Can you drink alcohol while taking sildenafil?

This blog takes a deep dive into whether it’s truly safe to mix alcohol with sildenafil, unpicking the science and the real-world consequences. We’ll look at how alcohol can affect your sexual health, what actually happens when you combine a drink with your ED medication, and the practical steps every man should know before raising a glass. Whether you’re planning a night out, celebrating a special occasion, or just curious about the facts, this guide will help you make confident, informed choices for your health and happiness.

Key takeaways

• Mixing alcohol with sildenafil can reduce the medicine’s effectiveness and increase side effects [3].
• Small amounts of alcohol are unlikely to cause major problems, but moderation is key [1].
• Heavy drinking can lower testosterone and make erectile dysfunction worse [7].
• Alcohol may interact with sildenafil to cause low blood pressure, dizziness, or even rare complications [10].
• For best results, limit alcohol and talk to your pharmacist if you have any concerns.

What is sildenafil and how does it work?

Sildenafil is a medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction, helping men achieve and maintain an erection by increasing blood flow to the penis [2]. It works by blocking an enzyme called PDE5, causing an increase in the chemical, cGMP, which allows blood vessels to relax and widen when you’re sexually aroused [3]. Sildenafil is the active ingredient in Viagra and is available as a prescription or through regulated pharmacies [1].

Why do men want to mix alcohol and sildenafil?

Let’s face it, social situations and a glass of wine or a pint of beer often go hand in hand with romance. Many men wonder if they can enjoy a drink or two and still get the most out of their sildenafil. It’s a fair question, as alcohol is a common “social lubricant” and sometimes helps ease nerves. But the answer isn’t always straightforward—especially if you want the best results from your treatment [3].

How does alcohol affect erectile function?

Alcohol is a depressant, meaning it slows down your brain and nervous system. While a small amount might help you relax, drinking too much can make it harder to get or keep an erection [1]. Long-term heavy drinking is strongly linked to erectile dysfunction, and even a single night of overindulgence can cause “whisky dick”—temporary problems in the bedroom [9].

What happens if you drink alcohol with sildenafil?

Combining alcohol and sildenafil isn’t usually dangerous in small amounts, but it can make side effects like dizziness, flushing, and headaches more likely [3]. Alcohol can lower blood pressure, and so can sildenafil, so taking both together increases the risk of feeling faint or lightheaded [10]. Plus, alcohol can slow down how quickly your body absorbs and processes sildenafil, making it less effective [3].

Testosterone, alcohol, and erections

Testosterone is a crucial hormone for a healthy sex life, and low levels can contribute to erectile dysfunction. Heavy drinking can damage the liver, which in turn increases sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG)—a protein that “locks up” testosterone and makes it less available in the body [7]. Alcohol can also encourage the body to convert more testosterone into oestrogen, further reducing your free testosterone [7].

Alcohol’s effect on SHBG and hormones

As SHBG levels rise with excess alcohol, more testosterone is bound and less is free to help with sexual function. This means that even if your total testosterone is normal, you might still have symptoms of low testosterone and struggle with erections [7].

Alcohol, nitric oxide, and nerves

Alcohol is a nerve toxin in high amounts—it can damage the nerves that trigger erections and disrupt the release of nitric oxide, the molecule that helps blood vessels open up [8]. This means erections may be less reliable after drinking, even before you add sildenafil to the mix.

Does alcohol make sildenafil less effective?

Yes—alcohol can interfere with how well sildenafil works by slowing absorption and reducing blood flow where it’s needed most [3]. Drinking heavily may mean your dose of sildenafil has less effect, or takes longer to work.

Can alcohol and sildenafil together cause dangerous side effects?

While most people are fine with a small amount of alcohol, combining large amounts with sildenafil could cause significant drops in blood pressure, fainting, or even rare complications like stroke [10]. There are case reports of people suffering serious events after mixing the two, though these are very rare [11].

Practical tips: how to stay safe

• If you want to drink, stick to one or two units of alcohol and avoid binge drinking.
• Take sildenafil on an empty stomach for best results, and wait until alcohol is out of your system if you’ve had a big night.
• If you feel dizzy, lightheaded, or unwell after mixing alcohol and sildenafil, sit or lie down and call for help if symptoms persist.
• Talk to your pharmacist or GP if you have any concerns or are taking other medicines.

Who should avoid mixing alcohol and sildenafil?

If you have heart problems, liver disease, low blood pressure, or are taking medicines that interact with alcohol or sildenafil, it’s safest to avoid drinking altogether [1] [3]. Always consult your healthcare provider before trying any new treatment.

When standard sildenafil tablets aren’t enough: Meet the compounded ED buccal film

Let’s be honest—sometimes, regular sildenafil tablets just don’t cut it. Maybe they’re not giving you the results you want, or perhaps you’re after something a bit more discreet and convenient. That’s where our compounded erectile dysfunction (ED) buccal film comes in—a game-changing option you won’t find at Tesco, Superdrug, Boots, or any other online pharmacy.

