Sildenafil is a common medication used to stimulate erections in people with erectile dysfunction (ED). It can also treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (high blood pressure affecting the lungs and heart).

For treating ED specifically, Viagra is the well-known brand-name version of this drug.

Many factors can influence how long Viagra takes to start working. In general, Viagra takes about 30 minutes to produce noticeable effects.

But your diet, your overall health, the medications you’re taking, underlying conditions, and much more can all affect the amount of time Viagra takes to work in your body and how long it lasts.

How does it work?

An erection happens when nerves in your penis are stimulated.

As a result, muscles around two cylinder-shaped chambers of spongy material along your penis, known as the corpora cavernosa, relax and allow blood to flow in, causing an erection.

With ED, your nerves don’t communicate properly with your brain and blood doesn’t flow properly into the corpora cavernosa. Taking Viagra relaxes the walls of your blood vessels and lets blood flow more easily into the parts of your penis that cause an erection.

How long does it take to start working?

Viagra normally starts working 30 to 60 minutes after you take it in oral tablet form. It may take up to 2 hours to work.

Viagra doesn’t work on its own. You’ll still need to feel sexually aroused to get an erection. Feeling relaxed and comfortable can also help Viagra take effect sooner.