Viagra

Viagra is a small, blue tablet that's easy to swallow and is used for erectile dysfunction. The active ingredient, sildenafil citrate, helps by relaxing blood vessels and boosting blood flow to the penis. You take it as needed, and it begins to work within 30 to 60 minutes, lasting up to four hours, so there's no need to hurry.

Yes, there is a non-branded version of Viagra known as Sildenafil. This means that although only one company produces and sells 'Viagra', many different companies manufacture generic Sildenafil.

When Pfizer introduced Viagra, they designed the tablets to stand out with their now-iconic blue diamond shape. Generic Sildenafil tablets, on the other hand, usually don't have this distinctive appearance and are often just plain white and round.

Don't let the 'plainer' look discourage you. Sildenafil, which is the generic version of Viagra, is available in the same doses, has the same active ingredient, and functions just like Viagra. The main difference is the cost: Viagra is more expensive because it's a brand name. So, if you're looking to save money on your ED treatment, Sildenafil might be a good choice for you.

We offer both generic Sildenafil and the branded Viagra, allowing you to choose what best suits your budget.

In brief:

The active ingredient in Viagra, sildenafil citrate, works by widening the blood vessels leading to the penis. This makes it easier for blood to flow into the penis, helping you achieve firmer and longer-lasting erections. However, you'll still need to be sexually stimulated to get an erection, as increased blood flow alone won't cause an erection if you're not aroused.

Here's the detailed explanation:

When you're sexually excited, your brain sends signals to the blood vessels in the penis, telling them to widen. This allows blood to flow into the penis, filling a spongy tissue called the corpus cavernosum. This tissue acts like a sponge, and when it fills with blood, it becomes firm, resulting in an erection. Meanwhile, the brain also instructs other nearby vessels to constrict, helping to keep the blood in the spongy tissue, which maintains the erection.

When men experience erectile dysfunction, it's often due to blood not flowing into the penis effectively, or leaving too quickly, which prevents the necessary pressure for an erection. This might happen if the signals that tell blood vessels to widen aren't functioning properly, or if there's a circulation issue affecting blood flow throughout the body.

Sildenafil citrate is known as a PDE5 inhibitor because it prevents the action of an enzyme called PDE5, which causes blood vessels to constrict. By blocking this enzyme, the medication helps improve blood flow to the penis, leading to better erections. However, it's important to note that sexual arousal is still needed for an erection to occur; the increased blood flow alone won't cause one.

Preventing your blood vessels from tightening might lead to a slight drop in your blood pressure. This is generally safe for most people. However, if you already have low blood pressure or are on medication for high blood pressure, it's important to consult a clinician before using Viagra.

The effectiveness of Viagra can vary with the dosage, but overall, it is known to be a successful treatment for erectile dysfunction. In clinical studies:

This doesn't mean you should start with 100mg Viagra tablets right away. Although they're stronger, they aren't necessarily more effective and may cause more side effects. When deciding on a dose with your clinician, it's best to choose the lowest dose you believe will be effective.

If Viagra isn't working as well as you'd hoped, let us know. Our expert can talk to you about different doses or other erectile dysfunction treatments that might suit you better, and you can change at any time.

Currently, Viagra requires a prescription. This also applies to its generic form, Sildenafil. However, in the UK, you can obtain Viagra Connect without a prescription. It's the same as the 50mg dose of Viagra, just in different packaging. Although it's not exactly an over-the-counter version, as you can't simply grab it from the shelf and pay for it. You'll need to have a chat with a pharmacist first to ensure Viagra Connect is suitable for you.

The 25mg and 100mg doses of Viagra and Sildenafil are only available with a prescription. You'll need to speak with a clinician or pharmacist prescriber to obtain them. This is because Viagra can lead to side effects, such as a slight decrease in blood pressure. If you already have low blood pressure or are on medication for high blood pressure, this could cause your blood pressure to fall to unsafe levels. Additionally, taking Viagra alongside nitrate medications, which are used to treat chest pain, can also significantly lower your blood pressure. Therefore, it's important to inform your clinician about any health conditions you have or other medications you're taking.

Be cautious of counterfeit or fake Viagra available online. These can include cheaper medicines from abroad that haven't been tested or approved for use in the UK, such as the Indian 'kamagara'. There are also counterfeit drugs with harmful substances or unregulated 'herbal' products. Fake Viagra might have unknown amounts of active ingredients, be made in unsanitary conditions, and contain potentially toxic substances. Therefore, it's crucial to obtain it from a reliable source.

