Viagra Connect

Viagra Connect is an over-the-counter treatment for erectile dysfunction in men aged 18 and over. It helps improve blood flow to your penis so you can get and maintain an erection during sexual activity.

Viagra Connect contains sildenafil, the same active ingredient as prescription Viagra and generic sildenafil tablets. Sildenafil belongs to a group of medications called phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitors (PDE-5 inhibitors).

Viagra Connect works by increasing blood flow to your penis. It does this by relaxing the blood vessels in the penis, helping more blood enter the area so you can get and keep an erection more easily. All PDE-5 inhibitors work this way and are the recommended treatment type for ED.

Viagra Connect will only work if you are sexually stimulated. It does not increase your sex drive, make you last longer, or cause automatic erections.

How long does Viagra Connect last?

Viagra Connect lasts around 4 hours, but this may be shorter or longer in some cases.

How long does Viagra Connect take to work?

Viagra Connect takes 30 to 60 minutes to take effect, and it’s recommended to take it 1 hour before sex to make sure it's had time to work. Some things can make it take longer to work, such as if you’ve just eaten a large meal or you’ve been drinking alcohol.

It can take a few times for Viagra Connect to work, and you need to make sure you’re sexually aroused for it to work. If you find it does not work for you after 8 occasions, speak to your doctor about a higher dose, which can only be prescribed under the names Viagra or sildenafil, not Viagra Connect.

How effective is Viagra Connect?

Viagra Connect (sildenafil 50mg) has been proven to work for 74% of people. Of these, 41% reported that Viagra Connect worked for them the first time they used it, and they were able to get an erection long enough to have sex, compared to 15% taking a placebo. After 8 times of using it, Viagra Connect works for 78% of people.

In studies looking at the long-term use of Viagra Connect, effectiveness was maintained during treatment for over 1 year.

Take Viagra Connect around 1 hour before sex. Some people find it starts working within 30 minutes, but it can take up to 1 hour. Swallow the tablet whole with water.

There is only 1 dose of Viagra Connect: 50mg. You should not take more than 1 tablet at a time, and no more than 1 tablet in 24 hours.

For the best results while taking Viagra Connect:

• engage in foreplay with your partner to help get an erection
• avoid heavy meals before taking it, as this can delay its absorption
• limit alcohol intake, as alcohol can make it harder to get and keep an erection and increases the risk of side effects

➤ You can find more information on what to expect when taking Viagra for the first time in our guide.

Viagra Connect can cause some side effects. These may be more likely when you first start VIagra Connect, until you get used to the medication, but they can happen at any time. Most side effects are mild and will go away after a few hours, but speak to your doctor if they do not improve or if they are severe.

Very common side effects (may affect more than 1 in 10 people) include:

• headache

Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people) include:

• facial flushing
• dizziness
• indigestion
• blocked nose
• feeling sick (nausea)
• hot flushes
• changes to vision, such as blurred vision or a colour tinge

Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people) include:

• feeling tired (fatigue), sleepy, or hot
• dry mouth, blocked sinuses, or inflammation of the nose lining, which may cause sneezing, a runny nose, or a stuffy nose
• muscle pain, pain in the arms or legs, reduced sense of touch, vertigo, or ringing in the ears
• being sick (vomiting), upper stomach pain, or acid reflux, including heartburn
• eye problems, including irritation, redness, pain, watering, sensitivity to light, flashes of light, or increased brightness
• rapid or pounding heartbeat
• high or low blood pressure, which may cause dizziness, fainting, blurred vision, nausea, or tiredness
• nosebleeds
• skin rash
• blood in the urine

Rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people) include:

• fainting or feeling irritable
• dry nose or swelling inside the nose
• sudden decrease or loss of hearing
• chest pain (angina), irregular heartbeat, heart attack, stroke, or temporary reduced blood flow to parts of the brain
• sudden cardiac arrest
• feeling of tightness in the throat or numbness in the mouth
• eye problems, including double vision, reduced vision sharpness, swelling of the eye or eyelid, bleeding at the back of the eye, changes in pupil size, discolouration of the white of the eye, seeing halos around lights, or seeing spots and small particles in your vision
• penile bleeding or blood in the semen

Speak to a doctor or call 999 if you get any serious side effects while taking Viagra Connect, including:

• chest pain (uncommon) – sit in a semi-upright position and try to relax, do not take nitrate medication to treat your chest pain
• heart attack or stroke – call 999 straight away
• a prolonged or painful erection lasting more than 4 hours (rare)
• sudden loss or decrease in vision (rare)
• a serious allergic reaction (uncommon), which may cause wheezing, difficulty breathing, dizziness, or swelling of the face, lips, eyelids, or throat – call 999 straight away
• severe skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) or toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) (rare), which can cause blistering, peeling skin, sores around the mouth, eyes, or genitals, and fever
• seizures or fits (rare)

You can also read about the side effects in the patient information leaflet that comes with your medication.

