Sildenafil is the most common oral treatment for Erectile Dysfunction (ED) in men or Assigned Males at Birth (AMAB).
It is commonly known by its brand name, i.e., Viagra.
Sildenafil (Viagra) helps you to get and hold an erection for satisfactory sexual intercourse.
But how long does Sildenafil last after you have taken it?
This article will discuss the effectiveness of Sildenafil, its working, and more such questions.
We will also talk about if taking two Sildenafil pills makes you last longer in bed.
Table of Contents
How long does Sildenafil last
According to the Food and Drug Authority, Sildenafil may last up to four hours after taking it.
This indicates that Sildenafil remains in your system for up to four hours after you swallow it.
Sildenafil (Viagra) is the first FDA-approved ED medicine in the US for men or AMAB.
Let us discuss the duration, effectiveness, and working of Sildenafil in detail below.
Did you know that Tadalafil has the longest duration among ED medications, distinguishing it from Sildenafil? Learn more in this article: Tadalafil vs Sildenafil: What’s the Difference?
How long will Sildenafil keep you hard
According to Medical News Today, Sildenafil may keep you hard for approximately four hours.
It is because the half-life of Sildenafil is four hours.
This means Sildenafil (Viagra) reduces to half after four hours of taking it.
While you may still be able to get an erection until four hours, its strength diminishes.
How long does Sildenafil stay in your system
Although Sildenafil’s effects diminish in four hours, the medicine might still be in your system.
According to research, Sildenafil may take about 24 hours to eliminate from your body completely.
You should take no more than one Sildenafil tablet in 24 hours. Doing so can increase the risk of experiencing its side effects.
What is the peak time for Sildenafil
Usually, Sildenafil (Viagra) begins to show its effect about an hour after you take it.
However, showing its full effects may take up to two hours.
This means that Sildenafil will be most effective after two hours of taking it.
After that time, the medicine’s effects begin to degrade.
How does Sildenafil work
Sildenafil (Viagra) belongs to the class of medications known as Phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) Inhibitors.
These medicines work by inhibiting the action of the PDE5 enzyme in the penis.
This PDE5 enzyme breaks down cGMP levels in the blood, turning the penis soft.
By inhibiting PDE5, Sildenafil (Viagra) relaxes the blood vessels in the penis.
This action allows more blood to flow through the penis.
An increased penile blood flow helps you in getting and maintaining an erection.
To ensure optimal effectiveness, it is crucial to use Sildenafil (Viagra) correctly, as various factors can influence its efficacy. Gain detailed insights in this article– How to Use Viagra For Best Results? Know What to Avoid
What factors affect the working of Sildenafil
Several factors affect how Sildenafil works, making it less effective.
It may include your age, lifestyle habits, and your overall health.
Let’s take a look at these factors and understand how they affect Sildenafil’s working.
Age
Age is the primary factor that affects your sexual health.
Your metabolism turns deficient as you age, weakening your immune system.
A weak immune system builds up a tolerance to the medicine, affecting the erections.
It is why older adults are more likely to experience side effects than younger individuals.
Did you know that while ED is more prevalent with age, it can also affect individuals in their youth? Get a better understanding by delving into this article– All About the Causes of Erectile Dysfunction in the 20s
Medicine Dosage
How long Sildenafil will last also depends on the strength of your medicine.
Taking a higher dose of Sildenafil is likely to last longer than the lower strength.
Lifestyle habits
Source: Africa's_ImageAccording to a study in the Pharmaceutics journal, smoking delays the effects of Sildenafil.
Consuming excessive alcohol or other drugs while taking Sildenafil might be risky.
Quitting smoking, alcohol, and other substance abuse might deliver better results from Sildenafil.
It is not advised to take alcohol and Sildenafil together. For a comprehensive understanding, refer to this article– Is It Safe To Use Sildenafil And Alcohol Together?
Overall health
A person with no medical condition is likelier to experience better results using Sildenafil.
Your current medicines might interact with Sildenafil.
If you have a medical history, it’s always best to speak to your doctor before taking Sildenafil.
Can taking two Sildenafil pills together make you last longer
No. Doubling the dose of Sildenafil (Viagra) might be risky and can result in an overdose.
Sildenafil is a prescription medicine; you should not take more than your doctor recommends.
Overdosing on Sildenafil may result in a few side effects that range from standard to rare.
Some of the common side effects of Sildenafil (Viagra) are:
Source: natrot- Difficulty in breathing
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Indigestion
- Muscle/ body pain
- Nausea
In rare cases, one may experience Priapism or allergic reactions.
Learn how to effectively manage common side effects of Sildenafil (Viagra) in this article– How to Get Rid of Viagra Side Effects- Solution
Closure
Sildenafil helps to get and keep erections, treating ED in men and AMAB.
But you should follow certain precautions while taking this medicine.
Generally, Sildenafil may last up to four hours after its consumption.
However, several other factors affect how long Sildenafil last in a person.
These include the individual’s age, lifestyle, and overall health.
Do not double the dose to enhance the effectiveness of the medicine.
If case of any side effects, discuss them with your doctor.
Cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate (cGMP) is a regulator that mediates the smoothening of penile muscles.
Priapism is the condition of a prolonged erection that lasts longer than four hours and is usually painful.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Sildenafil last before it expires?
It means you can consume the medicine until two years after it is manufactured.
How to use Sildenafil for best results?
Take it 30 minutes to an hour before performing sexual intercourse.
You can take it with or without food. But avoid taking oily or high-fat meals when taking Sildenafil.
How long does it take for Sildenafil to show results?
You may experience improvement in your erection after this time.
However, it may take up to four hours for Sildenafil to show complete effects.
Is Viagra the same as Sildenafil?
In 1998, Pfizer got Sildenafil patented as a brand to treat Erectile Dysfunction in men.
Today, Sildenafil is available as Generic Viagra under various brand names.
How long will Sildenafil keep you hard?
The exact duration of the medicine depends on the individual’s health, lifestyle, and eating habits.
What is the best time to take Sildenafil?
Sildenafil’s effects last up to four hours after you take the medicine.
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