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Generic Viagra, or sildenafil, is a standard treatment for erectile dysfunction. Viagra is the brand name for sildenafil, but there is no difference between the generic and branded versions. Both require a prescription to order.
A quick look at the best places to buy generic Viagra online
- Best for a free initial consultation: Roman | Skip to review
- Best for discreet packaging: Hims | Skip to review
- Best for lowest cost: Lemonaid Health | Skip to review
- Best for insurance: PlushCare | Skip to review
- Best for local pharmacy pick up: Blink Health | Skip to review
- Best for comparing costs: Optum Perks | Skip to review
This article discusses generic Viagra, including how it works, how to use it, and where to get it. It also considers the risks of this medication, including its side effects and the risk of buying fake versions of the drug.
As sildenafil is a prescription drug in the United States, people who wish to buy generic Viagra need a valid doctor’s prescription.
Individuals who want to get their prescriptions discreetly can have an online consultation with a licensed physician on a telemedicine platform, and get home delivery of the drug.
Many health clinics sell Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved brand-name and generic Viagra through U.S.-based licensed pharmacies.
The following table compares the companies that sell generic viagra online.
| Cost | Delivery | BBB rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roman | from $4 per dose | free | A+ |
| Hims | from $4 per dose | free | A+ |
| Lemonaid Health | from $2 per dose | free | A+ |
| PlushCare | no information | pick up from a local pharmacy | B |
| Blink Health | from $17 per refill | free pick up from a local pharmacy | A |
| Optum Perks | varies, depending on location and store | not provided | not accredited |
Sildenafil citrate, or simply sildenafil, is the active ingredient in the brand-name drug Viagra. Sildenafil is known as generic Viagra because it is not sold under the Viagra brand name. People take it in a dosages of 25, 50, or 100 milligrams (mg) per day.
Sildenafil is a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor — the standard treatment for erectile dysfunction. Other PDE5 inhibitors include avanafil (Stendra), tadalafil (Cialis), and vardenafil (Levitra).
Learn more about alternatives to Viagra.
Generic Viagra (sildenafil) and Viagra are the same medication, and the active ingredient is sildenafil citrate in both drugs. It is this ingredient that helps treat erectile dysfunction.
The main difference between these two drugs is the cost. Generic drugs are always less expensive than branded drugs.
People know of generic Viagra as a treatment for erectile dysfunction. However, at a lower dosage, sildenafil can also treat pulmonary hypertension. When doctors use sildenafil for this condition, they will typically refer to it as Revatio if they use the branded version.
Aside from these standard uses, doctors may prescribe sildenafil off-label for conditions such as Raynaud’s disease and altitude sickness. However,
A small 2018 study found that treatment with sildenafil citrate for 6 weeks helped improve most aspects of female sexual dysfunction, and may be particularly effective in women who had experienced female circumcision. The decision to use the medication in these cases should relate to underlying conditions or co-existing conditions.
While experts believe Viagra to be safe for people with heart conditions, the authors of a 2022 single-center study found that 55.3 percent of participants went back to hospital within six months after their valve surgery. The authors states more research is needed into the use of sildenafil in people with valvular heart disease and pulmonary hypertension.
Pfizer received its original patent for Viagra in 1998, and this expired in 2020. However, Pfizer allowed Teva Pharmaceuticals to sell generic Viagra in 2013, before the patent expiration.
Pfizer also released its own generic Viagra under its subsidiary Greenstone in 2017 and Viatris — a merger of Mylan and Pfizer spin-off, Upjohn — in 2020.
Once the patent expired, the FDA permitted other drug companies to market generic Viagra,
- Aptapharma
- Appco
- Hetero Labs
- Mylan
- Reyoung
- Novitium Pharma
During sexual arousal or stimulation, the blood flow to the penis increases, causing it to expand, straighten, and harden.
An erection gradually goes away as an enzyme called PDE5
Sildenafil treats erectile dysfunction by relaxing the muscles and increasing the blood flow to the penis while blocking PDE5 from breaking down cGMP. The higher cGMP levels improve a person’s ability to get and maintain an erection.
As with Viagra, doctors prescribe generic Viagra in dosages of . The prescribed dosage will vary depending on the person’s response to treatment and their physical condition.
As its effect is fast and short-acting, doctors recommend taking generic Viagra
On average, it takes an hour for the drug to reach peak blood levels. A person may take generic Viagra with or without food. People who want to eat should have a light meal, as eating a heavy meal high in fat may delay the drug’s action.
People living with health conditions or taking certain medications should consult a doctor first. For example, those taking nitrates, which are medications for chest pain, should not take sildenafil, as this may cause their blood pressure to drop.
