Combining Viagra (Sildenafil) and Alcohol: The Dangers and Risks

Medically reviewed by: Thomas Fischer (Pharmacist). This article has been written according to strict guidelines and medical standards. More Info

Medically reviewed by: Thomas Fischer (Pharmacist) More Info

Erectile dysfunction in men has many different faces. Some are biological in nature, some are psychologically induced, and then there is the third kind, drug-induced. Alcohol is one of many recreational drugs that can cause impotence in men. Sexual dysfunction is a common condition in men that abuse alcohol to the point of addiction. Awareness of the dangers and risks involved when combining Viagra and alcohol is, unfortunately, not common knowledge.

Do not throw caution to the wind if you use Viagra while you’re drinking. It may end up being a mistake you won’t live to regret.

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How Does Alcohol Affect Your Ability To Have An Erection?

Alcohol, when taken responsibly, is a social drug. It has a tendency to make people feel calm and relaxed, and it produces feelings of euphoria. When someone drinks, they lose their inhibitions, which opens up opportunities to have discussions that would otherwise be off-limits.

Alcohol is a depressant that attacks the central nervous system, which leads to severely impeded body functions and brain activity. This includes the ability to have and keep an erection. Because of this and potential sexual intercourse, guys resort to virility drugs like Viagra.

Long term alcohol abuse leads to several severe and unwanted conditions, which include impotence, effects to the liver, pancreas, heart, brain, and increased potential for various forms of cancer.

How Are The Effects Of Viagra Affected by Alcohol?

Sildenafil is the base chemical of Viagra, an erectile dysfunction drug that acts as a PDE5 inhibitor and a vasodilator (a substance that enhances the widening of blood vessels). Its primary purpose is for the treatment of impotence.

Alcohol, on the other hand, has a tendency to hinder the outcome of Viagra, and excessive amounts of alcohol may completely neutralize its effect. This usually results in the continuous consumption of Viagra, which may lead to an overdose or other severe side effects.

How Much Alcohol Is Safe To Consume Combined With The Use Of Viagra?

Combining Viagra with limited alcohol use is perfectly safe and is unlikely to interfere with the use of the drug. Limited intake in this scenario means no more than four units of alcohol. But, how does one measure a unit of alcohol in a drink?

The following table serves as a reference to the number of units of alcohol per drink, and thus, how many drinks are safe to consume while taking Viagra:

Amount Of Alcohol Units Per Drink

Type & Size Of Drink

Alcohol Content

Units Per Drink

125 ml small glass of wine (any wine)

12%

1.5

175 ml Standard glass of wine (any wine)

12%

2.1

250 ml Large glass of wine (any wine)

12%

3

25 ml (1 shot) of Spirits (Brandy, Vodka, Gin, etc.)

40%

1

330 ml Beer, Cider or Lager

5%

1.7

440 ml or Pint of Beer, Cider or Lager

5%

2

275 ml Alcopop (spirit coolers)

5.50%

1.5

Alcohol and Viagra are not simultaneously metabolized by the human body. It takes approximately an hour to metabolize one unit of alcohol. This results in an extended breakdown period of Viagra.

The extended breakdown period, and the fact that excessive alcohol in your body can interfere with the effect of Viagra, is an indication that its use before Viagra should ideally be avoided.

Using Viagra and Alcohol Together - What Are The Risks & Dangers Involved?

Excessive use of alcohol is well known for its ability to disable a person, which almost always leads to one passing out. Viagra, apart from its use for erectile dysfunction, also has a hypotensive (lowering of the blood pressure) effect on the human body. This effect increases by using multiple doses of Viagra once-off.

Combining alcohol’s incapacitating effect and the hypotensive effect of Viagra can lead to serious problems, including heart attacks, strokes, and kidney failure. Passing out in a vertical position due to alcohol while Viagra is still active in your body may result in a collapse of your blood flow circulatory system. Symptoms that act as an indication that this is about to happen are:

You may also experience blackouts or repeated loss of consciousness. If you are exposed to any of these symptoms while using a combination of Viagra and alcohol, then you need to seek urgent medical help. Men with heart conditions that use Viagra need to be very cautious when using alcohol. Unconsciousness often enhances other side effects of Viagra and may cause a life-threatening condition such as a stroke or heart failure.

Because the risks and dangers are far greater than the benefits, it is better to avoid alcohol use when you are taking Viagra.

Combining Viagra And Alcohol - The Side-Effects That May Occur

It is important to note that both Viagra and alcohol each have their own side effects. Combining the two drugs makes it possible to experience any one or more of their side effects simultaneously. The most frequently experienced side effects are:

For Viagra:

Sildenafil composition

For Alcohol:

Because the risks and dangers are far greater than the benefits, it is better to avoid alcohol use when you are taking Viagra.

Viagra and Alcohol Combination - Unique Side Effects

Apart from their separate common side effects, there are several side effects unique to the combination of Viagra and alcohol. These include:

Due to the weakened effect, it is possible that excessive use of Viagra may lead to an overdose of the drug. Overdosing on Viagra may lead to severe, permanent damage to the penis. If you suspect that you may have overdosed on the drug, you need to immediately seek emergency medical help.

The following symptoms are telltale signs of Viagra overdose:

The combination of Viagra and alcohol slows down the breakdown process of the human body. It is important to note that Viagra should not be used again until the drug is entirely broken down. This may take a couple of days on account of the decreased breakdown process.

Viagra and Alcohol Combination - Long-Term Risks & Dangers

Erectile dysfunction may cause Prostatitis (Swollen prostate gland). Long-term usage of alcohol and Viagra as a combination may increase the potential to develop this condition.

Combined usage of the two drugs may also interfere with testosterone (male hormone mainly responsible for sexuality in men) levels. Alcohol abuse reduces testosterone production and increases estrogen (hormone in women responsible for female sexuality) levels. Thus opposing Viagra’s effect and resulting in erectile dysfunction.

Long-term Viagra and alcohol combination also results in an increased intensity to the side effects of the two drugs. Whereas side effects are typically experienced as mild to moderate, they may become more extreme.

References:
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