What is Sildenafil & How Does Sildenafil Work?
Sildenafil, known by the brand name Viagra®, is one of the most widely used and effective drugs for treating ED, or erectile dysfunction. Sildenafil works by improving your blood circulation and producing a healthy, readily sustained erection 30-60 minutes after taking.
In this article, we’ll explain how long Sildenafil remains active and compare it to several other widely used treatments for erectile dysfunction. Like all medications, Sildenafil has a specific busy life and half-life that determine how long the effects of the drug last after being taken. Also, please read our article Important Saftey Information on Sildenafil (Generic Viagra)
Most of the time, Sildenafil starts to work after approximately 30 minutes. If you’ve taken the right dose for you, Sildenafil should make it easier to get aroused and make the erection longer-lasting than it would without Sildenafil.
The time necessary for Sildenafil to begin working can depend on multiple factors, such as the amount of food you’ve eaten before taking the medication.
Many Men find that Sildenafil frequently starts working faster when taken on an empty stomach. The reason for this is if you have recently eaten your body is actively digesting that food, which may cause a delay in the amount of time to feel the effects of the Sildenafil.
An important point for new users of Sildenafil is that it will not cause an erection without a source of sexual stimulation. However, it will make it easier for most men to develop and sustain an erection after being inspired to have sex.
How Long Does Sildenafil Last?
Most of the time, Sildenafil starts to work after approximately 30 minutes. If you’ve taken the right dose for you, Sildenafil should make it easier to get aroused and make the erection longer-lasting than it would without Sildenafil.
The time necessary for Sildenafil to begin working can depend on multiple factors, such as the amount of food you’ve eaten before taking the medication.
Many Men find that Sildenafil frequently starts working faster when taken on an empty stomach. The reason for this is if you have recently eaten your body is actively digesting that food, which may cause a delay in the amount of time to feel the effects of the Sildenafil.
An important point for new users of Sildenafil is that it will not cause an erection without a source of sexual stimulation. However, it will make it easier for most men to develop and sustain an erection after being inspired to have sex.
Can Sildenafil (generic Viagra) Produce Permanent Effects
No. Like all medications, the effects after taking Sildenafil will start to wear off. The half-life of Sildenafil is approximately four hours. So, after four hours of taking the actual medication the Sildenafil in your bloodstream will reduce by about half every four hours.
Beyond a certain point, Sildenafil will no longer be present in your bloodstream, and it will produce no effects on your body.
Can External Factors Affect Sildenafil?
Yes. Other factors, such as your age and what you eat, can have a significant effect on how well Sildenafil works and how long it remains active in your body:
- Your diet can affect the amount of time Sildenafil lasts for, and the amount of time required for Sildenafil to start working. Eating a large meal before taking the Sildenafil can slow down the absorption process and delay Sildenafil’s effects.
- Alcohol consumption can also affect Sildenafil because alcohol can reduce blood flow to the genitals and counteract the benefits of taking the Sildenafil.
- A Man’s age can also have an impact on how long Sildenafil is active after being taken. Older men may find that the benefits of taking Sildenafil last longer the typical two to three hours. The longer-lasting benefits for older men are a natural result that with age, the liver becomes less effective at metabolizing the drug over time.
Finally, the size of the Sildenafil dosage will often influence how long the effects last after you take it. Generally, a higher dose of Sildenafil (for example, an entire 100 mg Sildenafil tablet), will have a noticeable and longer-lasting effect than taking a smaller 50 mg dose.
It’s always important to seek the advice of a physician regarding dosing for Sildenafil. If prescribed 50 mg of Sildenafil to treat ED, you should not take a more potent dose to intensify or prolong its effects.
I Took Sildenafil, and It Isn’t Working. What Should I Do?
While Sildenafil is highly effective at treating erectile dysfunction in most cases, it doesn’t have a 100% success rate. If you’ve taken Sildenafil and can’t develop and sustain an erection, you should not take more of the drug for a more potent dose. Also, you may want to consider other treatment options to see our article The Most Common Erectile Dysfunction Treatment Medications
It is best practice to work with a doctor and explain the situation to them. They will be able to help determine if a different ED Medication might be better or recommend other treatment options. Also, check out Sildenafil Dosage Guide and our article Sildenafil vs Viagra What is the Difference?
The article above from Menz Direct is for informational purposes only and not intended to replace medical advice. The information is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Men need to speak with a doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment.