Instructions for Erectile Dysfunction Medication (Viagra, Levitra, Cialis)


  • Take medication around 1 hour prior to sexual activity
  • These medications are amplifiers, not “magic pills”: you must have sexual stimulation for them to work
  • They often do not work the 1st few times, so you need to try at least 4 times before you decide if they do or do not work for you.
  • Especially for Viagra, take the pills prior to a meal or after a light snack. They do not absorb well if you have a full stomach.

Side effects (most common)

  • Headache
  • Facial flushing
  • Upset stomach
  • Back pain (Cialis)
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Blurry vision

Do NOT take these medications if you are on nitroglycerin, on medications with nitrates, or even have nitroglycerin at home. Ask your doctor if you have any questions about this.

These medications do NOT protect you against sexually transmitted diseases

Remember that these are prescription-only medications, do NOT share these medications with your friends, they may have medical conditions that would prevent them from taking these medications.