What to expect when taking Viagra for the first time

If you're taking Viagra for the first time, you can expect it to help you get and keep an erection when you're sexually aroused. It does not cause a constant erection, increase your sex drive, or work immediately after taking it. You need to wait 30 to 60 minutes, so it’s recommended to take it 1 hour before sex.

Most people tolerate Viagra well, although mild side effects such as headaches, congestion, or facial flushing can happen. You can find out more about Viagra side effects in our guide, including how to reduce them.

Your experience with taking Viagra for the first time will depend on things like:

• your prescribed dose
• whether you've taken it correctly
• whether you've eaten a large meal beforehand
• how much alcohol you've had
• whether you're sexually stimulated

Taking Viagra correctly gives it the best chance of working. Before taking your first tablet, read the patient information leaflet and follow the instructions provided by your doctor.

For the best results:

• swallow your tablet whole with water
• take it 60 minutes before you plan to have sex
• avoid taking more than 1 dose within 24 hours
• if possible, take it on an empty stomach or after a light meal – a large, high-fat meal can delay how quickly Viagra starts working because it slows the absorption of sildenafil into your bloodstream
• avoid drinking large amounts of alcohol before taking Viagra

For most people, the best time to take Viagra is around 1 hour before sex. This gives the medication enough time to reach effective levels in your bloodstream.

Although many people notice Viagra working within 30 to 60 minutes, the exact timing can vary from person to person. Some people respond sooner, while others may find it takes closer to an hour. Try not to put too much pressure on the timing. Instead, during this time, you could try foreplay and being intimate with your partner.

Viagra remains effective for around 4 hours, so you do not need to rush once you've taken it.

When does Viagra start working?

Viagra usually starts working within an hour. It can work the first time, but for some people it takes more than once to get the best results.

In one study, the average time that Viagra started working was 27 minutes. Other results from the study found that:

• 71% of people were able to get an erection within 30 minutes
• 82% of people were able to get an erection within 45 minutes

How long will Viagra last?

Viagra typically lasts around 4 hours, but may last longer in some people. Studies show that Viagra can remain effective 4 to 5 hours after your dose, as long as you are sexually stimulated.

Understanding what Viagra cannot do can help set realistic expectations before taking your first dose. Viagra will not:

• cause an instant erection – you should expect it to take at least 30 minutes, but it can take up to 60 or longer in some people
• work without sexual stimulation – engage in foreplay with your partner, setting the mood will help Viagra to work effectively
• increase your sex drive (libido) – speak to your doctor if this is something you are also struggling with, there may be an underlying condition causing it
• permanently cure erectile dysfunction – treatment can help while you have symptoms, but it’s also important to find out and treat the cause of your ED, such as depression, diabetes, smoking, or high blood pressure
• make your penis larger – Viagra does not change the size of your penis, just the rigidity (hardness) of your erections, and the amount of time they last
• help treat premature ejaculation (PE) – this is where you ejaculate quickly, sometimes treating ED can help with this if you have both, but you may also need PE treatment
• guarantee that you'll get an erection every time – while Viagra works for most people, it might not work the first time, or every time, and this depends on things like whether you’ve drunk alcohol or eaten a large meal, your mental health, other medications, and physical health conditions

Most people taking Viagra for the first time are prescribed the 50mg dose. This is the standard starting dose because it works well for most people (74% effectiveness) while keeping the risk of side effects lower than higher doses. You should only ever take the dose prescribed to you, whether taking Viagra for the first time or any other time and only take 1 dose in 24 hours.

You may be prescribed 25mg if you have certain medical conditions. If you try Viagra on 8 different occasions and it's not working for you, speak to your doctor about a higher dose (100mg) or a different ED medication.

It's quite common for Viagra not to work perfectly the first time you take it. This does not mean the medication is not suitable for you. Factors such as timing, alcohol, food, anxiety, or not getting enough sexual stimulation can all affect how well your first dose works.

Doctors recommend trying Viagra on at least 8 separate occasions before deciding that it is not right for you. This gives you time to become familiar with how and when to take it, while also allowing for any first-time nerves.

Reasons why Viagra may not work the first time

There are several reasons why you might not get the results you expected, such as:

1. You took it too soon or too late

Viagra usually works best when taken 60 minutes before sex. This is when Viagra reaches its peak in your bloodstream, so it’s most likely to cause the strongest effect at this time.

If you try to have sex immediately after taking it, or wait too long (4 hours or longer), you may not experience the full effect.

2. You ate a large or high-fat meal

A heavy meal, particularly one that's high in fat, can slow the absorption of Viagra and delay how quickly it starts working. This might mean it takes longer than an hour to work, and it can be difficult to time it correctly.

