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When starting to take sildenafil (Viagra) for the first time, it is recommended to take a dose of 50mg. You should take one tablet around one hour before sexual activity. To make sure Viagra is most effective, take it on an empty stomach.
How Long Before Sex Should You Take Viagra?
It is best to take the drug around 60 minutes before sexual activity, and its effects can last for up to 4 hours.
How To Take Sexual Enhancers Correctly
Erectile dysfunction in men becomes more common with age. It is estimated that around two percent of 40-year-olds and up to 20 percent of those over 65 suffer from a lack of erectile function of the penis. Sexual enhancers can help – but only if you take them correctly.
Taking Sexual Enhancers Too Late
In order for sexual enhancers to work properly, men have to pay attention to a few things. So the right timing of intake is important. If you take the pill too late, you have to be patient with lovemaking. Spedra and Cialis take about 30 minutes to kick in. Levitra and Viagra should be taken between 30 to 60 minutes before sexual intercourse. Exactly when the drug starts to work can vary from man to man.
Taking the Tablet with Alcohol
It is best to take the sexual enhancer with water. Anyone who drinks a glass of wine or sparkling wine in the course of a romantic evening also does not have to fear a loss of effectiveness. However, experts warn against drinking too much. Because alcohol has a negative effect on the ability to have an erection because it can lower blood pressure. This not only reduces blood flow in the penis, but can also lead to dizziness.
In addition, alcohol reduces the desire for sex in many men and makes them tired. High-fat food also influences the effect of sexual enhancers. The reason: the active ingredients are absorbed more slowly by the body. According to the manufacturer, even grapefruit juice influences the effectiveness of Cialis.
Taking Too Much
Which dosage of the drug is most suitable is agreed with the doctor. This usually recommends starting with a low amount of active ingredient and slowly approaching the right amount. If the man feels that the effect is too strong or too weak, he should tell his doctor. It is quite normal that it can take some time to find the right dosage.
Under no circumstances should the amount be increased arbitrarily. In this case, a lot does not help much, but increases the risk of unpleasant side effects such as headaches, blurred vision or vomiting. Overdosing can also lead to a very painful permanent erection. Anyone who observes these or other side effects should first stop taking the medication and ask their doctor for advice.
Taking The Sexual Enhancers Too Often
In addition, no more than one tablet should be taken per day, experts warn. If you give your body too much of the active ingredient, you risk a drop in blood pressure. Severe dizziness, tachycardia and fainting are also among the possible consequences of an overdose.
Taking Sexual Enhancers at The Same Time as Other Medications
Caution is also required when taking sexual enhancers in combination with other drugs. In the worst case, there is a risk of harmful side effects. Anyone who needs nitrate-containing medication due to heart disease, for example, must not take the active ingredient sildenafil, which is also contained in Viagra. Otherwise, it can lead to a life-threatening drop in blood pressure, as experts warn.
Active substances against fungal diseases or bacterial infections also influence the effect of the PDE-5 inhibitors. Only a detailed consultation with the doctor can prevent possible interactions.
Source List:
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1464-410X.2008.07908.x
- https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/erectile-dysfunction
- Erectile dysfunction/sexual enhancement. (2019).
- https://nccih.nih.gov/health/sex/erectiledysfunction.htm
- Katz, E. G., et al. (2014). Avanafil for erectile dysfunction in elderly and younger adults: differential pharmacology and clinical utility.
- https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a699015.html
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4155803/
- https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=0b0be196-0c62-461c-94f4-9a35339b4501
- Sildenafil. (2018).
Isabel D White
Isabel led the Royal Marsden Hospital (London) psychosexual therapy service until 2019. She works in partnership with individuals & couples to explore physical, emotional & relationship factors that contribute to sexual difficulties after cancer. These include: low desire, erection, arousal or orgasmic difficulties, sexual pain & sexual avoidance. She adopts an integrative approach to personalized therapy using psychosexual therapy (sensate focus framework), biomedical management (erectile dysfunction medication & devices, menopause & vaginal health strategies, sexual aids) & psychoeducation.
