Viagra

Viagra is a prescription-only medication for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. It is also known as the “little blue pill” due to its recognisable shape and colour. Viagra helps to improve blood flow to the penis, making it easier to get an erection. The standard 50mg dose works for 74% of people who try it and the highest dose (100mg) works for 82%.

Viagra starts working within an hour of taking it but can work in as little as 30 minutes. Viagra contains the active ingredient sildenafil and belongs to a class of medication called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors.

Viagra works to increase blood flow to the penis when you are sexually aroused, helping you to get and keep an erection hard enough to have sex with.

Viagra contains the active ingredient sildenafil, a PDE5 inhibitor. This group of medications are used to treat ED because they can relax your blood vessels and block the enzyme PDE5 from working properly. PDE5 breaks down another chemical called cGMP, which is called the relaxation chemical and helps you get and keep an erection. So, because Viagra blocks PDE5 and allows the blood vessels to widen, cGMP can continue to improve your erection and maintain blood flow to the area.

Keep in mind Viagra doesn’t work on its own, you will need to be aroused to feel the full benefit.

How long does Viagra last?

The effects of Viagra should last for 4 to 6 hours, so you shouldn’t take it too long before you plan to have sex. How long Viagra will last for you depends on several factors, including your age, diet and general health.

How long does Viagra take to work?

Viagra usually takes 30 to 60 minutes to work, but it can last up to 4 to 6 hours. Some factors can cause Viagra to take longer to work, such as:

• Alcohol - Drinking alcohol can make it harder for Viagra to work, making it less effective, and making it take longer to work. Alcohol can also cause erectile dysfunction, making it more likely to happen in the first place.
• Food - Meals containing high amounts of fat can slow down how long it takes your body to absorb Viagra, making it take longer to start working.
• Arousal - Viagra only works if you are aroused, so it may take longer to get going if you are not turned on enough. While you’re waiting for it to take effect, you could try some foreplay so once it kicks in you’ll be ready to have sex.
• Age - Older men may find Viagra takes longer to start working as they have slower metabolisms, which means the medication doesn’t get absorbed into the body as quickly as a younger man.

How effective is Viagra?

Clinical studies have shown that the active ingredient in Viagra (sildenafil) works for:

• 62% of people on 25mg
• 74% of people on 50mg
• 82% of people on 100mg

“The higher the dosage, the more effective Viagra is but not everyone can take the highest dose. Your doctor will prescribe the dose best suited for you depending on your medical history, which is usually 50mg to start with. There’s no need to take a higher dose if a lower dose works well for you. If Viagra hasn’t worked after 8 different tries (on different days), speak to your doctor about a dose increase. The maximum dose of Viagra you can take in 24 hours is one 100mg tablet.” – Dr Brenda Ikeji, Medical Editor

Research on long-term Viagra use shows that more than 95% of men are satisfied with its effectiveness and it improved their ability to get an erection and have sex.

To take Viagra, you should swallow 1 tablet whole with a glass of water around 30 minutes to 1 hour before you plan to have sex.

Viagra can be taken with or without food but ideally, you should avoid taking it with a heavy meal. For example, fatty or heavy meals can cause Viagra to take longer to work.

It’s also a good idea to avoid alcohol when taking Viagra because it can affect your chances of getting an erection. If you are going to drink alcohol when taking Viagra, it should be in moderation. You also should avoid drinking grapefruit juice when you take Viagra, as it can increase the effect of the medication and the risk of side effects.

When to take Viagra

You should take Viagra about 30 minutes to 1 hour before you want to have sex. That’s because it can take up to 60 minutes for the active ingredient to get into your system and start working.

How long you need to take Viagra for will depend on your circumstances. Viagra doesn’t cure erectile dysfunction itself, so you may need to keep using it. Erectile dysfunction can go away if the underlying causes are treated, like anxiety or high blood pressure, but this doesn’t apply to everyone.

Even if your erectile dysfunction doesn’t go away, Viagra is safe to take for a long time. No harmful side effects have been reported when it is taken long-term. Some people take Viagra for months or even years.

You can get Viagra from most UK pharmacies with a prescription. Most people will need a private prescription for Viagra since it isn’t usually offered on the NHS. You can also request Viagra treatment online from trusted online doctor services, like ZAVA.

Can I buy Viagra online?

Yes, you can get Viagra online with a prescription in the UK from regulated online services such as ZAVA. To request Viagra from ZAVA:

1. Fill out a short online medical questionnaire answering a few questions about your health.
2. One of our registered doctors will review your answers and assess if Viagra is safe and suitable for you.
3. Once approved, your medicine will be dispatched by our pharmacy and sent via Royal Mail to an address of your choice.

Can I buy Viagra over the counter?

No, you will need a prescription to buy Viagra. If you are looking for an over-the-counter erectile dysfunction tablet, Viagra Connect may be a good alternative.

Keep in mind that a pharmacist will need to ask you questions before you get Viagra Connect, to make sure it’s safe for you. Viagra Connect is only available in the 50mg dose, so you will need a prescription for the 25mg and 100mg doses.