Having one or two drinks while taking Viagra likely won't have much impact, but drinking more than that can be problematic. Consuming too much alcohol can make it harder to achieve an erection, and if you're also taking Viagra, it might not be as effective. It's best to keep your alcohol intake to a sensible level.

Viagra Connect is essentially the same as Viagra, just in different packaging. It's produced by the same company and is available in a single dose of 50mg. In terms of its clinical properties, Viagra Connect is identical to Viagra. The key difference is that you don't need a prescription to buy Viagra Connect. It's a pharmacy medicine, which means a pharmacist can provide it to you after conducting some checks to ensure it's safe for you. Since it's the same medication, the warnings and contraindications for Viagra Connect are the same as those for Viagra. Be sure to read the patient information leaflet before using Viagra Connect for further details.

Viagra is usually considered to be low risk. Some men may experience side effects when taking it, but these are typically mild and tend to go away after a few uses. The most common side effect is a headache, and a stuffy nose and facial flushing are also fairly common.

Some men don't mind these side effects and actually find facial flushing reassuring, as it indicates the medication is effective. If Viagra is working well but you experience a headache, taking paracetamol and drinking plenty of water can help.

More serious side effects are usually uncommon or rare. However, it's important to be aware of them so you can seek help if necessary. Therefore, be sure to read the patient information leaflet before taking Viagra.

Viagra might cause a slight drop in your blood pressure, but this usually isn't a concern if your blood pressure is normal. However, if you have low blood pressure or are on blood pressure medicines such as amlodipine, losartan, or clonidine, it's best to talk to your healthcare provider before taking Viagra.

It's less safe to use Viagra while also taking recreational drugs like poppers. You should also avoid Viagra if you're on nitrates for chest pain. Be sure to read the patient information leaflet and let us know about any medications you're currently taking.

We understand that circumstances can change. If you're using our erectile dysfunction treatment and begin taking new medications or experience any changes in your health, please let us know. Our specialists can talk through your options and tailor your treatment to suit your needs.

Sildenafil is the generic form of Viagra. It contains the same active ingredient in the same strengths and works in the same manner. However, as it's a non-branded medication, it's typically cheaper. The main differences between generic Sildenafil and branded Viagra are their appearance, packaging, the non-active ingredients used, and their price. Branded Viagra comes as the well-known blue diamond-shaped pill in a branded box. In contrast, generic Sildenafil usually comes as a standard round, white pill, and the packaging might be less distinctive. Despite these differences, they are bioequivalents, meaning they will both work the same way in your body.

This means Sildenafil works just as well as Viagra. However, many men still choose Viagra because they prefer the brand name.

So, to answer the question: is Sildenafil simply a more affordable version of Viagra? Generally, yes.

Not necessarily. While Viagra tablets are the most well-known treatment for erectile dysfunction, there are other options available that might suit you better.

There's no single tablet that's considered the 'best', but Viagra and Sildenafil are often the first choices. This is because they're widely available, and Sildenafil, the generic version of Viagra, is quite affordable.

It might sound obvious, but Viagra is a tablet used to treat erectile dysfunction, so it won't be of any use if you don't have a penis. There's a medication called Addyi (flibanserin), often referred to as 'pink Viagra' or 'female Viagra', which is used to address low libido in women (hypoactive sexual desire disorder). However, this drug is not similar to sildenafil and functions in a completely different manner.

Viagra, or any treatment for erectile dysfunction, should not be used by women or by anyone who does not have erectile dysfunction.

If you're struggling to last as long as you'd like in bed because you often lose your erection, then yes, Viagra could help you last longer. However, if your issue is reaching climax too quickly, the answer isn't as straightforward. This is because some studies have looked into this, but their results have been mixed and sometimes contradictory.

In a 2007 study, 180 men with premature ejaculation were divided into three groups. One group received 50mg of sildenafil (the active ingredient in Viagra), another was given paroxetine (an antidepressant), and the third group didn't receive any medication but was instructed to use the squeeze technique to delay ejaculation. The study found that sildenafil was quite effective, with participants reporting a noticeable increase in the time it took for them to ejaculate.

In a different study from 2005, the findings weren't as encouraging. This research compared the time it took for two groups of men to reach climax: one group took Viagra, while the other took a placebo. The men who took Viagra lasted slightly longer, but not enough to be considered 'statistically significant'. However, those in the Viagra group did say they felt more in control during sex, more confident, and generally more satisfied.

This indicates that Viagra can enhance your sex life, although it might not help you last longer.