Viagra is one of the best-known treatments for adult men suffering from erectile dysfunction, and is used by millions of men across the world. But how fast does Viagra work? What factors stop the drug from working as effectively as it could, and how should you prepare before taking it?

Viagra takes about half an hour to work for most adult males. Research shows that the median time frame for achieving a full erection is 27 minutes, and 82% of men get an erection within 45 minutes. That said, it can take as little as 12 minutes to kick in, or up to an hour depending on you and your physiology.

Why does Viagra work faster for some people than others? To understand why, it’s useful to know what happens when you take Viagra:

What happens when you take Viagra?

• You swallow the pill and it is broken down and absorbed in your stomach.
• Sildenafil, which is the active ingredient in Viagra, contains a compound known as a PDE5 inhibitor.
• PDE-5 is an enzyme which causes the muscles around the base of your penis to constrict, reducing blood supply to the blood vessels in the penis.
• PDE-5 inhibitors work to reduce the action of these enzymes, so the penis remains rigid for a longer period of time.
• The body metabolises sildenafil in the liver and it is normally processed out of your system within a 24 hour period.

What causes Viagra to work slower?

There are a number of things which could affect the speed at which Viagra works.

These include:

• Alcohol consumption: If you drink more than one or two units of alcohol, Viagra will be less effective. Excessive alcohol consumption can have an effect on erectile function whether you’re suffering from erectile dysfunction or not.
• Food: If you eat – in particular a high-fat meal – before you take Viagra, the medicine will take effect more slowly as it will be harder for Viagra to enter the bloodstream. It’s best to take Viagra on an empty stomach, so try to leave a couple of hours after eating before taking Viagra.
• Sexual activity: In order for Viagra to work, sexual stimulation is required.

How long does Viagra last?

Viagra has been known to work up to five hours at a time. However, for many patients with erectile dysfunction, the effects of the pill wear off just two to three hours after they take it. In order to manage expectations and understand how Viagra will work for you, discuss your full medical history and details of other prescription medication you take with your healthcare provider.

How long Viagra tablets last, depends on the following factors:

• Health: Drinking large amounts of alcohol can make it difficult to maintain an erection as alcohol consumption decreases blood flow to the penis. A single drink is usually OK, but alcohol intake of more than two units will increase the risk of negative effects. What’s more, if you have a health history of liver or kidney problems, Viagra could actually last longer as the tablet will take more time to break down.
• Diet: As noted above, try to avoid taking Viagra after eating a large, fatty meal as this slows down absorption.
• Age: Older men will find that the tablet stays in their body for a longer period of time as the body’s metabolic system slows down with age. This means Viagra can last longer the older you get.
• Dosage: Viagra comes in tablets ranging from 25-mg dose to 100-mg dose. The higher the prescribed dosage, the more effective and long-lasting the effects will be. It’s important to consult your doctor about which dosage is best for you.

Is it possible to make Viagra work faster?

Our clinical experts are often asked how to make Viagra work faster. There’s no way to speed up the effects of Viagra. As mentioned above, the best thing to do is to take Viagra in the best possible conditions to ensure that it gets absorbed quickly into the bloodstream. This means on an empty stomach, or, if you have to eat, after consuming a low-fat option rather than a fatty meal. It’s also important not to worry too much about the amount of time it takes Viagra tablets to work – worrying can have an effect on nerves and could affect the impact of the drug too.

It’s important not to attempt to speed Viagra’s effects up. Most importantly, avoid the temptation to increase your prescribed dosage – this won’t necessarily make Viagra work faster and, more importantly, can have negative side effects. Always follow your treatment instructions and if you find the medication isn’t working as fast as you’d like, speak to your GP or healthcare professional first.

If Viagra isn’t working in the way you’d like, there are other erectile dysfunction treatments which may work faster and can be taken in different ways. Speak to your doctor about your options.

Can I do anything to make Viagra last longer?

Yes, certainly. As noted above, there are a number of lifestyle factors which can slow down or affect Viagra’s efficiency. By tweaking some of your everyday habits, you might be able to affect how well Viagra works – and you might stop needing to take it entirely.

• Drink less alcohol: Alcohol has long been associated with erection problems, so drinking less will almost certainly help relieve symptoms of erectile dysfunction.
• Smoking: This is another common cause of erectile dysfunction because smoking can damage blood vessels. Quitting may mean Viagra works better for you – or you may no longer need to take it at all. 
• Reduce stress: Try to find ways to relax and unwind before engaging in sexual activity – avoid bringing work or other stresses into the bedroom.

Preparing to take Viagra

One of the good things about Viagra is that, once it has kicked in, it’ll still be very effective for at least five hours – if not longer. This means that you don’t need to ‘rush’ into sexual activity once you’ve taken the drug. All it needs is a little preparation:

• Think about when you hope to have sex and take the medication at least half an hour before you start.
• Try to avoid eating a heavy meal or drinking alcohol before taking the drug.
• Communication is key to good sex – so if you can, speak to your partner about the fact you’re thinking of taking treatment for erectile dysfunction. This can help you both prepare.

Some people may decide to do a ‘test run’ with Viagra before using it for sex to see how it works for them. While this isn’t strictly necessary, you might find it gives you the confidence to take the drug in advance of the next time you have sex with your partner.

While there are variations between how long viagra lasts between adult males you can feel confident you’ll achieve the prolonged erection you’d expect pretty quickly. To answer any other questions you might have, don’t hesitate to contact our friendly, knowledgeable and discreet customer service team.