Can you become addicted to Viagra? What you need to know

If you’ve been thinking about using Viagra®, you may have wondered “Is Viagra addictive?” As it turns out, one of the most common concerns many men have about this ED medication is whether you might become addicted to Viagra.

The short answer is that although it is not considered habit forming, some men do develop a psychological dependence on Viagra. However, this is a problem that you can avoid with preparations, so you don’t have to worry that if you take Viagra, you will always need it.

Below we will discuss Viagra tolerance and how to avoid problems with it down the road.

Is Viagra physically addictive?

Let’s be clear: Sildenafil – the brand name for Viagra – is not an addictive or habit-forming drug. There is no pharmaceutical ingredient in it that can make you addicted to Viagra. However, you can come to rely on Viagra over time for the psychological comfort of knowing you can trust it to work. (Read more about Viagra® vs. Sildenafil: What’s the difference?.)

Although many medications, prescription or not, can cause or contribute to physical dependence and addiction, Viagra is not among them. Sildenafil citrate (the active ingredient in Viagra) is not linked to physical dependence, meaning that you will not develop a physical dependence on it or develop withdrawal symptoms if you stop using it suddenly. Unlike some medications that cause physical dependence, Viagra does not have a direct effect on the reward pathways in your brain that can potentially trigger physical dependence or cause withdrawal symptoms.

This also applies to other oral medications for ED, such as tadalafil (the active ingredient in Cialis®), vardenafil (the active ingredient in Levitra®) and avanafil (sold as Stendra®). These ED drugs, including Viagra, work by inhibiting the enzyme phosphodiesterase type 5, or PDE5, which restricts blood flow to the soft tissues of your privates. By improving blood flow to your privates, medications like Viagra make it easier to get and maintain an arousal when you’re in the mood for intimacy.

Currently, there is no scientific evidence that sildenafil, tadalafil, or other drugs used to treat ED are physically addictive. In fact, the vast majority of men who use Viagra for ED do so without developing any type of physical or psychological dependence.

Are you addicted to taking Viagra?

Although Viagra is not physically addictive, people who use it can potentially become psychologically dependent on it for optimal performance. This means that a person may be so used to using the medication that they fear they cannot function normally without it or believe it is necessary to function normally. In men with moderate or severe ED, it may be true that Viagra is always necessary for an arousal. But for men with mild ED or men without ED who use Viagra recreationally, they may psychologically feel like they always need the medication even though they really don’t. (Read more about What does Viagra do to your sexual experience?.)

Can Viagra Cause ED?

Viagra is a drug that is FDA approved to treat ED – it usually does not cause ED. One way it can indirectly cause ED is if you experience a rare side effect called priapism, which is an arousal that lasts more than four hours and can be harmful to the privates. Untreated priapism can cause physical harm to individuals which can cause ED later. So if you experience an arousal that lasts more than four hours, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.

Can you build a tolerance to Viagra?

The issue of Viagra tolerance is one that doesn’t get a lot of attention, and in our opinion that’s because it’s not that big of a danger – at least not compared to illegal drugs.

There have been reports of tolerance to Viagra over time, but in general this is not considered common. It is possible that any “tolerance” actually reflects an evolution of the original causes of the ED and a worsening of the severity of the ED that may require a higher dose of Viagra for treatment.

How to Avoid Viagra Addiction

The most effective way to avoid Viagra addiction is to follow the instructions of your healthcare provider and use Viagra or similar medications as recommended. When used as prescribed, Viagra is a safe, effective and reliable drug, with little chance of you becoming dependent on Viagra.

Still worried about the question “if I take Viagra, will I always need it”? Here are some general guidelines to follow (please don’t use this for tips on how to do it wrong):

• Only use Viagra in the prescribed dose. Viagra is available in several different forms dosesfrom 25 mg to 100 mg. The recommended starting dose is 50 mg. Be sure to use the medicine as prescribed by your healthcare provider. If you do not experience any improvement from Viagra, or if you develop side effects at your prescribed dose, talk to your doctor about adjusting your dose.

• Set realistic performance expectations. You may face a greater risk of becoming psychologically dependent on Viagra if you create unrealistic expectations of yourself in bed, such as always being able to get a steady, lasting arousal. It is always best to communicate clearly with your partner so that you are both on the same page, without any pressure or anxiety.

• Only use Viagra if you think you need it. If you are prescribed Viagra, you do not necessarily need to take it every time you have intimacy. Try to take Viagra or other ED drugs only when you feel anxious or worried about your performance.

• Limit the amount of adult videos you watch. Watching adult videos can negatively affect your performance and affect your expectations of intimacy. In some cases, it can even result in a form of ED called adult video-induced ED. If you find it hard to get and maintain arousal with your partner but you can get hard while watching adult videos, try to limit the amount of adult videos you watch.

Consider other treatment options for ED. Viagra is a very effective treatment for ED, but it is not the only treatment option available. Other options for managing ED include psychotherapy, pelvic floor exercises, vacuum compression devices and surgical procedures. Used alone or in combination with Viagra, other interventions can help you improve your arousal and avoid relying solely on medication.

Is Viagra addictive? The verdict

Generally speaking, Viagra is not an addictive drug. When used with a prescription at a normal dose, Viagra addiction is not something you usually have to worry about. Instead, focus on keeping the following takeaways in mind as you navigate the world of safe Viagra use

• ED is a very common problem that can affect men of all ages.

• Viagra and similar medications treat ED by increasing blood flow to your privates.

• There is also no scientific evidence that Viagra and other ED medications can cause withdrawal symptoms if you stop using them abruptly.

• Although Viagra can become psychologically addictive, there is no evidence that using Viagra can lead to physical dependence or addiction.

This article was originally published on Hims.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.

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