How Long Does Sildenafil Last? Duration & Tips
Sildenafil is one of the most popular treatments for erectile dysfunction (ED). A common concern with any medication is how long the effects will last.
The effects of Sildenafil is said to last about 4-5 hours. The medication works by helping to facilitate the process of achieving and maintaining an erection when sexually stimulated within that time frame.
The duration of Sildenafil’s effects will vary based on your age, metabolism, lifestyle, and health.
How Long Does Sildenafil Stay Effective?
Most people will experience the effects of Sildenafil 30-60 minutes after taking a dose. Clinical studies and FDA documentation state that the peak concentration in the body occurs 60 minutes after taking the medication, but this can happen anywhere from 30 to 120 minutes.
The medication will remain in the body at full effect for about 4 hours, but will gradually decrease in efficacy as time goes on.
Sildenafil will not cause a continuous erection for the time frame that the medication is active. Sexual stimulation is required for the medication to work.
How Long Does an Erection Last?
A common myth regarding Sildenafil is that taking it will result in a sustained 4-hour erection.
This is not the case. The medication enhances the body’s response to sexual stimulation. Erections naturally subside after a time.
Priapism is when an erection lasts more than four hours, and this condition is an emergency because it can cause irreversible damage if not treated right away.
Factors That Affect How Long Sildenafil Lasts
Age
The body of an older adult can be slower to eliminate Sildenafil, allowing the drug to remain longer than the duration for an average younger adult.
Dosage
The prescribed dose of Sildenafil must be adhered to, as some people can experience longer effects with higher dosages and longer effects can be associated with higher risks of side effects.
Food Intake
How quickly Sildenafil can start working can be negatively affected by taking the drug after a meal higher in fats. For optimum absorption, Sildenafil can be taken on an empty stomach or after a light meal.
Alcohol
Taking excess alcohol can lower the efficacy of Sildenafil and increase side effects, such as low blood pressure and headaches.
The State of the Body
How long the effects of Sildenafil lasts can be prolonged by certain diseases, such as liver disease, due to the slowness of the body to eliminate the drug.
How Long Does Sildenafil Stay in Your Body?
4 hours is the expected duration for the effects of Sildenafil, but the drug itself can remain in the body for longer.
The average half life of Sildenafil is about 4 hours. This is the approximate duration for a quarter of the drug to be eliminated from the bloodstream.
It usually takes about five half-lives for a drug to be removed from the body. In the case of Sildenafil, this process takes about 4 hours. However, some residual quantity of the drug may remain in the body for longer. It can take up to 20 hours for the drug to be fully eliminated from the body.
How to Get the Best Results from Sildenafil
The following tips can help you get the most out of the drug.
- Use the drug 30 to 60 minutes before the planned sexual act.
- Avoid eating large meals and high-fat meals before using the drug.
- Reduce the amount of alcohol you drink to a minimum.
- Be sure to follow the doctor’s instructions and take the correct amount of the drug.
- Allow the drug time to produce the desired effect.
- It is important to remember that Sildenafil works when there is sexual stimulation.
Real Clinical Data
Real Clinical Data is a study that aims to provide information to help clinicians better understand how to use the drug. Some of the data included in the study are the following:
It works within 30 to 60 minutes and is most concentrated in the blood within 30 to 120 minutes and is effective for 4 hours. Its half-life is also 4 hours. Finally, a high-fat meal can delay its absorption by 1 hour.
All of these studies are estimations, and actual times will vary patient to patient.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Sildenafil last all day?
No, in most cases, Sildenafil is effective for only 4 hours, and was not designed for a full-day effect.
Can Sildenafil work after 4 hours?
Yes, a small number of men may have some degree of residual effect after 4 hours, although the drug works for significantly less time as blood levels drop.
Can food impact the longevity of Sildenafil?
Normally, food doesn’t affect the duration, but Sildenafil’s onset may be slower after a large, fatty meal.
Will a higher dose of Sildenafil last longer?
While a higher dose may increase the effect magnitude in some people, that does not equate to longer duration. Higher doses also come with more side effects.
Can I take Sildenafil again once it wears off?
No. You should not take another dose of this medicine in a 24-hour period unless your healthcare provider says otherwise.
Conclusion
Sildenafil is a great treatment for erectile dysfunction that works within 30 to 60 minutes and has a duration of about 4 hours. While the medication is in the body for longer than that, its ability to create improved erections diminishes after that period.
The duration of action for Sildenafil is also impacted by age, the amount taken, food, alcohol, and general health. You should take the medication as prescribed for optimal performance and avoid large meals before the dose. Remember that you also need to be sexually stimulated for it to perform its job.
If you have issues with undesirable side effects, or if you are not getting the effect you are looking for from Sildenafil, you should reach out to your healthcare provider. They will be able to reevaluate you and see if other options or other doses are better for your needs.
References
- DailyMed. Sildenafil Tablets – Prescribing Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=d905dc8d-917f-4ea3-a4ee-a1ecf6967d4e
- Goldstein I, et al. Oral Sildenafil in the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction. New England Journal of Medicine. 1998;338:1397–1404.
- FDA Prescribing Information for Viagra (Sildenafil Citrate). U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
- Nichols DJ, Muirhead GJ, Harness JA. Pharmacokinetics of Sildenafil After Single Oral Doses in Healthy Male Subjects. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.