Viagra Connect

Viagra Connect is an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction that works by relaxing the blood vessels in your penis. This allows blood flow to increase when you are sexually stimulated so you can maintain an erection.

Each Viagra Connect tablet has 50mg of sildenafil and gets to work within 1 hour before sex.

Is Viagra Connect the same as Viagra?

Viagra Connect contains the same active ingredient as Viagra (sildenafil) and works in the same way. The difference is that Viagra Connect is only available in a 50mg dose and can be purchased without a prescription from a doctor. This is because 50mg is considered a safe starting dose for most people who want to take Viagra. However, you will still need to answer a few questions from the pharmacist to make sure it’s safe for you.

Viagra Connect contains the active ingredient sildenafil, which is a type of medication called a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor. It works by relaxing the blood vessels in your penis, allowing more blood to flow into it, and therefore helping you to get and maintain an erection when aroused. Viagra Connect will not cause erections unless you are feeling sexually aroused.

Everybody’s body is different, and some may respond better to Viagra Connect than others. However, there are some things that are known to impact how effective the medication is, including:

• underlying health conditions - certain health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease, can affect how well Viagra Connect works.
• other medications - medications such as nitrates or alpha-blockers can interact with Viagra Connect and reduce how effective it is.
• food and alcohol - a heavy meal or consumption of alcohol can reduce the effectiveness of Viagra Connect.

Swallow 1 tablet 1 hour before sex (you can take it up to 4 hours before). You can take Viagra Connect on an empty stomach. You should not crush or split your Viagra Connect tablet.

Do not take more than 1 Viagra Connect tablet per day without the advice of a doctor.

For best results with Viagra Connect avoid large amounts of alcohol or fatty foods before you take Viagra Connect, as it may take longer to work.

You still need sexual stimulation before sex for Viagra Connect to work.

How long does Viagra Connect last?

You will usually start to notice the effects of Viagra Connect after 30 - 60 minutes, and they will normally last for around 4-6 hours. However, everybody’s body is different and these timings may be shorter or longer for some people.

How often can I take Viagra Connect?

Viagra Connect is safe and effective when used in the long term. You can use Viagra Connect regularly so long as you take no more than 1 tablet each day, even if it is lower than the maximum daily dose of 100mg.

If you take more than 1 Viagra Connect tablet, contact a doctor or pharmacist right away. You may get side effects like an erection that lasts longer than usual and starts to feel painful or uncomfortable. This prolonged erection is known as priapism and needs urgent medical attention.

What if it doesn’t work for me?

Viagra Connect may not work as intended after the first use. This is not necessarily a cause for concern. You may have to get used to the timing of when to take the tablet and when you want to have sex. You should not take another tablet on the same day. If you have tried taking Viagra Connect on 8 separate occasions and have not achieved the desired effects, you should speak to your doctor about alternative treatment options.

Viagra connect is only available in 50mg dosage tablets.

Viagra Connect is safe and effective when used in the long term. You can use Viagra Connect regularly so long as you take no more than 1 tablet each day, even if it is lower than the maximum daily dose of 100mg.

If you take more than 1 Viagra Connect tablet, contact a doctor or pharmacist right away. You may get side effects like an erection that lasts longer than usual and starts to feel painful or uncomfortable. This prolonged erection is known as priapism and needs urgent medical attention.

You can get side effects when you use Viagra Connect, but they often clear up quickly.

Common side effects of Viagra Connect include:

• headache
• nausea
• indigestion
• stuffy nose
• dizziness
• facial flushing or hot flushes

Uncommon side effects of Viagra Connect include:

• vomiting, tummy pain or indigestion
• skin rashes, pains in arms or legs
• nosebleed
• change in heartbeat
• change in blood pressure
• dry mouth
• blood in urine

Call 999 if you have:

• chest pain before, during or after sexual activity - sit down and do not use nitrates
• an erection that is painful or lasting longer than 4 hours
• a sudden decrease or loss of vision
• an allergic reaction involving a skin rash, swelling of the face and difficulty swallowing, breathing or talking

For more information on side effects, you can read the patient information leaflet for Viagra Connect. You can also report side effects using the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

Viagra Connect may interact with drugs and foods. This may either affect other medicines or how well Viagra Connect works.

