This article describes possible side effects of Viagra. You can explore this overview article to learn more about Viagra, including the drug’s uses, ways to save on cost, and more.
Viagra is a brand-name medication that comes as an oral tablet. It’s available in a generic version called sildenafil. This article describes possible side effects of Viagra.
More common side effects of Viagra
Viagra may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.
Commonly reported side effects of Viagra include:
- headache
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
- indigestion (upset stomach)
- vision problems, such as blurred vision or light sensitivity
- congestion
Mild side effects of Viagra
Viagra may cause certain mild side effects. Most often, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Mild side effects of Viagra that occurred in studies include:
- back pain
- chills
- congestion
- dizziness
- dry mouth
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
- headache
- indigestion (upset stomach)
- muscle aches
- nausea
- skin rash
- sweating
- thirstiness
- tremor (unmanageable shaking in a part of your body)
- vision problems, such as blurred vision or light sensitivity
- vomiting
- problems with balance
- more frequent urination
- irregular ejaculation
- mild allergic reaction*
Viagra may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Viagra in detail” section below.
Serious side effects of Viagra
Viagra may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from Viagra, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Viagra.
Serious side effects of Viagra that occurred in studies include:
- heart and blood vessel problems*†
- priapism (persistent and painful erections)*†
- sudden decrease or loss of hearing
- unusual bleeding†
- low blood pressure
- non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION)*
- severe allergic reaction*
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Viagra in detail” section below.
† This side effect wasn’t reported in studies of the drug but occurred in people after the drug was approved for use.
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Get free cardCommon questions about side effects of Viagra
Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of Viagra. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Does Viagra cause long-term side effects?
Yes, in some cases, Viagra may cause long-term side effects. These can last for a while after you’ve stopped taking the drug.
Examples of long-term side effects reported with Viagra include:
- loss of vision*
- priapism (persistent and painful erections),* if left untreated
Talk with your doctor if you have more questions about possible long-term side effects with Viagra.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Viagra in detail” section below.
Is Viagra safe for older men?
Typically, yes. In studies, there weren’t any differences in side effects in older men (65 years and older) compared to younger men.
However, Viagra is cleared from the body more slowly in older men compared with younger adults. This means the drug can reach higher levels in the body, which increases the risk of side effects. Due to this risk, doctors will likely prescribe a lower starting dosage of Viagra if you’re 65 years or older.
If you have concerns about taking Viagra due to your age, talk with your doctor.
Is Viagra safe for people with heart problems?
It depends. Viagra works by widening the blood vessels that supply blood to the penis. This increases blood flow to the penis, which helps you get and keep an erection. Because of the way Viagra works, it has a risk of causing dangerously low blood pressure. This typically isn’t a problem for most people, but it can be unsafe for people with a history of heart disease or people who take certain medications, such as alpha-blockers or other blood pressure medications.
Doctors may also monitor you more closely for side effects if you’ve had heart problems, stroke, or heart surgery in the last 6 months. Heart problems include:
- heart attack
- high blood pressure
- heart failure
- angina (chest pain)
- arrhythmia (irregular heart rate or rhythm)
- aortic valve stenosis
If you have more questions about this, talk with your doctor. They can determine whether your heart is healthy enough for having sexual activity and taking Viagra.
Side effects of Viagra in detail
Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of Viagra.
Heart and blood vessel problems
In rare cases, Viagra may cause heart and blood vessel problems. These include:
- heart attack
- arrhythmia (irregular heart rate or rhythm)
- stroke
- high blood pressure
- bleeding in the brain
But it’s important to note that heart and blood vessel problems weren’t seen during studies of Viagra. There have been reports of these side effects in people taking Viagra, but it’s unclear how often this has happened or if Viagra was the cause. Most of these problems occurred in people with a history of heart problems.
Due to this risk, doctors typically won’t prescribe Viagra if they determine your heart isn’t healthy enough for sexual activity. Before you take Viagra, be sure to discuss your complete medical history with your doctor.
