More treatment options are available than ever for men struggling with symptoms of erectile dysfunction (ED).
When pharmaceutical giant Pfizer developed the first-ever FDA-approved prescription drug for treating ED in 1998 – sildenafil citrate, more commonly known as Viagra® – it was an unprecedented success.
Since then, the ED medication has proven so effective that a whole category of prescription drugs known as phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors was developed using the same mechanism of action.
Competitors in the form of tadalafil (Cialis®) and vardenafil (Levitra®) came hot off the heels of Viagra®’s success, both of which were approved in 2003. In 2017, Viagra® went generic, leading to generic sildenafil citrate being made available at significantly lower prices when Pfizer started making its generic version of Viagra.
Since then, Cialis® and Levitra® and their generic versions have taken a substantial share of the profits Viagra once generated; however, sildenafil remains the most popular ED medicine in the United States.
How much sildenafil is too much? Let’s find out.
What doses are available for sildenafil?
Sildenafil citrate is the active ingredient of Viagra®, known as the “little blue pill.” Generic sildenafil has been available in 25 mg, 50 mg, or 100 mg doses since 2017 when Pfizer created generic Viagra®.
Sildenafil was made even more widely accessible to global audiences after the expiration of the pharma giant’s patent in 2020, contributing to its enduring popularity worldwide as a first-line treatment for ED.
Doctors may prescribe different dosages of sildenafil depending on an individual’s unique circumstances and expectations. Consult a healthcare professional to determine how much sildenafil is right for you.
The standard sildenafil dose for ED is 50 mg, taken as needed one hour before engaging in sexual activity. Sildenafil should only be taken once a day on an as-needed basis unless otherwise specified by a doctor.
Doctors may adjust sildenafil doses depending on a person’s medical history and age. For instance, men over 65 or those with pre-existing hepatic and renal conditions are often started on 25 mg per day.
The recommended maximum dose for sildenafil is 100 mg, and the maximum frequency for taking it is once a day.
Taking higher or more frequent doses of sildenafil won’t make the drug more potent or efficient. Worse, doing so may cause potentially life-threatening side effects.
Getting ED medication has never been easier
Connect with a US-licensed healthcare provider for a FREE evaluation!
Free Express
Shipping
Discreet
Shipping
No Waiting
Rooms
How much sildenafil should I take the first time?
ED medication may be unnerving the first few times you take it if you don’t know what to expect, which is typical for any new medicine you’ve just begun taking.
Thus, it’s critical to understand how to take sildenafil correctly for optimal results. Taking excessive amounts of sildenafil at any one time, taking too little, or taking it at inopportune times may cause side effects or cause it not to work at all.
While sildenafil works well for most men, it isn’t for everyone. If you’re experiencing the following conditions, consult your doctor about whether sildenafil is a viable option for you:
- Hypotension (low blood pressure)
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Cardiovascular disease
- Heart attacks and strokes
- Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
Once your doctor gives you the green light to take sildenafil and gives you a prescription, there are a few prerequisites to remember before taking your first dose.
Depending on how you react to your first or several doses of sildenafil, your doctor may adjust your dosage if your starting dose isn’t treating your ED symptoms.
Likewise, your healthcare provider may consider lowering the dosage if you experience lingering side effects on your starting dose.
The best way to find the appropriate starting dose with the least likelihood of developing side effects is to follow the advice of your healthcare provider.
Can you take more than the recommended dose of sildenafil?
Double the dosage, double the fun? Not quite.
The idea of taking more than the prescribed sildenafil dosage to increase the hardness or duration of your erections is a misconception.
Moreover, taking extra doses of sildenafil will not address difficulties with getting aroused while engaged in sexual activity – sildenafil only creates the ideal conditions to achieve an erection upon arousal or stimulation.
Exceeding your dosage may increase the risk of developing side effects.
Priapism is one of the more severe side effects that may happen due to exceeding the doctor-recommended dose of sildenafil. Priapism is an erection that lasts longer than usual – and while that may sound enticing, it may cause irreversible damage to your penis.
If your erection lasts longer than several hours, consult a medical professional immediately.
The only time your doctor might instruct you to take more than just one sildenafil dose is if your doctor agrees to increase it from 25 mg to 50 mg or from 50 mg to 100 mg by taking two tablets simultaneously – not at different times within the same day.
Consult your doctor about taking another ED treatment that will last you the entire day if you are looking for another solution, such as tadalafil, which has a more prolonged effect than sildenafil.
Connect with a US-licensed healthcare provider for a FREE evaluation! Free Express Discreet No WaitingGetting ED medication has never been easier
Shipping
Shipping
Rooms
Is it okay to take 100 mg of sildenafil?
The maximum dose of sildenafil is 100 mg, and your doctor might prescribe such a dose if you struggle to achieve and keep an erection with the usual 50 mg dose.
Clinical trials show that 82% of individuals who took sildenafil at 100 mg doses experienced enhanced erections; however, this dosage is typically prescribed for individuals with moderate to severe ED symptoms or if they fail to respond to lower sildenafil doses.
It’s possible to experience side effects from 50 mg to 100 mg doses of sildenafil, including gastrointestinal discomfort, flushing, headaches, nasal congestion, and problems with vision.
Even if your doctor prescribes you the 100 mg dose of sildenafil, you shouldn’t take more than 100 mg of the drug in a single day because you may experience cardiovascular-related side effects from taking the drug.
Is it okay to take 100mg of sildenafil in one day? The FDA says yes – but more likely than not, you won’t need or be prescribed such a dose by your doctor.
Final words
Ultimately, there is no one “right” dose of Viagra. You can work with your healthcare provider to identify the right dose for you, which will be based on factors like your overall health and medical history.
Remember: bigger doses don’t necessarily mean better, and what matters is finding the right dose for you.