Can I get Viagra on the NHS?

Viagra is not available on the NHS except in special circumstances. Instead, the generic version, sildenafil, is available on the NHS for erectile dysfunction. Generic medications are the same as the branded versions – they work just as well but are generally cheaper.

Like all medications, Viagra can cause side effects but not everyone will get them.

Common Viagra side effects:

• headache
• feeling sick (nausea)
• facial flushing
• indigestion
• blurred vision
• stuffy nose
• dizziness

Uncommon Viagra side effects:

• skin rashes
• being sick (vomiting)
• eye irritation
• bloodshot eyes
• light sensitivity
• watery eyes
• rapid or pounding heartbeat
• runny nose
• nosebleeds

Rare side effects:

• fainting
• stroke
• heart attack
• irregular heartbeat
• spots in your vision

For a full list of side effects, read the patient information leaflet that comes with your treatment pack.

If you experience side effects while taking Viagra, they should usually resolve in around 4 to 6 hours. However, headaches on Viagra can last up to a week after you start taking it.

If you experience other side effects after taking Viagra and they do not disappear after 4 to 6 hours, you should speak to your doctor for advice. They may recommend trying a lower Viagra dose.

If you get any side effects from taking Viagra, you should speak to your doctor or pharmacist. You can also report side effects via the Yellow Card Scheme.

You should call 999 or go to A&E straight away if:

• you or someone you know has a seizure while taking Viagra
• you have an erection that lasts more than 2 hours or is prolonged or painful
• you experience chest pain

Viagra may not be right for everyone. Certain conditions or other medications can interact with Viagra and make it less effective or potentially unsafe.

You should not take Viagra if you:

• are under 18
• are allergic to any of the Viagra ingredients, including sildenafil
• are using any medicines that are called nitric oxide donors like amyl nitrate (poppers)
• are taking riociguat, a drug used to treat high blood pressure in the lungs
• have heart or liver disease
• have a rare, inherited eye disease
• are taking any other erectile dysfunction medicine
• do not have erectile dysfunction
• are a woman

Viagra can also interact with other medications, so it is important to tell your doctor if you are taking any other medications, including over-the-counter or herbal remedies.

Some of the medications known to interact with Viagra include:

• nitrates
• St. John’s Wort
• riociguant
• rifampicin
• phenytoin
• ketamine

Can I take Viagra with high blood pressure medication?

Some people who take alpha-blockers for high blood pressure may experience symptoms such as lightheadedness or dizziness if taken with Viagra. However, to lower the risk of these effects, you should already be on a regular dose of the alpha-blocker before you start Viagra treatment.

Ramipril and amlodipine are used to treat high blood pressure. Since Viagra can also have a blood pressure-lowering effect, it is important to tell your doctor if you are taking either of these medications before using Viagra.

Can I take Viagra with statins?

Yes, there are no known interactions between Viagra and statins that are used to lower cholesterol levels.

Can I take Viagra on antidepressants?

Yes, Viagra can be taken alongside antidepressants as there are no known interactions. If erectile dysfunction is a side effect of depression or antidepressants, Viagra can be an effective treatment.

Can I take Viagra with blood thinners?

Most people should be able to take blood thinners alongside Viagra, but you should check with your doctor first.

Cialis and Viagra work in a similar way to treat erectile dysfunction but they contain different active ingredients. They are also available in different dosages. Cialis is often known as the ‘weekend pill’ because its effects can last up to 36 hours, whereas Viagra lasts for 4 to 6 hours in most people.

Cialis is also available as a lower dose in a daily pill, called Cialis Daily, which means you do not need to plan ahead each time you want to have sex. It is also available in the generic form, tadalafil.

Viagra vs Levitra

Levitra is another PDE5 inhibitor which means it works in the same way as Viagra but it contains a different active ingredient. The active ingredient in Levitra is vardenafil. Studies have shown that Viagra and Levitra are similarly effective, but vardenafil does not change colour perception, a rare side effect sometimes reported when Viagra is taken.

Viagra vs Spedra

Spedra is the fastest-working erectile dysfunction pill, helping you to get an erection in 15 to 30 minutes compared to 30 to 60 minutes with Viagra. Although the effectiveness is less than Viagra (59% at the maximum dose for Spedra compared to 82% for Viagra), Spedra is a good alternative for spontaneous sex.

Viagra vs sildenafil

Sildenafil is the generic form of Viagra – the active ingredient in both Viagra and generic sildenafil is ‘sildenafil’, which means they are the same thing. The only differences are the name and the price. The generic version is often cheaper and is available on the NHS, whereas the branded Viagra is not.

Mendurance vs Viagra

Mendurance is a food supplement that’s available over the counter. It contains a mixture of herbal extracts, B vitamins, l-arginine, and caffeine which is claimed to support a man’s sexual wellbeing. However, it is not a proven treatment for erectile dysfunction.