Viagra (Sildenafil)

Viagra is branded prescription drug which uses the active ingredient (Sildenafil) to treat Erectile dysfunction and allow for easier erections. Sildenafil inhibits an enzyme called phosphodiesterase-5 which allows the blood vessels supplying the penis to relax and more blood to flow to the penis. This allows a firmer and more spontaneous erection when sexually aroused.

Viagra starts to work 30 minutes to an hour after being taken orally and its effects last for 4-5 hours. This means that within that timeframe, you can get an easier and firmer erection when sexually aroused.

This does not mean that the erection lasts for 4-5 hours. If you experience an erection that lasts for more than 4 hours and is brought about by a lack of sexual stimulation or does not resolve after sexual activity, please seek medical attention immediately as that condition is a Priapism and it is a medical emergency that can cause permanent damage to the penis.

Although not everyone who takes Viagra will experience a side effect, some people do. The side effects of Viagra become more likely with increased dosage, please speak to your healthcare provider about what dose may be correct for you.

Some of the more common side effects of Viagra are given below:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Indigestion
• Feeling Sick
• Facial flushing
• Vision disturbance
• Stuffy nose

The more uncommon side effects of Viagra (affecting 1 in 100 people) are:

• Eye discomfort
• Eye pain
• Chest pain
• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth
• Changes in blood pressure
• Nose bleeds
• Tiredness
• Vomiting
• Altered Heartbeat
• Ear-ringing

Very rare side effects of Viagra (Which affect 1 in 1000 people) include:

• Fainting
• Hearing impairment
• Sudden visual impairment
• Seizure
• Allergic reactions (difficulty breathing, wheezing, swollen eyelids, face, lips and tongue)

If you have any of the following, stop taking Viagra and seek medical attention immediately:

• Chest pain
• Allergic reactions (difficulty breathing, wheezing, swollen eyelids, face, lips and tongue)
• Prolonged painful erections (priapism)
• Sudden loss of vision
• Seizures
• Sudden skin reaction

Side effects of Viagra are usually mild and should last a few hours or up to a day, mild headaches can last upto a week. The side effects of Viagra usually wear off with the effect of the drug.

Please speak to your healthcare provider if you have any concerns about Viagra and its side effects.

Viagra is typically safe to use in with ED who have no other health issues. It can be used in men of various ages but its typically used in men over 40 who have erectile dysfunction.

Viagra is meant to be taken once a day, taking more than one pill a day can increase the risk of side effects, particularly the painful prolonged erection (the priapism).

The standard dose of Viagra is 50mg, however the dose can vary from 25 – 100 mg. Higher doses are associated with increased risk of side effects.

There are some contra-indications for Viagra, which mean you should not be taking the drug if you have any of the following:

• If you are taking Nitrates for a heart condition or chest pain.
• If you have severe cardiovascular conditions like a recent heart attack (less than 6 months), a recent stroke, uncontrolled high or low blood pressure or if you have chronic heart failure.
• If you have hereditary genetic disorders.
• If you have non-atretic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy.

Please speak to your healthcare advisor about whether it is safe for you to take Viagra

Sildenafil and branded Viagra both contain the same active ingredients and work in the same way, but sildenafil is much cheaper.

If you’re looking for affordable Viagra online, you should consider generic sildenafil instead.

We’ve compared Viagra costs vs sildenafil costs below:

In the UK Viagra cannot be bought over the counter, as it’s a prescription drug. However, the drug Viagra Connect can be bought over the counter.

Viagra can be sold in doses of 25, 50 or 100 mg, whereas Viagra Connect can only be sold in the standard 50mg.

A pharmacist will still need to ask some questions to determine if it’s safe to use before allowing you to purchase Viagra connect.

You can buy Viagra Connect over the counter, at our website, Meds for Less.

Viagra in the UK is a prescription only medication, however you can safely buy Viagra online at our website: MedsForLess.

You can buy Viagra online safely, and securely from Our website: Meds for Less for fast and reliable Viagra Overnight delivery.

We have 5 different dosage packs for Viagra, below are the prices for each.

The table below describes the price of Cialis vs Viagra Tablet costs for different dosage types.

Cialis is a branded medication using the active ingredient Tadalafil as opposed to Viagra which uses the active ingredient Sildenafil.