It’s better to either eat a light meal or take it on an empty stomach, but avoid taking it on an empty stomach if it makes you feel sick (nauseous) or dizzy.

3. You drank too much alcohol

Drinking a small amount of alcohol is unlikely to stop Viagra from working, but drinking heavily can make it more difficult to get an erection, even when you've taken medication. It can also increase the risk of side effects like dizziness, which can make it more difficult to engage in sexual activity.

Studies show that heavy drinking increases the risk of ED, so it may be worth not drinking at all before you take Viagra the first few times, until you get used to the medication.

4. You were not sexually aroused

Viagra only helps improve blood flow to the penis. It does not increase your sex drive or automatically cause an erection, so sexual stimulation is still needed. While you’re waiting for it to work, it’s important to engage in foreplay.

5. You felt anxious

It's completely normal to feel nervous the first time you take Viagra. Worrying about whether it will work can make it harder to relax, plus ED can cause anxiety, both of which can affect your ability to get an erection.

Try to relax and distract yourself if you can. Once you know what Viagra feels like, you may be able to relax and feel more confident the second or third time trying it. Make sure to be open with your partner too, if you can. Talking about your ED and that you’re trying Viagra may take off some of the pressure to ‘perform’.

6. Your dose may not be right

Most men start on 50mg, but some people may need a higher dose for Viagra to work effectively. 100mg is the maximum dose you can take, but only if your doctor thinks it's right for you. It’s only possible to get a higher dose if you’ve tried Viagra 8 times and you’ve tolerated it well (little to no side effects).

Yes, Viagra is considered safe when taking it for the first time and as a long-term treatment as long as it has been prescribed by a doctor and is taken as directed. Millions of men worldwide have used Viagra safely to treat erectile dysfunction since it was first approved, and its safety profile is well established.

However, Viagra may not be suitable if you:

• take nitrate medications for chest pain
• have certain serious heart or liver conditions
• have very low blood pressure
• have recently had a heart attack or stroke
• have certain rare inherited eye conditions, such as retinitis pigmentosa
• have previously experienced sudden vision loss related to reduced blood flow to the optic nerve
• have Peyronie's disease or a condition that increases the chance of prolonged erections

Side effects

Like any medication, Viagra can have side effects. These may be more likely the first time you take it, while your body adjusts to the medication. Most side effects in clinical trials were mild and, because it’s only taken as needed, do not last long. In a study of 979 men using Viagra over 4 years, only 3.8% had treatment-related side effects which required a change in dose.

While most side effects are mild and temporary, you should be aware of the serious side effects, such as:

• chest pain during or after sex
• an erection lasting longer than 4 hours
• sudden loss of vision or hearing
• symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face, lips or throat, difficulty breathing, or severe dizziness

You should speak to a doctor, call 999 in an emergency, or go to A&E if you get serious side effects from Viagra.

How long before sex should I take Viagra for the first time?

You should take Viagra for the first time 60 minutes before sex. 60 minutes is the time recommended by the manufacturer, because it can take this long to work for some people. However, if you find it kicks in within 30 minutes after trying it several times, you can always take it 30 minutes before.

Is it safe to drink alcohol when taking Viagra for the first time?

While it is safe to drink alcohol when taking Viagra for the first time, it’s recommended to avoid heavy drinking. Drinking large amounts of alcohol can make it harder to get an erection and may increase side effects such as dizziness, headaches, and low blood pressure. If you want to get the best results, try to avoid drinking until you’re used to Viagra and its effects.

Will my partner be able to tell that I took an erectile dysfunction pill?

Not unless you choose to tell them. Viagra does not cause obvious physical changes apart from making it easier to get and keep an erection when you're sexually aroused. Most people will not notice any difference unless you experience mild side effects such as facial flushing or a headache.

What should I do if the first dose doesn't work for me?

Do not be discouraged if Viagra doesn't work the first time. Make sure you:

• took it correctly
• allow enough time for it to work
• avoid heavy meals and excessive alcohol
• remember that sexual stimulation is still needed

If it still is not working after 8 attempts, speak to your doctor about whether a different dose or an alternative erectile dysfunction treatment would be more suitable.

Will taking Viagra affect my ability to climax or ejaculate?

No. Viagra helps you get and maintain an erection, but it does not usually affect your ability to climax (orgasm) or ejaculate. It also does not delay ejaculation or treat premature ejaculation. Most men find that sex feels the same as normal, with the main difference being that it's easier to achieve and maintain an erection.