How Often Can You Take Viagra?

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is an extremely common condition. 40% of us experience it by the age of 40 – and that proportion increases the older we get. 

But let’s not dupe ourselves that it’s any easier to deal with just because it is common. ED can be a real knock to your confidence, affecting your relationships and, in some cases, your image of yourself as a man.

This is why medicines like Viagra – and its generic unbranded version, Sildenafil (or Sildenafil Citrate) – are both so popular and so little understood by the general population. Although ED is common, we don’t talk about it as much as we should – and if we come to need the treatments, we don’t really know what it all entails. As such, men usually have a lot of questions about the drug – and that’s perfectly normal. We’ll be answering one of the most common ones here.

So, how often can you take Sildenafil or Viagra? We all want flexibility and spontaneity in our sex lives, and we want to know that we can have sex when we want it. In this way, it’s a pretty important question – and you’ll be pleased by the answer. You can use Viagra daily, if that is how often you are having sex, so you should get all the spontaneity that you need.

About Sildenafil and Viagra

Viagra has been popular for decades, and recently Pfizer’s patent for the drug expired – allowing the generic unbranded version, Sildenafil, to be produced and sold by accredited pharmacies.

Sildenafil is the active ingredient in Viagra, so it works in the same way. This means it can be taken just as often as Viagra – even every day, if you’re seeking the desired effects this often.

Viagra and Sildenafil are both reliable, safe, and officially-approved medications. Sildenafil is what is known as a PDE5 inhibitor, a class of drug including the similar Tadalafil (Cialis), that causes blood vessels to expand and relax. For this reason, it was originally developed as a drug for cardiac conditions, including pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). However, the benefits for erectile dysfunction were soon understood and the medication was pushed to the front line of the battle against ED.

How Viagra Works

PDE5 inhibitors work by targeting an enzyme, phosphodiesterase-5, which is responsible for smooth muscle contraction in the blood vessels that supply your penis with blood. By inhibiting this enzyme, more blood can flow to where it is needed. And, with greater blood flow, the chances that you will achieve and maintain an erection increase, too.

Don’t forget, though, that all PDE5 inhibitors – from Levitra (Vardenafil) to Cialis (Tadalafil) and the little blue pill – work only with sexual stimulation. They will not give you an erection if you are not aroused.

Sildenafil’s Side Effects

What’s important though is that Sildenafil, and other PDE5 inhibitors, do cause side effects associated with this process – and this is the primary reason why you shouldn’t take Viagra more often than the medically recommended dose.

Common side effects include chest pain, dizziness, and drowsiness. These drugs affect your circulation and thus impact your blood pressure, with excessive dosages potentially lowering your blood pressure dramatically. Hearing loss, indigestion, and vision loss are all possible side effects too – however, they are very uncommon.

Similarly, if you take more Sildenafil than you should, you can suffer from what is known as a priapism. One of the more serious side effects of Viagra, it is a type of erection that is painful and that won’t go away. These can cause permanent damage – and nobody wants that.

How Often Can You Take Sildenafil in a Day?

If you are going to be using its effects everyday, there is no reason why you cannot use it daily. However, we do need to be honest about the daily dosage. The maximum dose of Viagra within a 24-hour period would be 100mg. You don’t want to be exceeding that. Studies have shown that a higher dose than 100mg in one day doesn’t have any added benefit – and could increase the chances of side effects.

The most common dosage is 50mg, and this has sufficient effect for the huge majority of men who take Sildenafil for ED. On the rare occasion that 50mg is insufficient or inappropriate, Sildenafil can also be taken in 25mg or 100mg doses. Consult a Manual clinician if you’re in doubt about which dose suits you.

The 50mg dose is usually sufficient to make it easier to gain and maintain an erection for 3-6 hours. If you take Sildenafil, it’ll start to work within 30-60 minutes. So, aside from keeping your Sildenafil close by or in your bedside draw, you don’t need to plan very far in advance before sex. This should give you the flexibility and peace of mind you need; even if you’re a man with a very active sex life, you should be covered.

Avoiding Tadalafil and Sildenafil Together

By the way, as we mentioned earlier, another popular medication for ED is Cialis – or Tadalafil, as its active ingredient is known. This is another PDE5 inhibitor, so it works in a similar way to Sildenafil. However, it gets to work quicker and it can last for up to 36 hours. You’ll find it referred to as the “weekend pill” for this reason.

Whilst you might want to experiment with both drugs to see which works for you, don’t take them at the same time. If you’re thinking of taking Tadalafil, wait 24 hours after taking Sildenafil – and vice versa. Multiple ED medications should not be taken at the same time. And there’s no need to try: it won’t help.

“With great power comes great responsibility”

Luckily, most men experience no side effects when they take Sildenafil (or branded Viagra), or Tadalafil (Cialis). And if side effects do occur, they’re generally very mild – issues like facial flushing or dizziness. 

However, you should always be open and honest in the medical questionnaire before progressing with your treatment. For example, if you’ve had a cardiac issue such as a stroke or heart attack in the previous six months, PDE5 inhibitors like Sildenafil and Tadalafil should be avoided.

For your own benefit, it’s important to give a true account of your health and medical history – to allow your clinicians to supply safe medication for you.

Furthermore, the fact that Sildenafil is an approved ED treatment and used around the globe shouldn’t deter you from reading the accompanying patient information leaflet the first time you use it. Always arm yourself with the information, particularly if you have any medical conditions – including heart conditions, low blood pressure, or liver problems – and remember that everybody’s response to medication is slightly different.

Key Takeaways:

So, how often can you take Sildenafil? Both Sildenafil and Viagra can be taken every day, up to the recommended maximum dosage of 100mg. It is a highly effective and minimally disruptive medication that can get to work in less than an hour – and so should help men with erectile dysfunction enjoy more adventure and freedom.

Whether you go for non-branded Sildenafil or the famous Viagra product, both options are safe, approved, and often very effective – though you’ll still need to be relaxed and sexually aroused for an erection to occur.

For lots of men in the UK, Sildenafil offers an important helping hand. Stress hormones are shown to interfere with a man’s ability to reach an erection – and just knowing it’s nearby can reduce the anxiety about sexual performance. So, take Sildenafil everyday if you need to – or keep it on hand for the occasions when you need assistance.

While we've ensured that everything you read on the Health Centre is medically reviewed and approved, information presented here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It should never be relied upon for specific medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns, please talk to your doctor.