Sildenafil vs Viagra

Sildenafil is a generic treatment for erectile dysfunction and today you can buy Sildenafil online which many men may find less embarrassing and more convenient than having to make a journey to their local pharmacy for it.

Sildenafil (the generic form of Viagra) and Viagra are medically identical, and so are found to be equally effective.

Both products contain the identical amount of active ingredient. (1)

Until 2013 nobody else could produce Sildenafil because Pfizer had a patent. However, that patent expired in 2013 and today other companies can manufacture Sildenafil. As you might expect, generic Sildenafil tablets are less expensive than Viagra even though they contain exactly the same ingredient and produce the same effect. This has enabled many more men to be able to enjoy a more fulfilling sex life.

The only difference between generic Sildenafil tablets and Viagra are the fillers. These are used to bulk up the tablets, since the amount of Sildenafil required in each is only tiny. Different manufacturers use different fillers and that is why the brands differ in shape, colour and size. (2) A commonly used filler is lactose. Those who are lactose intolerant should carefully check the Patient Information Leaflet supplied with their Sildenafil tablets before taking them. There is one brand which does not contain lactose and that is called Mylan.   Fortunately, Webmed Pharmacy only supplies the Mylan brand of Sildenafil.

Viagra contains lactose.

Sildenafil is usually sold in white or blue tablets, the blue being a form of identification with Viagra which is sold in blue diamond shaped pills. Pfizer has trademarked the shape of its pills which cannot be copied, but they cannot trademark the colour.

Both Sildenafil and Viagra are available in 25mg, 50mg, and 100mg tablets.

References

1) https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/are-generic-drugs-equivalent-to-brand-name-drugs/ (accessed on 7/6/19)

2) https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/whats-all-that-other-stuff-in-my-medicine/ (accessed on 7/6/19)

Medically reviewed by
Superintendent pharmacist Margaret Hudson BSc(Hons) MRPharmS
9th June 2019