Heard of Viagra, but not quite sure how it's meant to be taken? In this article, we’ll be explaining what Viagra does, what liquids to take Viagra with, and how Viagra can be taken with water or milk.
To begin with, Viagra is an oral medication pill that is prescribed to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) in males. The main ingredient in Viagra is Sildenafil, which helps to dilate blood vessels, increasing blood flow to penile tissues, in turn helping you achieve and maintain an erection.
Viagra is absorbed quickly, and usually starts to work within 30 to 60 minutes. Its effects often last for 2 to 3 hours from the time of consumption. However, effects may last for up to 5 hours depending on various factors such as the dosage taken and rate at which your body metabolises the drug.
Yes, it does! Viagra is a strong medicine which cannot be swallowed or chewed directly. It often requires a neutral liquid, such as water or milk, for it to be safely delivered to the target organs.
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To avoid potential drug interactions, it is best to avoid taking Viagra with fruit juice and alcohol.
Certain fruit juices, such as grapefruit, pomelo, and pomegranate juice, may interact with Viagra and alter its effects on the body.
In particular, grapefruit juice is known to delay the absorption of Viagra, thus increasing the levels of Viagra in your bloodstream. This heightens the risk of side effects such as flushing and indigestion.
Alcohol lowers your blood pressure, inhibiting the free flow of blood into the penis. Alcohol also relaxes the body’s muscles and slows down bodily responses, which not only makes it more difficult to achieve an erection, but also hinders sexual performance. This counteracts the effects of Viagra, decreasing its effectiveness.
As both alcohol and Viagra can lower your blood pressure, associated side effects such as headaches, dizziness and lightheadedness may also be more prominent when Viagra is taken with alcohol.
As mentioned earlier, Viagra is carried to the penis via the bloodstream, and its active ingredients help trigger chemical reactions that in turn help you maintain an erection. Thus, it is important to take Viagra with neutral liquids, such as water or milk, to avoid drug interactions and safely deliver Viagra to target organs.
Liquid like water and milk also help move Viagra down the food canal and into your stomach more efficiently, thus ensuring that the pill does not get lodged in your throat and cause choking or pain.
Water is a safe liquid to take Viagra with as it is neutral, does not interfere with the effects of Viagra on the body, and does not dissolve the coating of the pill (unless taken with hot water).
Water also helps avoid dyspepsia (otherwise known as stomach upset), a common side effect of Viagra. Taking Viagra with water helps to dilute stomach acid, minimising any discomfort that may arise from indigestion or acid reflux.
If you are lactose intolerant, it would be best to simply take Viagra with water. Otherwise, there are no known interactions between Viagra and milk, and taking Viagra with milk also has multiple benefits.
When taking Viagra with milk, the milk can help mask any undesirable taste from the pill, and protect the mucosal membrane of your gastrointestinal tract. The caloric content of milk can also help energise the body, priming it for better sexual performance.
As Viagra typically takes 30 to 60 minutes to take effect, it is best to take it about 1 hour before sexual activity on an empty stomach. If you would like to eat beforehand, avoid any large or fatty meals as these could delay the absorption and efficiency of Viagra. However, rest assured that Viagra will eventually work whether paired with a meal or not.
Yes, it does! Viagra should be taken with half or one full glass of water or milk, which should be enough to smoothly wash the pill down the gastrointestinal tract, allowing it to enter the stomach.
Do also note that the amount of water required is not dependent on the strength of the Viagra pill you’re taking. However, regardless of the dosage, it is recommended to take Viagra with at least half a glass of water or milk to help it reach the stomach.
When taking Viagra with water, it is best to have the water at room temperature, as hot water could dissolve the coating of the tablets.
To sum up, Viagra should be taken with at least half a glass of water or milk at room temperature, about an hour before sexual activity. It is best to avoid taking Viagra with fruit juice and alcohol to avoid any undesired drug interactions.
If you are currently struggling with erectile dysfunction and would like to obtain ED medication, you may want to consult a doctor here. At Noah, doctors on our platform can help you obtain a Viagra prescription if it is suitable for you, and determine the dosage and method of intake best suited to your needs.
Anderson, John. “What Is the Correct Way of Taking Viagra? with Milk or Water?” NSLIJ, September 8, 2021. (Link)
Ghoshal, Malini. “How to Take Viagra with Water or Milk, plus Other Tips.” Healthline. Healthline Media, September 30, 2020. (Link)
