were worse in people who also drank alcohol.
Other side effects that alcohol can make worse include:
- Acne
- Magont
- Chest discomfort, including fast or irregular heartbeat
- Visual changes
- Dizziness
- Congestion in the nose
Are there serious risks or side effects of erectile dysfunction drugs?
PDE5 inhibitors can cause serious side effects, such as dangerously low blood pressure, especially at higher doses or in combination with certain drugs (eg, alpha blockers, nitrates). Alcohol can affect your blood pressure reading. If you have blurred vision or chest pain, or feel faint, see a doctor immediately.
These drugs can also cause erections that last longer than 4 hours. This effect is called priapism and it is a medical emergency because it can cause permanent damage to your penis. Drinking alcohol can also cause priapism. Therefore, if your erection lasts longer than 4 hours, see a doctor immediately.
When can I start drinking after taking erectile dysfunction medicine?
Before you start drinking alcohol, it is best to wait until all the drugs are out of your system. Viagra and Levitra stay in the body for about a day, and Cialis can last up to 5 days.
But since everyone’s body is different, it’s best to talk to your health care provider first to find out when it’s safe to drink.
Keep in mind that drugs like Viagra should be used when needed, not regularly, for sex, so you cannot always know in advance when to take it. This means that you should think twice before taking any erectile dysfunction medication if you already have multiple drinks in your system.
Are there any treatments for erectile dysfunction that are not affected by alcohol?
There are several options for treating erectile dysfunction besides medication, which may be safer when used in combination with alcohol.
These options include:
- Vacuum device: This is a plastic tube (pump) that creates a vacuum that helps blood flow to the penis for an erection.
- Implanted device: The purpose of this device is to insert inflatable or flexible penile implants (flexible rods) that help create an erection.
- Arterial repair surgery: Surgery repairs blocked arteries that cause erectile dysfunction (usually in people under the age of 30).
- Healthcare professionals need to perform a device implantation or arterial surgery procedure, while the vacuum device can be used at home.