Sildenafil And Alcohol: 5 Things You Should Know About Side Effects

Written by the UPGUYS Editorial Team

Published on June 13, 2022

Approximately 66% of Canadians older than 15 reported drinking once in the last 30 days. The participants stated their drinking was "moderate," with nearly 15% having five or more drinks. 

Whether you have taken sildenafil or not, you may be curious whether sildenafil and alcohol have adverse effects. Many prescription medications report alcohol as a contraindication, but for some, it is a vote of caution more than anything. 

Does the same hold true for sildenafil with alcohol? Luckily, we have an in-depth guide that will interest you.

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We will go over five common sildenafil side effects with alcohol and how you can exercise caution the next time you drink while taking sildenafil. Keep reading on and learn more!

In this article, we talk about the following:

1. Alcohol and blood vessel constriction
2. Sildenafil with alcohol and feeling lightheaded 
3. Risky behaviours
4. Sildenafil and alcohol with headaches
5. Mixing alcohol with sildenafil and flushed skin
6. Can you combine alcohol with sildenafil?
7. Alcohol and erectile dysfunction
8. Find your confidence

1- Alcohol and Blood Vessel Constriction

Drinking on sildenafil can counteract the effects of sildenafil. One major misconception regarding drinking is that it helps erection quality in the bedroom. At low drinking amounts, alcohol is a vasodilator (more on that below). 

Drinking excessively can cause blood vessel constriction and difficulties getting or maintaining an erection. In general, regular alcohol consumption increases your risk for:

1. Coronary artery disease
2. Heart failure
3. High blood pressure
4. Stroke

How does this work? High amounts of alcohol release hormones that cause your blood vessels to constrict. Experts find that even moderate to low amounts of alcohol aren't necessarily heart-healthy.

To make matters worse, cardiovascular disease is one of the leading physical causes of poor erection quality. 

2- Sildenafil With Alcohol and Feeling Lightheaded

Alcohol and sildenafil have two primary side effects:

1. Lightheadedness
2. Flushed skin

First, let's talk about lightheadedness since it is usually more severe and can lead to fainting. However, the process works a bit differently than sildenafil. 

Sildenafil is a PDE5 inhibitor that causes vasodilation in your penile arteries. While most of its effects are localized, you can experience systemic side effects such as feeling lightheaded or dizzy. Alcohol's impact on the body is multi-causal.

It thins the blood, affects neurotransmitters, and causes dehydration. For many alcohol users, it is normal (even at low blood alcohol concentration levels) to feel dizzy or lightheaded while drinking.

3- Risky Behaviours

Sildenafil can give you back your confidence in the bedroom. Nearly 70% of patients taking sildenafil reported a reduction in symptoms. On the other hand, alcohol can also boost confidence and lower inhibition. 

A night out with friends now that you have a pep back in your step (so to speak) can quickly turn south if you combine it with alcohol and engage in risky behaviours. Several studies have shown a correlation between alcohol and unprotected sex. Having unprotected sex can place you and a partner at risk for sexually transmitted diseases and increased health costs. 

4- Sildenafil and Alcohol With Headaches

Alcohol with sildenafil may increase headache frequency, especially for those who have a history of migraines and headaches. The research found that one to two servings of alcohol did not increase headaches the next day. 

Drinking five or more servings places a person at a much higher risk for headaches. The rates were nearly two times higher than those who did not participate in excessive drinking. Sildenafil and alcohol headaches could be higher since sildenafil's mild side effects include risks for increases in headaches. 

5- Mixing Alcohol With Sildenafil and Flushed Skin

Sildenafil and alcohol use may also result in flushed skin. There are two primary reasons for this. At lower levels, alcohol is a vasodilator, and it is common to experience flushing. 

Sildenafil and other PDE5 inhibitors also act as a vasodilator. The most common cardiovascular side effect found in clinical studies for sildenafil was flushed skin, occurring in over 10% of participants. 

Can You Combine Alcohol With Sildenafil? 

The sildenafil and alcohol interaction is loosely tied, meaning you may or may not experience a severe reaction, depending on the frequency and amount of alcohol you intake. A single drink will probably not make a significant difference. 

However, if you already experience multiple side effects on sildenafil, alcohol can exacerbate headaches and flushed skin. In large amounts, alcohol will make it more challenging to get and maintain an erection. For the best outcomes, talk to your doctor about what is safe to drink while taking sildenafil and report any adverse effects. 

Read more: Sildenafil Dosage Guide

Alcohol and Erectile Dysfunction

Sildenafil and alcohol risk could result in greater difficulties with erection quality. If you struggle with erections, don't resort to over-the-counter products or self-medication. You may have underlying physical causes that make it difficult for an erection, such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease. 

At UPGUYS, we make the process easier. We have practitioners you can schedule a virtual appointment with to get a prescription for sildenafil. Since UPGUYS only sells generic PDE5 inhibitors, you can rest assured that you will get the lowest cost on your prescription. 

They can fill you in on how to take it, what to avoid, and other contraindications. 

Read more: Drug Interactions with Sildenafil

Find Your Confidence

If you have struggled with getting or maintaining an erection, you may wonder if sildenafil and alcohol can boost your skills in the bedroom. Well, you may want to think again. 

Alcohol causes various systemic effects in the body that can exacerbate sildenafil's side effects. You may experience more severe lightheadedness, flushed skin, or headaches. It could also impact erection quality. 

Before you combine the two - talk to your doctor. At UPGUYS, you can schedule a free appointment to talk to a practitioner today and learn more about how sildenafil works for you!

Read more: Can You Get Sildenafil Over the Counter?