What is Viagra?
Viagra is the most well-known treatment for erectile dysfunction, ED, which is also referred to as impotence.
The active ingredient in Viagra is sildenafil which dilates the blood vessels leading to the penis to enable a firm, long lasting erection when a man is sexually aroused or stimulated.
Is Viagra better than sildenafil?
No. Viagra and sildenafil both contain exactly the same active ingredient. They are both equally effective but sildenafil is better value for money.
How long does it last?
On average Viagra will last between 4-6 hours. It varies from man to man as it can be affected by a number of things such as age, dosage, diet, alcohol consumption, general health and its interaction with other medication.
How long does it take to work?
It usually takes between 30-60 mins to be effective. It’s best taken on an empty stomach as it increases the rate at which the Viagra is absorbed into the body. If it’s taken after a large meal then it can take longer before it produces the desired effect.
What dosage of Viagra or sildenafil should I take?
The dose you use depends on your general health and how well you respond to it.
Both Viagra and Sildenafil come in the following doses :-
25mg: A reduced dose for those that find the 50mg dose effective but are experiencing some side-effects. You can try this dose and see if it’s equally effective to the 50mg dose but doesn’t produce any side-effects.
50mg: The recommended dose for most men taking sildenafil or Viagra for the first time.
100mg: A higher dose for when the 50mg dose is not as effective as you would like.
What’s the difference between Viagra and Sildenafil?
Medically, there is no difference between Viagra and Sildenafil. Viagra is a brand name with sildenafil as the active ingredient.
Viagra came off patent in 2013 and so other drug companies that manufacture generic medicines could make sildenafil and provide it at a much lower cost to pharmacies.
Both are available in 25mg, 50mg and 100mg strengths and in pack sizes of 4, 8, 16 and 32. Sildenafil can also be bought in 64’s.
Are there any alternatives to Viagra and Sildenafil?
If Viagra or Sildenafil have not been effective after trying both strengths, 50mg and 100mg, on about 6-8 separate occasions then there are other ED products to try.
Cialis, Levitra and Spedra are all members of the same family of ED medication but have different durations and onsets of action. If one ED medication doesn’t work for you then it’s worthwhile trying another.
Viagra: The most well- known ED treatment often referred to ‘the little blue pill’.
Sildenafil: The generic version of Viagra. It came on sale in 2013 when the patent for Viagra ran out. It works in exactly the same way as Viagra but is much cheaper.
Cialis: Called the ‘week-end pill’ as it can be taken on a Friday night and still be effective on a Sunday morning due to its long duration of action of 36 hours.
Spedra: As the name suggests, it has the fastest onset of action and can be effective in as little as 15 mins.
Levitra: There is some evidence to suggest that it’s best for diabetics.
Cialis Daily: After taking it for 4-5 days you will be ready to respond to any sexual stimulation spontaneously.
What is the difference between Viagra, Sildenafil, Cialis, Levitra and Spedra?
All of these medications belong to a group of drugs called ‘PDE5 inhibitors’ and work in the same way. They dilate the blood vessels leading to the penis resulting in a firm, longer lasting erection.
However, they do have different durations of action :-
Viagra, Sildenafil, Levitra and Spedra all remain in your system for about 4-6 hours. This doesn’t mean that you will have an erection for that length of time but that you will be able to achieve and maintain an erection when sexually stimulated for that window of time.
Cialis has a much longer duration of action, 36 hours, and that is why it’s referred to as the week-end pill as you can take it on a Friday night and it’s still in your system on Sunday morning.
They also have different onsets of action with Viagra, Sildenafil,Levitra and Cialis being active within 30-60 mins but the newest medication to be introduced, Spedra, as its name would suggest, can be active in as little as 15 mins.
Can I take Viagra with either Sildenafil, Cialis, Levitra or Spedra?
No. You should never take two types of ED medication at the same time as it could lead to a dangerous overdose. If you start with the recommended dose of 50mg sildenafil and find that it’s still not effective after several attempts then you can try 100mg the next time. If you wish to try a different strength of sildenafil or another type of ED medication then you should wait at least 24 hours after taking sildenafil, Levitra or Spedra and 48 hours after taking Cialis. You have to wait longer after taking Cialis as it has a much longer duration of action than the others and will be in your bloodstream for much longer.
Why is Sildenafil cheaper than Viagra?
Viagra was the original ‘blue pill’ for erectile dysfunction, made by Pfizer. When it’s patent expired in 2013 other drug manufacturers could make it under the generic name, sildenafil.
It’s medically identical to Viagra and has exactly the same effects and side-effects. Viagra is simply a branded form of sildenafil and like most branded products, it comes at a premium price. Sildenafil is much better value for money.
Why are there so many brands of sildenafil?
Since Pfizer’s patent expired, other drug companies have been able to manufacture generic sildenafil. There are many companies that make generic medicines to be marketed it the UK. These companies include Mylan, Sandoz, Accord, Teva, Torrent, Ajanta, Dr Reddy’s and Zentiva. Even Pfizer make a generic brand of sildenafil that is cheaper than Viagra but more expensive than other generic equivalents. The tablets may differ in size, shape and colour but they are all medically very similar.
What is the best brand of sildenafil?
If purchased from a UK registered and regulated pharmacy, all brands of sildenafil will be genuine medication and have the same desired effect. The active ingredient in all of the brands is exactly the same but the other ingredients or ‘excipients’ that make up the bulk of the tablet may vary. Our Mylan brand of sildenafil is lactose free which is very important for those who have an intolerance or are allergic to lactose. The patient information leaflet supplied with each brand of sildenafil gives a full list of all the ingredients of each tablet.
Why does the price of Sildenafil vary?
The price of Sildenafil offered by each pharmacy varies as each supplier decides on their own prices. Some pharmacies mark the product price up more than others.
At Webmed Pharmacy we choose to keep the prices as low as possible while still offering the best service with guaranteed next working day tracked delivery as standard. We aim to offer our customers the best value with a discreet, fast delivery service so that that they return to us time and time again.
Is Viagra or Sildenafil available over the counter?
Yes. Viagra Connect is for men over the age of 18 with erectile dysfunction (ED) and is the first erectile dysfunction medicine to be sold in the UK without a prescription.
It is only sold in 50mg strength and in packs of 4 or 8 and the pharmacist or dispenser should ask you some questions at the time of purchase to confirm you are suffering from ED.
At Webmed pharmacy our doctor issues you a prescription electronically that is sent straight to our pharmacy where we dispense it and deliver it to your chosen address.
Therefore, you don’t need to visit your GP or suffer the embarrassment of being asked questions in the pharmacy, as with Webmed pharmacy you can order online in the comfort of your own home.
Are Viagra or Sildenafil available on the NHS?
Viagra is not available on the NHS. Sildenafil is available on the NHS to only those who meet very strict eligibility criteria and then only in limited amounts. If you meet the criteria you may still wish to augment your supply if you find that you are not being prescribed a sufficient quantity.
Can I drink with Viagra?
It’s best to avoid drinking alcohol when taking sildenafil. If you do choose to drink, then you should limit the quantity to one or two units as alcohol can reduce the effectiveness of sildenafil. Also, as both alcohol and sildenafil can lower blood pressure you may find that you feel dizzy and ruin your enjoyment of the experience.