Is it safe to drink alcohol with Viagra (or other ED medications)?

Key takeaways

• Viagra is a very common medication for erectile dysfunction (ED) that works by improving blood flow to the penis. It’s generally not recommended to drink a lot of alcohol while taking Viagra.
• Combining alcohol and Viagra may increase the risk of side effects of both, such as dizziness and nausea.
• Drinking alcohol may also contribute to ED, so it may counteract the effects of medications such as Viagra by making it harder to get an erection.

Overview

If you have erectile dysfunction (ED), there are many treatment options to help. One of the most well-known medications for ED is Viagra, a drug called a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor containing the active ingredient sildenafil. Other PDE5 inhibitors include tadalafil (Cialis), avanafil (Stendra), and vardenafil.

You may wonder if you can still have your usual glass of wine or bottle of beer if you’re taking Viagra. For many couples, sharing a drink can be an important part of a romantic evening. But you may need to be cautious about mixing ED medications with alcohol.

Need a prescription or refill for ED medication? You can get discreet and expert on-demand care in as little as 15 minutes through Optum Perks. For $29, answer a few questions online and get a treatment plan from a US-licensed healthcare professional. Get started here.

Alcohol and Viagra

Viagra, the brand-name version of the drug sildenafil, works to manage ED by increasing blood flow to the penis, helping you to maintain an erection. PDE5 inhibitors like Viagra differ from other, long-term ED treatments as they’re only taken as needed, approximately 1 hour before sexual activity.

There are no warnings in Viagra’s prescribing information about drinking alcohol alongside the medication. This means it’s unlikely to cause significant harm to your health if you combine the two. However, it may not be advisable to drink too much alcohol and take Viagra.

Risk of side effects

Combining alcohol and Viagra may increase your risk of side effects.

Both alcohol and PDE5 inhibitors are what’s known as vasodilators, which means they both relax and open the blood vessels. Combining them may intensify the adverse effects of both, causing a drop in blood pressure and increased feelings of lightheadedness, dizziness, nausea, or weakness.

These concerns may be more pronounced in people with underlying cardiovascular health concerns, such as:

• a history of stroke or heart attack
• hypotension (low blood pressure)
• hypertension (high blood pressure)
• coronary artery disease

Counter-productive effect

Another consideration about alcohol and Viagra is that the alcohol may counteract the effects of ED treatments. In fact, alcohol use is commonly linked with ED in both the short term and the long term.

Alcohol is known as a central nervous system depressant, which means it can slow down brain activity. This means it can slow down the communication between your brain and your penis, making it harder to get and maintain an erection when you’ve been drinking.

Chronic alcohol use can also cause damage to your body that can lead to long-term ED. According to some 2021 research, there is a significant relationship between regular alcohol consumption and ED. It can do this in several ways:

• Nervous system effects: According to a 2020 review, up to 73 percent of chronic heavy alcohol users experience dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system, with a common symptom of this being ED.
• Cardiovascular effects: Chronic alcohol use may damage your blood vessels, increasing your risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). CVD is independently associated with ED.

This means that drinking alcohol may worsen ED overall, which reduces the effect of ED medications like Viagra. If you would like support reducing your alcohol consumption, consider reaching out to a healthcare professional, who will be able to help you without judgment.

Alternative treatments for ED

Some 2022 research suggests that abstaining from alcohol can have a positive effect on ED. This may be a common suggestion from doctors when you start seeking treatment for ED.

Other PDE5 inhibitors for ED, including tadalafil (Cialis), avanafil (Stendra), and vardenafil, likely have the same risks as Viagra when it comes to alcohol. However, if these drugs aren’t right for you, there are several other ED treatments, including:

• Lifestyle strategies: Doctors often suggest lifestyle modifications to help manage ED. These include quitting smoking if you smoke, reducing alcohol consumption if you drink, maintaining a moderate weight, and following a healthy diet and exercise regimen.
• Counseling: As ED is so often linked with mental health conditions, counseling may help you manage the anxiety, stress, or depression contributing to your symptoms.
• Testosterone therapy: Low testosterone may cause ED in some cases. If this is the cause for you, doctors might recommend testosterone replacement therapy to improve libido and reduce ED.
• Medical devices: In severe cases, doctors might recommend medical devices. These include vacuum erection devices (VEDs), also known as penis pumps, or penile implants.

If your ED is caused by an underlying condition, treating this condition will likely also affect your ED. For example, if you have hypertension, doctors might recommend drugs like beta-blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, or diuretics.

Always speak with a doctor about your alcohol consumption before starting a new medication.

Online care for ED

ED is a very common condition, but many people may still feel embarrassed or ashamed about it, which can make it more difficult to seek treatment.

Online care services, including Optum Perks Online Care, may make getting treatment easier. With these services, you can submit an online form answering a few questions about your symptoms, and a US-licensed healthcare professional will respond soon after to prescribe a treatment plan.

Summary

While a small amount of alcohol may not have a negative effect while you’re taking Viagra, it’s not recommended to consume large amounts.

Mixing alcohol and Viagra may increase your risk of the side effects of both, including lightheadedness, dizziness, and nausea. Alcohol may also cancel out the effects of Viagra by contributing to further ED.

If you’d like support to reduce alcohol consumption, reach out to a trusted healthcare professional.

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Disclaimer: While Optum Perks strives for factual, comprehensive, and current information, this article is not a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional’s expertise. Always consult a doctor before taking or discontinuing any medication. Drug information is subject to change and may not cover all uses, directions, precautions, warnings, interactions, reactions, or adverse effects. The lack of a warning does not guarantee a drug’s safety, effectiveness, or appropriateness for all patients or specific uses.