Viagra is a medication that helps men get and keep an erection during sexual activity. It is part of a group of medications known as PDE-5 inhibitors.
It can be taken with or without food, but it works best on an empty stomach. You should also avoid fatty meals, alcohol and other drugs.
Eat Lightly
Viagra and other similar medications work best on an empty stomach. Eating a big meal before taking it will slow the absorption of the drug and cause it to take longer to start working. If you must eat something before taking Viagra, try to keep the meal light and avoid high fat foods like a cheeseburger and fries.
When taken on an empty stomach, Viagra works by inhibiting the action of PDE-5. This enzyme breaks down cGMP in your body, which is what causes an erection. When cGMP levels are low, your blood vessels remain tight and can’t increase in diameter (a process known as vasodilation). Viagra boosts the effects of nitric oxide, which helps to open up your blood vessels so that you can get an erection.
If you’re eating a meal when you take Viagra, it will be absorbed more slowly and may take an hour or more to start working. This is because your body will be focused on digesting the food you eat and will divert blood flow away from your penis. In addition, you should always drink a glass of water with your Viagra to ensure that it doesn’t get stuck in your throat or esophagus. Doing so can cause discomfort, pain, choking, or swallowing problems.
Avoid Fatty Meals
A high fat meal can delay the absorption of Viagra, so it’s best to avoid eating fatty foods on days that you’re taking it. If you do eat a fatty meal, be sure to wait about an hour before using Viagra.
Some experts recommend taking Viagra on an empty stomach, while others say that it’s okay to take it with food. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide what works best for your body.
While food doesn’t make Viagra ineffective, it does affect how quickly the drug works and the strength of its effect. The concentration of Viagra in the blood usually peaks around 30-120 minutes after taking it. This means that you can start feeling the effects within an hour of taking it.
You should also avoid drinking alcohol with Viagra, as it can cause a variety of side effects. These include flushing, dizziness, and headaches. Additionally, it can lower blood pressure, making a sex encounter less effective. If you experience any of these side effects, speak with a doctor or pharmacist for advice. In most cases, these side effects will go away in a few hours or a couple of weeks. You can report any bothersome side effects to the FDA by using their online tool, MedWatch. If the side effects are severe, contact a health care professional immediately.
Exercise Regularly
Exercise helps improve circulation and this can have a positive effect on the duration of your erection. It also reduces levels of stress and anxiety, which can have a negative impact on your performance during sex. You should try to get regular exercise, especially if you suffer from ED. It’s also a good idea to quit smoking, as this will help to improve your heart health and blood flow to the penis.
Viagra works by blocking a certain enzyme called phosphodiesterase type-5. This keeps cGMP levels high, which in turn relaxes smooth muscles and encourages blood vessels to widen, a process known as vasodilation. This allows blood to flow into the corpus cavernosum, which causes a hard erection. However, it’s important to remember that Viagra doesn’t work on its own – you need sexual arousal in order for it to work.
If you are taking Viagra for the first time, it’s a good idea to take it around an hour before sexual activity. This will give the drug time to begin working and ensure that it has reached your penis by the time you are ready for sex. It’s also important to avoid fatty foods, as they can delay the body’s absorption of Viagra and make it less effective.
You should also drink plenty of water, as this will keep you hydrated and prevent dehydration. You should avoid drinking alcohol, as this can have a negative effect on your sex life and can make it more difficult to achieve an erection.
Avoid Alcohol
If you plan on taking Viagra, it is important to avoid alcohol. This is because it can affect the effectiveness of the medication and cause side effects such as flushing. It is also not safe to drink alcohol if you are taking nitrates or alpha-blockers. This is because the medications can interact with each other and reduce blood pressure which could be dangerous.
Viagra works by blocking an enzyme called PDE-5, which interferes with the increase in blood flow to the penis during erections. It is important to know that this does not necessarily work for everyone, so it is essential to discuss your specific needs with a medical professional.
You should also be aware that eating food before taking Viagra can slow down the absorption process, and this can affect how effective it is. This is particularly true for high fat foods. It is best to take Viagra on an empty stomach, but if you must eat before taking it, it is recommended that you do not have anything too heavy.
It is also important to note that although it may not always be possible, you should try not to drink more than a few drinks before taking Viagra. Drinking too much alcohol can lead to dehydration, and this can make the medication less effective. This is especially true if you are already suffering from low blood pressure due to other health problems or medication.