What is Viagra Connect?

Viagra Connect is a pill that treats erectile dysfunction and is now classified as a 'pharmacy-only' medicine in the UK. This means there is no prescription required if you want to order or purchase Viagra Connect, but you will need to check with your pharmacist whether the treatment is suitable for you first. This check will either be in the form of a quick medical questionnaire online or a short face-to-face consultation in a high street pharmacy.

This landmark ED treatment is 74% effective and works in a similar way to Viagra. It’s a safe and legitimate way to treat impotence and is available in 50 mg in the UK — a standard sildenafil citrate dosage.

Viagra has many years of studies proving that it is safe for most men and has relatively few side effects.

Making Viagra Connect available ‘over-the-counter’ is important for a number of reasons:

• It gives patients easier access to the medication they need
• It will help improve the way Viagra is regulated in the UK, making it safer to buy
• It will reduce the number of men seeking illicit (and potentially dangerous) treatments like herbal viagra and ineffective ‘performance-enhancing’ supplements
• It widens the scope of men getting appropriate treatment for their condition

Erectile dysfunction is a common condition (estimated to affect 1 in 10 men², though it’s more common in men over 50.

It’s caused by a disruption in the normal blood flow to the penis, which in turn leads to less potent erections and an inability to engage in sexual intercourse (impotence). ED can also be caused by underlying psychological issues like anxiety and can be made worse by lifestyle — exasperated by things like smoking and stress.

All commonly prescribed ED pills come under a band of treatments known as a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5 inhibitors) that improve the flow of blood to the penis, making for a better erection.

These types of pills help men get a better erection, but only if you are already aroused. They won’t work without sexual stimulation.

It’s important to get to the root cause of your ED, as this will help determine the right course of treatment. It may be that therapy and a change in diet or lifestyle are needed in order to get rid of your ED completely.

Learn more about this treatment on our everything you need to know about Viagra Connect page.

Viagra Connect vs. Viagra vs. Sildenafil

Viagra Connect is a great alternative to other prescription ED med, but will it work in the same way?

Many people are curious about the differences between all the different ED pills on the market, and where the new over-the-counter Viagra fits in — so let’s briefly compare them all.

• Both Viagra and Viagra Connect tablets are phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors powered by the active ingredient sildenafil citrate. They work in the same way: Viagra Connect 50mg is the same as Viagra 50mg.
• Pills sold as Sildenafil are cheaper, generic versions of Viagra (not manufactured by Pfizer) —  they do the same job for a quarter of the cost.
• Viagra pills have been proven to work in most cases of ED, but there are other ED treatments like the longer-lasting Tadalafil tablets (generic Cialis) that have been also gaining popularity.
• Viagra Connect lasts for about 4 hours and takes 60 minutes to start working — similar to Viagra, but different to Cialis whose effects can last for up to 36 hours.

Treating erectile dysfunction with Viagra Connect is similar to treating it with Viagra —  it’s a great over the counter alternative to prescription pills as it’s easy to get at a pharmacy or order online.

For more information about the differences read our full guide to Viagra Connect vs Viagra.

Viagra Connect availability & cost

Viagra Connect tablets are in stock in the UK and will be sold in a 50mg dose in packs of either 4 or 8 tablets.

• 4 pack RRP - £19.99
• 8 pack RRP - £34.99

Viagra Connect is cheaper than prescription Viagra but not as cheap as generic Sildenafil. As well as online pharmacies, it will be stocked at chemists like Boots.

After a short online consultation with a pharmacist you can order before 4pm and your purchase will be dispatched in the UK the same day. If you’re experiencing erectile dysfunction or impotence, consult the online team here at The Independent Pharmacy and get the right medication for your needs at competitive prices.

For peace-of-mind before you purchase read our Viagra Connect reviews.

Directions

• Medical guidelines state you should take one Viagra Connect tablet at least 1 hour before sex, preferably with a glass of water.
• Viagra Connect can take up to an hour to take effect in some men, although it can take effect in as little as 20 minutes in some men.
• Viagra Connect can produce the desired effect for up to 4 - 5 hours.
• You should never take more than one tablet for erectile dysfunction (Viagra Connect, Cialis, or Levitra) in a 24-hour period.
• Avoid eating any foods before taking Viagra Connect and try to limit your alcohol intake to ensure it remains effective. Alcohol can reduce your ability to maintain an erection.

Viagra Connect does not always work for everyone the first time they use it. If this is the case you should not give up: guidelines state³ that you should try Viagra Connect at least 8 times before trying an alternative ED treatment such as Cialis, Spedra or Levitra.

If you find Viagra Connect effective and do not experience any serious side effects you can request a repeat order via your online account.

Side Effects

If you do experience side effects from Viagra Connect they may include a headache, flushing, lightheadedness and rarely a stuffy nose or indigestion.

Viagra Connect has a small risk of nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and skin rash as with all medicines.

Please read the Patient Information Leaflet⁴ enclosed with your medicines for a full list of side effects.

If you experience any adverse effects from taking your prescribed medicine it is important to let us know immediately. Please log in to your online account and message one of our healthcare professionals or alternatively call us on 0333 2200 519. In a medical emergency, you should contact the emergency services or go straight to your local Accident & Emergency.

For more information read our Viagra Connect side effects page.

Ingredients

Each Viagra Connect tablet contains sildenafil in the advertised strength of 50mg. This is the standard dosage.

Each tablet also contains microcrystalline cellulose, calcium hydrogen phosphate, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, titanium dioxide (E171), lactose monohydrate, triacetin, indigo carmine aluminium lake (E132).

Warnings

Viagra Connect tablets may not be suitable if any of the following apply:

• You suffer from heart disease or heart rhythm problems
• You have had a heart attack or stroke within the last six months
• You have high or low blood pressure
• You suffer from liver or kidney disease
• You are a haemophiliac
• You suffer from sickle cell anaemia or leukaemia
• There is a physical deformity of the penis
• You suffer from retinitis pigmentosa
• You have a stomach ulcer

If any of the above apply, it is important to let your healthcare professional know so they can judge whether Viagra Connect pills will be safe for you to use.

Viagra Connect can lower the blood pressure. For most men, this isn't a concern. However, this effect on blood pressure can be exaggerated if Viagra Connect is taken with a nitrate drug, such as Isosorbide or Glyceryl Trinitrate (GTN). If taking nitrate drugs then Viagra Connect 50mg tablets should not be used.

Viagra Connect may be taken with alpha-blockers, provided there is at least a six-hour gap between the medicines, however, it must never be taken with nitrates.

You should avoid using the recreational drug 'Poppers', also called 'Aromas' or 'Room Odourisers' when you are taking Viagra Connect as these also contain nitrates and can have dangerous effects on blood pressure.

Sources

1. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/mhra-reclassifies-viagra-connect-tablets-to-a-pharmacy-medicine

2. https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sexual-health/male-sexual-problems/

3. https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/34411

4. https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/8725/pil