Viagra

Viagra is an erectile dysfunction (ED) treatment, which should only be taken by men who need help getting and maintaining an erection during sex. Viagra can only help you get an erection if you’re sexually stimulated.

Viagra is a branded treatment and contains the active ingredient sildenafil. It’s a prescription-only medication and must be approved by a doctor before use. It’s taken around 60 minutes before you plan to have sex.

Sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra, belongs to a group of medications called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. It works by relaxing the blood vessels in your penis, allowing better blood flow when you’re sexually aroused. This can help you get and maintain an erection if you have ED. It takes around 30-60 minutes for Viagra to work.

When taking Viagra for the first time, there’s a chance it won’t work as intended. There are many reasons for this, such as:

• nervousness or anxiety
• eating too much before taking your dose
• drinking alcohol
• not waiting long enough after taking your dose
• your body needs time to adjust to the new medication

Your doctor will recommend trying Viagra again, on up to 8 different occasions. If it still does not work for you, you may need a higher Viagra dosage, or it may not be the right ED treatment.

How long does Viagra last?

Viagra lasts around 4-6 hours, but in some men it can last up to 12 hours. It can also continue to work after orgasm, even if you lose your erection. How long Viagra lasts can be influenced by many things, including age, diet, what you’ve eaten that day, and other medications.

If Viagra isn’t lasting very long for you after taking it on 8 occasions, speak to your doctor. You may need a higher dosage, unless you’re already taking the maximum dose: Viagra 100 mg.

Does Viagra make you last longer?

If you experience premature ejaculation as well as ED, Viagra may help with both problems. This is because sometimes premature ejaculation can happen because of ED. Viagra isn’t a premature ejaculation treatment, though, so if you do not have ED, it won’t help with this.

How long does Viagra take to work?

It takes Viagra around 30-60 minutes to work, but it may take less or more time depending on the person.

The efficacy of sildenafil was evaluated in clinical trials, as described in the Summary of Product Characteristics on medicines.org.uk:

“In clinical trials sildenafil was administered to more than 8000 patients aged 19-87. (…) In fixed dose studies, the proportions of patients reporting that treatment improved their erections were 62% (25 mg), 74% (50 mg) and 82% (100 mg) compared to 25% on placebo. In controlled clinical trials, the discontinuation rate due to sildenafil was low and similar to placebo.”

There are 3 Viagra doses available. Which Viagra dosage you’re prescribed will depend on your medical history and how well a lower dose works for you.

Viagra is available in 25mg, 50mg, and 100mg tablets. At Asda Online Doctor, we have Viagra 50mg and 100mg tablets. You can get sildenafil in 25mg tablets if our doctors think you need to start on a lower dose. Sildenafil is generic Viagra, so contains the same active ingredient and works in the same way.

Which Viagra dosage will I take?

The recommended starting dose is one 50mg Viagra tablet, which can’t be taken more than once per day.

You may be started on a lower dose of 25 mg if:

• you’re taking medicines called protease inhibitors, which are used for treating HIV
• you’re taking alpha-blocker therapy for prostate enlargement or high blood pressure
• you have kidney or liver problems

Speak to your doctor if 50 mg isn’t working for you after taking Viagra on 8 different occasions. You may need a higher dosage of 100 mg.

Viagra is suitable for men over the age of 18 who have been diagnosed with erectile dysfunction. If you have any medical conditions (past or present) or take any medications, let your doctor know. They’ll check Viagra is suitable for you before prescribing it.

Always take Viagra as your doctor has prescribed it. Take your Viagra tablet about 1 hour before you’re going to have sex. Swallow it whole, with a glass of water. There’s no need to eat with Viagra and consuming a heavy meal before taking it can actually mean it takes longer to work.

Viagra will only help you get an erection if you’re sexually stimulated. It usually takes between 30-60 minutes to start working, but this can differ for each person. Do not take it more than once per day, even if it didn’t work the first time or you didn’t last as long as you’d like.

When should I start taking Viagra?

You can start taking Viagra as soon as it’s been prescribed to you, and around an hour before sex. It isn’t a daily tablet and only needs to be taken when you plan to have sex.

What should I do if I forget to take Viagra?

If you forget to take Viagra before sex, you can take it as soon as you remember, but it won’t work straight away. You may have to wait 30-60 minutes after taking it before trying again.

What should I do if I take too much Viagra?

You should only take 1 Viagra tablet per day, at whatever dosage your doctor has prescribed. Taking more won’t make Viagra work better, but can make side effects more likely, and increases the risk of serious side effects. Contact your doctor if you’ve taken too much Viagra. If you get serious side effects, call 999 or go to A&E.

What should I do if I want to stop using Viagra?

