Viagra

Viagra is a popular treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED), a common health problem experienced by men. It is produced by the pharmaceutical company Pfizer.

Viagra is clinically proven to help achieve better erections and improve the lives of men across the globe. It works in as little as 30 minutes, and the effects last up to 4 hours.

Sildenafil is the generic version of this product. It includes the same ingredients, provides the same results, and only differs in name and price. The same goes for Viagra Connect, which is a brand of Viagra purchasable without a doctor’s prescription.

Viagra works to combat erectile dysfunction by increasing blood flow to the penis.

An erection occurs when sexual arousal stimulates the brain. The brain then sends signals to relax the muscles in the penile wall, allowing the arteries in the penis to fill with blood.

Men with erectile dysfunction do not get enough blood flow to the penis, making it difficult to achieve and maintain an erection.

The medication is a PDE5 inhibitor, which prevents the production of a chemical that interferes with erectile function. This increases blood flow, resulting in longer-lasting erections.

Please note that for this treatment to work, you must first become sexually aroused.

What dosages are available?

There are three prescribed dosages of Viagra, all of which are available to order online with HealthExpress.

• 25 mg - the lowest dosage and is suitable for those sensitive to higher dosages.
• 50 mg - the recommended starting dose as it is easy to increase or decrease if needed.
• 100 mg - the highest dosage available and only recommended if the 50mg dosage has little effect and if you have not experienced any side effects when using the 50mg dosage.

If you are still deciding which strength to take, you should first consult with a doctor.

Always follow the patient information leaflet (PIL) instructions and your doctor's advice.

Take the medication as follows:

You should take one tablet 30-60 mins before intercourse More than one tablet should not be taken within 24 hours* Take tablets with a glass of water If a lower dosage does not provide the desired effect, you may have to adjust it Store the pack at room temperature away from moisture

If this medication has no effect, contact your doctor.

*Taking more than 100mg of Sildenafil will not make it more effective. It could increase the risk of side effects. If you want to take medication designed for more frequent sexual intercourse, use a daily treatment like Cialis Daily instead.

Viagra (both generic and branded) tends to last for up to 4 hours, but it depends on the individual.

Levels of Viagra are highest between 30 and 120 minutes after taking the tablet. You will be able to maintain an erection for longer during this time frame.

If you eat a heavy or fatty meal, you may find that this medicine takes longer to work.

Avoid taking Viagra with grapefruit or grapefruit juice. Both are known to cause side effects when taken with this treatment.

Alcohol can prevent a man from achieving an erection. It may also increase your risk of side effects. For this reason, avoid drinking alcohol when taking this medication.

As with any prescription medication, Viagra can cause side effects. However, most of the side effects are mild and disappear without treatment. The risk is low with these ED meds because you only take them as and when you need them.

Common side effects include:

• headache
• facial flushing
• indigestion
• changes in vision
• stuffy nose
• dizziness

If you experience worrying side effects, consult your doctor immediately.

Viagra is generally suitable for most adult men with erectile dysfunction. However, it may not be suitable for those who have any of the following medical conditions:

• any heart problems, angina or a stroke
• kidney or liver disease
• low blood pressure or sickle cell anaemia
• galactose intolerance
• had a stroke in the past six months
• a severe damage/deformity to the penis

If any of these apply to you, you should contact your doctor and ask about other ED treatments - other options are available.

Viagra can react with other medicines. You must check if it's safe for you to take if you take any other medication.

Do not take Viagra if you take:

• medicines called 'nitrates' used for chest pain
• amyl nitrite ('poppers')
• HIV medicines
• alpha-blockers for high blood pressure or an enlarged prostate
• other ED medicines

These medicines may react with Viagra and cause side effects. Before taking it, please talk with your doctor, as you may require a lower dose.

All types of Viagra (including Sildenafil) require approval from a doctor or pharmacist.

Viagra is a prescription-only medication (POM), which means that it can’t be bought over the counter (OTC). However, a similar product called Viagra Connect is available to purchase without a prescription.

This type of Viagra allows men who feel embarrassed about their health conditions to get the treatment they need without a trip to the doctor’s.

Viagra Connect is another branded version of Sildenafil that Pfizer also makes. Because it contains the same active ingredient as Viagra, it provides the same benefits (e.g. an improved sex life).

This includes maintaining an erection for up to 4 hours and working within 60 minutes of digestion. It also looks the same as Viagra (a small, light blue diamond-shaped tablet). So what's the difference?

Viagra Connect vs Viagra

Viagra Connect is only available in 50 mg doses, whereas Viagra is available in 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg doses. It's also more expensive, most likely because it's more convenient to buy and is technically more 'accessible'.

While it doesn't require a doctor's prescription, you must have a short consultation with a pharmacist before purchasing. Or, if you're purchasing online, you'll need to fill out a simple online form. In some cases, you may be asked for blood pressure readings.

Attribute	Viagra	Viagra Connect
Available dose(s)	25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg	Only 50 mg
Does it require a doctor’s prescription?	Yes, it's a prescription-only medicine (POM)	No need for a doctor's prescription. A pharmacy consultation is needed.
Do they differ in price?	Per tablet, Viagra is cheaper	Viagra Connect works out more expensive
How many tablets are in each pack?	Available in packs of 4, 8, 16, and 32	Available in packs of 2, 4 or 8
What does it look like?	Blue and diamond-shaped	Blue and diamond-shaped

Viagra belongs to a group of medicines that all act the same way, known as PDE5 inhibitors. That means if Viagra doesn't work for you, some alternatives might.

Alternatives include:

• Tadalafil (Cialis)
• Vardenafil (Levitra)
• Avanafil (Spedra)

There are also non-medicinal alternatives like penis pumps if you can't use ED medicines.

Yes, you can buy Viagra online from HealthExpress.

First, we ask you to complete a quick consultation. One of our doctors will review your consultation and make sure it's right for you to take. Once approved, your prescription will be dispensed and delivered to your address in discreet packaging.

You can purchase Viagra Connect from HealthExpress after an online consultation. The same goes for Sildenafil (generic Viagra), which is the most value for money.