Generic Viagra: A guide to cheap Viagra online

Generic vs. brand name | Generic Viagra cost | Buying Viagra online | Viagra OTC | How does sildenafil work | Other uses | How to take Viagra | Generic Viagra FAQs

Viagra is known for its efficacy in treating erectile dysfunction (ED), a condition that causes an inability to get or keep an erection. It can be an upsetting diagnosis, but many men find that their condition is curable with Viagra.

It’s an effective treatment, but it can be expensive. The good news? You can save significant amounts of money by buying generic Viagra instead of brand-name Viagra. Just be careful if you’re looking to purchase generic Viagra online (or from a reseller)—Viagra is one of the most counterfeited prescription drugs in the world, so it’s vital to spend time searching for a reputable pharmacy.

How is generic Viagra (sildenafil) different than brand-name Viagra?

The main erectile dysfunction drugs work as phosphodiesterase inhibitors (or PDE5 inhibitors), which means they help relax smooth muscle tissue and increase blood flow. Many prescription drugs treat ED, such as Stendra (avanafil), Levitra (vardenafil), and Cialis (tadalafil), but Viagra (sildenafil) is perhaps the most well-known and one of the most popular ED pills.

Sildenafil is the active ingredient in both generic and brand-name Viagra. Pfizer manufactures the brand and also a generic version, which is marketed and sold by its subsidiary, Greenstone. Brand-name Viagra has been nicknamed the “little blue pill” because of its color. Greenstone’s sildenafil is a white tablet that retains the four-sided or diamond shape of Viagra. Now that the patent on Viagra has expired, several other companies make and sell sildenafil. Those tablets may be white, blue, or green and may be round or oblong. Although the color and shape are different, there is virtually no difference in efficacy between sildenafil and brand-name Viagra.

“According to the FDA, there is absolutely no difference in the efficacy of generic medications when compared to the same medication and dose in brand-name form,” says David Belk, MD. “That includes Viagra. Roughly 87% of all prescriptions filled in the U.S. since 2017 were for generic medications. That means that generic medications have been working fine to treat seven out of eight medical conditions that required a prescription medication over the last three years.”

If the dose of generic and brand-name Viagra are the same, they will treat ED the same way. The only difference between the generic and brand-name drug that patients should be concerned with is the price. Generic ED medications are much cheaper than their brand-name counterparts, and many people save even more money by purchasing generic Viagra with a prescription savings card.

Get the pharmacy discount card

Why is generic Viagra so cheap compared to brand-name Viagra?

Generic Viagra is cheap in comparison to brand-name Viagra, but it wasn’t always this way. When Pfizer, the original patent holder, and manufacturer of Viagra, had exclusive rights to sell Viagra, it was expensive. Before 2017, a single tablet could cost about $73. Not only that, but many health insurance companies don’t cover the cost of erectile dysfunction drugs, so taking Viagra wasn’t an option for many people.

Generic Viagra is available through Teva and Pfizer (Greenstone) and many other drug companies. Once Pfizer’s patent expired in 2020, more pharmaceutical companies began to produce Viagra, expanding the accessibility of the drug to more people. As more pharmaceutical companies began to manufacture generic Viagra, the price was driven down significantly. 

The quantity and strength of your prescription will determine how much generic Viagra costs. The ED pill comes in 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg doses. Brand-name Viagra now costs around $70 per pill, so a supply of 6, 100 mg tablets would cost $420. Generic Viagra currently costs about $40 per pill, which would put 6, 100 mg tablets at $240.

Use a prescription savings card to save even more. SingleCare works with drug pharmacies to secure lower prices for its savings card users. You can compare SingleCare’s lowest prices by searching for “Viagra” or “sildenafil” on singlecare.com. These Viagra coupons are eligible to be used at over 35,000 pharmacies across the nation.

Can I buy generic Viagra online?

Generic Viagra can be purchased online for home delivery with a prescription. It’s essential to do your research when searching for Viagra online, as Viagra is one of the most counterfeited drugs in the world. In a study done by Pfizer Global Security, around 80% of sites claiming to sell Viagra were actually selling counterfeit pills.

Avoid buying cheap Viagra online from international websites, because countries outside of the U.S. have different rules and regulations in drug manufacturing. It’s important to choose websites and online pharmacies that you can trust. Limit your search to online pharmacies on the list of Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites (VIPPS). These accredited websites won’t sell counterfeit Viagra with questionable quality. Fake Viagra may contain blue printer ink, amphetamines, too much or too little of the active ingredient, and other toxic chemicals.

Can I buy Viagra over the counter?

Citizens of the UK don’t need a prescription and can buy Viagra over the counter. The UK is the first country to allow the purchase of over-the-counter Viagra, which was a decision made in an attempt to help stop the illegal selling of black-market Viagra. However, if you’re a citizen of the United States, you’ll still need a doctor’s prescription to purchase Viagra online or at a local pharmacy.

It might be possible to purchase Viagra over the counter in the future. For now, though, consulting a healthcare provider for a prescription and asking about discount programs is the best way to purchase the drug.

How does sildenafil work?