You can stop using Viagra whenever you want, but your ED symptoms may go back to how they were before, unless the cause of your ED is now managed or cured (such as high blood pressure). If you don’t want to take Viagra but still need an ED treatment, speak to your doctor about Viagra alternatives.

You should not take Viagra if you:

• are a woman
• are under 18
• have an allergy to sildenafil, or any other non-active ingredient in a Viagra tablet
• have severe liver or heart problems
• have recently had a heart attack or stroke
• have low blood pressure
• have certain rare inherited eye diseases, such as retinitis pigmentosa
• have ever had vision loss caused by non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy

You should also let your doctor know if you have any other medical conditions, especially:

• certain types of cancer, including sickle cell anaemia, leukaemia, or multiple myeloma
• a deformity of the penis
• Peyronie’s disease, a condition that causes a curve in the penis and affects the length and girth
• heart problems – your doctor will be able to advise whether having sex and taking Viagra isn’t likely to worsen these problems
• a stomach ulcer
• bleeding problems, such as haemophilia

If you get a sudden decrease or total loss of vision while taking Viagra, stop taking it and speak to a doctor straight away.

Viagra, like all medications, comes with a risk of side effects, although not everyone will get them. Most reported side effects of Viagra are mild to moderate in severity and only last for a short duration.

If you notice any of the following serious side effects of Viagra, stop taking it and call 999 or go to A&E straight away:

• an allergic reaction (uncommon) – may cause wheezing, difficulty breathing, dizziness, and swelling in the face, lips, or throat
• chest pains (uncommon) – if this happens during or after sex, get in a semi-seated position and try to relax. Don’t use nitrates to treat chest pain.
• prolonged erection (longer than 4 hours), which can sometimes be painful (rare)
• a sudden decrease or total loss of vision (rare)
• serious skin reactions (rare) – may cause swelling or severe peeling of the skin, fever, and blistering of the mouth, genitals, or around the eyes
• seizures (fits) (rare)
• stroke or heart attack (rare)

Very common Viagra side effects include:

• headaches

Common Viagra side effects include:

• nausea (feeling sick)
• facial flushing
• hot flush
• indigestion
• visual disturbances, such as a colour tinge or blurred vision
• stuffy nose
• dizziness

Uncommon Viagra side effects include:

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

Rare Viagra side effects include:

• fainting
• irregular heartbeat
• temporary decreased blood flow to parts of the brain
• feeling of tightening of the throat
• numb mouth
• bleeding at the back of the eye
• vision problems, such as reduced sharpness, double vision, small particles or spots, or seeing halos around lights
• eye problems, such as abnormal sensations, swelling of the eye or eyelid, dilation of the pupil or discolouration of the whites of the eye
• penile bleeding
• presence of blood in semen
• dry nose
• swelling of the inside of the nose
• feeling irritable
• a sudden decrease or loss of hearing

If you get any side effects of Viagra, speak to your doctor. Mild side effects usually go away on their own, but if they don’t, let your doctor know. Some side effects will only happen for a few hours after taking Viagra and go away as the effects of the medication begin to wear off.

If your side effects are severe, call 999 or go to A&E. Take your medication packet with you or let the medical staff know you’re taking Viagra.

Can Viagra affect fertility?

There’s no reported side effects of Viagra affecting male fertility. In fact, if you’re trying for a baby, Viagra may help you get and maintain an erection so you can have sex.

You shouldn’t take Viagra if you take:

• medications used to treat chest pain, called nitrates – these can lower your blood pressure too much, which can be dangerous
• medicines known as nitric oxide donors, such as amyl nitrate or ‘poppers’ – this can also cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure

Let your doctor know if you’re taking, or have recently been taking any medications, including prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal treatments, especially:

• riociguat
• protease inhibitors or alpha-blockers – you may need a lower dose
• medicines containing sacubitril or valsartan, which are used to treat heart failure

You can take Viagra with or without food. Heavy meals can impact how quickly your Viagra tablet works, as it may take longer to absorb. This means Viagra could take longer than 60 minutes to start working. If this happens for you, try eating a lighter meal before taking Viagra or take it at least a few hours after eating a heavy meal.

You shouldn’t drink grapefruit juice while taking Viagra, as this can increase your exposure to sildenafil. This increases the likelihood and severity of side effects.

Viagra and alcohol

It’s recommended to avoid excessive amounts of alcohol while taking Viagra. This is because:

• alcohol can make it harder to get an erection, so Viagra may not work as well, or at all
• alcohol and Viagra can both lower your blood pressure, which may increase the risk of side effects such as low blood pressure, fainting, and dizziness

If you get side effects while taking Viagra, it’s best to avoid alcohol altogether.

Viagra contains the active ingredient sildenafil. Depending on which Viagra dosage you take, your Viagra tablet will either contain 25mg, 50mg, or 100mg of sildenafil.

