Viagra is a popular medicine used by many men worldwide to treat erectile dysfunction. It contains the active ingredient sildenafil, which works by increasing blood flow to the penis to improve erections.
Although it’s a commonly used medicine, many people will have questions about Viagra. One of the questions we see most is from people wondering what the side effects of Viagra are. In this post, we take a look at the common and less common side effects and what you should do if you experience them.
Common Viagra side effects
The most common side effect of Viagra is a headache. Data shows that more than 1 in 10 men taking Viagra can experience this side effect. Some research suggests that the active ingredient, sildenafil, can cause migraine in people who suffer from the condition.
Other common side effects include indigestion, dizziness, stuffy nose, nausea, and flushing. These side effects may affect up to 1 in 10 men who take Viagra. The medicine may also cause visual disturbances, visual colour tinges, and blurred vision in up to 1 in 10 men.
Uncommon Viagra side effects
Viagra can also cause side effects that are less common. This means they affect up to 1 in 100 men who take Viagra. Uncommon sildenafil side effects include vomiting, skin rashes, sleepiness, muscle pain, vertigo, ringing in the ears, dry mouth, blocked sinuses, nosebleeds and tiredness.
Other uncommon side effects include a pounding or rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure or even low blood pressure. Some people with heart conditions are unable to take Viagra and you should check with your doctor before taking it for the first time.
Some uncommon side effects are associated with the eyes. This includes eye pain and irritation, bloodshot eyes, light sensitivity, visual brightness and watery eyes.
This is not a complete list of uncommon side effects. For a full list, see section 4 of the patient information leaflet. To see the information on Viagra Connect side effects, see the Viagra Connect patient information leaflet.
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Serious Viagra side effects
If you experience any of the below serious side effects, you should stop taking Viagra and seek medical attention immediately.
- Chest pains which may happen during or after intercourse.
- Prolonged and painful erections. A prolonged erection that lasts longer than 4 hours is a medical emergency.
- An allergic reaction which can cause symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath and swelling of the lips, face, or mouth.
- Seizures or fits.
- Sudden decrease or loss of vision.
- Serious skin reactions such as peeling and blistering.
Due to the risk of some of these serious side effects, Viagra isn’t suitable for everyone to take. This includes men with severe liver or heart problems, a recent stroke or heart attack, or an eye condition called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION).
There are also some serious drug interactions with Viagra. Do not take Viagra if you are taking medicines called nitrates or illegal drugs called ‘poppers’. This is because using Viagra with these can cause a very dangerous drop in blood pressure.
What to do if you get side effects
If you experience mild side effects after taking Viagra, such as a headache, flushing, or a stuffy nose, you may be able to continue using Viagra if these side effects don’t bother you. If you find they keep happening, or the side effects become worse, you should speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
One study looking at the side effects of sildenafil found that there was a significant link between side effects with higher doses of sildenafil. If you experience these mild side effects, your doctor may discuss the strength of sildenafil you take and lower it. A lower dose may reduce or eliminate the side effects you experience whilst still being effective at improving erections. See our post on deciding which strength suits you best.
If you experience any serious side effects or side effects that bother you, you should stop taking sildenafil (Viagra) and ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
What if I don’t get on with Viagra?
If you find that Viagra gives you unpleasant side effects that you can’t tolerate, you have a few options. Firstly, you should talk to your doctor to discuss your concerns. They may prescribe a lower dose of Viagra for you to take, which may suit you better. You should also make sure that you’re taking Viagra correctly and only using a maximum of one dose a day.
The other option is to switch to a different erectile dysfunction medicine altogether. Some people will find that a different ED medicine works better for them and gives them fewer, or no, side effects. Other ED treatment options include tadalafil, vardenafil, and Spedra.