How long do Viagra Connect side effects last?

Most Viagra Connect side effects last a few hours and improve as the medication leaves your body. Side effects like headaches, flushing, and nasal congestion are usually temporary.

What to do if you get Viagra Connect side effects

If side effects are severe, do not go away, or keep happening, speak to your doctor or pharmacist. There are some things you can do to help manage mild side effects at home, including:

• drinking plenty of water for headaches
• avoiding alcohol which can worsen side effects, especially dizziness, nausea, and flushing
• eating smaller meals if you feel sick
• resting if you feel dizzy
• stopping sex if you get side effects, including if you are flushed and hot, until you feel better

Speak to a doctor straight away if you get serious side effects, and always call 999 in an emergency.

Viagra Connect may not be suitable for everyone. Certain medical conditions and medications can increase the risk of side effects or make the medication unsafe.

You should always tell your pharmacist or doctor about your medical history before taking Viagra Connect.

Do not take Viagra Connect if you:

• are under 18
• are a woman
• are allergic to sildenafil or any other ingredients in the tablet
• take nitrate medication for chest pain
• have severe heart or liver problems
• have been told by your doctor to avoid sex because of a problem with your blood vessels or heart
• have low blood pressure
• recently had a stroke or heart attack
• have certain rare inherited eye conditions, such as retinitis pigmentosa, or have ever had vision problems
• do not have erectile dysfunction
• have a deformity of the penis

Speak to your doctor before using Viagra Connect if you have:

• sickle cell anaemia
• leukaemia
• multiple myeloma
• a stomach ulcer
• bleeding problems
• Peyronie’s disease or penile deformity
• severe kidney disease
• mild to moderate liver problems
• heart problems
• high blood pressure
• ever had an erection lasting more than 4 hours (priapism)
• lactose or sugar intolerances, as Viagra Connect contains lactose

Medications that interact with Viagra Connect

Some medications taken together with Viagra Connect can cause a severe and potentially dangerous drop in blood pressure. Do not start Viagra Connect if you take:

• nitrates, such as glyceryl trinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate, or isosorbide dinitrate – used to treat chest pain (angina) or heart failure
• “poppers” or other nitric oxide donors, such as amyl nitrite, or medications like nicorandil or sodium nitroprusside
• riociguat, or other medications called guanylate cyclase stimulators – used to treat high blood pressure in the lungs
• ritonavir – used to treat HIV

Talk to your pharmacist or doctor before using Viagra Connect if you are taking any other medications, as some can increase the risk of side effects or affect how well it works.

Speak to your doctor before taking Viagra Connect if you take:

• medication for fungal infections and certain antibiotics, including itraconazole, ketoconazole, or erythromycin
• cimetidine, used to treat heartburn
• other erectile dysfunction treatments
• alpha-blockers used for prostate problems or high blood pressure, such as alfuzosin, doxazosin, or tamsulosin
• medication containing sacubitril/valsartan, used to treat heart failure

You should also avoid Viagra Connect and grapefruits or grapefruit juice, as this can affect how the medication works in your body and increase its effects.

You can get Viagra Connect over the counter in the UK after answering a few health questions from a pharmacist or online doctor. This helps make sure the treatment is safe and suitable for you.

Can I buy Viagra over the counter?

Yes, Viagra Connect is the over-the-counter version of Viagra, available only in 50mg tablets.

Where can I buy Viagra over the counter?

You can buy Viagra over the counter in-person or online.

Getting Viagra Connect at a pharmacy

If you want to get Viagra Connect in-person, you’ll need to speak to a pharmacist. You can get Viagra Connect from Asda Pharmacy. You’ll be taken into a private area for a short consultation. The pharmacist will ask some questions about:

• your symptoms
• your medical history
• medications you take

This is to make sure you’re eligible for treatment, as it can be unsafe for certain people. If you can take Viagra Connect, you can then purchase it from the pharmacy.

