Benefits of Taking Viagra Daily

Viagra^®, the brand name for sildenafil, is one of the safest and most effective medications for erectile dysfunction (ED). But can you take it every day?

Reported benefits of taking Viagra daily include a lower risk of impotence and improved urinary tract symptoms related to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

However, while taking this medication daily is possible, it’s not always recommended. You should never take more than what you’re prescribed, as it can increase the risk of side effects.

Keep reading to find out if you can take Viagra every day and how to stay safe when using this medication.

Can you take sildenafil daily? Technically, yes. Both Viagra and generic sildenafil can be taken daily. However, a better question is whether it’s the right choice for you.

If you feel you need to take Viagra daily because you regularly engage in sexual activity, there are other options you could consider instead.

Taking Viagra daily also doesn’t necessarily mean the drug is always in your system. Viagra starts to wear off after about four hours, so even if you are taking it daily, there will be periods of time during which you don’t feel its effects.

Daily Cialis vs. Viagra

Sometimes called “the weekend pill,” Cialis^® (tadalafil) is another FDA-approved medication for ED that lasts up to 36 hours, whereas Viagra lasts up to four hours.

Tadalafil can also be taken daily at lower doses, so you always have relief from ED. A healthcare provider can discuss these options with you, whether it’s frequent use of Viagra or choosing a different medication like Cialis.

Some internet sources (and even a few individual medical experts) believe there are benefits of taking Viagra daily. These purported benefits include:

• Protection from ED. In 2003, urologist Irwin Goldstein of Boston University advocated for daily use of sildenafil to prevent impotence (the inability to get and keep an erection). However, there’s not enough research to support this claim.

• Reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Some recent research shows that taking Viagra may be associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease, particularly in those who take it more frequently (but not necessarily daily). Again, more research needs to be done in this area.

• Improved urinary tract symptoms. A 2017 study revealed a more promising use of daily sildenafil. Researchers found that it improved lower urinary tract symptoms in men with enlarged prostates and erectile dysfunction. Cialis is actually FDA approved for this purpose, so if you’re interested in this benefit, consider talking to your healthcare provider about Cialis or tadalafil instead. 

As you can see, there may be benefits to taking a daily dose of Viagra, but more research is needed. If you’re considering this option for your sexual health, seek medical advice first.

Can you take Viagra every day? Maybe, but not if your healthcare provider says otherwise. Always take Viagra or generic sildenafil exactly as it’s prescribed by your provider. Period.

If you’d like to explore daily Viagra — or the dose of Viagra you’re taking isn’t working well enough — speak to your medical provider about your options.

The FDA has only approved Viagra doses for as-needed use. The maximum recommended dosing frequency is once a day. So you can take Viagra daily if you’re spacing the doses out by 24 hours, but most people take the medication less frequently than this.

Not if it means doubling or tripling your dose to get there.

You should never take more than a single dose of Viagra (or any medication) at once. This can increase the risk of side effects, such as a condition called priapism. Priapism is a painful erection lasting longer than four hours, and it can cause permanent damage to your penis.

Taking too much Viagra daily also means the side effects you do experience may stick around longer because the active ingredient might not have a chance to leave your system.

First, know this: Sildenafil citrate is safe. As with anything you take, there are always potential side effects, but for the most part, they’re minor.

That said, never start taking something new without filling in your healthcare provider about pre-existing medical conditions, like a recent heart attack, heart failure, or cardiovascular disease.

The most common side effects of Viagra include: 

• Headaches

• Flushing

• Dyspepsia (indigestion)

• Abnormal vision 

• Nasal congestion 

• Back or muscle pain

• Nausea

• Blurred vision

• Dizziness

• Rash

You should also avoid using certain prescription drugs that can interact with Viagra, such as alpha-blockers and nitrates. These are commonly prescribed for high blood pressure (hypertension) and chest pain (angina) associated with heart disease.

If you experience any adverse side effects (especially serious side effects like vision loss, hearing loss, or priapism), contact your healthcare provider immediately.

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), about 30 million men in the United States are affected by ED. Many of them who take medication have normal, healthy sex lives.

Letting erectile dysfunction ruin your quality of life isn’t the way to go. Some people take Viagra or generic sildenafil every day, but it’s not always recommended.

Here’s what we know about the potential benefits of taking Viagra daily:

• Viagra is an as-needed medication with a maximum dose of once per day. However, most men will take it less frequently than daily. Another option like Cialis may be more suitable if you find yourself taking Viagra every day. 

• Viagra is considered safe and effective, but it may cause mild side effects. These side effects can include headaches, dizziness, and rashes, among other symptoms.

• There are some reported benefits of taking Viagra daily. Some healthcare professionals think daily sildenafil can prevent impotence and improve urinary tract symptoms in men with an enlarged prostate. But more research is needed.

Though you can technically take Viagra daily, you should never adjust your own dose without discussing it with a healthcare provider first. If you experience any side effects, talking to a medical professional is a good idea.

Prescription ED meds like Viagra work similarly, but some are more appropriate than others under certain circumstances. These drugs, known as phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5 inhibitors), include tadalafil (Cialis), Levitra^® (vardenafil), and Stendra^® (avanafil). They all increase blood flow to the penis to improve your erections.

Get a recommendation from a healthcare professional today to determine which ED treatment is right for you.