Is It Safe To Take Sildenafil And Alcohol Together?

Sildenafil belongs to a drug class called PDE5 inhibitors and helps to treat Erectile dysfunction (ED). It is a common sexual health issue in men which is characterized by the inability to get and keep an erection. Alcohol is a drink that contains ethanol and is made by fermenting sugar, grains, and fruits. It is important to have a clear understanding of the potential effects and precautions linked with the combination of Sildenafil and alcohol to make an informed decision about their use.

What Is Sildenafil?

Sildenafil also known as generic Viagra is a well-known medication that treats Erectile dysfunction or impotence in men. The active ingredient is approved by the FDA, MHRA, and TGA regulatory bodies.  The medication starts working within 30-60 minutes after administration, and the effects last for about 4-6 hours. Sildenafil is available in other generic versions such as Cenforce, Aurogra, and Malegra .

What Is Erectile Dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction or impotence is a condition characterized by the disability of a person to achieve or sustain a firm erection. The causes of erectile dysfunction include the following:

• diabetes
• medications, such as diuretics, blood pressure drugs, and antidepressants
• multiple sclerosis
• thyroid disease
• Parkinson’s disease
• high blood pressure
• peripheral vascular disease
• prostate cancer, if you’ve had your prostate removed
• depression
• anxiety
• smoking
• illegal drug use
• chronic alcohol use

Does Alcohol Cause ED?

Yes, alcohol can cause ED and affect your sexual arousal by interfering with the signals in the brain that are required to produce and maintain an erection. According to Dr. Parekh, alcohol specifically inhibits the parasympathetic nervous system. This is responsible for relaxing the smooth muscles in the penis.

How Much Alcohol Can You Drink With Sildenafil?

Excessive consumption of alcohol can lead to abuse and addiction. This can also lead to immediate health risks and long-term complications. The CDC states that moderate drinking for men is generally safe if you take one or two drinks per day.

Alcohol is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant that slows down brain activity. This effect on the CNS can lead to erection problems that might affect your sexual health. It is therefore necessary to avoid excessive alcohol consumption. Especially, if you are already suffering from erectile dysfunction, alcohol consumption makes this ED medicine take longer to work.

What Happens When You Mix Sildenafil With Alcohol?

There are certain studies that have shown that alcohol helps in increasing the side effects of the medication. Men taking more than 15 alcoholic drinks in a week are always at an increased risk of effects such as headache, facial flushing, low blood pressure, extreme dizziness, and chest pain.

In addition, alcohol affects testosterone production and nerve sensitivity and independently causes problems with erections. The sexual dysfunction issues, such as low sexual desire,  erectile dysfunction, and premature ejaculation, are common in men with alcohol dependence. Taking alcohol can lead to worse erection problems and counteract the effects of the ED tablet.

What Else Should You Avoid While Using Sildenafil?

The health care providers advise you to avoid combining grapefruit juice and Sildenafil. Grapefruit juice can affect how your liver breaks down Sildenafil in the body. If you combine the ED medicine with grapefruit juice, it could result in increased levels of the medicine in your body, increasing your risk of adverse effects. Therefore, it is advised to avoid drinking grapefruit juice on the same day or at the same time as you are taking the tablet.

It is also crucial to give your doctor a complete list of your current medicines to prevent dangerous drug interactions. Some examples of medicines that can cause an adverse interaction resulting in severe low blood pressure are –

• Nitrates such as nitroglycerine (used to treat chest pain or angina)
• Alpha-blockers such as doxazosin (used to treat benign enlargement of the prostate gland)
• Blood pressure medications such as amlodipine, lisinopril, and losartan
• Diuretics, water pills.

What Are The Typical Side Effects Of Sildenafil and Other ED Medications?

Some of the common side effects of ED tablets are:

• Dizziness
• Nasal congestion
• Indigestion or upset stomach
• Headaches
• Flushing
• Changes in vision

Serious side effects 
Some of the serious side effects of the ED medication include the following:

• Vision loss
• Loss in hearing
• Priapism
• Low blood pressure
• Severe allergic reactions

Conclusion

Mixing erectile dysfunction medicines like Sildenafil with alcohol can increase the risk of adverse effects such as flushing, headaches, and heart palpitations. This combination can also make Sildenafil less effective, because alcoholic drinks can make it harder to get an erection.

However, having 1 or 2 drinks with this ED drug may be safe for some individuals; it is essential to talk to your medical provider first. Your medical history amd other medication use can help them decide if it’s safe for you to drink alcoholic beverages with Sildenafil.