Viagra Connect

Viagra Connect is a type of erectile dysfunction (ED) treatment that can be bought over the counter, rather than on prescription. It should only be taken by men who’ve been diagnosed with ED. When sexually stimulated, it can help you get and maintain an erection for longer.

Viagra Connect is sold under a brand name and contains the active ingredient sildenafil. Unlike Viagra, it only comes in 1 dose: 50mg. You should take Viagra Connect around 60 minutes before sex.

Viagra Connect works because the active ingredient sildenafil is a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor. This type of medication relaxes the blood vessels in the penis, so blood can flow better, making it easier to get and maintain an erection if you’ve got ED.

If you’ve never taken Viagra Connect or another ED treatment containing sildenafil before, it may not work as well the first time. Your doctor will recommend trying Viagra Connect up to 8 times, on different days. This could be because your body needs to adjust to the medication, or because of nerves or anxiety. If Viagra Connect still isn’t working, speak to your doctor. In that case you may need a different ED treatment, such as Viagra, which can be given in a higher dose of 100mg.

How long does Viagra Connect last?

Viagra Connect lasts around 4-6 hours, and in some men can still have effects for up to 12 hours after taking it. Viagra Connect still works after an orgasm, even if you’ve temporarily lost your erection. This means you can try again if you’re still within the 4-6 hour time frame.

How long does Viagra Connect take to work?

Viagra Connect usually works within 30-60 minutes, but other factors can affect how long it takes to work. This includes things like age, diet, lifestyle, alcohol consumption, and other medications. Try Viagra Connect a few times to get a better idea of when you get the best effect.

Does Viagra Connect make you last longer?

If you have premature ejaculation (PE) and ED, Viagra could help with both problems as sometimes PE is caused or made worse by ED. Viagra isn’t a PE treatment, though, so it won’t help if you don’t have ED. If this is the case for you, you’ll need a premature ejaculation treatment instead.

Sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra Connect, was tested in several clinical trials. In over 8,000 patients aged between 19-87, with various health conditions, Viagra Connect was found to be effective in 75% of men. The effectiveness and safety of Viagra Connect was also maintained in the long-term.

The only Viagra Connect dosage is 50mg. This means that each Viagra Connect tablet contains 50 mg of sildenafil. You cannot split Viagra Connect in half to make a lesser dose, and you shouldn’t take more than 1 tablet to make a higher dose.

If you need a different dose of sildenafil, your doctor may recommend Viagra or sildenafil generic tablets instead. These are prescription-only medications, but you can get a prescription online from regulated services, such as Asda Online Doctor.

Viagra Connect is the first over-the-counter Viagra treatment. This means you can get it without a prescription, although a pharmacist will need to check a few things with you first, just to make sure it’s safe. This makes it much easier for men to get ED treatment without waiting for an appointment.

Viagra Connect is suitable for most men over the age of 18 who have erectile dysfunction and need help getting and maintaining an erection. You might not be able to take it if you’ve got certain medical conditions or take certain medications, but one of our doctors can assess your suitability after you’ve completed our online questionnaire.

Always take Viagra Connect as your doctor or pharmacist has prescribed it. Take 1 Viagra Connect tablet, about 1 hour before you want to have sex. It can be taken up to 4 hours before sex, but the effectiveness may decrease over time.

Swallow your tablet whole, with some water. You don’t need to eat anything with your dose, but you can choose to have something light if you find this reduces side effects such as nausea (feeling sick). Avoid heavy meals before taking Viagra Connect – this can increase the time it takes to work.

Viagra Connect can only help you to get an erection if you’re also sexually stimulated. It usually starts to work within 30-60 minutes, but each person is slightly different. Never take Viagra Connect more than once a day, even if it didn’t work the first time.

When should I start taking Viagra Connect?

Viagra Connect can be taken whenever you want to have sex, as long as it’s not taken more than once per day. Viagra Connect is not a daily treatment and should only be taken before sexual activity.

What should I do if I forget to take Viagra Connect?

If you forget to take Viagra Connect, you may not be able to get and maintain an erection. Take it as soon as you remember, although you’ll need to wait 30-60 minutes to try again.

What should I do if I take 2 or more doses of Viagra Connect?

Taking 2 or more doses of Viagra Connect won’t make it work better, but could increase your risk of side effects. It’s unlikely to be harmful if you only do this once, but taking more on a regular basis could be dangerous. You should speak to a doctor if you think you need a higher dose tablet, as you’ll need a prescription.

Contact your doctor if you get side effects that won’t go away after taking too much Viagra Connect, or call 999 or go to A&E if you get any serious side effects, such as a serious allergic reaction or chest pains.

What should I do if I want to stop taking Viagra Connect?

You can stop taking Viagra Connect at any time, but you may not be able to get and maintain an erection if you still have ED. If Viagra Connect isn’t working or is giving you side effects, you can discuss alternative treatments with your doctor.

