In the United States, you can get Viagra® from most major pharmacies and online with a prescription. While you cannot simply “buy” Viagra® over-the-counter, Viagra® is widely available throughout the U.S. with a prescription.
To get a prescription for Viagra®, you can physically visit a doctor or complete an online medical visit with a healthcare provider on your computer. Online pharmacies can ship Viagra® directly to your door in discreet packaging for maximum convenience.
Viagra®, a brand-name ED drug created by Pfizer, is the original drug in the PDE5 inhibitor class of medications and is very effective in treating erectile dysfunction. Viagra® can help you get an erection or it can help you to maintain an erection for longer. If your current erection is not allowing you to have satisfying sex, a prescription for Viagra® may be able to help you.
Viagra® works by temporarily slowing the effect of the enzyme that makes your penis return from an erect to a flaccid state after sex. If you have erectile dysfunction, the enzyme phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) often works too quickly to make your penis flaccid, which can make it difficult for you to get an erection in the first place or keep one for long enough to ejaculate. PDE5 inhibitors slow the work of PDE5, which helps you to keep an erection during sexual activity.
However, Viagra® does not automatically give you an erection just because you take the pill. You will still need to be sexually aroused for the medication to work. The good news is that you don’t need to worry about Viagra® causing an untimely erection.
Viagra® typically lasts in full effect for about two to three hours after you take the pill. Viagra® can work for up to four or five hours, but you will likely notice that its effectiveness starts to decrease after two or three hours. This is because the half-life of Viagra® is about four hours, which means that only half of the drug will still be in your system after that time, reducing its effect on your erection.
Keep in mind that Viagra® is typically not effective until about an hour after you take the drug, so you will need to plan ahead for sex. If you are looking for an ED drug that works around the clock, Cialis or Tadalafil might be the best option for you.
Viagra® is available in three doses: 25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg. The 25 mg dose is the lowest available dosage of Viagra®, which is only used if you are unable to tolerate higher doses. The 50 mg dose is the “normal dose” or starting dose of Viagra® for most men. If the 50 mg dose is not effective for you, your doctor may prescribe you maximum strength Viagra®, which is 100 mg. Learn more about Viagra® dosage here.
It is important to take your prescribed Viagra® dose and to only take a maximum of one Viagra® dose per day. Taking too much Viagra® can have dangerous effects on your blood pressure and cause you to lose consciousness.
The only ED treatments that work like Viagra® are other PDE5 inhibitors, which are all available by prescription-only in the United States. If you are experiencing erectile dysfunction, it is best to seek medical advice from a doctor and get an effective prescription drug treatment rather than trying your hand at home remedies or purported “over-the-counter” Viagra® alternatives.
As a brand-name erectile dysfunction medication, Viagra® is significantly more expensive than the generic version of the medication, sildenafil citrate. Through hims, Viagra® is $139 per use. At other pharmacies, prices can range from tens to hundreds of dollars. Learn more about Viagra® pill prices here.
If you are looking for effective ED treatment without the high price tag, you can get generic Viagra® for a fraction of the cost of brand name Viagra®.
In general, Viagra® is safe when taken as prescribed. Viagra® was rigorously tested in clinical trials prior to FDA approval and now has over two decades of use by men around the world. However, if you have certain health conditions, such as cardiovascular or heart problems, heart failure, irregular heartbeat, heart disease or a recent heart attack, Viagra® may not be a safe option for you.
In addition, if you have high blood pressure, low blood pressure, multiple myeloma, sickle cell anemia, leukemia, retinitis pigmentosa, bleeding problems, stomach ulcers, kidney problems, liver problems or Peyronie’s Disease, disclose these conditions to your doctor to ensure that you are clear to take Viagra®.
Viagra® may be better for you and your sex life than other ED medications, but it is not inherently better or worse than other ED treatment options. If you want a drug that you can take as-needed and that works quickly and effectively during sexual stimulation, Viagra® might be right for you. If you want around-the-clock ED treatment, daily dosages of Cialis or Tadalafil might be right for you. If you want a super quick effect, stendra might be the best option. Viagra® is a great ED option for many men, but the best ED medication is the one that is right for you.
Common Viagra® side effects include headache, flushing, upset stomach, eye problems (such as vision changes or blurred vision), stuffy or runny nose, back pain, muscle pain, nausea, dizziness or rash. These side effects are generally not dangerous, but consult your doctor if they persist or are particularly bothersome.
There are some other rare, serious side effects of Viagra®, including sudden vision loss, sudden hearing loss and chest pain, dizziness or nausea during sex. Priapism, or an erection lasting longer than four hours, is also a potential serious side effect. All of these serious side effects require emergency medical attention.
There are known drug interactions or contraindications with Viagra®, including the following drugs:
Nitrates, such as nitroglycerin or isosorbide mononitrate, which are commonly used for angina
Guanylate cyclase stimulators, also called Adempas or riociguat
Alpha-blockers such as Hytrin® (terazosin HCl), Flomax® (tamsulosin HCl), Cardura® (doxazosin mesylate), Minipress® (prazosin HCl), Uroxatral® (alfuzosin HCl), Jalyn® (dutasteride and tamsulosin HCl), or Rapaflo® (silodosin)
HIV protease inhibitors, such as ritonavir (Norvir®), indinavir sulfate (Crixivan®), saquinavir (Fortovase® or Invirase®), or atazanavir sulfate (Reyataz®)
Some oral antifungal medicines, such as ketoconazole (Nizoral®) and itraconazole (Sporanox®)
Some antibiotics, such as clarithromycin (Biaxin®), telithromycin (Ketek®), or erythromycin
High blood pressure medication
Poppers, such as amyl nitrate
Other treatments for ED, including Stendra® (avanafil), Cialis® (tadalafil), Levitra® (vardenafil) or other forms of Viagra®, such as sildenafil
Revatio® or Adcirca®, two brand-name drugs used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension. These medications are also PDE5 inhibitors and cannot be taken at the same time as Viagra®.
If you take any of the above medications, discuss your options with your doctor. If you are prescribed one of the above medications while taking Viagra®, tell your doctor.
