What is the Sexual Wellness pathway timeline?
Effect is rapid — within 30–60 minutes (sildenafil) or sustained over 24–36 hours (tadalafil). Daily low-dose tadalafil produces steady-state effect after several days. Cardiovascular candidacy is reviewed at intake.
Full answer
PDE5 inhibitors act rapidly. Sildenafil onset is ~30–60 minutes with a duration of ~4 hours. Tadalafil onset is ~30 minutes with a duration up to 24–36 hours; daily low-dose tadalafil reaches steady state within several days and supports on-demand response. Effect is enhanced by sexual stimulation; the medication does not produce response without it. Cardiovascular candidacy, nitrate use, and concurrent medications are reviewed at intake. Persistent priapism beyond 4 hours requires emergency evaluation.
Educational. Not a substitute for individualized provider review.
- Sexual Wellness pathway — Primary source · oMeds
- Reviewed by Dr. Laura Purdy, MD, MBA · Clinical Director, oMeds · Last reviewed 2026-06-03