Yes, Viagra (sildenafil) tablets can generally be cut in half, but you must consult your doctor or pharmacist first to confirm it is appropriate for your specific prescription and health needs. They may also advise against splitting a specific tablet if it does not have a score line.
Yes, you can split your Viagra tablets. Halving a pill doesn't affect its efficacy as the active drug sildenafil is distributed evenly throughout. If your prescribed dose is 50 mg or 100 mg, and you want to try reducing it, consult our expert medical team first. You should use a pill cutter to safely halve your tablet.
Keep in mind that splitting your pill in half and taking only one-half will change the dose of your medicine. For example, splitting a whole 50 mg tablet in half will typically give you two 25 mg halves. Only take half of your medicine if your healthcare provider has directed you to do this.
Do not take it more than once a day. The dose can be increased to 100mg or decreased to 25mg depending on its effect. Take sildenafil up to 4 hours before you want to have sex.
Summary: Sildenafil tablets can only be safely cut in half if the specific product's Summary of Product Characteristics explicitly states the tablet can be divided into equal doses and you have discussed this with your healthcare provider.
The 25mg dose of Viagra is strong enough for some people with erectile dysfunction, especially those who are more sensitive to the medication or prone to side effects. It is often prescribed for those with underlying health conditions or taking certain medications that may interact with higher doses.
Medications that have modified-release dosage forms or a special coating:
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. Compared to younger people, Viagra leaves the body more slowly in older adults.
Some subtle signs he's taking Viagra may include fewer partial erections and increased satisfaction with your sex life. But there's really no obvious tell.
Bottom line
Medications that you should not cut in half include:
If you split the medication, it becomes harder to swallow and may also change the way the medication is absorbed. Most capsules are meant to be swallowed whole, not chewed or crushed. In some cases, the contents of the capsule may be opened and sprinkled on food — but always check with your pharmacist.
You may take this medicine with or without food. Swallow the tablet whole. Do not split, break, chew, or crush it. Chewable tablets: Chew the tablet completely before swallowing.
Cut only one pill at a time.
Splitting multiple pills at once can make it difficult to identify the medication later. Also, the FDA reports that split pills that sit around are more likely to be affected — and made less effective — by heat, humidity and moisture.
You can take it anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours before sexual activity once you know how it affects you. You may be wondering if there are ways to help Viagra work even faster, such as chewing or crushing the tablet and dissolving it under your tongue. However, it isn't made to work that way.
This is the highest dose of Viagra. Viagra 100mg is the most effective dosage, but it also has the greatest risk of side effects. You may want to try Viagra 100mg if the standard 50mg dose didn't work well enough for you. Usually, you'll only be able to take this higher dose if you didn't get any serious side effects.
Viagra can last for up to 4 hours. As the concentration of Viagra in the blood typically peaks 60 minutes after taking the drug, the effects are strongest around this time. Therefore, it is best to take Viagra around 1 hour before any sexual activity. However, people can take viagra up to 4 hours before intercourse.
Overall, the most common adverse effects of sildenafil are strongly associated with its pharmacological nature as an inhibitor of PDE5 (headache, nasal congestion, ageing and dyspepsia) and as a weak inhibitor of PDE6 (visual impairment), being dose-dependent and observed in 6–18% of men taking sildenafil [53].
Erectile dysfunction (ED), also known as impotence, is the inability to get and maintain an erection. Erectile dysfunction is a very common condition, particularly in older men. It is estimated that half of all men between the ages of 40 and 70 will have it to some degree.
Key takeaways: Viagra (sildenafil) is a prescription medication used to treat erectile dysfunction. The most common Viagra side effects are headache, flushing, and upset stomach. These effects are usually mild and often resolve on their own.
If you take Viagra with a blood pressure medication that also works by lowering blood pressure through vasodilation, your blood pressure could drop low enough to make you dizzy or make you pass out. Taking Viagra with a blood pressure or prostate medication called an alpha blocker can be dangerous.
Erectile dysfunction at age 75 can be treated using the same PDE5 inhibitor medications available to younger men, including sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), and others. Your healthcare provider will help you determine the best choice and adjust dosages based on your overall health and other medications.
Erectile dysfunction medications that can be cut in half
The most common erectile dysfunction medications can be safely split. This includes: Sildenafil (Viagra) Tadalafil (Cialis)
A number of studies of selected medications have concluded that pill splitting in general can be done without adverse effects, with the exception of enteric-coated medications and extended-release medications.
Two drugs that can't be taken together include opioids and alcohol, or benzodiazepines and alcohol, as this combination severely slows breathing and increases overdose risk, and also aspirin and ibuprofen (or other NSAIDs), which heighthens the danger of serious bleeding or stomach ulcers, highlighting the importance of checking all medications for dangerous interactions.