Viagra doesn’t cause an erection by itself; you need to be sexually aroused first. But there are ways to make it work faster and more effectively.
Avoid eating a heavy meal or drinking alcohol before taking Viagra. This can slow the body’s absorption of the medication and reduce its effectiveness.
PDE-5 Inhibitors
When men take Viagra (or the generic sildenafil) as directed, it works fast to help them achieve an erection. But does chewing the pill make it work faster?
During an erection, the parasympathetic nervous system activates, triggering the brain to release nitric oxide and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) into blood vessels that supply the penis. cGMP causes the muscles of the corpus cavernosum to relax, and nitric oxide increases blood flow into the penis, resulting in an erection. An enzyme called PDE-5 breaks down cGMP and restrains an erection, so PDE5 inhibitors, like Viagra, inhibit the degradative action of cGMP, prolonging the effects of nitric oxide and increasing blood flow.
The FDA approved the first oral PDE5 inhibitor, tadalafil (Cialis), in 1998, followed by sildenafil in 2000 and vardenafil in 2005. Avanafil, a recently approved medication, also inhibits PDE-5. These medications are prescribed to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) and pulmonary arterial hypertension, but studies have shown they can also alleviate symptoms of an enlarged prostate.
The volume of distribution of these drugs is high, indicating extensive tissue binding; however, the proteins responsible for binding are mainly cytochrome P450-dependent and can be altered by certain disease states, such as liver disease. This makes it difficult to predict the pharmacokinetics of these drugs, especially in patients with hepatic or renal impairment.
Sexual Arousal
Sexual arousal is a complex process that involves several stages. It can be caused by many different things such as a certain type of music or a movie, physical touch or the sight of someone you like. During this stage, the body produces a number of physiological changes such as erectile tissue for males and vaginal lubrication for females. In addition, the heartbeat increases and blood pressure rises. Sexual arousal reaches its climax during an orgasm.
Viagra is a pill that helps people have and keep an erection during sexual activity by relaxing muscles in the blood vessel walls and increasing the flow of blood to the penis. It does not, however, make the penis physically bigger or change its normal shape. People can use it to help with a variety of sexual problems, including erectile dysfunction. Some people decide to take the pill before sex to get a firmer erection or have it last longer during sex.
Some people have misconceptions about Viagra and how it works. It is important to understand that it does not turn you on and can only be used to treat a medical condition. For example, it does not prevent or delay ejaculation or make your erection last for more than four hours. An erection that lasts for too long can cause a medical condition known as priapism and requires immediate medical attention.
Taking the Pill
Viagra is considered a ‘fast-acting drug’, meaning that once you take it, it should start to work quickly. It typically takes about 30-60 minutes to reach its full effect – but it’s important to remember that this varies from person to person. The age of the patient also plays a role in how long it takes for Viagra to start working, as does the dosage prescribed.
While Viagra is incredibly effective at helping men get and maintain an erection, it doesn’t increase libido or make people sexually aroused. If you have problems with low libido, speak to your doctor, as they can recommend sex therapy or other medications that might increase your sex drive.
On average, Viagra starts to work within 30-60 minutes, so it’s important to take it at least an hour before you plan to have sex. However, the time it takes to begin working can vary from person to person, so you should test it out a few times before trying it with a partner.
You can also try taking a sublingual tablet or oral dissolving film tablet (ODF), which are designed to be absorbed under the tongue. This can help the medication to enter your bloodstream more quickly, and it can also reduce side effects like indigestion. The ODF tablets and sublingual pills are available in a variety of dosages, so it’s important to consult your doctor about what the right dose is for you.
Side Effects
There are no quick fixes to make Viagra work faster, and doing so could lead to serious side effects. If you want to have an erection before sex, it’s best to take Viagra at least 30 minutes before you intend to begin sexual activity.
However, it’s also important to note that Viagra only works if you’re already sexually aroused. Arousal can happen in a number of ways, including thinking about sexual ideas, looking at sexual images or engaging in foreplay.
You should also avoid eating a heavy meal before taking Viagra as this can slow down how quickly it takes effect. Eating fatty foods is especially bad as these can interfere with the way that Viagra is absorbed by your body. Finally, you should also avoid drinking excess alcohol when taking Viagra as this can make it difficult to achieve a hard erection and cause your blood pressure to drop.
It’s also a good idea to talk to your doctor before using Viagra for the first time. This is because Viagra can interact with certain medications, including some that are used to treat high blood pressure or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Depending on your situation, it’s possible that other ED treatments may be more effective for you and your doctor will be able to recommend options. You can also report any negative side effects that you experience from taking Viagra to the FDA’s MedWatch program.
