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Viagra (Sildenafil)

Erectile dysfunction treatment

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4,204 reviews
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Viagra (Sildenafil) 25mg
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  • check_circle_filledTaken before you plan to have sex
  • check_circle_filledResults in 30–60 minutes
  • check_circle_filledEffects can last for up to 4 hours

Viagra information

Viagra is an effective medicine for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. It’s been used for over two decades, and in long-term studies it’s been found to be effective in more than 90% of men.
Viagra is effective at treating erectile dysfunction in the majority of men (at least 80% of men). It may have less of an effect with ED caused by psychological factors, and may not work if taken alongside a heavy meal or other drugs. If you aren’t getting the results you want please contact us.
Sildenafil is the active ingredient in Viagra, and it’s also available as a generic, unbranded tablet. Both treatments are medically identical, but Viagra costs more because of the premium brand name.
Viagra can last up to 4 hours, with peak effects in 2 hours. This will depend on factors including your dosage and your body’s metabolism.
Take one pill about an hour before you plan to have sex. Swallow the tablet whole with water. It’s important to take it without food, as the fat in your meal can make it less effective. You should also avoid drinking too much alcohol, as this can counteract the benefits. If you take any other medications, check with your GP before taking Viagra to make sure they don’t interact with your pill.
Viagra is available in three doses: 50mg, 25mg and 100mg.
50mg
The starting dose usually recommended for men taking Viagra for the first time.
25mg
This is the recommended dose if you found 50mg effective, but experienced some side effects. It may also be prescribed if you’re over 65.
100mg
A high-strength dose used if you find 50mg isn’t effective enough, or your erection lasts less than 4 hours
The most common side effects of Viagra are: headaches, muscle aches, back pain, flushing and indigestion. In most cases, these settle after an hour. Please speak with your GP or pharmacist if you experience any side effects for a prolonged period of time.
Always read the patient information leaflet before starting treatment.

troubleshootViagra facts

  • Time to feel the effect
    30–60 mins
  • Effect lasts for
    Up to 4 hours
  • Available strengths
    25mg, 50mg, 100mg
  • Active ingredient
    Sildenafil citrate
  • Generic (unbranded) equivalents

How it works

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  • Answer quick questions online

    Answer quick questions online

    No GP appointments needed with our 2 minute online consultation.

  • Choose your treatment

    Choose your treatment

    Select from our recommended UK-licensed medications.

  • Get discreet next day delivery

    Get discreet next day delivery

    We dispense your treatment the same day, delivering direct to you.

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  • Royal Mail 1st Class£2.90
    Usually delivered the next working day
  • Special Delivery 1pm£5.95
    Guaranteed next working day by 1pm
  • Special Delivery 9am£13.95
    Guaranteed next working day by 9am
  • Post Office Collection£3.95
    Usually collection next working day
  • Same Day (London)from £4.95
    Cost calculated at checkout
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Backed by our experienced UK-based medical team

Dr Clare Morrison picture

Dr Clare Morrison

Consultant GP | MBChB MRCGP DCH DRCOG

GMC: 3441561

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Rukhsana Deshmukh

Superintendent Pharmacist

GPhC: 2070765

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Avnish Patel

Pharmacist | MPharm, PhD

GPhC: 2079950

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Viagra FAQs

You should take Viagra about 1 hour before sexual activity. However, you may take it between 30 minutes to 4 hours before sexual activity if needed. Viagra can be taken with or without food. If you take Viagra UK after eating a high fat meal, it may take a longer amount of time to take effect.
Viagra is available to NHS patients through their GP in very limited quantities and typically is only the generic version Sildenafil is available. Find out more about Sildenafil on the NHS.
Viagra is the most well known treatment for erectile dysfunction and it has been extensively studied in many clinical trials. It has been shown to be effective for 88% of men in improving their erections.
Every medication has the potential for side effects. Fortunately, Viagra is safe and effective for most men. The majority of men who do experience side effects, are not bothered enough to stop treatment. Rarely, men experience more serious side effects. The most common effects are headaches, temporary visual problems, and stomach pain.
Yes, Viagra Connect is licensed as an over the counter medicine.
Viagra is a branded product manufactured by Pfizer which has a patent on the blue pill appearance. Viagra is not as cheap as sildenafil as you are paying for the brand name.
Viagra is a prescription only medicine. Using our service you can complete a medical consultation and receive a free private prescription allowing you to order viagra online.
We offer next day delivery in the UK with your purchase of Viagra. If you are looking to buy Viagra in London we offer a same day delivery service. Call us for details.
Yes you can although it is generally not advised to take Viagra at the same time as drinking alcohol. Alcohol interacts with majority of medicines, causing a detrimental effect especially if consumed in excessive amount. Generally, alcohol can thin the blood and can also induce the breakdown of medicines much quicker, which causes less drug being absorbed and hence, the drug not working its full effect.
Normally, when alcohol is consumed, it stops the natural erection process. Therefore, when taking Viagra and drinking alcohol, the same concept applies leading to erectile dysfunction. This is more likely to happen if alcohol is consumed in large amounts.
When taken on an empty stomach, Viagra is absorbed relatively rapidly and it will usually work within 30-60 minutes, although it may take up to 120 minutes in a small percentage of men. Taking Viagra with food will decrease the rate of absorption and can significantly increase the time taken for Viagra to work.
In the UK, Viagra is a prescription only medicine and cannot be bought over the counter. It is illegal to sell Viagra without a prescription.
Viagra is registered and licensed for use in the UK and EU and can be safely taken by the majority of men with erectile dysfunction. Viagra was patented by Pfizer in 1996 and released onto the market a couple of years later. As a result, it has been safely used by millions of men around the world who have erectile dysfunction.
It is not recommended to split Viagra tablets, as the dosage can vary.
Viagra should be taken approximately 30-60 minutes before intended sexual activity and on an empty stomach. Only 1 tablet should be taken in each 24 hour period.
No, Viagra is only licensed for use by men and should not be used by women.
It is not advisable to drink grapefruit juice when using Viagra. A chemical in the grapefruit juice can change the amount of the active ingredient entering your bloodstream which can increase the likelihood of side effects.
Each tablet of Viagra contains the active ingredient sildenafil citrate and the following excipients (inactive ingredients):
  • microcrystalline cellulose
  • calcium hydrogen phosphate (anhydrous)
  • croscarmellose sodium
  • magnesium stearate
  • Film coat:
  • hypromellose
  • titanium dioxide (E171)
  • lactose monohydrate
  • triacetin
  • indigo carmine aluminium lake (E132)
stethoscope

Authored by Dr Clare Morrison. Last reviewed 01 February 2024 by Liyya Patel and Siobhan Titre.