Ways to manage
If you experience symptoms of heart or blood vessel problems, such as chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath, difficulty speaking, or nausea, stop sexual activity and get emergency medical help right away.
Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION)
In rare cases, Viagra can cause NAION. This is a condition that causes damage to the optic nerve in the back of your eye, which is essential for vision. But it’s important to note that NAION wasn’t seen during studies of Viagra. There have been reports of this side effect in people taking Viagra, but it’s unclear how often this has happened or if Viagra was the cause.
NAION can cause decreased vision, including permanent loss of vision. Most people who experienced this had certain factors that may have increased the risk of NAION, such as being over age 50 years or having a history of diabetes, high blood pressure, or smoking.
Symptoms of NAION include:
- sudden vision loss in one or both eyes
- light sensitivity
- a dark shadow in the upper or lower half of your vision
Ways to manage
If you experience a sudden decrease or loss of vision in one or both of your eyes, stop taking Viagra and call your doctor right away. They’ll likely have you stop taking Viagra.
Your doctor will also need to examine your eyes and perform vision tests to determine if you have NAION. If they confirm your vision problems are due to NAION, they’ll advise you about follow-up care.
Priapism
In rare cases, Viagra can cause priapism, which is a persistent and painful erection that may last for hours without sexual stimulation. But it’s important to note that priapism wasn’t seen during studies of Viagra. There have been reports of this side effect in people taking Viagra, but it’s unclear how often this has happened or if Viagra was the cause.
With priapism, you may have an erection that lasts for more than 4 hours. You can also experience pain in your penis, a rigid penile shaft, and a soft or rigid penile tip.
Certain factors can increase the risk of priapism with Viagra. These include certain medical conditions or medications, including:
- sickle cell anemia
- leukemia
- multiple myeloma
- conditions that may affect the shape of your penis, such as Peyronie’s disease
- antipsychotic medications
- attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medications
- antidepressants
- blood thinners
Ways to manage
If you have an erection that lasts longer than 4 hours, get immediate medical help by going to the hospital or calling 911 or your local emergency number. If left untreated, priapism can cause permanent damage to your penis.
Allergic reaction
For some people, Viagra can cause an allergic reaction. But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in the drug’s studies.
Symptoms can be mild or serious and may include:
- itchiness
- skin rash
- swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Viagra, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
Warnings for Viagra
Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking Viagra.
Warnings
It may not be safe for you to take Viagra if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether Viagra is a safe treatment option for you.
Before taking Viagra, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:
- heart and blood vessel problems
- high blood pressure
- bleeding disorders
- blood cell disorders
- pulmonary hypertension
- recent stroke or heart attack
- kidney problems
- liver problems
- stomach ulcer
- retinitis pigmentosa or other vision problems
- conditions that may affect the shape of your penis, such as Peyronie’s disease
- past allergic reaction to Viagra
Viagra and pregnancy
It’s not known whether Viagra should be taken during pregnancy. Viagra hasn’t been studied in pregnant females.* This is because Viagra is approved to treat ED in adult males.*
* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, we use the terms “male” and “female” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth.
Viagra and breastfeeding
It’s not known whether Viagra should be taken while breastfeeding. Viagra may pass into breast milk. But it’s not known how this may affect a breastfed child.
Viagra hasn’t been studied in breastfeeding females.* This is because Viagra is approved to treat ED in adult males.*
* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, we use the terms “male” and “female” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth.
Viagra and alcohol
Viagra is not known to interact with alcohol. But alcohol may cause many similar side effects as Viagra. These include headache and dizziness. Drinking alcohol with Viagra may worsen these side effects.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with Viagra.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes common and serious side effects of Viagra. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.
Here are a few questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Is my risk of priapism higher when I first start taking Viagra?
- Will my risk of heart problems increase the longer I take Viagra?
- Does my risk of vision problems depend on the dosage I take?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.