Do not use Viagra connect if you take:

• nitrate medications to treat chest pain or as recreational drugs
• riociguat to treat high blood pressure
• ritonavir to treat HIV

You should talk to a doctor or pharmacist if you are taking:

• antifungals (itraconazole or ketoconazole)
• antibiotics (erythromycin)
• heartburn treatment (cimetidine)
• other erectile dysfunction (ED) treatments like Cialis, Levitra or Spedra
• alpha blockers (alfuzosin, doxazosin or tamsulosin)

You should also avoid:

• grapefruit or grapefruit juice
• alcohol, particularly before sexual activity

You should not use Viagra Connect if you:

• do not have an erection problem
• take nitrate medicines for chest pain or heart failure
• use ‘poppers’ or amyl nitrate as a recreational drug
• already take Cialis (tadalafil), Levitra (vardenafil) or Spedra (avanafil)
• take ritonavir to treat HIV
• have been told by your doctor to avoid sexual activity due to blood vessel damage
• have had a heart attack or stroke in the last 6 months
• have unstable angina or heart failure
• have liver disease
• have low blood pressure (hypotension)
• are a woman
• are under 18 years old
• have an allergy to sildenafil or any other ingredients in Viagra Connect

When taking Viagra Connect, you should watch out for medical emergencies such as:

• if your erection lasts over 4 hours
• any problems with your vision loss in one or both eyes
• feeling light headed or fainting
• difficulty hearing

Erectile dysfunction (ED) can occur because of:

• certain medical conditions such as diabetes
• naturally getting older
• feeling stressed about your sexual performance
• having sex with someone new

Erectile dysfunction is normally short-lived and can happen for no apparent reason. But if you start to get ED more often than not, speak to a doctor. Your doctor will be able to check your blood pressure and also blood sugar levels for early signs of diabetes. This is important because other health conditions can impact your sexual health. This includes the ability to get an erection.

Why is Viagra Connect available without a prescription?

Viagra Connect is available without a prescription because it has been specifically cleared as an over-the-counter medication by the Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). The MHRA conducted an assessment of Viagra Connect and concluded that it was safe to be sold as a pharmacy medicine.

Can you get Viagra Connect on the NHS?

No, Viagra Connect is a medication which does not require a prescription and has been specifically cleared to be bought directly from a pharmacy. If you are experiencing erectile dysfunction then you may be prescribed the generic medication sildenafil, or the branded medication Viagra on the NHS.

Is it safe to buy Viagra Connect online?

It is safe to buy Viagra Connect online from a reputable source such as Asda Online Doctor. Some websites may claim to offer the medication but are not regulated, meaning there are no guarantees about the safety of what you are buying.

How long Does Viagra Connect take to work?

While Viagra Connect will not delay ejaculation, you may find that you can have sex for longer periods of time because your penis stays harder for longer.

Can I take Viagra Connect with other ED medications?

It is not recommended to take Viagra Connect with other erectile dysfunction medications.

Viagra Connect contains sildenafil, a type of medication known as a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor. These medications work by increasing blood flow to the penis, and taking multiple PDE5 inhibitors can increase your risk of serious side effects, such as a sudden drop in blood pressure.

You should always take Viagra Connect as advised by your doctor.

Can I take Viagra Connect if I don’t have ED?

It is not recommended to take Viagra Connect if you are not experiencing erectile dysfunction. The medication will not offer any benefits to your sex life other than making it easier to get and keep an erection when aroused.

Which active ingredients does Viagra Connect contain?

The active ingredient in Viagra Connect is sildenafil (50mg per tablet) as sildenafil citrate.

Inactive ingredients

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

If you are lactose intolerant please speak to your doctor before taking Viagra Connect. Viagra connect contains lactose and is not suitable for vegans.

How should Viagra Connect be disposed of?

To dispose of Viagra Connect tablets please take them to a pharmacy. To avoid damage to the environment, do not flush or bin Viagra Connect.

How should Viagra Connect be stored?

Keep Viagra Connect away from heat and moisture. You can store Viagra Connect in its original package at less than 30°C. Keep Viagra Connect away from children and animals.

What does Viagra Connect look like?

Each Viagra Connect pill is blue and rounded-diamond-shaped. Each Viagra Connect tablet is 11.2 mm x 8.1 mm. ‘Pfizer’ and ‘V50’ are written on either side of the tablets.

In which pack sizes is Viagra Connect available?

A box of Viagra Connect has blister strips containing 2, 4 or 8 pills.

Information on the manufacturer

The marketing authorisation holder for Viagra Connect is Upjohn UK Limited, Ramsgate Road, Sandwich, Kent, CT13 9NJ, UK.

Viagra Connect is manufactured by Fareva Amboise, Zone Industrielle, 29, Route des Industries, 37530 Pocé sur Cisse, France.

Further information on Viagra Connect can be reached via Medical Information at Pfizer Limited, Walton Oaks, Dorking Road, Tadworth, Surrey, KT20 7NS. Telephone: 01304 616161.