Getting Viagra Connect online

You can also get Viagra Connect online, and the process is very similar, but you do not need to speak to someone in person. Some people may prefer this if they do not feel confident speaking about their symptoms.

To get Viagra Connect at Asda Online Doctor:

1. Complete a short medical questionnaire about your ED symptoms, relevant medical history, and current medications.
2. A doctor reviews your answers, and your treatment is approved if suitable. We also have a range of other ED treatments that our doctors may recommend if Viagra Connect is not right for you.
3. Your medication is delivered discreetly to your home, or you can collect it from an Asda Pharmacy of your choice.
4. Order updates, repeat prescriptions, and free doctor messaging are all available through your private patient account.

Viagra Connect is an over-the-counter ED treatment. The main alternatives that are also available over the counter are:

• sildenafil 50mg – a generic version of Viagra Connect
• Cialis Together or Avarante – a 10mg tablet containing another PDE-5 inhibitor called tadalafil that lasts up to 36 hours, so is more suited for people who have sex multiple times a week

Prescription PDE-5 alternatives available at Asda Online Doctor include:

• Hezkue spray – a mouth spray containing sildenafil 50mg, which can work in 12 minutes and is an alternative to tablets
• sildenafil – the generic version of Viagra Connect, works the same but is available in more doses
• Viagra – a branded version of sildenafil, the same as Viagra Connect but available in more doses
• tadalafil (branded version Cialis) – can last up to 36 hours
• Spedra – can work slightly faster than Viagra Connect (around 20 minutes)
• vardenafil – a generic tablet that's very similar to Viagra Connect but comes in multiple doses

Viagra Connect vs Viagra

Viagra Connect and Viagra both contain sildenafil 50mg and work in the same way. Viagra also comes in 25mg and 100mg tablets. However, Viagra Connect is available over the counter after a pharmacist assessment, while all doses of Viagra require a prescription. Because they contain the same medication, they also have the same side effects.

Viagra Connect vs sildenafil

Viagra Connect is a branded version of sildenafil 50mg. Generic sildenafil contains the same active ingredient and works in the same way, but it is usually cheaper and also comes in 25mg and 100mg doses. Sildenafil is available on prescription, but you can get sildenafil 50mg tablets over the counter, just like Viagra Connect.

Can I buy Viagra without a doctor prescription in the UK?

Yes, you can buy Viagra Connect without a doctor's prescription in the UK. These are Viagra (sildenafil) 50mg tablets, the usual starting dose of Viagra. Most people find 50mg works for them, but you may need a prescription if you need a higher dose.

Can I buy sildenafil over the counter?

Yes, as well as Viagra Connect (branded sildenafil 50mg tablets), you can also get generic sildenafil 50mg tablets over the counter. These are the same medications, one is just branded by Pfizer. Sildenafil 50mg over-the-counter tablets can be manufactured by different companies.

Is Viagra Connect the same as Viagra?

Viagra Connect and Viagra both contain sildenafil, come in 50mg doses, and are made by Pfizer. This means they work the same way and cause the same side effects. The main differences are that Viagra Connect can be found over the counter, while Viagra needs a prescription and is also available in doses of 25mg and 100mg.

What strength is Viagra Connect?

Viagra Connect comes in 1 strength: 50mg. This means that each tablet, which is 1 dose, contains 50mg of sildenafil. You should not take more than this at once, or within 24 hours.

Can you buy Viagra Connect at an Asda Pharmacy?

Yes, Viagra Connect is available to buy after a consultation with a pharmacist from an Asda Pharmacy. It’s also available online through Asda Online Doctor, with an online consultation instead.

What’s the difference between Viagra Connect and Avarante?

Viagra Connect and Avarante are both over-the-counter ED treatments and PDE-5 inhibitors. However, Viagra Connect contains 50mg of sildenafil 50mg, while Avarante contains 10mg of tadalafil. This means they work the same way by increasing blood flow to the penis, but Avarante lasts for up to 36 hours, while Viagra Connect lasts around 4.

Avarante may be more suitable if you have sex multiple times in a day, or over several days. Viagra Connect is better suited for people who do not have sex often, because its effects wear off sooner.