Viagra also contains some non-active ingredients, which are:

• Tablet core: microcrystalline cellulose, calcium hydrogen phosphate (anhydrous), croscarmellose sodium, and magnesium stearate
• Film coat: hypromellose, titanium dioxide (E171), lactose monohydrate, triacetin, and indigo carmine aluminium lake (E132)

Viagra contains lactose, so it may not be suitable if you’re lactose intolerant or vegan.

You can buy Viagra with a prescription from most pharmacies. You can also get a prescription and buy Viagra online from trusted and regulated services, such as Asda Online Doctor. Viagra isn’t available without a prescription.

To get started, complete a short questionnaire about your health. One of our doctors will review this and make sure Viagra is a suitable treatment option. If it is, you can choose a range of discreet delivery options or Click & Collect at your local Asda pharmacy. If it isn’t, we have other ED treatments which our doctors may recommend. You’ll also gain access to your private patient account, where you can message a doctor at any time, for free.

Can you buy Viagra over the counter?

You can’t buy Viagra over the counter but you can get Viagra Connect, which is an over-the-counter version of Viagra. A pharmacist still needs to check your suitability and it’s only available in 50mg tablets. You can also get Viagra Connect online with Asda Online Doctor.

Viagra price

The price of Viagra depends on which dose you’re taking and which pack size you want. Below is a table of each Viagra price* at Asda Online Doctor.

*Please note this may have changed since we last updated this page. For the most up-to-date information on each Viagra price, check the top of the page.

There are several ED treatments available if Viagra isn’t suitable or you want to know all your options before making a decision on which treatment is best for you.

Asda Online Doctor can prescribe the following Viagra alternatives:

• sildenafil, an unbranded version of Viagra which comes in the same dosages and works in the exact same way. The only difference is the manufacturer and the price. It takes 30-60 minutes to work and lasts 4-6 hours.
• Viagra Connect, an over-the-counter Viagra that doesn’t need a prescription. It works the same way as Viagra and also contains sildenafil, but only comes in 50mg tablets. Viagra Connect takes 30-60 minutes to work and lasts 4-6 hours.
• tadalafil, a generic tablet containing tadalafil, also known as Cialis. It’s also a PDE5 inhibitor, so it works like Viagra to relax the blood vessels in your penis and improve blood flow. It takes 30-60 minutes to work and lasts for up to 36 hours.
• Levitra, a branded medication that contains vardenafil. It’s also a PDE5 inhibitor and works in the same way as Viagra. It takes up to 1 hour to work and lasts 4-6 hours. Levitra may be recommended over Viagra if you’ve got diabetes, as it’s been shown to be more effective for diabetics with ED.
• vardenafil, the unbranded version of Levitra, working in the same way. The only differences are the manufacturer and the price. It takes up to 1 hour to work and lasts 4-6 hours.
• Spedra, a branded medication containing avanafil, another PDE5 inhibitor that works the same way as Viagra. This works within 15-30 minutes and lasts for around 4 hours.
• Vitaros cream, a branded treatment containing the active ingredient alprostadil. This is known as a prostaglandin E1 (PGE1), which absorbs into your blood vessels and makes them wider than normal, improving blood flow to your penis. The cream comes in an AccuDose container which is applied into your urethra. It takes 5-30 minutes to work and lasts for 1-2 hours.

You may also be able to get non-medicated Viagra alternatives, such as a penis pump. This is used to draw blood to your penis to get and maintain an erection.

What is herbal Viagra?

Herbal Viagra is a name given to a number of different herbal products that promise the same results as Viagra (sildenafil). However, there are no herbal treatments that have been proven in clinical trials to work like Viagra, or as well as Viagra. Some herbal supplements could also be dangerous to take, as they may contain ingredients that aren’t listed, interact with current medications, or make health conditions worse. If you’ve got ED, it’s best to get a licensed treatment, or speak to your doctor about non-medicated alternatives.

How should I store Viagra?

Keep Viagra out of sight and reach of children and vulnerable adults. Viagra tablets shouldn’t be stored in temperatures over 30°C.

How should Viagra be disposed of?

Leftover Viagra tablets shouldn’t be disposed of in your household waste. Instead, speak to your pharmacist about medications you no longer need, or that are expired. They should be able to dispose of it for you.

What does Viagra look like?

Each Viagra tablet is blue, with a rounded-diamond shape. They are marked “PFIZER” on one side and either “VGR 25”, “VGR 50” or “VGR 100” on the other side, noting the Viagra dosage.

What pack sizes is Viagra available in?

Viagra is available in pack sizes of: 2, 4, 8, 12 or 24 tablets. Some pack sizes may not be available in your country.

Information about the manufacturer

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

The Manufacturer of Viagra: 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.