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Viagra and beer are two things that can be associated with many men’s sexual lifestyle. Viagra helps them achieve satisfying intercourse, while beer helps increase their chances of hook-ups.
These two may seem like they go together perfectly, but there are actually health consequences that may arise when they’re taken together.
Find out below why you should take caution when taking Viagra and beer.
What Is Viagra?
Viagra is a drug prescribed for treating Erectile Dysfunction (ED) in men. Its main ingredient is Sildenafil, which is a PDE-5 inhibitor that helps improve blood flow to the erectile muscles of the male organ.
ED is also called sexual impotence. In men with ED, an erection is hard to achieve or maintain during sexual intercourse. This causes them to lose confidence and avoid sexual activity.
With the help of Viagra, they can achieve an erection and perform penetrative intercourse. They can regain their manly confidence and become sexually active again with their partners (1).
How Does the Sildenafil in Viagra Work?
A PDE-5 (phosphodiesterase 5) inhibitor like Sildenafil works by relaxing the smooth muscles to allow more blood to flow into the muscles’ tissues.
Before Viagra was created, Sildenafil was used in treating angina pectoris, which is caused by inadequate blood flow to the heart muscles. It helps the smooth, cardiac muscles to take in more blood, so the heart gets enough oxygen from the blood to maintain healthy contraction.
As an ED medication, Sildenafil targets the smooth muscles of the penile shaft, particularly the corpus cavernosa. It helps the muscles take in more blood so that the penile shaft can become erect during sexual arousal.
The effects of Sildenafil usually last around 2 to 4 hours, but the window of its efficacy can reach up to 12 hours (2). This is why many men choose Viagra to help with ED.
What Is the Safe Dosage for Viagra?
In healthy men without pre-existing and compromising medical conditions, the most prescribed dosage is from 50mg to 100mg. This is the best dosage that guarantees the optimum efficacy of Sildenafil (3).
However, in older men and those with other medical conditions are prescribed with a lower dosage between 20mg and 25mg. This is because elders have a lower tolerance, and some conditions may be aggravated by a higher dose of Sildenafil (4).
What Happens When You Take Viagra and Beer at the Same Time?
For those taking Viagra for ED, drinking beer may affect the medication’s efficacy and mechanism within the body. The same applies to other types of alcoholic drinks, such as hard liquors.
Sildenafil and alcohol are both considered types of chemicals that influence the body’s function and performance. If you take them together at the same time or nearly the same hour, the interaction will likely occur.
Alcohol is more commonly known to act as a neurologic depressant or “downer” that affects the brain and body’s level of alertness and reaction. But aside from that, it also relaxes the muscles in a way that alters the body’s normal physical coordination.
Taken alone, without any drug or medication, alcohol is safe to consume in moderate amounts (5). However, in combination with medications, alcohol can counteract the desired effects of the drugs and enhance the unwanted side effects (6).
Sildenafil alone can cause the following side effects in the body:
- Changes in blood pressure
- Blurred vision
- Headaches
- Muscle soreness
- Gastric discomfort
- Flushed skin
- Dizziness or light-headedness
Alcohol also causes the following side effects:
- Decreased blood pressure
- Blurred or distorted vision
- Slurred speech
- Dizziness and drowsiness
- Headaches
- Gastric discomfort with nausea and vomiting
When taken together, the Sildenafil in Viagra and alcohol in beer can cause the following adverse reactions:
- Chest pain accompanied by symptoms resembling a heart attack
- Loss of vision
- Painful erection
- Breathing difficulty
- Passing out
These adverse reactions can be deadly, especially in the elderly and those with chronic medical conditions. Men with heart problems or family history of cardiovascular diseases are particularly at risk of developing life-threatening reactions.
In healthy men, there is no strong evidence of adverse reactions occurring after taking Viagra with moderate amounts of beer. Viagra is relatively safe to take with minimal to moderate amounts of alcohol on an occasional basis.
Alcoholism, however, is a different story. Heavy drinkers are susceptible to adverse reactions just as older men are. This is because the substantial amounts of alcohol inhibit the positive effects of Viagra and magnify the adverse effects. Excessive alcohol also lowers the body’s tolerance to certain medications, including Sildenafil.
How Much Alcohol Can You Safely Take With Viagra?
In moderate amounts, beer can be safe to drink while you’re on Viagra. In fact, moderate alcohol use can be unexpectedly beneficial for some men with cardiovascular conditions.
It is, however, imperative to consult with doctors before drinking alcohol while medicating. Certain medications should never be taken with beer or any alcoholic drink. There are also certain foods that may want to avoid while taking Viagra and beer.
In general, it is safe to drink alcohol while taking medications, including Viagra, as long as the amount per drink is limited to the following:
- 12 oz. beer per drink
- 4 oz. wine per drink
- 1 oz. spirit (100-proof) per drink
- 1.5 oz. spirit (80-proof) per drink
Most healthy men can have up to two drinks per day even while taking Viagra and some OTC (over the counter) drugs (7). On the other hand, elders and those taking prescription drugs for chronic medical conditions should be limited to one drink per day on occasions.
Heavy drinkers, however, won’t likely achieve positive, or even safe results when they take Viagra without sobering up. Almost all studies show that excessive alcohol is always a deterrent to successful treatment and rehabilitation.
Conclusion
The Sildenafil in Viagra, so far, remains an effective drug in treating ED. It is also safe to take with moderate amounts of alcohol, as long as you are not taking any other drugs for medical conditions that may be aggravated by the combined use of Sildenafil and alcohol.
To avoid side effects and possible adverse reactions, you should always check with your doctor before taking Viagra and beer together. It is also best to avoid alcohol if you want to achieve and maximize the desired effects of Viagra.
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