Erectile dysfunction, or ED, affects over 30 million men. And, as the name suggests, the condition is defined by the inability to achieve or sustain an erection. Viagra was one of the first FDA-approved oral medications to be offered to men suffering from ED, and today it is still one of the most popular solutions available.
The drug works by relaxing the muscles in the penis to allow for an increased level of blood flow. After approximately 30 minutes, and provided they’re aroused, most ED sufferers will be able to achieve an erection.
Depending on your lifestyle, it may be that you engage in sexual activity after having alcohol. If that is the case, you’ll be pleased to know that alcohol can be consumed with Viagra. However, there are exceptions. Here, we explain what they are.
Is it safe to take alcohol with Viagra?
Yes. A glass or two of wine, or the equivalent in beer or spirits, is considered ‘safe’. That being said, you should always speak to your healthcare provider before you personally consume a combination of both alcohol and Viagra. This is because they will have the best understanding of your current lifestyle and be able to offer guidance on whether your current alcohol consumption is considered safe.
Should you wish to exceed two or three drinks before consuming Viagra, you may find yourself faced with a number of side effects. They include:
- Facial flushing
- Headaches
- Chest pain
- Changes in vision
- Lightheadedness
Approximately 45% of men who consume more than 15 drinks a week experience the above symptoms. This could possibly be down to the fact that Viagra is broken down by the liver. Any excessive drinking could therefore interfere with the process. This is certainly true of grapefruit juice, which affects how well the liver functions.
It’s also worth noting that you shouldn’t take Viagra if you take nitrate drugs such as nitroglycerin or isosorbide dinitrate/mononitrate for chest pain or heart problems. This could dangerously affect your blood pressure.
How does alcohol impact ED?
Where before ED was thought to only occur in men aged 70 and over, we’re increasingly seeing younger people purchasing Viagra. The cause is largely due to lifestyle factors, including:
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Lack of exercise
- Excessive alcohol consumption
While obesity and smoking may feel like obvious causes of ED, alcohol consumption may seem more surprising. Many Americans believe that alcohol gives them the confidence to engage in sexual activity. However, alcohol is a depressant, and using it heavily can dampen your mood, decrease sexual desire and make it difficult for a man to achieve erections or reach an orgasm while under the influence.
The difficulty also relates to the fact that drinking alcohol can decrease blood flow to the penis, making it harder to achieve an erection. As such, studies have shown that men who are dependent on alcohol have a 60% to 70% chance of suffering from sexual problems, including ED, premature ejaculation and general loss of sexual desire.
Nonetheless, alcohol consumed with Viagra can be perfectly fine when taken in moderation. In fact, one study showed that moderate alcohol use (defined as 14.5 drinks per week) was associated with a 34% decreased risk of ED. Again, it is a conversation best had with your doctor, who is more familiar with your lifestyle and overall condition.
What about alternative brands of ED medication?
Levitra is one of several alternatives to Viagra and works in a similar way. Generally, the same rules apply regarding drinking and users of Levitra are advised to err on the side of caution and drink in moderation. This is much the same as Edex, or alprostadil.
Drugs such as Cialis and Stendra, on the other hand, cause low blood pressure when used with large amounts of alcohol. For this reason, users are encouraged to only have up to three or four drinks. It’s also worth mentioning that Cialis is much more potent than Viagra, given that it stays within your system for up to 18 hours instead of the 4-6 hours offered by Viagra.
As with any medication, you may find that you have more success with one solution over another. It’s always worth consulting with your doctor if you have a preference or would be interested in switching ED medication.
Choosing Viagra with Medix
Whether you’re looking for Viagra or a generic alternative, be conscious of the online pharmacies you purchase from. The internet promises seemingly impossibly affordable solutions to ED, but the market is flooded with fake drugs that could potentially cause you serious harm.
Our pharmacy offers legitimate, proven solutions. We understand the sensitive nature of erectile dysfunction and appreciate how debilitating it can be for some sufferers. It’s for this reason that we encourage all of our customers to consult their doctor prior to taking or switching ED meds.
Medix’s customer support team can walk you through the medication options we have available. Get in touch by calling 1-866-500-6633 (toll-free phone number) or +44 1438 500111 (international phone number). Alternatively, you can request a callback.