Viagra Connect should not be taken if you:

• don’t have ED – taking this treatment when you don’t have ED could actually cause erection problems
• are not a man
• are under 18
• have an allergy to sildenafil or any other non-active ingredients in the tablets
• have been advised by your doctor to avoid sexual activity because of your blood vessels or heart
• have a severe heart problem, such as a recent stroke or heart attack (within the last 6 months), unstable angina, or severe cardiac failure
• have a severe liver problem
• have low blood pressure
• have a deformed penis
• have ever had severe vision loss caused by nerve damage in the eyes, such as non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy, or have a rare inherited eye disease, such as retinitis pigmentosa

It’s important to see a doctor if your erectile dysfunction is persistent. They can make sure your symptoms aren’t caused by another serious health condition, such as diabetes or high blood pressure.

Having sex can put a strain on your heart. Speak to your doctor before taking Viagra Connect if you:

• have high blood pressure
• have ever had surgery to improve blood flow to your heart
• have an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
• get very breathless or get chest pain when doing light to moderate activity (such as briskly walking or climbing stairs) – your doctor needs to check whether it’s safe for you to have sex or take Viagra Connect
• have any other heart problems, such as heart disease or cardiomyopathy (a disease where the heart muscle becomes inflamed)

You should also let your doctor or pharmacist know if any of the following apply to you before taking Viagra Connect:

• you’ve ever had an erection that lasted for longer than 4 hours – certain conditions can increase the risk of this, such as certain types of cancers or blood disorders
• you’ve got a bleeding disorder or stomach ulcer
• you’ve previously been diagnosed with severe kidney problems or mild to moderate liver disease

Viagra Connect can cause dizziness and vision problems – if you get any of these symptoms, don’t drive or operate any machinery until you feel better.

Viagra Connect can cause some side effects, although not every man that takes it will get them.

You should stop taking Viagra Connect straight away and call 999 if you get any of the following serious side effects:

• chest pains (uncommon) – if this happens, don’t use nitrates to treat your chest pain
• an erection that lasts longer than 4 hours (rare)
• a sudden loss or decrease in vision (rare)
• a serious allergic reaction (uncommon) – symptoms include wheezing, dizziness, difficulty breathing, and swelling in the face and throat
• a serious skin reaction, such as s Stevens-Johnson Syndrome or Toxic Epidermal Syndrome (rare) – symptoms include swelling or peeling of the skin, fever, and blistering of the mouth, genitals, and around the eyes
• seizures (fits) (rare)

Very common Viagra Connect side effects include:

• headache

Common Viagra Connect side effects include:

• nausea
• indigestion
• stuffy nose
• dizziness
• facial flushing or hot flushes
• visual disturbances, such as a colour tinge or blurred vision

Uncommon Viagra Connect side effects include:

• vomiting (being sick)
• upper abdominal pain
• acid reflux or heartburn
• skin rash
• pain in the arms or legs
• nosebleed
• feeling hot
• tiredness (fatigue)
• eye problems, such as irritation, bloodshot or red eyes, pain, seeing flashes of light, visual brightness, light sensitivity, or watery eyes
• pounding or rapid heartbeat
• a change in blood pressure, such as high or low blood pressure
• muscle pain
• feeling sleepy
• a reduced sense of touch
• vertigo
• ringing in the ears
• dry mouth
• blocked or stuffy sinuses
• inflammation of the lining of the nose, which can cause a runny nose, sneezing, and stuffiness
• blood in urine

Rare Viagra Connect side effects include:

• blood in semen
• bleeding from the penis
• eye problems, such as bleeding, double vision, reduced sharpness, abnormal sensation, swelling of the eye or eyelid, small particles or spots in your vision, seeing halos around lights, dilation of the pupil, or discolouration of the whites of the eye
• feeling of tightness in the throat
• numb mouth
• fainting
• dry nose or swelling of the inside of the nose
• feeling irritable
• a sudden loss or decrease in hearing
• sudden unexpected death caused by stroke, heart attack, chest pains, irregular heartbeat, a loss of heart function, or temporary decreased blood flow to the brain

Most Viagra Connect side effects are mild to moderate and don’t last very long. If you get any side effects that don’t go away, affect your daily life, or worry you, speak to your doctor or call 111 straight away.

Certain medications can affect how well Viagra Connect works or may increase the risks of side effects. You shouldn’t take Viagra Connect if you take:

• HIV treatments, such as ritonavir
• riociguat, or similar medicines belonging to the group guanylate cyclase stimulators
• nitrate medicines
• recreational drugs called nitric oxide donors (poppers)

Taking any of these medicines with Viagra Connect could cause a dangerous and potentially fatal drop in blood pressure.

