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Do Erectile Dysfunction (ED) Drugs Interact with Alcohol?

Medically reviewed by Leigh Ann Anderson, PharmD. Last updated on June 14, 2024.

Low blood pressure may occur if you drink too much alcohol while taking phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors for erectile dysfunction (ED), for example Cialis or Stendra. Both alcohol and ED drugs can dilate blood vessels and may lower blood pressure, and mixing the two can have an added effect.

Patients taking PDE5 inhibitors should avoid consuming large amounts of alcohol, which may cause a sudden decrease in blood pressure when getting up from a standing or reclining position. Studies with some PDE5 inhibitors have shown a decrease in blood pressure and symptoms like feeling dizzy, lightheaded or fainting when they are combined with alcohol.

Although effects can be variable, symptoms may include a faster or irregular heart beat, dizziness or lightheadedness, flushing, headache and fainting. Injury from a fall, such as a bone fracture or head injury, could occur. Use caution when getting up from a sitting or lying position.

Erectile dysfunction drugs include:

Cialis is also used to treat enlargement of the prostate gland (benign prostatic hypertrophy or BPH). It can also be used as a single agent to treat both ED and the signs and symptoms of BPH (ED / BPH).

Some PDE5 inhibitor brands (Adcirca, Alyq, Revatio) are also approved to treat high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs (pulmonary hypertension), but not approved to be used for erectile dysfunction. Do not use these medicines with other PDE5 inhibitors.

Learn more: The Drugs.com Drug Interaction Checker

Can I drink alcohol with Cialis?

In general, either avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with PDE5 inhibitors.

The manufacturer of Cialis (tadalafil) recommends no more than five (5) alcoholic drinks (for example, 5 glasses of wine or 5 shots of whiskey), while the manufacturer of Stendra (avanafil) suggests no more than three (3) drinks.

Other manufacturers do not make specific patient recommendations, but since this is most likely a class effect, use caution when combining any PDE5 inhibitor with alcohol.

According to the manufacturer, Viagra (sildenafil) 50 mg and vardenafil 20 mg did not increase the blood-pressure lowering effect of alcohol in healthy volunteers given certain amounts of alcohol:

Always check with your pharmacist or doctor for possible interactions between your medicines and alcohol. Tell your healthcare providers about all the other medications you use, including prescription, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements.

Types of Drug Interactions With Alcohol

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Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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