Should I take Viagra (sildenafil) with food?

Viagra is the brand name of sildenafil, an oral medication to treat erectile dysfunction (ED).

Viagra is a medication known as a PDE-5 inhibitor. It works by blocking cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE-5), an enzyme that causes an erection to subside by encouraging blood to flow out of the penis. When PDE-5 is inhibited, levels of cGMP remain high, which relaxes smooth muscle and encourages blood vessels to widen (a process known as vasodilation). That makes blood flow more freely, including to the penis.

Viagra's effects aren't instantaneous, meaning the drug doesn’t get you hard on its own: You need to feel sexually aroused for it to work.

It's not necessary to take Viagra with food.

In fact, if you take Viagra with a heavy, high-fat meal, it may take longer to work. That's because a full stomach can delay the absorption of Viagra. A longer absorption time means that Viagra isn't as concentrated in your blood, so it may not be as effective. That could mean your erection might come later than expected, be less strong than you expected, and not last as long as you would've liked.

Most other ED medications don't require you to take them with food, either. These include Cialis, Stendra, Levitra, and Staxyn.

Viagra can be taken 30 minutes to four hours before sexual activity. You should always talk to your healthcare provider about when you should take Viagra to achieve the best results for you.

As mentioned, you should not take Viagra with a high fat meal. High fat foods may cause Viagra to take longer to work. Some examples of foods you should avoid when taking Viagra include:

• Fast food meals (bacon, pork sausage, poultry skin)

• Fatty meats 

• Meals containing butter and heavy cream

• Soft cheeses

• Processed foods (potato chips, packaged baked goods, frozen dinners)

In addition to high fat foods, try to avoid grapefruit juice before taking Viagra. The liver breaks down Viagra, and grapefruit juice may affect how well the liver can accomplish this. Researchers found that the combination can increase the amount of the drug circulating in your body, which may increase the risk of common side effects. Avoiding these products when taking Viagra will ensure you get the most bang for your buck when it comes to the little blue pill.

Viagra is effective on an empty stomach. And, as long as you avoid fatty foods, grapefruit products, and don’t drink a lot of alcohol, when you eat in relation to taking Viagra should not affect the efficacy of the pill.

A study of men taking sildenafil tested whether taking the medication one hour before or during a meal impacted the efficacy of the drug or participant satisfaction. The results showed that no loss of efficacy or satisfaction occurred. So, eat up (but not too much before sex)!

Eating a large meal before sex isn't a great idea, regardless of which medication you're taking. When you eat a big meal, you naturally divert blood flow to your stomach and intestines to help with digestion. That means you might have less potential blood flow to give you a firm, lasting erection. A heavy meal may also make you sleepy, another factor that can make your erectile function less-than-spectacular. It's not a huge deal, but a big meal before sex isn't the best strategy to get a strong erection.

Medical conditions such as liver and kidney disease can change the way your body absorbs Viagra, and certain drugs can interact with Viagra. It's important that you talk with a healthcare provider about your medical history and all medications and supplements you're currently taking. You may need a lower starting dose, or Viagra may not be safe for you to take at all. 

For example, people with liver and kidney disease may need the lowest starting dose, and people on drugs called nitrates for certain heart conditions and riociguat for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension should not take Viagra. To learn more, read this important safety information about Viagra.

If you struggle with erectile dysfunction, ED medication is a safe and effective treatment option to improve your satisfaction with your sex life. Rest assured that if you avoid high fat meals, grapefruit products, and alcohol, food consumption should not impact the efficacy of your medication. Make an appointment with your healthcare provider to learn more about treatment options that are right for you.

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Current version

April 07, 2023

Written by

Michael Martin

Fact checked by

Felix Gussone, MD

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About the medical reviewer

Felix Gussone, MD, Ro

Felix Gussone is a physician, health journalist and a Manager, Medical Content & Education at Ro.