Can Viagra be Taken with Alcohol?

One of the most common questions asked by men is whether Viagra can be combined with alcohol...

Updated: Tuesday 01 February 2022

One of the most common questions asked by men is whether Viagra can be combined with alcohol. Whilst it is thought to be safe to drink a small amount of alcohol, 2-3 units, such as a glass of wine or one beer, exceeding the recommended amount can reduce the effectiveness of the medication, worsen symptoms of potential side effects and it can also have a negative impact on achieving an erection therefore increasing the need for taking the medication in the first place.

Reduces Effectiveness

Alcohol can interact with a number of different medications and can actually decrease the effectiveness of medication. Alcohol increases the breakdown of Viagra and so less gets absorbed into the bloodstream hence reducing the effectiveness.

Increases Side Effects

The most common side effects of Viagra are headache, flushing, upset stomach, abnormal vision, such as changes in colour vision and blurred vision, stuffy or runny nose, back pain, muscle pain and nausea. Taking Viagra at the same time as drinking alcohol can have a cumulative effect which can lower your blood pressure and if this dips too low, you can experience headaches, dizziness, fainting episodes and heart palpitations, which can be potentially dangerous.

Alcohol Causes Erectile Dysfunction

Alcohol is generally considered as a depressant, which reduces your sexual desires and ability to achieve an erection, so drinking excessively is likely to worsen erectile issues and interfere with viagra’s effective. The brain requires constant stimulation to maintain an erection and consuming alcohol can dampen these signals and can therefore be counterproductive. Furthermore, consuming excessive amounts of alcohol regularly can increase your risk of developing conditions such as low testosterone levels and prostate problems which can lead to erectile dysfunction.

In a study published in the Indian Journal of Psychiatry found that alcohol was a leading cause of impotence and the amount of alcohol consumed was a contributing factor. The result showed that 72% of men with an alcohol dependence had one more sexual dysfunction, one of which being erectile dysfunction.

Viagra should only be used as a temporary treatment for erectile dysfunction, therefore it is essential that the underlying cause is addressed. Erectile dysfunction can be significantly improved by making changes to your lifestyle such as losing weight if you are overweight, exercising regularly, stopping smoking and reducing your alcohol consumption.