How Long Does Viagra Connect® Take to Work?
If you have erectile dysfunction, you may have considered using medications such as Viagra® to make getting and maintaining an erection easier.
These medications work by increasing blood flow to your penis, allowing you to get an erection after sexual stimulation.
Viagra Connect® is an over-the-counter version of Viagra that’s designed for use before sexual activity. If you have ED, it’s a convenient option for the treatment of erectile dysfunction that can be purchased without any need to talk to your healthcare provider.
One of the most common questions about Viagra Connect is as follows: “How long does Viagra Connect take to work?”
Each Viagra Connect tablet contains the active ingredient sildenafil, which takes about one hour to start working. This means that you’ll need to plan ahead and take your “little blue pill” at least one hour before you need a reliable erection for sex.
However, there are a few things that you should know before relying on Viagra Connect as your preferred ED treatment, including the impact that your diet can have on the amount of time that might pass before it starts working as a treatment for erectile dysfunction.
We’ve covered these below and covered everything you need to know about timing your use of Viagra Connect for optimal benefits.
We’ve also shared a few other erectile dysfunction medications that you might want to consider if you’re interested in treating this common form of male sexual dysfunction.
What is Viagra Connect?
Viagra Connect is an over-the-counter version of Viagra that’s available in the UK. It contains a 50mg dosage of sildenafil — the same active ingredient that’s used in the prescription version of Viagra.1
Sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra and Viagra Connect, belongs to a class of medications referred to as PDE5 inhibitors.2
These medications, which are the most common treatment options for erectile dysfunction, work by expanding the blood vessels that supply your penis.3 This produces an increase in blood flow that makes it easier to get and maintain an erection during sex.
Contrary to popular belief, ED medications like Viagra don’t have any effect on your sex drive or testosterone levels. Instead, they work solely by relaxing the smooth muscle tissue in your blood vessels, allowing for easier blood flow and more consistent erections.4
Our full guide to how Viagra works goes into more detail about this process, as well as what you can expect after taking Viagra Connect or generic sildenafil for ED.
How Long Does it Take for Viagra Connect to Work?
As an oral medication, Viagra Connect (and its generic equivalent, sildenafil) doesn’t work quite as soon as you swallow it. Instead, it needs to pass through your digestive system and make its way into your bloodstream before it has any effects on the symptoms of erectile dysfunction.
For most people, it takes around one hour before Viagra Connect starts working to treat erectile dysfunction.5 However, you can take Viagra Connect anywhere from 30 minutes to four hours in advance of sexual activity.6
As far as taking Viagra Connect, the process is easy — simply take the Viagra pill with a glass of water.
Viagra Connect lasts for about four hours per dose, meaning you’ll have a reasonably long time window in which you can have sex. Keep in mind that the precise period of time in which Viagra Connect is active may vary slightly from person to person.
Over time, you’ll likely get used to the ideal pre-sex timing for taking Viagra Connect or generic sildenafil for optimal results.
Factors That Can Affect Viagra Connect’s Time to Work
Most of the time, Viagra Connect should produce a noticeable improvement in your erections an hour after you take it.
However, one thing that can slow down Viagra’s absorption is food. If you have a heavy meal at the same time as you take Viagra Connect, especially a high-fat meal, it may take longer than a one-hour period for the medication to start working effectively.7
Because of this, it’s best to avoid eating a fatty meal — for example, a burger and chips or other fried foods — when you’re using Viagra. Instead, if you’re hungry, try to opt for a moderate-sized meal with a low fat content.
It’s also important to limit your alcohol intake while you’re using either Viagra Connect or generic sildenafil. While a moderate amount of alcohol is okay, drinking to excess can affect your sexual health and may cause sexual dysfunction even if you use Viagra.
Side Effects of Viagra Connect
Viagra Connect and generic sildenafil can cause adverse effects. Most of these side effects only occur while Viagra is active in your body, and it’s common for them to occur while blood levels of this medication are at their highest.
Common side effects of Viagra include:
Headaches
Flushing
Dyspepsia (indigestion)
Nasal congestion
Abnormal vision
Myalgia (muscle pain)
Back pain
Dizziness
Nausea
Rash8
Viagra and generic sildenafil can also cause interactions with other medications, including some that may affect your blood pressure. Make sure to inform your healthcare provider if you use any medications or have an existing medical condition before taking Viagra Connect or generic sildenafil.
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Other Options for Treating Erectile Dysfunction
Since it’s sold online and over the counter, Viagra Connect is a convenient option for improving your erections and sexual performance if you’re prone to ED.
However, other medications are also available to treat erectile dysfunction, including some that may be more suited to your needs than Viagra Connect.
One of these medications is generic sildenafil, which contains the exact same active ingredient as Viagra Connect. Since this medication doesn’t come with the Viagra brand name, it’s sold at a more affordable price and is a more cost-effective option for treating ED.
Another option is tadalafil, the active ingredient in Cialis®. This long-lasting medication works for up to 36 hours per dose, meaning it’s worth considering if you’re looking for a “weekend” ED pill that you can take once before having sex several times throughout the day.
We offer these medications as part of our full range of erectile dysfunction treatments, following a free online consultation with a UK-based clinician.
The Bottom Line on How Long Viagra Connect Takes to Work
Viagra Connect takes around one hour to start working. If you use Viagra Connect, Viagra or a generic version of sildenafil to treat ED, you’ll get the best results by taking your medication 30 to 60 minutes before you plan to have sex.
We offer Viagra Connect online, making it easy to access this medication and enjoy better sex and fewer erection problems if you’re one of the millions of men in the UK affected by ED.
If Viagra Connect doesn’t seem to work for you, or if you’re able to develop an erection but find it difficult to maintain your erection during sex, you may want to talk to a clinician about trying a different ED treatment.
You can get started by taking part in an erectile dysfunction consultation online, during which a UK clinical will tell you more about your treatment options.
You can also learn more about getting the best results from Viagra and similar medications for erectile dysfunction in our detailed guide to taking ED medication effectively.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment or medication.