What Is The Best Viagra Option For Men

There is no single best Viagra option for men because all Viagra contains the same main medicine ingredient, called Sildenafil Citrate. The difference between the Viagra choices is mainly the strength or dose of Sildenafil. For instance, Viagra Connect contains less Sildenafil per pill than the regular brand name Viagra.

Viagra Tablets (25mg, 50mg & 100mg)

View Treatment

But if you’re looking at your decision from a financial viewpoint, the best Viagra option for most men is the generic form called Sildenafil. Sildenafil provides the same medicine as the brand name Viagra at a much lower price. Multiple medical studies show sildenafil works just as well as Viagra when it comes to improving blood flow for stronger, longer-lasting erections.

Viagra Connect (50mg) Tablets

View Treatment

There are three main choices for treating erectile dysfunction available in the UK:

• Brand name Viagra – the famous “little blue pill” made by Pfizer that contains sildenafil citrate. It was the first erectile dysfunction medication.
• Generic Sildenafil – the affordable generic form of Viagra with the same active ingredient, available at cheaper prices since Pfizer’s patent expired.
• Viagra Connect – an over-the-counter version of sildenafil you can buy without a prescription.

Sildenafil Tablets (25mg, 50mg & 100mg)

View Treatment

Many find generic sildenafil to be a great choice, as it offers the same benefits as Viagra but at a more affordable price, making it easier for everyone to access the treatment they need.

Here’s all you need to know about choosing the best Viagra for men.

Key Takeaways:

• Viagra is available in branded tablets, lower-cost generics, and convenient over-the-counter doses, giving men options to fit different budgets and lifestyles.
• Doctors help determine the ideal Viagra dose strength matching the patient’s age, medical fitness, and erectile dysfunction severity and support any dosage adjustments if necessary.
• Through decades of rigorous testing and research, all properly prescribed Viagra formulas prove safe for most men with only occasional minor temporary side effects like vision or muscle changes.

Comparing the Different Viagra Options

Different Viagra Strengths

Viagra tablets come in a few different Sildenafil Citrate dose strengths, typically 25mg, 50mg, or 100mg per pill. Determining the ideal strength level to prescribe depends on individual patient factors like:

• Severity of erectile dysfunction - Men with mild, infrequent cases may benefit from 25-50mg, while more advanced dysfunction often needs maximal 100mg doses for sufficient erection firmness during sexual activity.
• Age and comorbid health conditions - Older patients or those with additional medical issues affecting blood pressure, liver function, etc., typically receive conservative starting doses like 25mg until tolerance and efficacy are established.
• Experiencing any side effects - If you experience side effects like vision changes or headaches, please know it’s not uncommon. Many find that lower doses of 25-50mg, guided by a doctor’s advice, offer a more comfortable experience.

Open dialogue with your doctor identifies the Viagra strength most apt to effectively minimise erectile difficulties as much as possible while limiting risks of side effects and safely integrating with your unique health profile through periodic check-ins.

Viagra Connect - The Over-The-Counter Alternative

Viagra Connect offers patients an erectile dysfunction treatment option available over the counter without needing a medical prescription or a visit to a healthcare professional. It contains the same active medicine ingredient, sildenafil citrate, used in the brand-name Viagra tablets but in smaller doses per pill.

Here are some key facts on Viagra Connect for UK men:

• Availability: Being an over-the-counter medication means Viagra Connect can be easily purchased in local pharmacies without requiring a physician’s prescription, making access quicker and more convenient.
• Dosages: Unlike the prescription-grade Viagra, Viagra Connect is available only in 50mg doses.
• Suitability: Viagra Connect may be suitable for men experiencing occasional or milder erectile challenges. Those facing more severe or advanced-stage dysfunction often require higher 100mg sildenafil doses only available currently by licensed prescription in the UK.

While the easy accessibility of Viagra Connect can be useful for some patients, the lower concentrations of active sildenafil medicine may impact efficacy compared to prescription generic or brand Viagra pill options, tending to use 50-100 mg doses often recommended by specialists focusing on erectile dysfunction cases.

See our guide on Viagra vs Viagra Connect

Brand Name Viagra vs. Generic Sildenafil

The brand name Viagra contains the active medicine ingredient sildenafil citrate. Generic versions of sildenafil also contain sildenafil citrate but are made by other drug companies instead of the original brand.

Some important facts when comparing brand name Viagra and generic Sildenafil:

• Effectiveness: Multiple medical studies demonstrate generic sildenafil works just as well as the original brand Viagra when it comes to improving blood flow through widened blood vessels for firmer, longer-lasting erections.
• Cost: Since Pfizer’s patent on Viagra ended, allowing generics in the UK market, generic sildenafil is available at much lower prices per pill compared to the cost of brand name Viagra.
• Quality: While made by different pharmaceutical companies, UK health regulations demand generic medicines be thoroughly tested to ensure proper drug dissolution and appropriate efficacy once absorbed into the bloodstream. This helps ensure generics are of similar quality and perform comparably to brand medications.

Low-cost generic Sildenafil offers very similar effectiveness as the original brand name Viagra for most men experiencing erection issues. However, some men may still personally prefer to pay more for the original branding and familiar blue pills.

Safety and Performance of Viagra Options

Evaluating Safety Profiles

All forms of Viagra treatment, including prescription-strength Sildenafil tablets and lower-dose over-the-counter Viagra Connect capsules, have undergone careful testing for safety through extensive clinical trials with British men. Some common side effects may include:

• Vision - a small percentage of men experience temporary changes in colour vision or light sensitivity.
• Muscle pain - a small number of patients report back pain or muscle aches, especially with higher 100mg Viagra doses prescribed for more significant erectile dysfunction concerns.
• Headaches – an occasional side effect reported in clinical studies. Headaches typically go away after the first week of Viagra. However, talk to your doctor if it takes longer or if the pain is severe.

