Viagra is often referred to as the “little blue pill.” But what is actually in the capsules? How do they work? To find out, drug company Pfizer conducted a clinical trial comparing the effects of a placebo and a Viagra capsule on the sexual functioning of 18 male respondents who had all previously taken a variety of drugs for erectile dysfunction (ED). The results were published in March 2018 in The Lancet, a medical journal. (Learn more in the video at the bottom of this blog post.)
What Are Viagra Capsules?
Viagra capsules are small, opaque capsules containing a tablet of sildenafil citrate, a chemical compound that acts on the same receptor in the body as Viagra.
Viagra was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1998 and came into widespread use a decade later. Today, it’s the most popular drug in the U.S. for treating erectile dysfunction. (In the U.S., the cost of a 30 day supply is around $100.)
How Effective Are Viagra Capsules?
In the study referenced above, Pfizer found that the capsules were just as effective as the tablet in treating erectile dysfunction. But the respondents had a more positive experience with the capsules, reporting that they felt less physical side effects and experienced better sexual satisfaction.
Furthermore, 18% of the respondents said they would have preferred to receive the capsule form of the drug. The remaining respondents said they had no preference, but wanted to continue taking the tablet form of Viagra because it worked better for them.
Are They Safe To Take?
According to the FDA, the safety profile of the capsules is similar to that of the tablet, with the following exceptions:
- A significantly higher (four times) prevalence of headache was reported in patients who took the capsules, compared to those who took the tablet.
- A higher (seven times) prevalence of stomach upset was also reported in patients who took the capsules, compared with those who took the tablet.
- A higher (25%) prevalence of insomnia was reported in patients who took the capsules, compared to those who took the tablet, although the difference was not statistically significant.
- A higher (14%) prevalence of facial flushing was reported in patients who took the capsules, compared to those who took the tablet, although the difference was not statistically significant.
How Long Does It Take For Viagra To Work?
The study found that the effects of the capsules were similar to those of the tablet, with the following exceptions:
- The median time to onset of action was shorter (10 minutes) in patients who took the capsules, compared to those who took the tablet.
- The duration of effectiveness was similar in patients who took the tablet (2 hours) as well as the capsules (2.5 hours).
This makes sense, considering that sildenafil citrate is rapidly absorbed after oral administration and can have effects on the penis as soon as 20 minutes after ingestion.
When Taking Viagra, Is It Best To Begin With Food?
According to the researchers, it’s best to begin taking Viagra with food, since eating certain foods can affect how well the medication will work. They suggest eating a small meal (such as a sandwich or pasta) one or two hours before taking the drug, to ensure the most effective absorption of sildenafil citrate.
However, as mentioned above, it takes about 20 minutes for the medication to start working, so there’s still plenty of time to eat before the onset of action.
Do You Need To Drink Alcohol While On Viagra?
Alcohol can interfere with the effects of sildenafil citrate, so it’s best to avoid drinking while on this medication, according to the researchers. Furthermore, they say that consuming alcohol while taking Viagra can increase the risk of side effects.
Even though the safety profile of the capsules is similar to that of the tablet, patients should still be aware of the potential side effects, especially when combining alcohol and Viagra. (Some of these side effects include headache, stomach pain, and heart palpitation.)
Considering all of this, it seems like a no brainer that people should try eating more fruits and vegetables, avoiding processed food and drinking more water. All of this will help keep their bodies in good condition, and who knows — maybe even make them happier.
Short-Term Side Effects
Along with helping erections become more uniform and firm, sildenafil citrate has been known to have several short-term side effects, including:
- Headache (25%),
- Stomach pain (16%),
- Dry mouth (13%),
- Flushing (13%),
- Ringing in the ears (11%),
- Dizziness (9%),
- Sensitivity to light (9%),
- Back pain (8%),
- Heart palpitations (7%),
- Nasal congestion (6%),
Long-Term Side Effects
Although sildenafil citrate is generally considered to be a safe and effective treatment for erectile dysfunction, it’s not without risk. Based on the study mentioned above, here are some of the more worrisome side effects of sildenafil citrate:
- Nasal congestion (16%),
- Vision problems (14%),
- Sinusitis (13%),
- Headache (13%),
- Back pain (12%),
- Euphoria (12%),
- Stomach upset (10%),
- Anxiety (9%),
- Migraines (9%),
Considering all of this, it seems like a no brainer that people should try eating more fruits and vegetables, avoiding processed food and drinking more water. All of this will help keep their bodies in good condition, and who knows — maybe even make them happier.