Both these medicines increase blood flow to the penis by inhibiting the enzyme phosphodiesterase-5. This allows easier and firmer erections for men when sexually aroused.

Cialis has a longer timeframe of action as opposed to Viagra. Tadalafil stays active in the body for 36 hours after use, allowing easier and spontaneous erections during that timeframe. Sildenafil (Viagra’s active ingredient) only stays active in the body for 4-5 hours.

Viagra cannot be taken more than once a day and hence needs to be planned in a 4–5-hour window around sex, whereas Cialis can be taken once in 36 hours, allowing more spontaneity in one’s personal life.

Cialis also has a low dose form of the medication (Cialis Daily), which can be taken every day. This allows a steady stream of Tadalafil to always stay active in the bloodstream, allowing more spontaneity and ease in one’s sex life.

Despite its longer timeframe of action, Cialis, is more expensive than Viagra (see the table in our Cialis vs Viagra price section).

When choosing Cialis or Viagra, its beneficial to compare timeframe, price and side effects.

Tadalafil is the active ingredient in Cialis. It can also be sold as a generic unbranded drug with the same medical effectiveness and safety profile as Cialis but being cheaper. Tadalafil has the same duration of action and the same safety instructions and side-effects as Cialis.

For a price comparison between Tadalafil and Viagra, visit the Tadalafil page at Meds For Less to check out the Tadalafil prices and compare them to the ones for Viagra.

Spedra (using the active ingredient Avanafil) and Viagra (Sildenafil) are both medications used to treat erectile dysfunction, however there are significant differences between both in terms of how they act, their timeframes, and onset of action.

Both Spedra and Viagra work by increasing blood flow to the penis, by inhibiting the enzyme, phosphodiesterase 5.

Spedra works faster than Viagra and can begin to act within 15-30 minutes whereas Viagra takes 30 minutes to an hour to begin showing effects.

Both Spedra and Viagra last in the body for 4-5 hours, allowing easier and more spontaneous erections in those timeframes, when aroused. 

Spedra can be taken with or without food and its effectiveness is less limited by food or alcohol, (heavy alcohol usage can still limit its effectiveness).

Taking Viagra with a high fat or heavy meal can delay its onset and make it take longer to work. Heavy alcohol usage can also limit the effectiveness of Viagra.

The side effects of both Viagra and Spedra are similar, however the Spedra may have a lower incidence of side effects compared to Viagra due to its more targeted effect of action on the penis.

Sildenafil is the Generic unbranded form of Viagra. It has the same side effect profile and medical efficacy, however due to being generic Viagra it is cheaper than standard Viagra doses.

The difference between Viagra or Sildenafil is based mostly on price. Please see our webpage on Sildenafil, to compare prices.

Viagra is a not a treatment for premature ejaculation. It does not directly contribute to making men last longer in bed.

However, being able to treat erectile dysfunction can give men more confidence and reduce performance anxiety, which can help them last longer in bed.

Please see your healthcare provider if you feel you suffer from premature ejaculation (PE) as opposed to Erectile Dysfunction (ED) and they can recommend the right medication or treatment for you.

Viagra treats Erectile dysfunction works by increasing blood flow to the penis, when men are sexually aroused, this allows for a firmer and more spontaneous erection.

In women the mechanism of action for Viagra’s use is not fully understood, but it may increase blood flow to the clitoris and vaginal tissues.

There have been studies done in women for Viagra to treat sexual arousal disorder, the results of which have been mixed.

Viagra is not approved in the UK for women to use for issues relating to sex, sexual desire, spontaneity or any other matters related to sexual activity.

If you are seeking medications for low sexual desire in women, please speak to your healthcare provider about which medicine or treatment may be best for you.

In the UK, Viagra is approved for use for both men and women to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).  It works by relaxing blood vessels in the lungs which improved blood flow and reduces the workload on the heart.

For treatment of PAH, the doses are typically higher than that for erectile dysfunction (ED).

Viagra can be taken with alcohol, when taken in small or moderate considerations.

It is unlikely to interfere significantly with Viagra when taken in small or moderate amounts.

Heavy alcohol consumption can impair sexual performance and Viagra’s effectiveness. It can also increase the risk of side effects. 

Please speak to your healthcare provider to determine the right amount of alcohol of you to take with your Viagra dose.