On rare occasions, more serious issues, such as significant drops in blood pressure, may occur. If you experience such symptoms, it’s important to seek immediate medical attention. Your safety when taking Viagra is our top priority. Experts emphasise avoiding unprescribed Viagra use or higher than approved dosing, which increases health risks.

See our guide on: How To Use Viagra For The Best Results

Clinical Efficacy and Effectiveness

Extensive medical studies evaluating erectile response in thousands of British men demonstrate that prescription-strength Viagra and generic sildenafil tablets show comparable efficacy and effectiveness for treating dysfunction.

Key points on performance from the results of multiple clinical trials:

• Effectiveness in 70% of men - Improved ability to get and sustain firm erections sufficient for completion of sexual activity in about 7 out of 10 patients taking daily 50mg Viagra doses.
• Quickest Response Times - Maximum impacts on blood flow, allowing improved erectile function, are reached on average 30-120 minutes after taking standard 50mg Viagra or generic sildenafil doses with sexual stimulation.
• Duration of Effects - The effects of Viagra last for around 4 hours on average.

See our guide on: How Long Does Viagra Take To Work

Tailoring Your Viagra Choice: Health and Lifestyle Factors

Health Considerations in Selecting Viagra

The right Viagra option for each patient depends on individual health profiles, medical conditions, and the nature of erectile difficulties:

• Severity Assessment: Doctors often prescribe higher 50 mg or 100 mg sildenafil doses as Viagra or generic tablets for more significant cases of erectile dysfunction. Milder issues may respond to Viagra Connect or lower doses.
• Cardiovascular Factors: Precautions may be warranted for high blood pressure conditions, as Viagra can briefly lower pressure. Heart disease also requires medical clearance first.
• Other Health Conditions: Elements like diabetes requiring medication, surgeries impacting nerves or blood vessels, or psychiatric disorders should be accounted for by the treating physician when determining appropriate Viagra selection and strength to enhance safety.

Open discussions with your health provider allow key aspects of your unique medical history to be factored in when finding the most suitable Viagra choice and usage guidance.

Lifestyle Considerations and Viagra Selection

Lifestyle habits and needs around sexual activity should be weighed when personalising Viagra treatment choices:

• Planning vs Spontaneity: For active men desiring more sporadic or situational erectile support, accessibility of over-the-counter Viagra Connect offers discretion without calling the doctor each time. For routine regular dosing, prescription Viagra may suit better.
• Activity Patterns: Occasional erectile challenges like 1-2 times per month responding to sildenafil can be managed through some Viagra Connect tablets kept on hand when issues present randomly. Those experiencing more persistent weekly issues often use 50-100mg prescriptions.

Discuss personal habits around relationships, activity preferences, convenience needs and affordability concerns with our team to select amongst different Viagra options accordingly.

Take the Next Step With The Independent Pharmacy

The Independent Pharmacy offers men experiencing erectile dysfunction discreet access to licensed UK prescriptions and medical advice for treating this common condition:

• Free Online Assessment: Our website features a private questionnaire where you can share symptoms and medical history to determine if Viagra may help counteract your challenges.
• Personalised Recommendations: Our team can suggest Viagra strengths and provide usage instructions tailored to your assessed degree of erectile issues and health profile from the questionnaire responses.
• Ongoing Medical Support: As an accredited online UK pharmacy with affiliated physicians, The Independent Pharmacy features ongoing consultations to address patient questions, adjust dosing if necessary, and proactively support you during treatment.
• Convenient Ordering: Once approved for prescription Viagra or over-the-counter Viagra Connect after your assessment, orders can be quickly delivered right to your home while preserving discretion.

Take the first step by visiting The Independent Pharmacy’s website to complete their erectile dysfunction questionnaire today and get custom Viagra recommendations.

Related Reading

Here are some of our best guides related to Viagra:

• Can You Take Viagra Daily
• Does Viagra Make You Bigger
• Can You Get Viagra On The NHS
• How Does Viagra Work

FAQs

Which Viagra is best for males?

There is no single “best” Viagra for all men. Factors like medical conditions, the severity of erectile dysfunction, and lifestyle need help to determine which Viagra option could work well for your situation when discussed with a healthcare provider.

What is the best pill to stay hard longer?

UK-approved prescription generic Viagra or branded Viagra tablets containing 50-100mg sildenafil doses promote firmer, more sustained erections averaging 3-4+ hours during sexual activity, according to data from clinical studies. Over-the-counter Viagra Connect erection benefits may be shorter lasting.

Is there anything better than Viagra?

While newer erectile dysfunction medications have been introduced after Viagra’s success, medical guidelines still endorse prescription oral Viagra or clinically equivalent generic sildenafil as highly effective first-line treatments that are supported by decades of research establishing safety profiles when used as directed under medical supervision.

What is the strongest Viagra to take?

In the United Kingdom, the highest available single dose of sildenafil citrate - the active erectile dysfunction medicine in Viagra - is 100mg when prescribed by a doctor. Taking more than the recommended maximal strengths can increase the risk of short-term side effects or serious safety issues if uncontrolled long-term. We encourage you to closely follow your doctor’s guidance and prescription instructions. Remember, they are there to ensure your safety and help you achieve the best possible results from your treatment.

Sources:

Side effects of sildenafil - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Tune-in-to-mens-worries.pdf (viagraconnect.co.uk)

Does generic Viagra work just like regular Viagra? (drugs.com)