Viagra is an oral medication that comes in pill form. In the U.S., it’s prescribed as needed to men with ED.
As-needed Viagra is taken before sex, so you’ll need to do some planning. Be sure to take Viagra one hour (but no more than four hours) before you plan to engage in sexual activity.
Also, you can take it on an empty stomach or with food, though if you’re hitting up a burger joint, know it may take Viagra longer to kick in when taken with fatty foods. For more tips, check out our blog on how to take sildenafil citrate (Viagra).
When you filled your prescription, the pharmacist probably gave you a quick rundown of the basics, which probably included a fair amount of confusing medical jargon. We’re here to break it down for you, so you know exactly how to take sildenafil for erectile dysfunction.
To start, there are typically three dose strengths of sildenafil that healthcare providers will prescribe, based on your needs — 25mg, 50mg and 100mg. For most patients, the recommended dose of sildenafil is 50mg taken as needed, approximately one hour before sexual stimulation. Hims now offers a sildenafil chew at different dosages allowing you to take sildenafil as-needed to suit your sex life.
Based on the effectiveness and ability to tolerate the drug, your healthcare professional may adjust the dosage up to 100mg or down to 25mg.
It is important to note here that the maximum dose per day is 100mg of sildenafil, so don’t take another 100mg if the first isn’t working the way it should.
How to Take Sildenafil With Food
Before popping that little blue pill, there are a few things you should know.
Sildenafil does not protect you from STIs. Therefore, you should always practice safe sex and wear a condom.
You can take sildenafil with food or on an empty stomach. However, avoid high-fat foods, high-fat meal can block the absorption of sildenafil citrate and can make the drug less effective for your erection.
If you do plan to eat a meal before taking sildenafil, make sure to have it as your breakfast or lunch. That way, it gives your body time to digest the food, making it quick and easier for sildenafil to absorb into the bloodstream.
Grapefruit juice may also impede or delay the absorption of sildenafil in the body. Make sure to seek medical advice from a healthcare provider about eating grapefruit and drinking grapefruit juice while taking sildenafil.
