Highlights
- Myalgia, or muscle pain, is a mild but uncommon Viagra side effect.
- Clinical trials have shown that Viagra-induced muscle pain affects relatively few men, even at high doses.
- Muscle pain, particularly back pain, can also be a common issue in general and may not be caused by Viagra.
- If you’re experiencing muscle pain from Viagra, there are several steps you can take to mitigate it.
- If you’re continuing to experience muscle pain side effects from Viagra, or they increase in intensity, see your doctor.
If you look for anecdotes about muscle pain from Viagra, you’ll find plenty of stories. What you’ll rarely find is a clear discussion of what’s happening and why. Learn about muscle pain from Viagra, what you can do to help treat it, ways to reduce or eliminate it, and when to see a doctor.
Why Can Viagra Cause Muscle Pain?
Viagra isn’t alone in causing myalgia. Cialis (tadalafil) and Levitra (vardenafil) have the same side effect, but to lesser degrees. All of these drugs are phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors, preventing the action of the PDE5 enzyme, which makes it easier for blood to flow into the penis. However, this effect happens across the whole body, and these drugs act on all PDE enzymes in the body to varying degrees. This is the primary cause of side effects associated with PDE5 inhibitors like Viagra.
How Serious is Muscle Pain from Viagra?
Viagra-related muscle pain is rare. The FDA label for Viagra notes that muscle pain was only reported in 2% of clinical trial participants taking 25 or 50 milligrams and 4% in those taking 100 milligrams. Interestingly, in one trial, 2% of men taking Viagra reported back pain, the same percentage as those taking a placebo. The pain reported was usually mild.
In many cases, muscle pain will fade as the body acclimates to Viagra. Still, even a little back pain can be an unwelcome side effect, and there are ways to limit it.
How Can I Stop Muscle Pain from Viagra?
If you’re experiencing back pain from Viagra, or any side effect, there are steps you can take to limit it.
- Lower your dosage. Many men only need a low dose of Viagra to see results, and reducing your dosage also lowers the incidence of all side effects.
- Switch to a different PDE5 inhibitor. While they all have the same basic mechanism, different ED drugs can have different side effects depending on the person. Switching to another medication may alleviate Viagra-induced muscle pain.
- Use over-the-counter medication. Taking over-the-counter pain treatments, like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin and acetaminophen (Tylenol) is perfectly fine while also taking Viagra. Other treatments, like heating or cooling, can also help.
- Talk to your doctor. Muscle pain can have many causes, and your provider can help you determine if there are underlying reasons for yours.
Similarly, taking care of your muscles is important. Here’s how.
- Always stretch before doing a strenuous activity or exercising.
- When lifting or carrying, use proper technique to prevent injury.
- Rest after working out or other strenuous activity.
- If you think you might be injured, stop exercising right away.
- Keep hydrated, especially after being active for a long period of time.
If these steps in combination with standard muscle care don’t work, then it’s time to seek out medical assistance.
What if My Muscle Pain from Viagra Isn’t Going Away?
If the pain you’re feeling doesn’t begin to fade or becomes more intense and there’s no other explanation for it, such as an injury, take the following steps.
- Stop taking Viagra or your other ED medication, especially if the pain starts after taking it.
- If the pain doesn’t stop even after Viagra should have worn off, between four and eight hours, seek help right away.
- Whether seeking immediate medical attention or visiting your doctor, bring a list of the following:
- Any medications or supplements you’ve started or stopped taking
- Any notable incidents, such as an injury or other medical situation
- Any previous history of pain or injury
There are a few possible causes of more serious side effects to consider — particularly drug interactions. For example, if you take your Viagra with a glass of grapefruit juice, it may stay in your body for longer at a higher concentration, as grapefruit has a known potential interaction with Viagra. Visit the Drugs.com Drug Interaction Checker for a complete list of medications that can interfere with Viagra and other oral ED medications.
Alternatives to Viagra
If you’re concerned that Viagra may be causing muscle pain intolerable muscle pain, consider switching to a different oral ED medication.
While they all work in the same way, phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors like Viagra have different side effect profiles. Cialis, Levitra, and Stendra and their generic equivalents all have a lower risk of muscle pain than Viagra. Talk to your doctor about trying a different medication.
Muscle Pain From Viagra Is Rarely Serious
Muscle pain from Viagra is relatively rare, and you can generally treat it symptomatically at home. Having a plan to deal with it if it persists is a wise choice, but most men won’t need to worry about it.
Remember also that taking care of your musculoskeletal system has health benefits beyond managing ED. By exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet, you strengthen your muscles and manage your weight, helping to cut back on two key factors of muscle pain — whether you take Viagra or not.
Read The Comprehensive Guide to Viagra and Sildenafil Side Effects to learn more about all the known side effects of Viagra.
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This information is intended for general informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or medication.
Dan is a long-time freelance writer focusing on technology, science, health, and medicine, with a lifelong interest in physics, biology, and medicine. His work has taken a particular focus on scientific studies “beyond the headlines,” reading the study to more closely examine the results.