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Erectile dysfunction and prostate medication

Other names: sildenafil, Viagra, tadalafil, Cialis, vardenafil, Levitra, Staxyn, avanafil

The FAA's guidance for erectile dysfunction and prostate medication depends on what it is taken for. Each use is below, with its own FAA source and date.

Taken for erectile dysfunction or enlarged prostate (BPH)

FAA guidance

Acceptable with conditions.

Wait

8 hours

after sildenafil, vardenafil or avanafil

Different waits apply in other cases.

Examiner

The examiner can issue when the document's criteria are met

Source: FAA, Erectile Dysfunction and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Medications. FAA date 25 August 2017. Checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026

The FAA says medication for erectile dysfunction or an enlarged prostate may not be disqualifying when there are no side effects, the underlying condition is not aeromedically significant, and the applicant is otherwise qualified.

Track your medications
More detail: Erectile dysfunction and prostate medicationThe rest of Crosscheck's reading, in plain wordsOpen

Wait

  • 24 hours after as-needed tadalafil
  • daily low-dose tadalafil allowed after 7 days with no side effects

Its table sets a required minimum waiting time after the last dose of each PDE-5 inhibitor before resuming pilot duties, except daily tadalafil 2.5 or 5 mg, which it allows if there are no side effects after 7 days; nitrates are not allowed. Taken for any other condition, it has its own entry. It says that if alpha blockers are used in combination with PDE5 inhibitors, the airman should not fly until verification that no hypotensive episodes or other side effects are noted.

  • sildenafil, vardenafil, avanafil: 8 hours after each dose: ground observation
  • tadalafil as needed: 24 hours after each dose: ground observation
  • tadalafil 2.5 or 5 mg daily: 7 days after starting: ground observation
Show the FAA's words: Erectile dysfunction and prostate medicationThe official FAA wording: two passages, each with its document and dateOpen
FAA, Erectile Dysfunction and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Medications · FAA date 25 August 2017
Use of medication for erectile dysfunction (ED) and/or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) may not be disqualifying for medical certification if there are no side effects, the underlying condition is not aeromedically significant, and the applicant is otherwise qualified.
Nitrates are not allowed.
PDE-5 INHIBITOR MEDICATION WAIT TIMES
Required minimum waiting time after last dose before resuming pilot duties
Cialis (daily use), Tadalafil, 2.5 or 5 mg daily is allowed if no side effects after 7 days. Cialis (prn use), Tadalafil, 24 hours. Levitra, Vardenafil, 8 hours. Staxyn, Vardenafil, 8 hours. Stendra, Avanafil, 8 hours. Viagra, Sildenafil, 8 hours.
FAA, Erectile Dysfunction and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Medications · FAA date 25 August 2017
If alpha blockers are used in combination with PDE5 inhibitors (common examples are listed below), the airman should not fly until verification that no hypotensive episodes or other side effects are noted.
Sources and dates: Erectile dysfunction and prostate medicationOne FAA document, with the FAA's date and when Crosscheck checked itOpen

Taken for any other condition

Erectile dysfunction medication taken for another condition

FAA guidance

FAA review required.

Examiner

FAA review required; the examiner defers

Source: FAA, Erectile Dysfunction and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Medications. FAA date 25 August 2017. Checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026

The FAA's page on these medications words this two ways.

More detail: Erectile dysfunction medication taken for another conditionThe rest of Crosscheck's reading, in plain wordsOpen

Its Medical History section says that if the medication is used for any condition other than erectile dysfunction or an enlarged prostate (BPH), the examiner does not issue and FAA approval is required. Its Pharmaceutical Considerations section says use for G-U conditions, including erectile dysfunction and BPH, may not be disqualifying if free from side effects, and that for any other non G-U condition, such as pulmonary arterial hypertension, the examiner must defer.

Show the FAA's words: Erectile dysfunction medication taken for another conditionThe official FAA wording: two passages, each with its document and dateOpen
FAA, Erectile Dysfunction and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Medications · FAA date 25 August 2017
Use of medication for erectile dysfunction (ED) and/or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) may not be disqualifying
If the medication is used for any other condition, do not issue - FAA approval is required.
FAA, Erectile Dysfunction and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Medications · FAA date 25 August 2017
The use of medications below for G-U conditions including ED and BPH may not be disqualifying, if free from side effects.
If the medications below are used for any other non G-U condition (e.g., pulmonary arterial hypertension [PAH]) the examiner must defer issuance of a medical certificate.
Sources and dates: Erectile dysfunction medication taken for another conditionOne FAA document, with the FAA's date and when Crosscheck checked itOpen

Taking it for something else? The entries here do not cover that use. The FAA may address it in the guidance for your condition. Ask your examiner.

See also

Medication guidance alone does not determine whether a pilot is medically qualified to fly. The underlying condition, dosage, side effects, medication combinations, and certification history may affect FAA eligibility.

For informational purposes only. Not legal or medical advice.