If you have sex often, you may wonder whether you can simply take Viagra every day. The answer depends on what you mean by “every day”. Taking it once on a day when you plan to have sex, even on several days in a row, is within the label. Taking it as a regular daily treatment for ED is not how it is licensed, and there is a better-suited option for that.
The once-a-day limit
Sildenafil (Viagra) is licensed to be taken as needed, about an hour before sex, and no more than once a day1. So if your prescriber agrees, you can take it on any day you plan to have sex, as long as you take only one dose in 24 hours and stay within your prescribed strength (the highest licensed dose is 100 mg)1.
Never take a second dose the same day if the first did not seem to work, and do not combine it with other ED medicines1.
What is known about taking it often
Sildenafil has been studied in long-term use: in its original trials, more than 550 men took it for longer than a year1. Side effects are the same kinds as with occasional use, such as headache, flushing, indigestion and a blocked nose, and they become more common at higher doses1.
The safety rules apply every time: never with nitrates or riociguat, care with alpha-blockers and some other medicines, and emergency help for an erection lasting more than 4 hours1. See our guide to ED medication side effects.
When sildenafil is taken every day
There are a few situations where sildenafil is taken daily, but they are prescribed by specialists:
- Pulmonary arterial hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs) is a separate condition treated with regular daily sildenafil2. This is a different use from ED.
- After prostate cancer surgery, some specialists use regular ED tablets to help men have erections while the nerves recover. European guidelines say there is not enough evidence to support any one specific plan3. See ED after prostate cancer treatment.
The licensed daily option: low-dose tadalafil
If you want a daily treatment so you do not have to plan around a tablet, the licensed option is tadalafil (Cialis) at 2.5 mg or 5 mg once a day, taken at about the same time every day whatever your plans4. European guidelines note that daily tadalafil may also help men who only partly respond to on-demand tablets3, and it is also licensed for urinary symptoms of an enlarged prostate4.
| Sildenafil (Viagra) | Daily tadalafil (Cialis) | |
|---|---|---|
| How it is licensed | As needed, about 1 hour before sex1 | Once a day, every day4 |
| Dose | 25 to 100 mg, no more than once a day1 | 2.5 or 5 mg once a day4 |
| Planning | Take before you expect to have sex | No need to time it around sex |
For a full comparison, see daily vs on-demand tadalafil and sildenafil vs tadalafil.
Our ED medicines page lists the options we supply.
ED tablets we supply include Viagra 50 mg, Viagra 100 mg and, for daily use, Cialis 5 mg. All need a prescription.
Frequently asked questions
Can you take Viagra every day?
You can take it on any day you need it, up to once a day, if your prescriber agrees. It is not licensed as a regular daily treatment for ED; daily low-dose tadalafil is the licensed daily option.
What happens if you take Viagra every day?
You can get the same side effects as with occasional use, such as headache, flushing and indigestion. Never take more than one dose in 24 hours, and if you want a daily treatment, ask about low-dose tadalafil.
Can Cialis be taken daily?
Yes. Tadalafil is licensed at 2.5 mg or 5 mg once a day as a daily treatment for ED, and the 5 mg dose is also used for an enlarged prostate.
Can I take two Viagra in one day?
No. The maximum is one dose in 24 hours. If a dose did not work, wait and try again another day, and talk to your prescriber if it keeps happening.
Is it safe to take sildenafil long term?
Sildenafil has been studied in men taking it for more than a year. Keep up with regular check-ups and review it with your prescriber if your health or medicines change.
Sources & references
- US National Library of Medicine, DailyMed. Viagra (sildenafil) prescribing information.
- NHS. Sildenafil (Viagra). Page last reviewed 29 July 2026.
- European Association of Urology. EAU Guidelines on Sexual and Reproductive Health: Management of erectile dysfunction.
- US National Library of Medicine, DailyMed. Cialis (tadalafil) prescribing information.
Related reading
This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Do not take more than one dose of an ED medicine in 24 hours, and never take one with nitrates. Used as prescribed by a licensed medical professional.
Lipika Sachdeva is a licensed clinical pharmacist with 20 years of experience. She holds a B.Pharm and M.Pharm from Delhi University. At OnlineMeds, she reviews medicine and health content to help ensure it is accurate, evidence-based, and easy to understand.