A person can take generic Viagra as needed but not more than once in 24 hours. The drug does not cause an erection without arousal or sexual stimulation.
It is important not to take the pill with grapefruit or grapefruit juice, as this fruit reduces the absorption and breakdown of the drug in the small intestine. This can lead a person to have toxic levels of medication in their blood.
Learn more about the drugs, drinks, and food Viagra can interact with.
Taking generic Viagra may cause side effects, including:
- headaches
- skin warmth or flushing
- sleep difficulties
- heartburn
- diarrhea and stomach pain
- muscle and body aches
- sensory problems in the limbs, such as tingling or numbness
- light sensitivity
- nosebleeds
Serious side effects include:
- priapism (a prolonged erection that lasts over 4 hours)
- vision loss
- hearing loss
Sildenafil is also a treatment for pulmonary arterial hypertension. At the time of publication, the Pulmonary Hypertension Association states that sildenafil seems generally safe for children with pulmonary arterial hypertension, although research is limited.
While sildenafil does not appear to reduce fertility in adults, people should talk with a healthcare professional if they are taking sildenafil and plan to become pregnant. Pulmonary arterial hypertension can potentially be fatal in those who are pregnant, and a healthcare professional will regularly check a person’s health.
Sildenafil is safe to use while breastfeeding if a doctor prescribes the drug. However, if an infant is not feeding as usual, or is unusually sleepy, pale, or tired, people should contact a healthcare professional immediately.
Further to that, healthcare professionals may not recommend Viagra for those who have a heart condition. The drug triggers
Drug interactions
Medical professionals will always ask a person whether they are taking any prescription or nonprescription medications before prescribing generic viagra.
Several drugs can interact with sildenafil, changing the way that they work. Due to this, doctors will ask for regular check-ups and may adjust the dose if a person has any side effects.
Drugs that sildenafil interacts with include:
- nitrates, such as amyl nitrate and butyl nitrate
- antifungals, such as itraconazole and ketoconazole
- drugs for seizures, including carbamazepine and phenytoin
- blood thinners, such as warfarin
Healthcare professionals are unlikely to recommend taking sildenafil if a person also takes nitrates. Sildenafil can interact with nitrates and dangerously reduce blood pressure, which can lead to life threatening low blood pressure.
Viagra is one of the most widely faked drugs worldwide, with many people using online platforms to sell fake versions of the drug.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has had numerous reports of seized fake Viagra pills. The
People should refill their prescriptions from licensed pharmacies in the U.S. All online U.S. pharmacies should have a listed U.S. address and contact number.
People who consider buying online should ensure that the store requires a valid prescription and that its website has a Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Site (VIPPS) seal.
They can also check whether the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy has accredited them as a digital pharmacy.
A person who suspects they have erectile dysfunction may choose to try a treatment such as generic Viagra. As these are prescription drugs, a person will need to consult a doctor.
The symptoms of erectile dysfunction include:
- not always getting an erection when there is a desire to have sex
- difficulty keeping an erection
- difficulty stimulating an erection
Although mild side effects, such as headaches, are not uncommon, anyone experiencing the severe side effects listed below should immediately contact a doctor:
- changes in or loss of vision
- changes in or loss of hearing
- dizziness or lightheadedness
- shortness of breath
- chest pain
- fainting
- a painful erection
- an erection lasting more than 4 hours
Generic Viagra and branded, or “real,” Viagra both contain the same active ingredient: sildenafil. Generic Viagra works just as well as branded Viagra.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will only allow pharmacies and stores to sell generic versions of drugs if they perform the same way in the body.
All generic Viagra will work in the same way. People could talk with a doctor to discuss the dose most appropriate for their needs.
Yes, generic Viagra may help people get and maintain an erection.
Cialis and Viagra are equally effective as they work in the same way.
Generic Viagra requires a prescription and is not available over the counter. However, some online pharmacies offer virtual health assessments and may provide a prescription from a licensed healthcare professional.
Sildenafil does not help maintain an erection after a person has ejaculated. People should not take more sildenafil to keep their erection after ejaculating. If they find they are reaching orgasm too soon, they may need to speak with a doctor about premature ejaculation.
Generic Viagra, or sildenafil, is the same drug as the brand-name Viagra. People should take care when purchasing and taking these prescription drugs, as misusing them can be dangerous to a person’s health.
Many online pharmacies and health services allow people to obtain prescriptions and order generic Viagra. It is important to look for licensed companies with U.S. addresses and be wary of fake Viagra retailers.
A doctor or telemedicine service can provide prescriptions, recommendations, and guidance on taking generic Viagra. They can also recommend alternative options.