How Long Does Viagra Last?

On average, Viagra lasts about 2-3 hours before its effects start to wear off. The drug can last up to 5 hours or even longer depending on some factors: your dosage, your age, body’s metabolism, and other external factors.

Contents:

  1. What is Viagra?
  2. How long does Viagra take to work?
  3. How does Viagra work?
  4. What Viagra dosage should I take?
  5. How long does Viagra last for men and women?
  6. What factors affect the speed of sildenafil?
  7. When should you take Viagra?
  8. Who should take sildenafil medication?
  9. How long does Viagra stay in your system?
  10. Can the medication cause any negative long-lasting effects?
  11. Is there anything I should be concerned about?
  12. Can Viagra prevent early orgasm?
  13. What is the shelf life of Viagra?
  14. When should you consult your doctor?
  15. Can I take more than one tablet?
  16. How can you make Viagra last longer?
  17. Best alternatives to Viagra: treatments that last longer
  18. How else can I last longer in bed?
  19. Summary

What is Viagra?

Viagra (sildenafil) is a popular medication used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) in men. The drug does not cure ED or increase sex drive. Instead, it helps you get an erection in a natural way.

Manufactured by Pfizer, the medicine has become the first ED treatment approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Today, in 2020, there are also generic versions of Viagra available on the market. Thet have the same efficiency but are much cheaper. Sildenafil is also a vasodilator and may be used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension.

How long does Viagra take to work?

Viagra starts working in around 30 minutes and any sexual arousal can start the process of erection. In some cases, the effect may occur in 15 minutes, and some men need to wait up to 2 hours. The active substance sildenafil is well absorbed into the blood, in particular, after taking a 100 mg tablet on an empty stomach, the maximum concentration of sildenafil in the blood occurs within 30 minutes to 1 hour.

How does Viagra work?

Chemically “Viagra” is a substance called sildenafil, PDE 5 inhibitor. This means that we have an enzyme in our body called phosphodiesterase, which affects the blood flow in the cavernous bodies of the penis and in the blood vessels. If this enzyme is blocked, then this very blood flow will increase.

This is how sildenafil works: it relaxes smooth muscles and blood vessels, and increases blood flow to the penis. And this helps to keep the organ in an erect state. The medicine does not cure the cause of dysfunction, it simply eliminates the consequences.

The drug does not make you sexually aroused. PDE5 inhibitors help only in the technical part. But if you don’t want to have intimacy, the pill may not work.

What Viagra dosage should I take?

There are 3 common doses of Viagra: 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg. The recommended initial dose is 50 mg. The maximum dosage is 100 mg, but it’s important to have no health conditions if you are taking such a high dose. Adults older than 65 often start with the lower dose, 25 mg. This lowest dose is also recommended to men with certain health conditions like HIV. Talk to your doctor to find the right dose of sildenafil based on your age, expectations, medical history, and symptoms.

How long does Viagra last for men and women?

The average duration of its action in men is about 4 – 6 hours. The drug is not intended for use in women. Sildenafil stays active for a different period of time, it works individually for every man. Most men say that sildenafil lasts about 4 hours, but others reported that they were able to feel the effect of the medication even the next morning. In some men, it lasts for 6 hours. But this also does not mean that a man will have an erection all this time. Below you can see the approximate duration of 25 mg and 100 mg tablets.

Viagra dosage How long does it last?
25 mg sildenafil 2-3 hours
100mg sildenafil 5-6 hours

Some men wonder: “How long does Viagra stay in your urine and blood?” Sildenafil usually leaves your system after 2-3 hours. Depending on your metabolism, sildenafil can take 5-6 hours to fully leave your system. A higher dosage of the drug will take longer to leave your urine and blood.

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What factors affect the speed of sildenafil?

The drug duration and the onset of action can be affected y several factors, including:

  • Alcohol. Alcohol-containing beverages decrease the blood flow to the penis. As a result, it becomes harder to achieve and maintain an erection necessary for sexual intercourse. One glass of good wine or one beer will not decrease the speed of sildenafil, but larger amounts of alcohol will surely slow down the effects of the drug and may even cause adverse reactions making it harder to get an erection;
  • Old Age. Men over 60 report that the drug starts working later because with age the body’s metabolism slows down. However, this means that sildenafil tablets will last longer in older men;
  • Dosage. The dosages may range from 25 mg to 100 mg. The higher dose you take, the more potent and long-lasting effects you will notice. Remember that only a doctor can determine the correct dosage of this generic medication for your case. Do not engage in self-treatment!
  • Heavy foods. If you eat too many fatty foods just before you take a pill, you may need to wait more time until the drug starts working since your body will be busy digesting the food. But if you take the pill on an empty stomach, the onset of action will occur quickly;
  • Drug interactions. Some medications can slow down the speed of the drug. For, example, antibiotic rifampicin can change the speed of the action. Always consult your doctor about any medications you are taking or going to take. This way you can ensure that generic Viagra (Sildenafil) is safe for your body;
  • Health condition. If you any pathological problems with kidney or liver, the medication can last longer. The thing is that the pill will be absorbed by your organism much longer. You should always inform a medical specialist about all medical conditions you have.

