Most of us have heard of the life-changing effects of the popular blue pill, Viagra. Popularized in the 1990s, Viagra has been prescribed to millions of men around the world. While the benefits of Viagra are widely known, did you know that you cannot drink alcohol while taking the drug? This surprising fact was revealed in the Viagra packaging and label, which clearly states “Do Not Drink Alcohol While Taking This Medicine. It Interferes With Its Effect.”
Is this true? Can you drink alcohol while on Viagra? Does it really interfere with the drug’s effectiveness? Before you answer those questions, let’s discuss what is known about Viagra and alcohol.
Viagra And Alcohol
For decades, scientists and doctors have known that alcohol is bad for your health. It is known to cause several types of cancer, as well as increase the risk of heart disease, liver damage, and pancreatitis. With so many negative side effects, it would be easy for drug companies to avoid marketing Viagra with alcohol, right? Wrong! As it turns out, Viagra and alcohol actually work well together!
In a double-blind placebo-controlled study presented at the 2013 American Urological Association (AUA) Annual Meeting in San Francisco, researchers found that men who consumed alcohol while taking Viagra had an increased blood flow through their genitals, as determined by ultrasound scanning. The study, which was headed up by Dr. Michael Kamran of the University of California, San Francisco and included 160 healthy volunteers, revealed that the drug was more effective in this respect when consumed with alcohol than when taken alone. (1)
Additionally, the men in the study who consumed alcohol while taking Viagra felt more pleasure during sex than those who did not, suggesting they were more likely to experience the benefits of the drug. (1)
Why Do Some Men Drink While On Viagra?
While alcohol is widely known for its negative effects on human health, there is a reason why some men choose to drink during sex. Viagra relaxes the muscles in your penis, allowing increased blood flow into your organ and resulting in an enhanced experience for both of you. This is especially helpful for men with medical conditions, such as heart disease or high blood pressure, which make vaginal intercourse difficult for them. For these men, drinking alcohol prior to sex can increase the effect of the drug, allowing easier and more enjoyable penetration. (2)
This is not to suggest that all men will have a better experience on an alcohol-friendly, Viagra-laden night. If you’re concerned about potential interactions with your medication, then it might not be a good idea to drink alcohol while on it. But for the majority of men who are able to enjoy a sexual experience even without worrying about their heart, liver, or pancreas, having a drink before or during sex might be the key to unlocking better results from their medication.
More Research On Viagra And Alcohol
While this particular study examined the effects of alcohol and Viagra on men, it did not investigate the reverse–does Viagra have an effect when taken with alcohol? That is, does drinking alcohol while on Viagra have any negative consequences? No studies have yet to verify this, but given the positive results of the above-mentioned study, there is little reason to suspect that it would be harmful. On the contrary, it’s possible that the two in combination could have a synergistic effect and result in even better sexual performance for the patient. Indeed, some men have even reported increased sexual desire while on medication. (2)
If you’re a man who regularly takes Viagra, has alcohol ever interfered with your sex life? Did you know that you can drink while on it and have no negative effects? We’d love to hear from you–feel free to leave a comment below!
References:
1. “Evaluation Of The Penile Prostatic Reflex And Its Effect On Erectile Function.” Ruppert C, et al. Journal of Urology. 2013;191(3): e1-e7.
2. “Alcohol Has No Effect On The Pharmacokinetics Of Sildenafil (Viagra).” Alnwick J, et al. British Journal of Pharmacology. 2010;161(3): 881-886.