Sildenafil - How Long Does It Last and How Long it Takes to Work

When you’re taking treatment for erectile dysfunction, timing matters. Whether you’re planning a special occasion, or your schedule is limited, taking your pill at the perfect moment should ensure it’ll be effective just when you need it.

Because sildenafil is a great one-off treatment (you don’t need it to build up in your system - just one tablet is enough), you need to know when you should take it to get the best results. So, how long does sildenafil take to work? And how long does the medication last? Let’s find out what you need to know.

How Long Does Sildenafil Last?

Sildenafil usually lasts for 4-6 hours at full potency. You’ll continue to get some effect all the time there’s some in your bloodstream, so it can still produce results past that point. Exactly how long sildenafil stays in your body will depend on individual factors, such as your size, health and age. It will also depend on the dose of sildenafil that you took.

It's important to note that sildenafil (like other ED treatments) will not give you an erection for the entire period it’s in your system. It simply allows you to achieve a satisfactory erection when you are sexually stimulated. Your erection will still go down as normal after ejaculation.

To learn more about how sildenafil works, visit our main guide to sildenafil. It details exactly what it does, how it helps to treat ED and other important information you should know.

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How Long Does Sildenafil Take to Work?

Taken on an empty stomach, sildenafil should become effective within 30 minutes and take full effect within the hour. If you’ve eaten recently, it might take another hour to reach maximum effect. The bigger you are (in terms of height and weight), the longer it may take to spread through your bloodstream. So, if you’re tall and heavyset, sildenafil will take longer to work than if you’re of average height and build.

The amount of sildenafil in your body will drop by 50% every 3-5 hours, meaning it should be completely out of your system within a day.

How Do Different Dosages Compare

Because the efficacy of sildenafil depends on how much you have in your system, starting with a large dose will make it last longer — but not too much longer. The maximum dosage prescribed is 100mg. This is because higher doses can cause heart problems and produce side effects much more consistently. However, it’s never recommended to start straight on the higher dose.

There is a direct link between dosage and weight. For example, if you take a 25mg dose and you are overweight, you might only find it effective for 2-3 hours. Your doctor or pharmacist will be able to tell you which dose they recommend that you start with, although 50mg is the normal starting dose for most men.

Does Anything Affect the Longevity of Sildenafil?

Like many medications, the longevity of sildenafil can be affected by a number of different factors. From food and drink to medications, understanding what influences the longevity of sildenafil will help you to enjoy optimal results.

Alcohol

Drinking large amounts of alcohol can contribute to erectile dysfunction, even when taking ED treatments like sildenafil. If you drink a lot of alcohol before taking a dose of sildenafil, you may still struggle to get and maintain an erection firm enough for sex.

Grapefruit Juice

Drinking grapefruit juice can affect the way that sildenafil is absorbed by the body, making the medication less predictable. Some studies have shown that drinking grapefruit juice can actually increase the levels of sildenafil in your system, potentially raising the risk of side effects.

Age

Your age will have an impact on how long sildenafil works for you. Studies have shown that, while 80% of men aged under 65 saw improvements when taking the medication, only 59% of those aged 75 and over experienced stronger erections.

St John’s Wort

Commonly taken for ADHD, obsessive compulsive disorder and depression, St John’s wort can interact with sildenafil, making the medication less effective. You may need to adjust your dose of sildenafil, or seek an alternative treatment, in order to get good results.

Cannabis and Cannabidiol (CBD)

Sildenafil has been shown to interact with both cannabis and cannabis products like cannabidiol (CBD). Taking sildenafil and cannabis products together could raise the levels of sildenafil in your system, potentially leading to more serious side effects.

Nitrates

Nitrates are commonly used to treat angina and high blood pressure. Taking nitrates and sildenafil at the same time can lead to a sudden and potentially dangerous drop in blood pressure.

So, how long does sildenafil last? Well, as you can see, that depends on a number of health and lifestyle factors. Talking openly and honestly with your doctor, and telling them about all medications and supplements you take on a regular basis, is the best way to ensure you’re taking sildenafil safely.

Can You Make Sildenafil Last Longer?

If you’re planning to take sildenafil, knowing how long the effects last is just as important as the timing of taking the medication. Many patients also want to know if they can make the effects of sildenafil last longer. While you can’t actually make the ED treatment stay in your system for any longer, you can help it to be more effective. Here’s how.

• take sildenafil as prescribed. When taking sildenafil for erectile dysfunction, it’s important to take the medication exactly as indicated by your doctor. This will help ensure it works as safely and effectively as possible.
• drinking alcohol can make it difficult to get an erection, even when taking sildenafil. Where possible, avoid alcohol completely when taking this medication.
• eating a lot of fatty meat can make it harder for your body to absorb sildenafil. This can delay its effects and may cause you to miss your window for erection support, so avoid fatty meats if you can.

Sildenafil Versus Other Erectile Dysfunction Treatments

As far as duration is concerned, there are two main drug types in the category of oral treatments for erectile dysfunction:

• Those that last for 4-6 hours. Sildenafil is one of these, as noted, but there’s also vardenafil (sold under the brand name Levitra) and avanafil (sold under the brand name Spedra).
• Those that last between one and two days. Tadalafil (also sold as Cialis) is the sole popular option in this category. Tadalafil can increase your ability to achieve an erection for up to 36 hours. You can read our tadalafil reviews page to find out what real customers think.

If you’re looking for a treatment that can provide consistent performance support for an extended time (throughout a weekend away, for instance), then tadalafil may well be the best option for you. For one-time potency, though, sildenafil remains among the most popular ED medications.

Before you make a decision about which erectile dysfunction treatment is right for you, read up on what sildenafil users have to say on our page dedicated to sildenafil reviews.

Summary

To summarise, let’s revisit the main points we’ve covered:

• Sildenafil should reach maximum effect within an hour.
• It often works faster when taken on an empty stomach.
• Once it’s working, you may have 2-6 hours of full effect (depending on dosage).
• Sildenafil makes it easier to get an erection, but your erection will still go down after sex if you’re no longer sexually aroused.
• The effects will lessen over time and be gone within a day.
• Taking more than the recommended maximum dosage won’t help.
• Sildenafil is ideal if you need intermittent support for erectile dysfunction.