Scott Weaver
Updated at: September 19, 2024 · 6 min read
What is it like to take Viagra?
Viagra is one of the most commonly prescribed medications in the world. People who take Viagra usually have the same things in common. They have trouble getting an erection during sex, or trouble keeping an erection during sex. They also may have low libido (a reduced sex drive).
ED is a big problem, with over 1 in 10 men suffering from the condition worldwide. Men who are over 75 have a 77.5% chance of suffering from erectile dysfunction, while younger men have a much lower chance of suffering from ED (approximately 6.5%). Of all men who suffer from ED, only a third actually seek help.
The active ingredient in Viagra that helps men get an erection is sildenafil citrate. Viagra is the brand name, and only Pfizer can sell sildenafil branded as "Viagra". The generic version is available for sale in the UK and is typically much cheaper to purchase.
Is Viagra the only ED medication?
No. Viagra is known as a PDE5-inhibitor. There are other alternative PDE5-inhibitor medications available. Two common Viagra alternatives are Cialis and another called Levitra. Both medications have different (but overlapping) side-effects and while all three medications will allow you to achieve an erection, there are minor differences in timing and length of effectiveness that stand them apart.
Are there alternative forms of ED treatments to PDE5 inhibitors?
Yes! There are alternative treatments for ED available to men suffering with sexual dysfunction than the typical oral PDE5 inhibitor medications such as Viagra and Cialis. These include penis creams for erectile dysfunction such as Alprostadil cream (also referred to in it's branded form as 'Vitaros cream').
Does Viagra give a permanent erection?
When taken properly, viagra will typically only give you an erection when you are sexually stimulated, and only until you've released ejaculation. You should not receive an erection if you are not sexually stimulated, even if you have taken Viagra. There are a few publicized cases where Viagra caused prolonged erections that required serious medical intervention. Most of these were from taking abnormal quantities of Viagra. A prolonged erection is called a "priapism". They can be dangerous if not treated properly. Notify your doctor or go to the emergency room if you have experienced an erection that lasts over four hours, as it may cause permanent damage to your penis.
Does Viagra work immediately?
No, it typically takes approximately a half-hour to an hour for Viagra to begin being effective. Some studies have shown men begin to get an erection within 12 minutes of taking the medicine. If an hour passes and the viagra hasn't helped, it may be because you are not receiving sexual stimulation. It is required to be sexually stimulated in order for Viagra to work (you won't just magically get an erection after taking Viagra if you are watching sports on TV).
Does Viagra work better if I take more than one pill?
You should never take more Viagra than has been prescribed to you by your doctor. If you are taking Viagra Connect (which doesn't require a prescription), you should never take more than one pill per day. Taking Viagra in quantities that have not been prescribed can result in painful priapism that may need medical assistance to alleviate.
Should I eat before taking Viagra?
Eating a large meal before using Viagra can limit its effectiveness. However, it is not dangerous to take Viagra with food. If you are looking to get the maximum effectiveness from your dose of Viagra, you should take it on an empty stomach or after having eaten a light meal, letting time pass.
Do I need a prescription for Viagra?
All Sildenafil (generic) requires a prescription. Regular Viagra also requires a prescription to purchase. There is a branded version of Viagra (called Viagra Connect), which doesn't require a prescription. It contains a 50mg dose of Viagra. A doctor may prescribe from 25mg to 100mg for Viagra, whereas Viagra Connect is always 50mg and must be taken only once per day.
While some people enjoy the convenience of purchasing Viagra Connect and not requiring a prescription to do so, it is typically more expensive than regular prescribed Viagra. If cost is a factor to you, you may wish to actually get a prescription for Viagra, as it will be cheaper.
What happens after taking Viagra?
After taking Viagra, you should begin foreplay -- as sexual stimulation is required for the medication to be effective. You will not achieve an erection by engaging in non-sexual activities such as watching TV or browsing the internet. Some studies have shown that a man is able to experience an erection as quickly as 12 minutes after taking Viagra. Typically, however, you will begin to experience an erection from between a half-hour and an hour. Those who experience an erection within a half-hour may have taken a larger (100mg) dose of Viagra, or they may have a more mild case of erectile dysfunction. Normally, you should experience an erection within an hour after taking, regardless of the dose you took. If you have not experienced an erection after an hour, consider getting your doctor to up your dose if you are currently only taking 25mg or 50mg, up to 100mg.
The "mean time", or the average time it takes for a man to achieve an erection after taking Viagra is 27 minutes. Doctors usually advise taking Viagra an hour prior to having sex, but it may not take that long to work.
The maximum dose of Viagra in your blood occurs approximately 57 minutes after taking Viagra. At this point, if you are sexually stimulated, you should be as firm as you can get with a Viagra pill. At this point, the effect received from taking Viagra has peaked and will only begin to dissipate as time passes.
After 4 hours, Viagra is now at its "half-life". Your body has been processing Viagra to break it down and remove it from your system. After four hours, the job is half done, you should have approximately half of the medication still in your blood and still able to cause erection if you have not yet ejaculated. Just because the medication has reached its "half life", that does not mean it is no longer effective. You may still be able to achieve an erection and have intercourse perfectly fine after 4 hours.
You can purchase Viagra for men for sale here at our online store. We are an online clinic that is registered by the UK government to ship prescription medication to people of the UK.
More information
Related Blog Posts
Here to help you
Our Customer Service is available Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm. If you need urgent assistance, do not use this service. Call 111, or in an emergency call 999. Visit our help section
