Loading comments...
Can Viagra Replace Your Pre-Workout?
A 2013 study found sildenafil may boost muscle protein synthesis, but using it recreationally poses serious cardiovascular risks.
A 2013 study found sildenafil may boost muscle protein synthesis, but using it recreationally poses serious cardiovascular risks.
Viagra (sildenafil citrate) wasn't designed for the gym, but that hasn't stopped some athletes and bodybuilders from using it as a performance enhancer. It sounds bizarre, but the practice is gaining traction in Kenya, especially among bodybuilders seeking any edge they can get, with figures like bodybuilder Gachau Njoroge discussing it regularly on social media.
The idea isn't completely unfounded. A 2013 study published in Clinical and Translational Science tested sildenafil's effects on muscle protein synthesis in healthy men for just eight days. The study, while short, found that sildenafil increases muscle protein synthesis and reduces muscle fatigue.
The participants showed a 100% increase in muscle protein synthesis rates and a 40% improvement in muscle fatigue resistance during repeated contractions.
Sildenafil works by blocking phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5), which increases blood flow by opening up blood vessels. More blood flow means better muscle pumps, enhanced oxygen delivery, and potentially improved performance. At least, that's the theory circulating on Reddit threads and bodybuilding forums.
Despite the promising effects, some medical experts have warned against using Viagra this way. Most notably, Dr. Raevti Bole, a Urologist at Cleveland Clinic, claims that for people who are healthy, there's no good evidence that the medication significantly improves athletic abilities in a standard, sea-level environment.
Correspondingly, Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, a urologist and assistant professor at UCF College of Medicine, points out that there's a massive difference between controlled laboratory conditions and real-world gym performance. For instance, the 2013 study involved only 11 participants under strict medical supervision, specifically using 25 mg doses and measuring isolated knee extensor muscles—not whole-body athletic performance.
"The study found some potential benefit in gaining muscle mass if you took low doses of Viagra, but that study was flawed by its small size," says Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt. "This is a great example of how you should not get caught up in the hype of one study."
The risks, however, are very real. Sildenafil significantly lowers blood pressure, and combining it with intense exercise creates a dangerous combination.
"There are several side effects to Viagra. The two biggest ones I tell patients are that it can decrease your blood pressure and priapism (an erection lasting more than 4 hours). Other side effects include headaches, abnormal heart rates, and even heart attack from decreased blood flow/pressure."
Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, UCF College of Medicine
Mixing sildenafil with other supplements or medications magnifies these dangers. For instance, a 2024 study showed that combining it with nitrates (often found in heart medications) can cause life-threatening hypotension. Even common pre-workout ingredients like caffeine and nitric oxide boosters may potentially interact unpredictably.
Psychological dependence is another concern. Chasing the feeling of extra "pump" might lead athletes to rely on sildenafil for workouts, overlooking safer, proven strategies like nutrition, more effective training programs, and actually beneficial supplements like creatine.
Therefore, while a handful of studies hint at sildenafil's potential to enhance isolated muscle performance, the evidence is far from conclusive, and the risks are substantial.
Continue reading with these related fitness and health articles
Join the conversation!
Share your thoughts on "Can Viagra Replace Your Pre-Workout?" below.