LIMITED TIME OFFER FALL SPECIALsale

LIMITED TIME OFFER SAVE UP TO 95% OFF ED MEDS & PAY $2 PER TABLET.

Rex MD Logo
Explore Treatments

How Alcohol and ED Medications Interact

September 21, 2020
4 mins

Alcohol and erectile dysfunction (ED) medications like sildenafil (Viagra®) or tadalafil (Cialis®) aren't a great mix. 

On a short-term basis, combining alcohol and ED meds can lead to dizziness, increased heart rate, and worse. On a long-term basis, alcoholism can cause ED.

Revitalize your intimacy discreetly.

Explore our ED treatment options.

Get Started

How alcohol works with ED meds

Can I take Viagra® with alcohol? It's a common question we get here at Rex MD.

Broadly, men taking erectile dysfunction medications should avoid consuming large amounts of alcohol at the same time. 

Alone, alcohol and ED meds can each contribute to lower blood pressure, and mixing the two can cause rapid or sudden drops in blood pressure, especially when standing up quickly. Combined, they can cause dizziness, headaches, increased heart rate, and even fainting. 

In fact, many of these manufacturers include a warning in their prescribing label that suggests just how many drinks are ok with ED meds. 

How many drinks with Cialis®?

The makers of Cialis (tadalafil) and the FDA suggest no more than 5 alcoholic "units" in their approved label when taking the medication. Units is poorly defined, but is intended to be roughly equivalent to one drink.

How many drinks can I have with Viagra®?

Unlike Cialis®, Viagra's® (sildenafil) prescribing label includes no specific drink limitations, but patients have described negative experiences when mixing the two, and most doctors recommend against having more than 1 or 2 drinks when using Viagra®. The medication's FDA-approved label indicates testing has been done at the 50mg dose, but did not evaluate the 100mg dose.

From the label:

How many drinks with Levitra®?

Levitra® (vardenafil) has likewise no clear limitation on alcohol consumption in the prescribing label, and alcohol in combination was limited in its testing. 

From the label: 

In general, it's a good idea to avoid or limit consumption when taking any of these popular ED medications.

Alcohol and Erectile Dysfunction

Alcoholism is a recognized risk factor for sexual dysfunctions of all kinds. Alcohol abuse can impair testosterone production and cause shrinkage of the testicles (yikes!), but it also affects the nervous system and impacts impulses between the brain and your genitals. Prolonged alcohol abuse can cause irreparable damage to the nervous system.

Even more troubling, sexual dysfunction leads to further distress and interpersonal difficulty, which is known to worsen the alcohol abuse. It's a challenging cycle.

The link between alcoholism and ED is fairly well-established. One well-known study links alcohol abuse to:

- Decreased sexual desire

- Difficulty getting or keeping an erection erection

- Difficulty in achieving an orgasm

- And even premature ejaculation

One large study from Italy found that the risk of ED was significantly higher in men consuming more than 3 glasses/day of alcohol.

Another study looking specifically at men over the age of 50 also found that consumption of more than two alcoholic drinks per day was an increased risk factor for ED. 

Moderating alcohol consumption – both chronically and at one sitting – is a recommended component of a healthy lifestyle. In turn, it's a great way to reduce your risk of ED.

More Articles Like this

Effects of Depression on Male Performance in Bed

Depression impacts all aspects of your life, not just mood and outlook. Here's a closer look at how depression can impact men's sex lives.

August 27, 2024

Can You Get an Erection Without Testes?

Explore the causes of testicular loss, and find out ways to keep your sexual life thriving after surgery.

August 27, 2024

Benefits of Pineapple for Sexual Health

Discover the facts (and myths!) surrounding pineapples and the role they can play in your sex life.

August 26, 2024

Priapism: Causes, Symptoms & Treatments

Discover the causes, symptoms, and treatment options to manage priapism. Learn how you can avoid long-term complications such as erectile dysfunction and penile deformity.

May 15, 2024

Does Biking Impact Erectile Function?

Can biking cause ED? Discover the implications of regular cycling on men’s sexual health and some preventive measures for reducing the risk of ED.

April 23, 2024

Does High Prolactin Cause Erectile Dysfunction?

Learn about the connection between hyperprolactinemia and erectile dysfunction, and understand how high levels of prolactin can contribute to the development of ED in men.

April 23, 2024

How to Overcome Erectile Dysfunction with Diabetes

Learn how you can overcome erectile dysfunction with diabetes. Here are some pro tips to help you regain control of your sexual health.

April 22, 2024

Is There a Way to Tell if a Man is Taking Viagra?

Here’s what you need to know about Viagra, including how it works, what to expect after taking it, how to tell if your partner is using it.

April 11, 2024

The Benefits of Maca Root

Discover the health benefits of maca root, and what alternatives may be more suitable options for treating ED.

April 10, 2024

Ginkgo Biloba for Erectile Dysfunction

Ginkgo biloba is an herbal supplement that has been used to treat ED. Find out what exactly it is and how it may benefit men with sexual dysfunction.

April 10, 2024
Back to top