Sildenafil is a part of a class of medications called phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors that work by relaxing the blood vessel walls of the penis. As a result, more blood is able to flow to the penis to produce an erection. On a molecular level, sildenafil inhibits or blocks the PDE5 enzyme. Normally, PDE5 breaks down a molecule called cGMP, which is involved in relaxing the blood vessels. The action of sildenafil allows cGMP to remain in the blood vessels to increase blood flow. It’s important to note that sildenafil requires sexual stimulation to work.  

Sildenafil usually starts working 30 to 60 minutes after taking it, and the effects typically last for around four hours. However, the onset of effects can depend on the individual and other factors, such as taking sildenafil with a meal.

Other uses of Viagra

The active ingredient of Viagra is sometimes used to treat medical conditions other than erectile dysfunction. Sildenafil citrate is the main ingredient and generic equivalent of both Viagra and Revatio. Revatio is FDA-approved to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), which is a condition characterized by high blood pressure in the lungs. Pulmonary hypertension causes uncomfortable symptoms like dizziness, tiredness, and shortness of breath.

Even though Revatio and Viagra both contain sildenafil, Revatio is given in a lower dose and can come in the form of a tablet, suspension, or injection. Unlike Viagra, Revatio is usually taken as a 20 mg tablet three times daily. Sildenafil citrate can treat both ED and PAH because of its ability to relax the muscles in blood vessels and increase blood flow.

How to take sildenafil

Sildenafil comes as an oral tablet with different strengths. The standard dosage for ED is 50 mg around one hour before expected sexual activity. However, sildenafil can be taken as needed anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours before sexual activity. Depending on the response to treatment and the development of side effects, the dosage may be increased to 100 mg or decreased to 25 mg as needed. Sildenafil should not be taken more than once per day. 

Sildenafil can be taken with or without food. However, a high-fat meal may delay the absorption of sildenafil, causing the drug to take longer to work. If the onset of effects is a concern, it is best to avoid a high-fat meal, such as a cheeseburger and fries. 

You should let your doctor or healthcare provider know about any medications you take, including prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and herbal supplements. Sildenafil can enhance the effects of blood pressure medications, which may lead to dangerously low blood pressure. Sildenafil should be used with caution when taking certain medications, such as beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, and alpha blockers. 

Combining sildenafil with nitrates or a medication called riociguat should be avoided.

Sildenafil side effects

As with any medication, there is always the potential for side effects. Though it’s rare, some people might have an allergic reaction to sildenafil. You should seek immediate medical treatment if you experience signs or symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, such as rash, itching, and trouble breathing. 

Here is a list of common side effects of sildenafil:

• Upset stomach 
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Flushing
• Nausea
• Back pain
• Stuffy or runny nose
• Muscle aches or pains

Taking this drug can be potentially dangerous and, in rare cases, may result in a heart attack or stroke in people with heart disease. Sildenafil is a vasodilator that may cause lower blood pressure. Though this isn’t a problem for most people, if someone with heart problems takes a nitrite or nitrate drug along with sildenafil, a sudden drop in blood pressure may occur. 

Other serious side effects include:

• An erection that is painful or lasts for more than four hours (priapism)
• Changes or sudden loss of vision 
• Changes or sudden loss of hearing
• Seizures

Consult a healthcare provider for medical advice and more information about the possible side effects of sildenafil.

Generic Viagra FAQs

Do you need a prescription to buy Viagra online? 

In the United States, Viagra is a prescription-only medication. A prescription from a healthcare provider is required to purchase brand-name and generic Viagra online. You can obtain a Viagra prescription from a healthcare provider in person or online through a reputable telehealth company. If you choose to go the online route, a healthcare provider will evaluate your health conditions and other medications during an online consultation to see if an ED drug is right for you. With a valid prescription, you can buy Viagra online from a licensed online pharmacy. 

Can I use Viagra with alcohol?

Alcohol does not interact with how Viagra works. However, drinking alcohol with Viagra is not usually recommended. Alcohol may increase certain side effects of Viagra, such as headaches and flushing. In addition, both alcohol and Viagra may affect blood pressure. In most cases, drinking alcohol in moderation should be fine while taking Viagra. Heavy alcohol consumption could be a problem while taking Viagra, especially as alcohol may be a cause of ED symptoms in some men. 

Is Viagra affected by food?

Yes, the absorption of Viagra into the body can be affected by food. A high-fat meal can decrease how fast Viagra is absorbed, delaying the effects of the medication. Studies suggest that a high-fat meal could delay the time it takes for Viagra to reach maximum levels in the blood by one hour. 

Can I take Viagra more than once per day? 

It is not recommended to take Viagra more than once per day. The drug’s FDA label states that the maximum recommended dosage is one tablet per day. Taking Viagra more than once per day could increase the risk of adverse effects. 

What happens if I overdose on Viagra? 

Taking too much Viagra could lead to serious side effects. An overdose of Viagra could lead to a painful erection that does not go away (priapism), dangerously low blood pressure, and problems with vision or hearing. Taking more Viagra than prescribed can also cause other side effects, such as chest pain, dizziness, an upset stomach, and changes in vision or hearing. Seek immediate medical help if you believe you have overdosed on Viagra.