Also let your pharmacist or doctor know if you take any other medicines, such as:

• medicines to treat fungal infections or antibiotics – this could increase the risk of side effects
• heartburn treatment, such as cimetidine – this could increase the risk of side effects
• other ED treatments – this is not recommended and could be dangerous
• alpha-blockers used to treat high blood pressure or urinary problems – this could increase the risk of vision problems, dizziness, nausea, fainting or low blood pressure
• medicines used to treat heart failure containing sacubitril or valsartan

Viagra Connect can be taken with or without food and drink. Avoid heavy or high-fat meals before taking it, as this could make it take longer to start working.

Avoid grapefruit or grapefruit juice while taking Viagra Connect, as this can affect how well it works. Although you can drink alcohol while taking Viagra Connect, it’s not recommended. Excessive alcohol consumption can make your ED symptoms worse, making it harder to get and maintain an erection. This could also increase your risk of side effects, such as nausea.

Viagra Connect contains lactose, which means it may not be suitable if you have an intolerance to some sugars.

The active ingredient in each Viagra Connect tablet is 50mg of sildenafil citrate. The non-active ingredients in Viagra Connect are:

• Tablet core: microcrystalline cellulose, calcium hydrogen phosphate (anhydrous), croscarmellose sodium, and magnesium stearate
• Film coat: hypromellose, titanium dioxide (E 171), lactose, triacetin and indigo carmine aluminium lake (E 132)

As Viagra Connect contains lactose, it may be unsuitable for lactose intolerant people or those following a vegan diet. Viagra Connect is suitable for those following a halal diet.

You can buy VIagra Connect from most pharmacies, some supermarkets, and online.

If you want to get Viagra Connect online, we offer this at Asda Online Doctor. To get started, complete a short questionnaire about your health and ED symptoms. One of our doctors will review this and if suitable, Viagra Connect can be sent to your home in discreet packaging. You can also choose to Click & Collect from your local Asda pharmacy. Our service is fully discrete and if you need further advice, you can contact a doctor at any time for free through your online account.

Viagra Connect is an effective ED treatment, but it may not be the right treatment for every man. If Viagra Connect is unsuitable, you need a higher or lower dose, or you just want to know your options, we look at each ED treatment in more detail below.

Most ED treatments are PDE5 inhibitors, so work in the same way as Viagra Connect to improve blood flow to the penis. The main differences are the active ingredient, how long they take to work, and how long they last. Asda Online Doctor can prescribe the following Viagra Connect alternatives:

• Viagra, a branded treatment containing sildenafil. Takes 30-60 minutes to work and lasts 4-6 hours.
• sildenafil, a generic tablet containing sildenafil. Takes 30-60 minutes to work and lasts 4-6 hours.
• tadalafil, a generic treatment containing tadalafil, also called Cialis. Takes 30-60 minutes to work and lasts for up to 36 hours.
• Levitra, a branded medication that contains vardenafil. Takes up to an hour to work and lasts 4-6 hours.
• vardenafil, a generic version of Levitra that contains vardenafil. Takes up to 1 hour to work and lasts 4-6 hours.
• Spedra, a branded medication containing avanafil. Works within 15-30 minutes and lasts for around 4 hours.
• Vitaros cream, a branded treatment containing the active ingredient alprostadil, a prostaglandin E1 (PGE1). Once applied, it absorbs into the blood vessels, making them wider and improving blood flow to the penis. It comes in an AccuDose container which should be applied into the urethra. It takes 5-30 minutes to work and lasts 1-2 hours.

Viagra Connect vs Viagra

Viagra Connect and Viagra are the same medication, made by the same manufacturer. The main difference is that Viagra Connect is an over-the-counter treatment, but you need a prescription for Viagra, even at 50mg. Both are as effective at the 50mg dose, but Viagra may be more suitable if you need 25mg or 100mg of sildenafil instead.

How should I store Viagra Connect?

Keep Viagra Connect out of reach of children and vulnerable adults. Don’t store it above 30°C. Keep your tablets in the original packaging to protect from moisture.

How should Viagra Connect be disposed of?

Don’t throw away any unused Viagra Connect tablets in your household waste. Ask your pharmacist where you can dispose of them safely, they should be able to do this for you. The packaging may be recycled at your local pharmacy if available.

What does Viagra Connect look like?

Viagra Connect are blue film-coated tablets with a rounded-diamond like shape. One side is marked with ‘V50’ and the other size is marked with ‘Pfizer’.

What pack sizes is Viagra Connect available in?

Viagra Connect is available in pack sizes of 2, 4, and 8 tablets per pack. Not all pack sizes may be available.

Information about the manufacturer

The Marketing Authorisation Holder of Viagra Connect: Upjohn UK Limited, Ramsgate Road, Sandwich, Kent, CT13 9NJ, United Kingdom.

The Manufacturer of Viagra Connect: Fareva Amboise, Zone Industrielle, 29 route des Industries, 37530 Pocé-sur-Cisse, France or Mylan Hungary Kft., Mylan utca 1, Komárom, 2900, Hungary.

These companies are part of a company called Pfizer.