Does Viagra cause neuropathy?

Asked by: Helga Spinka  |  Last update: January 22, 2026
Score: 5/5 (32 votes)

Most of Viagra's side effects are mild and temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, Viagra can cause serious side effects* that can affect your health long term. For example, Viagra can cause non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION),† which can result in permanent vision loss.

Does Viagra affect neuropathy?

Sildenafil therapy may have potentiated the same mechanisms that theoretically induce ischemic optic neuropathy in an anatomically susceptible optic nerve head, specifically hypotension.

What medications make peripheral neuropathy worse?

NRTIS. NRTIs associated with peripheral neuropathy include zalcitabine (ddC), didanosine (ddI), stavudine (d4T), and lamivudine. The incidence of peripheral neuropathy with these drugs varies by agent and is a frequent reason cited for discontinuation of antiretroviral therapy.

What are the neurological effects of Viagra?

In post- marketing experience, several neurologic events like seizure, seizure recurrence, anxiety, and transient global amnesia had been reported in temporal association with Viagra® use (1). Furthermore, some published studies also have described some neurologic, psychological disturbances caused by Viagra® (2).

Can Viagra cause pins and needles?

Let your doctor know if you have the following symptoms: Hearing loss or ear ringing. Bladder pain, pain on urination, increased frequency of urination, bloody or cloudy urine. Burning, itching, crawling, numbness, or pins and needles sensations.

Viagra’s Secret—Vision Side Effects Exposed

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What happens when you constantly take Viagra?

Nerve, muscle and prostate gland issues could possibly develop with long-term daily use. Cardiovascular (heart health) impacts are another consideration, especially for patients with certain health conditions like heart disease. Your doctor will assess your risk factors before starting daily Viagra.

Is there a better alternative to Viagra?

There are several effective prescription Viagra alternatives. These include oral pills such as Cialis (tadalafil), vardenafil, and Stendra (avanafil). Alprostadil (Caverject, Edex) and compounded medications, such as TriMix, are effective treatments that are injected into the penis.

Is Viagra good for circulation?

Sildenafil increased blood flow in both large and small brain vessels as measured by ultrasound and MRI scans. Sildenafil enhanced the blood flow response to carbon dioxide, indicating improved cerebrovascular function.

What are the long term issues with Viagra?

Some studies have shown that the drug can cause vision loss and hearing loss in a small number of users. Additionally, the drug can cause priapism, a painful condition in which an erection lasts for several hours or more. This can cause serious health problems and be extremely painful [3].

What is the new study on Viagra?

A new study published in the American Journal of Medicine has found that medications commonly prescribed for erectile dysfunction—tadalafil (Cialis) and sildenafil (Viagra)—are associated with significant reductions in deaths, cardiovascular disease and dementia in middle-aged men.

Why did my neuropathy suddenly get worse?

High levels of stress and anxiety can amplify your pain. Physical stress and exertion can increase your nerve pain as well. Strenuous exercise and the accompanying soreness can contribute to nerve pain during the night.

What drink is good for neuropathy?

Water should be a staple in any diet, and even more so for those looking to reduce nerve pain. It's critical to stay hydrated throughout the day to reduce inflammation and avoid triggering pain receptors. Aim to drink eight 8-oz. of water each day.

How to reverse neuropathy?

There is no clear treatment for neuropathy that will improve nerve damage, but a combination of pain medications, vitamins, lotions and exercise can help you manage symptoms.

When not to take Viagra?

have a serious heart or liver problem. have recently had a stroke, heart attack or a heart problem – your doctor should carefully check whether your heart can take the additional strain of having sex. have low blood pressure (hypotension) have a rare inherited eye disease, such as retinitis pigmentosa.

Does Viagra help with nerves?

Numerous findings showed that sildenafil exerts various beneficial effects in the central nervous system such as stimulation of neurogenesis, memory enhancement, attenuation of the learning impairment and neuroprotection.

Why is neuropathy worse in bed?

At night, when you're lying in bed, the lack of movement may open the gates to more intense signals from nerve pain. “We know that cold worsens most types of neuropathy pain,” says Dr. Farhad. “So, if your house or bedroom is cooler at night, the lower temperature may worsen nerve pain.”

How many years can a man take Viagra?

Sildenafil is safe to take for a long time. There do not seem to be any lasting harmful effects from taking it for many months and years.

What helps ED immediately?

Injectable medications start to work within 10 minutes. Vacuum constriction device (penis pump). Penis pumps start to work almost immediately. Testosterone replacement therapy, which is available as a gel, injection, patches and pellets.

What happens if you take Viagra and fall asleep?

What happens if you take Viagra and fall asleep? Because Viagra requires sexual stimulation to work, dozing off means the medication remains inactive with no effect. But be sure to take any missed doses as soon as possible while awake per the health provider's guidance for reliable support.

Can taking Viagra daily be harmful?

Both Viagra and the non-branded generic version, Sildenafil, are safe to take everyday, both in their 50mg and 100mg dosages. However, you really shouldn't be taking them daily if you are not intending to engage in sexual activity daily. Importantly, you shouldn't take Sildenafil or Viagra more than once a day.

Can a 70 year old man take Viagra?

Can older adults take Viagra? Yes, but it's recommended to start with a lower dose. The typical starting dosage of Viagra is one 50 mg tablet about an hour before sexual activity. But for adults over age 65, it's recommended to start with a lower 25 mg dose.

What enhances Viagra?

Research suggests that eating or drinking grapefruit while taking sildenafil (the active ingredient in Viagra) can increase the amount of the drug circulating in your body, which may increase the risk of common side effects, such as low blood pressure.

What gets you harder than Viagra?

Structurally vardenafil (Levitra) is similar to sildenafil, while tadalafil (Cialis) is very different. Vardenafil (Levitra) is almost 10 times more biochemically potent than sildenafil, therefore a lower dose is needed to facilitate the penile erection, potentially resulting in less side effects.

How to increase blood flow to pennis?

Ways to do this include:
  1. Eat a Healthy Diet. Focus on a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. ...
  2. Stay Hydrated. Dehydration can reduce blood volume and affect blood flow throughout the body. ...
  3. Maintain a Healthy Weight. ...
  4. Exercise. ...
  5. Reduce Stress. ...
  6. Stop Smoking.