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Whether you’re taking Viagra for the first time or you’ve been on it for a while, here are some tips to make sure it works well when you need it, including how to take it with water and milk.

How long does Viagra take to work?

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Viagra is absorbed quickly and starts to work within an hour. But, depending on the dose of Viagra and other individual factors, it can take as little as 30 minutes to as long as 4 hours to work.

Yes, as a matter of fact, it does. Certain foods or drinks can speed up, slow down, or change the way a medication, such as Viagra, works.

Let’s take a look.

Viagra is one of the most popular erectile dysfunction (ED) medications available today. ED is a common condition with many causes, so it’s important to talk with your doctor first to determine if Viagra is the right medication for your symptoms.

Yes. Water is a great way to take Viagra.

One of the most common side effects of Viagra is stomach upset or dyspepsia. For many men, this side effect is bothersome and can make sexual activity uncomfortable. Water may help avoid that.

What happens when you take Viagra with water?

PDE5 inhibitors like Viagra work by relaxing smooth muscle tissue in the penis to allow blood to flow in. This can lead to an erection if you’re aroused. But Viagra isn’t selective and has effects on smooth muscle tissue in other parts of the body like the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), a ring that closes off the esophagus from the stomach.

When the LES muscle relaxes, it can cause small amounts of stomach acid to leak into your esophagus, causing indigestion or acid reflux.

Taking Viagra with a full glass of water can help move the medication into your stomach faster.

Water can also make sure the pill doesn’t get stuck in your throat or esophagus and cause pain, coughing, choking, or burning.

How to take Viagra with water

  1. Stick with room temperature water when taking medication. Hot water can potentially dissolve the coating of a medication.
  2. Take Viagra with at least half to a full glass of water to help it do its job.

If dyspepsia or nausea bothers you too much, talk to your doctor. They may be able to lower the dose of Viagra or suggest over-the-counter (OTC) products like antacids to help.

Don’t take OTC products without talking to your doctor or pharmacist. There may be interactions with other medications you’re already taking.

Yes. There are no clinical studies that show Viagra taken with milk causes any side effects or interactions.

But whole milk has 8 grams of fat, and studies show high fat meals can cause upset stomach and slow the absorption of Viagra.

Also, if you’re allergic to milk or have lactose intolerance, this might increase your risk of stomach upset or acid reflux if you take it with Viagra.

Taking Viagra with milk probably won’t be harmful. Just know that your body might tolerate the combination differently than if taken with water, such as experiencing delayed time to an erection.

A 2018 study of healthy volunteers taking a 50-milligram dose of sildenafil (Viagra) with a nutritional drink showed that taking both together led to slowed absorption and delayed emptying of the stomach. This may increase gastrointestinal side effects like upset stomach, nausea, and a feeling of fullness.

To prevent some interactions, it’s best to avoid taking Viagra with fruit juice.

Fruit juices can interact with medications and increase or decrease their effects.

Viagra may interact with certain fruit juices like grapefruit, pomelo, and potentially even pomegranate juice if taken together.

The effect of taking Viagra with juice depends on the amount of juice you drink, the dose of the medication, and individual metabolic factors, or how your body reacts individually.

Taking Viagra with a heavy or high fat meal can slow the time it takes Viagra to start working by about an hour. Fatty foods might also increase the risk of stomach upset.

A full stomach may also make sexual activity uncomfortable.

You can take Viagra an hour before sexual activity either on an empty stomach or with a light meal to avoid delayed absorption of the medication.

caution

Don’t take more than one dose per day or increase your dose if you think it didn’t work. Taking too much can cause serious side effects like priapism, an erection lasting more than 4 hours.

Other major issues that can come with doubling a dose include low blood pressure, headache, and vision changes.

The effectiveness of Viagra and any side effects you experience depend on many factors, including the dose, your age, genetic factors, any existing health conditions, and other medications you may be taking.

The best way to take Viagra is either 1 hour before sex on an empty stomach or 2 hours after a meal to avoid a delay in effectiveness.

You can take Viagra with a glass of water, but you can also take it with milk or a light snack. Keep in mind that taking Viagra with whole milk or food may impact its effectiveness.

Always talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the best way to take Viagra, including if there are foods or drinks you should avoid.

If you experience serious side effects from Viagra, call your doctor. For a medical emergency, call 911 right away.