Taking Viagra for fun: is recreational Viagra safe?

Taking Viagra (sildenafil) recreationally without a diagnosis of erectile dysfunction (ED) is not safe or recommended. Recreational Viagra refers to using Viagra without a medical need, often in an attempt to enhance sexual performance rather than treat ED. 

Like any medication, Viagra can cause side effects and may be especially risky for people with certain health conditions or those taking other medications that interact with it.

Taking Viagra for fun is not advisable for people with health conditions or those taking other medications. But what about people who are otherwise healthy and not taking any medications?

In general, ED medications are safe when the heart is healthy and no other medications are being taken that would interact with them. However, underlying medical conditions that could react dangerously with Viagra may go undetected.

"If we're talking about someone relatively young, with no cardiac risk factors or other serious health conditions, who aren't on other medications that interact with PDE-5 inhibitors, then I would say at a low dose, Viagra is a reasonably innocuous medication that will just improve their erectile function,” says Seth Cohen, MD, a urologist at NYU Langone.

For people interested in recreational Viagra, Dr. Cohen says he would be curious what they mean by "recreational." For those not experiencing erection issues, he says there is usually no need to take Viagra, but many men take it because they have encountered a problem.

"People who ask for these medications are asking for a reason. Maybe they're dealing with performance anxiety,” Dr. Cohen says. “When they masturbate, their penis is hard and everything's easy to achieve and maintain, but when they're in front of a partner, they prematurely ejaculate or lose their erection too quickly.” 

Dr. Cohen says this  is a form of erectile dysfunction. “There's nothing wrong in their penis, but psychologically, there's an issue,” he says.

Dr. Cohen says many people who think they are taking Viagra recreationally may actually be experiencing symptoms of ED. "Guys who get Viagra from a friend or take it from their parents' cabinet may call that 'recreational use,' but they may actually have erectile problems," he says.

Whether those difficulties stem from performance anxiety or an underlying health condition, talking to a healthcare provider is worthwhile. In some cases, ED can be a sign of a broader health problem that deserves attention.

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Another type of recreational Viagra use involves taking Viagra along with other substances for "chemsex," or chemical sex, which describes the use of substances during sexual activity. This can be very unsafe, especially since these substances can interact with each other and with Viagra in dangerous ways.

One example is poppers. Commonly used on the club scene, poppers are small vials filled with a substance called amyl nitrite. When combined with Viagra, these substances may cause a severe drop in blood pressure ranging in severity from dizziness to, in extreme cases, death.

Similar substances are used by healthcare professionals to treat heart conditions. People currently receiving treatment with nitrates, or those who have been diagnosed with a heart-related condition, should consult a healthcare provider before trying erectile dysfunction medications.

Viagra and other ED medications known as PDE-5 inhibitors can be unsafe to take alongside certain medical conditions or other medications, and may cause complications.

For this reason, it is important to consult a healthcare provider before taking ED medication and to be forthcoming about health history, symptoms, and current medication regimen.

"If the average guy comes up to me and says, 'Hey, if I just take a small dose of Viagra, is that going to do anything really negative to me?' Nine times out of ten, the answer would be no," Dr. Cohen says. "But if someone has a heart defect or he's on other medications for high blood pressure, that could do some damage."

You should not take ED medications if any the following apply to you:

• Having certain heart conditions that are considered too risky for sexual activity

• Taking certain medications including nitrates or nitrites. 

• Having a history of low blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, or heart failure

• Having experienced a stroke or heart attack in the past six months

Even when none of the above apply to you, a medication that has not been prescribed by a healthcare provider should not be taken. If you take antihypertensives or alpha blockers, you should only take Viagra under the approval and close monitoring of a licensed healthcare provider. 

Viagra and other ED medications can cause side effects, including:

• Headache

• Facial flushing

• Nasal congestion

• Stomach upset

• Backache

• Priapism, a painful erection lasting longer than four hours, which is considered a medical emergency (rare)

For a comprehensive list of side effects, read the FDA label and discuss with your healthcare provider.

Taking Viagra recreationally may seem harmless, but it is not risk-free:

• Viagra is not intended for recreational use. It is a prescription medication designed to treat ED, not enhance sexual performance in people without it.

• The biggest risks involve underlying health conditions and medication interactions. Sildenafil may be dangerous for people with certain heart conditions or those taking medications such as nitrates. Even for people without these conditions, taking prescription medication without close monitoring by a healthcare provider is not advisable.

• Some people taking recreational Viagra may have undiagnosed ED. Performance anxiety and difficulty maintaining an erection with a partner may be signs of ED worth discussing with a healthcare provider.

• Viagra can cause side effects even when taken as directed. Common side effects include headaches, flushing, nasal congestion, dizziness, indigestion, and vision changes. Keeping a healthcare provider informed of any side effects can help ensure the right medication and dose.

As Dr. Cohen points out, asking whether recreational Viagra is "safe" is a loaded question. While Viagra may not cause serious problems for everyone, taking prescription medication without medical guidance is not recommended. 

People considering Viagra — or who think they may have ED — should talk to a healthcare provider about whether ED medication is appropriate.

Researchers estimate that at least 30–50 million men in the US have experienced erectile dysfunction.