When should you take Viagra?

The medication is usually taken only when needed, about 30-60 minutes before sexual intercourse. You may take a tablet up to 4 hours before sex. Do not take blue pills more than once per day and remember that this remedy can only help you achieve a stable and hard erection when you are sexually aroused.

Who should take sildenafil medication?

How do you know if you need Viagra? It’s important that you use this medicine only if you are diagnosed with erectile dysfunction. For this, you should see your doctor to determine the cause of your weak erection. You should keep in mind that your potency may weaken as a result of taking certain medications or can be caused by neurological disorders, psychological factors, or diseases like diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol. Moreover, this condition can be associated with your aging.

Sildenafil can be part of a broader treatment plan. Your doctor will probably prescribe this medication to treat your ED provided that you are not taking nitrate-based drugs, do not have retinitis pigmentosa, hypertension/hypotension, or recent myocardial infarction or angina.

How long does Viagra stay in your system?

If sildenafil is broken down normally by the body the effects usually last 3–5 hours. Then 13 percent of the accepted dose comes out with urine, another 80 percent – with feces, that is, in a natural way. The drug does not accumulate in the body. There is no need to accelerate the elimination of the active substance.

Can the medication cause any negative long-lasting effects?

When using ED pills, you should be aware of potential risks. Keep in mind that the uncontrolled use of sildenafil medication (for example, when using the drug in excessive doses, or more frequently than recommended, or when the drug is combined with other ED medications from Canadian Pharmacy or narcotic substances) can lead to a condition known as priapism. It’s a long-lasting painful erection that needs medical help. Priapism is a disease named after the mythical ancient Greek god of fertility Priapus, who had a permanent erection. If a man has priapism, his erection has nothing to do with sexual arousal and the penis does not relax even after ejaculation and after a while it becomes painful. This condition can seriously damage the penis as it can cause blood stasis. If your erection lasts for more than 4 hours and you feel pain, you should contact your doctor immediately.

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In rare cases, Viagra can cause negative effects but they are unlikely to be long-lasting. The common side effects associated with the use of this medication include headache, redness of the face, hot flashes, dizziness, vision problems, sensitivity to light, nasal congestion, and stomach upset. To avoid side effects of any kind, you should consult a doctor prior to taking these pills. You should be informed that sildenafil medication should not be used in combination with nitrates (medicines used to treat angina pectoris), as this can lead to a severe drop in blood pressure levels, which can lead to shock and sometimes even death. In 2020, Viagra is considered safe when prescribed correctly.

Important: Prolonged use of ED pills can worsen the fertilizing potential of ejaculate and cause dependence (if you abuse stimulant drugs, one day an erection may simply not come). This is a crime against yourself. There is no need to risk health (and sometimes life). If you take ED medication in the recommended doses and do not abuse it, it won’t harm your health in any way!

Is there anything I should be concerned about?

Viagra usually lasts a few hours and it even lasts after ejaculation but do not worry – you will not have an erection the entire time, as the drug only helps to increase blood flow to the penis. If the drug is not working fast enough, you can try masturbation or foreplay to become sexually aroused.

You took Viagra and it isn’t working. What should you do? The answer is simple: if a tablet doesn’t start working after 30 minutes, wait a bit as in some cases it may take longer for sildenafil to act. Don’t take an additional dose of this medication! Always follow the doctor’s advice. Overdosage can also cause priapism, If you have such a condition, seek emergency care as soon as possible.

Can Viagra prevent early orgasm?

No, this medicine only treats erectile dysfunction – if you lose your erection quickly then sildenafil can help you to last longer in bed. However, it won’t help you if you ejaculate too early (premature ejaculation), if you are not sexually aroused, or you tire during sex.

