Can you take Viagra with sertraline?

In this article:

• Can you take sertraline with Viagra?
• What happens if you take sertraline and Viagra together?
• How long after taking sertraline can I take Viagra?
• Is it safe to mix sertraline and Viagra?

In this article

• Can you take sertraline with Viagra?
• What happens if you take sertraline and Viagra together?
• How long after taking sertraline can I take Viagra?
• Is it safe to mix sertraline and Viagra?

Viagra (sildenafil) is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that is commonly used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) or impotence. It is often taken alongside sertraline, known by the brand name Zoloft, which is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and other mental health conditions. 

According to medical experts, Viagra and sertraline can safely be taken together and are often used alongside each other as the best course of treatment. Keep reading to discover how these drugs work together, as well as to understand any possible risks.

Can you take sertraline with Viagra?

According to Charles Sweet, MD-MPH, a psychiatrist at Linear Health in Austin, Texas, it is safe to take sertraline with Viagra, as there are no major interactions known between the two, according to the FDA. “In some men, the benefit could be an overall improvement in sexual satisfaction in some men who suffer from depression and ED and are using both together,” Dr. Sweet says. 

Many SSRIs, such as sertraline, are known to cause sexual difficulties, such as lack of arousal, difficulty reaching orgasm, and even ED. Other SSRIs, including fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), escitalopram (Lexapro), and citalopram (Celexa), can also cause ED in men.

There is currently no research to suggest that taking Viagra reduces or limits the effectiveness of sertraline. 

Men may receive a diagnosis of ED from their healthcare provider when exhibiting the following symptoms:

• Struggle to get an erection
• Experience difficulty maintaining an erection
• Brief erections
• Inability to keep an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse
• Inability to consistently achieve an erection
• Low libido or sex drive

Upon receiving an ED diagnosis, a healthcare provider will typically prescribe Viagra. While sertraline might cause ED, it is not the only cause of ED, and people on sertraline may be experiencing ED for reasons entirely outside of their sertraline prescription.

There are no known adverse effects linked to taking both Viagra and sertraline, so this low-risk pairing is ideal for men struggling with erectile dysfunction as a result of taking sertraline to treat depression or an anxiety disorder such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or OCD. 

Men who are over the age of 75 or who experience or have experienced cardiovascular disease, issues with their liver or kidneys, or high or low blood pressure (hypertension or hypotension) should consult with a healthcare provider before taking Viagra and sertraline together.

While it is perfectly safe to take Viagra alongside sertraline, certain drugs should be avoided when taking sertraline, according to Dr. Sweet. These include monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) such as phenelzine and tranylcypromine, anticoagulants, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin or ibuprofen, certain triptans, and more. If you’re taking sertraline, consult with your healthcare provider to determine which medications you can safely take alongside sertraline.

What happens if you take sertraline and Viagra together?

About 35% to 50% of people who deal with untreated major depression also experience some level of sexual problems or dysfunction before starting treatment. Additionally, sexual side effects are common for people taking antidepressants, so whether someone with a mental health disorder has yet to begin treatment or is taking SSRIs as prescribed, they may experience sexual dysfunction anywhere from low libido levels to ED.

Taking sertraline and Viagra together can work to help address sexual dysfunction associated with mental health issues while simultaneously working to treat the mental health issues at hand. “The benefit of this combination is that SSRI medications like sertraline often cause sexual dysfunction, and Viagra can help patients cope with this side effect,” says Ozan Toy, MD, a psychiatrist and Chief Medical Officer with PsychTMS in Baltimore County, Maryland. 

Taking Viagra will not reduce the effectiveness of sertraline. However, Dr. Sweet notes that people who experience very low blood pressure (hypotension) or uncontrollably high blood pressure (hypertension), cardiovascular disease, or issues with the liver or kidneys, as well as those over the age of 75, should consult their healthcare provider before taking Viagra with sertraline to discuss additional treatment options.

Common side effects of taking Viagra and sertraline together may include:

• Mild headache
• Tachycardia
• Vision problems
• Dizziness
• Nausea

If your symptoms become severe upon taking sertraline and Viagra together, stop taking Viagra and consult with your healthcare provider.

Both sertraline and Viagra can cause side effects on their own, so be sure to discuss the known side effects of the two medications with a healthcare provider before beginning to take either sertraline or Viagra.

Sertraline is an SSRI that works to regulate serotonin levels in the brain to treat a wide variety of mental health conditions. Common side effects of sertraline (and many other SSRIs) can include:

• Allergic reactions, including swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, as well as difficulty breathing
• Bleeding or bruising
• Changes in heart rate or rhythm
• Dizziness
• Eye pain or loss of vision
• Low libido
• Low sodium levels
• Nausea or upset stomach
• New or worsening thoughts of suicide
• Serotonin syndrome (confusion, stiffness, twitching, fever, chills, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures)
• Shakiness
• Weight loss or weight gain
• Worsening mood

If you’re not responding well to sertraline or similar SSRIs, your healthcare provider might prescribe tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) instead, which prevent the reuptake of neurotransmitters to treat mental health conditions.

Viagra, generically known as sildenafil, is an oral medication used to treat erectile dysfunction and increase sexual function. Dr. Toy explains that Viagra, a PDE5 inhibitor, works by increasing blood flow to sexual organs to induce an erection in men and enhance sexual performance. Common side effects of Viagra may include:

• Flushed skin
• Headache
• Nausea
• Upset stomach
• Vision changes
• Dizziness
• Stuffy nose
• Back pain
• Hearing or vision loss

In rare cases, taking Viagra may cause an erection that won’t go away on its own, otherwise known as a priapism. In the case of priapism, seek medical care immediately to prevent lasting or permanent damage.

If you’re not responding well to Viagra, your healthcare provider may prescribe a similar medication, such as Cialis, generically known as tadalafil.

How long after taking sertraline can I take Viagra?

Your healthcare provider will advise you to take a specific dosage of sertraline once daily. This dosage can be adjusted as needed with time as symptoms change or develop. Your healthcare provider will help determine whether you should take sertraline each morning or each night. 

Viagra, on the other hand, will not necessarily be taken on a daily schedule as it is an as-needed drug. There is no set time that you need to wait after taking sertraline to take Viagra, but Dr. Toy notes that Viagra should be taken one hour before sexual activity and ideally should not be taken more than once per day. It is best taken on an empty stomach, and the effects of Viagra generally last four to five hours.

It should also be noted that not all SSRIs are the same. If you’re currently taking an SSRI other than sertraline, such as fluoxetine, paroxetine, escitalopram, or citalopram to treat anxiety disorder, clinical depression, or other mental health conditions and are experiencing ED, consult with your healthcare provider before beginning regular use of Viagra.

Be sure to discuss the best dosage and schedule for each medication with your healthcare provider before taking sertraline and Viagra together.

Is it safe to mix sertraline and Viagra?

Viagra, a drug used to treat erectile dysfunction and sertraline, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, are commonly prescribed to be taken together. There are no major drug interactions between the two, and it is commonly considered by healthcare providers to be safe to take both sertraline and Viagra. As sertraline can commonly cause erectile dysfunction in men, taking Viagra as needed can alleviate erectile dysfunction symptoms and increase sexual function without affecting the effectiveness of the sertraline prescription. Always consult their healthcare provider with any concerns and to determine the proper dosage.