What exactly is the compounded ED buccal film?

Think of it as an innovation you can slip inside your cheek. This clever, custom-made strip dissolves quickly and delivers a unique blend of sildenafil, tadalafil, and L-arginine straight into your bloodstream. No need to swallow tablets or wait around—pop the film in, and let it do its thing.

Why might the buccal film be your new go-to?

• Faster results: Because the film skips your digestive system, it gets to work much quicker than standard tablets.
• Longer-lasting effects: With both sildenafil and tadalafil on board, you get rapid action and a longer window of effectiveness—ideal for when you want spontaneity without the rush.
• Better absorption: Absorbing the medicine through your cheek means more consistent results, especially if you have tummy troubles or take other medications.
• Extra support: The addition of L-arginine helps widen blood vessels, giving your blood flow that extra nudge.

This compounded ED buccal film is a Courier Pharmacy exclusive, made just for you by our expert compounding partner, APC Labs. You won’t find this anywhere else—not Boots, not Superdrug, not Tesco or any other online pharmacy—only at courierpharmacy.co.uk.

Concerned about your testosterone levels?

If you’re worried your testosterone might be on the low side, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help—and keep an eye out for the launch of the Courier Pharmacy TRT (Testosterone Replacement Therapy) clinic, coming soon!

Frequently asked questions

Can I have a glass of wine while taking sildenafil?

Yes, a single glass is unlikely to cause problems, but more than that could reduce effectiveness or increase side effects [3].

Does alcohol make sildenafil work more slowly?

Yes, alcohol can delay absorption and make results less predictable [3].

Can alcohol and sildenafil be dangerous together?

In rare cases, yes—especially if you drink heavily or have underlying conditions [10] [11].

Will alcohol make my erectile dysfunction worse?

Yes, especially with frequent or heavy drinking [7] [9].

Is it safer to avoid alcohol altogether?

For best results with sildenafil, yes—moderation or abstinence is safest [1].

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice.

References

1. NHS (2023) ‘Erection problems (erectile dysfunction)’. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/erection-problems-erectile-dysfunction/ (Accessed: 24 September 2025).
2. BNF (2025) ‘Sildenafil’. Available at: https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/sildenafil/ (Accessed: 24 September 2025).
3. EMC (2025) ‘Sildenafil 100mg Tablets – Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)’. Available at: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/7124/smpc (Accessed: 24 September 2025).
4. Courier Pharmacy (2025) ‘How long does sildenafil last for and how long does it take to work?’ Available at: https://courierpharmacy.co.uk/how-long-does-sildenafil-last-for-and-how-long-does-it-take-to-work/ (Accessed: 24 September 2025).
5. Medical Mojo (n.d.) ‘Can you take Viagra with blood thinners? – Can you take Viagra with blood thinners?’ Available at: https://medicalmojo.co.uk/can-you-take-viagra-with-blood-thinners/#h-can-you-take-viagra-with-blood-thinners (Accessed: 24 September 2025).
6. Medical Mojo (n.d.) ‘Can Viagra cause blood clots? – Who should not take Viagra?’ Available at: https://medicalmojo.co.uk/can-viagra-cause-blood-clots/#h-who-should-not-take-viagra (Accessed: 24 September 2025).
7. Sinclair, M., Grossmann, M., Gow, P.J. and Angus, P.W., 2015. Testosterone in men with advanced liver disease: abnormalities and implications. Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 30(2), pp.244-251. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jgh.12745
8. Aydinoglu, F., Yilmaz, S.N., Coskun, B., Daglioglu, N. and Ogulener, N., 2008. Effects of ethanol treatment on the neurogenic and endothelium-dependent relaxation of corpus cavernosum smooth muscle in the mouse. Pharmacological Reports, 60(5), p.725. https://pharmrep.org/abstract/effects-of-ethanol-treatment-on-the-neurogenic-and-endotheliumdependent-relaxation-of-corpus-cavernosum-smooth-muscle-in-the-mouse-11127.html
9. Wein, A.J. and Van Arsdalen, K.N., 1988. Drug-induced male sexual dysfunction. Urologic Clinics of North America, 15(1), pp.23-31. https://urologic.theclinics.com/article/S0094-0143(18)30706-4/fulltext
10. Duffin, R., Shaw, C.A. and Rossi, A.G., 2008. Sildenafil reduces alcohol-induced gastric damage: say ‘NO’. British Journal of Pharmacology, 153(4), pp.623-624. https://bpspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1038/sj.bjp.0707592
11. S?PAH?O?LU, H., Bulut, K. and ESMAO?LU, A., 2021. Middle cerebral artery infarction associated with sildenafil citrate (Viagra) use. Journal of Emergency Medicine Case Reports, 12(1), pp.25-27. https://jemcr.eg.net/article.asp?issn=2146-6268;year=2021;volume=12;issue=1;spage=25;epage=27;aulast=S%3FPAH%3FO%3FLU