Foods to Avoid When Taking Viagra

If you’ve been prescribed erectile dysfunction medication such as Viagra®, you could be on your way to improving your erectile function and sexual health like millions of men before you. If you’re just starting Viagra (congrats!), you probably want to know everything about it — from dosages and adverse effects, down to things like foods to avoid while taking Viagra.

We get it.

Viagra has been one of the industry standards for decades when it comes to the treatment of erectile dysfunction. It’s FDA-approved and is concerned safe and effective. But that doesn’t mean it’s foolproof. 

Just wait until we tell you about Viagra and grapefruit…

While it’s important to know what foods to avoid when taking Viagra, knowing the basics of this medication is also important.

Viagra, a brand-name prescription drug, is commonly used for erectile dysfunction in men. 

Erectile dysfunction is a condition in which a man is unable to get or sustain an erection good enough or long enough for sex. This condition can also mean you have trouble maintaining an erection during sex or not getting an erection at all, even with sexual stimulation.

Viagra belongs to a class of drugs (medications that act similarly) called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. These medications work to stop the PDE5 enzyme, making it easier for blood to flow into the blood vessels in your penis, allowing you to get — and stay — hard during sexual intercourse.

The active ingredient in Viagra (sildenafil) is also used to treat pulmonary hypertension, a type of high blood pressure that affects your heart and lungs. However, the medication for pulmonary hypertension is marketed under a different name, called Revatio®.

For the treatment of erectile dysfunction, Viagra works by increasing blood flow to the penis during sexual activity. You can learn more about the exact details in our guide to how Viagra works.

Like any medication, there can be mild side effects. Some of the common side effects of Viagra include:

• Headache

• Heartburn

• Warm feeling or flushing

• Nosebleeds

• Trouble falling or staying asleep

• Numbness or tingling in the arms, hands, feet or legs

• Muscle aches

There can also be more negative effects, such as:

• Sudden loss of vision or blurred vision

• Loss of hearing

• Dizziness or lightheadedness

• Chest pain

• Shortness of breath

• Painful erection or one that lasts longer than 4 hours

• Itching or burning during urination

Some men have also reported high blood pressure, an irregular heartbeat, heart attack or stroke when taking sildenafil for erectile dysfunction, although many of these men had heart conditions before taking the medication. 

You should let your healthcare provider know if you’re experiencing any negative effects of Viagra.

Viagra dosage can vary by person but is available in three doses: 25mg, 50mg and 100mg doses, with the 50mg option being the usual starting dose. This usual starting dose of 50mg is taken one hour before sexual intercourse.

While the rest of this article will cover Viagra foods to avoid, it should also be noted that there can be drug interactions between Viagra and other medications.

Viagra shouldn’t be taken with nitrate medication, a medication typically used for chest pain. Examples of nitrate drugs include isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil®), isosorbide mononitrate (Monoket®) and nitroglycerin (Nitrostat®).

You also shouldn’t take Viagra with alpha-blocker drugs, another medication typically used for high blood pressure or prostate issues. If you currently take blood pressure medication, certain anti-fungal medications, blood thinners or medication for seizures, be sure to let your healthcare provider know.

Now that you know the basic information, keep reading to know which foods to avoid when taking Viagra.

You may wonder which foods to avoid when using this medication and certain foods to be careful of while taking Viagra, depending on your health and any existing conditions.

High-Fat Meals

First, you can take Viagra with or without food. 

However, a heavy or high-fat meal can block the absorption of the active ingredient in Viagra (sildenafil citrate) and can make the drug less effective for your erection. Taking Viagra with a high-fat meal delays absorption by about one hour.

If you do plan to eat before taking Viagra, make sure it’s your breakfast or lunch to give your body time to digest the food, making it quick and easier for the medication to absorb into the bloodstream.

Grapefruit Products

Grapefruit juice may also impede or delay the absorption of Viagra in the body. 

Grapefruit can block an enzyme known as CYP3A4, which prevents certain medications — like Viagra, for instance — from being absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. Similarly, grapefruit will interact with Cialis as well.

Instead, the medication passes the gut and goes straight into the bloodstream, which increases the potency of the medication. 

Mixing grapefruit juice with Viagra could lead to some side effects like headaches, flushing or low blood pressure.

Make sure to talk to healthcare professionals about eating grapefruit products and drinking grapefruit juice while taking Viagra.

Alcohol

While there aren’t any negative effects or serious risks, combining alcohol and Viagra may increase your chances of experiencing mild side effects.

A study of over 300 men with erectile dysfunction found that men who consumed above-average amounts of alcohol were more likely to develop headaches and flushing from erectile dysfunction medications than men who didn’t drink.

If you’re dealing with erectile dysfunction, your healthcare provider may recommend Viagra as an effective treatment option. 

Since Viagra is a prescription medication, you’ll have to talk with a healthcare professional before you start taking it. They’ll ask you what kinds of medications you're on, give you a specific dosage to take (which you should follow at all times) and may even talk to you about your diet.

Because yes, some foods can alter the way Viagra works with your body.

You can learn more about Viagra and if it’s the right treatment for you by consulting with a licensed provider. You can also learn more about the best erectile dysfunction pills or what to expect from erectile dysfunction medication.