What can you do if you ejaculate too early? – if you have premature ejaculation then you may need to take other medications. This condition occurs when a man is unable to control or delay ejaculation. If you come within the first 2 minutes of sexual intercourse then this is considered premature ejaculation. The best treatment is dapoxetine (also known as Priligy). You can also try Viagra Super P-Force, an innovative medication containing 2 active ingredients (dapoxetine + sildenafil) used to overcome two disorders at once – erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation.

What is the shelf life of Viagra?

Many men wonder “how long does Viagra last in storage?” The drug lasts in the bottle for two years and you should use the whole package before it expires. However, this shelf-life is only reliable when the drug is stored properly. You may wonder how long does sildenafil last after expiration? It’s actually not recommended to use expired mediation. Taking an expired sildenafil tablet is unlikely to do you any harm, however, it might be less effective than if taken on time.

When should you consult your doctor?

Before you take the tablets, it’s recommended that you see your doctor. Only a doctor can determine a safe dose of the drug and explain how much you should take per day.

Bear in mind that some drugs used for heart disease (such as nitroglycerin and other nitrates) cannot be taken with the blue pills since their interaction can cause dangerous sequences for your body (including a drop in blood pressure).

Can I take more than one tablet?

No. You cannot take more tablets than recommended by your doctor or the manufacturer. Taking too much Viagra can increase the risk of adverse reactions. It can also cause a painful and dangerous condition called priapism which can damage your penis and even lead to impotence.

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You should only take the dose your doctor has prescribed to you (usually 1 tablet). If the taken dose does not help you get an erection, you should not take another tablet. Instead, you’d better see your healthcare provider to discuss further actions and possibly other medications. The doctor may recommend to increase or reduce the dose but you should never do this without consulting a doctor.

How can you make Viagra last longer?

There are many ways you can make Viagra last longer in your body. These life changes include:

Eat a healthy diet:

  • Eat more fruit and vegetables, whole grain;
  • Reduce your salt intake.

Reduce the amount of saturated fat you eat:

  • Reduce the number of fast food you eat;
  • Do not drink grapefruit juice when you take Viagra as it can reduce the efficiency of the medicine.

Exercise:

  • Exercise will improve your physical health and make you last longer;
  • Exercise may also reduce the symptoms of erectile dysfunction or prevent them.

Limit your alcohol consumption:

  • Do not drink alcohol when you take Viagra as it can reduce the efficiency of the medicine and even cause side effects;
  • If you still drink alcohol, do this in moderation (no more than 1-2 units).

Stop smoking:

  • If you quit smoking, you will feel much better;
  • You will no longer be getting out of breath quickly;
  • Your cardiorespiratory fitness will improve.

Best alternatives to Viagra: treatments that last longer

No doubt, Viagra is the most popular medication for erectile dysfunction. It was the first medicine approved to treat ED in 1998. It works quickly and can be used to treat men of all age groups. If you cannot use this drug for some reason or just want to try similar medications, you should know that there are good alternatives to sildenafil.

Cialis is the best analogue of Viagra, which has won an excellent reputation among men. The main active ingredient of Cialis is tadalafil, which, like sildenafil, belongs to the category of PDE5 inhibitors. Tadalafil causes an active blood flow to the perineum and penis of a man, due to which a good persistent erection occurs. The drug works only in the presence of natural stimulation, instantly increasing libido and sexual desire. Many men prefer Cialis because this is an ultra-long-acting ED drug – its duration is up to 36 hours;

Levitra is another worthy substitute for Viagra. The main active ingredient of Levitra is vardenafil, This drug is ideal for the symptomatic treatment of male sexual impotence. This medicine, like other drugs for improving potency, is prescribed by the doctor on an individual basis after a thorough examination. Levitra lasts about 8-12 hours and, unlike Viagra, is compatible with alcohol

Stendra is one more medication used to treat erectile dysfunction. It contains the active ingredient avanafil. It has a quick onset of action in comparison to other ED drugs available and starts working just 15 minutes after taking the pill. It is one of the newest drugs to be released for ED. Avanafil remains effective for 6 hours and may maintain benefits longer in some patients.

Compare the information about popular ED drugs in the table below:

How else can I last longer in bed?

If this treatment option isn’t working for you or cause side effects, consult your doctor about other possible erectile dysfunction treatments, including:

Summary

Viagra is a popular and effective medication used to treat erectile dysfunction.

It is best to take the pill about 60 minutes before sexual intercourse, and its effects last up to 4 hours or longer depending on many factors. The drug cannot cause an erection if a man is not sexually aroused.

There are several other methods for improving male potency, including taking other drugs, leading a healthy lifestyle, and doing penile exercises.

It is important to seek help from a medical expert rather than trying to treat the disease on your own.

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