Viagra (branded Sildenafil)

Take one tablet one hour before sex and works best on an empty stomach. Alcohol will limit Viagra's effectiveness. Do not combine Viagra with other ED medicines.

Viagra's active ingredient (sildenafil citrate) increases blood flow to the penis. It enables a firmer, longer-lasting erection if you are sexually aroused.

The treatment will not resolve the underlying physical cause of your ED or increase your sexual desire.

It usually takes 30-60 minutes to work for erectile dysfunction. It can be taken up to 4 hours before sex. Find out more about how long Viagra takes to work. 

Effects of Viagra can last for up to four hours. Never take more than one tablet within 24hrs.

Viagra treats ED in 60-70% of cases. If you have eaten a large meal or drunk more than one or two units of alcohol, you may find Viagra is less effective.

We advise trying an ED treatment eight times before giving up, considering a higher dose, or seeking an alternative.

Some men who use Viagra might find that over time Viagra becomes less effective. However, there are lots of options for treating ED and Viagra does work for two thirds of the men who take it. 

It’s good to remember, you won’t instantly get an erection when taking Viagra. You will need to be sexually aroused for it to work. So don’t worry if you don’t instantly feel a difference, it can take 30-60 minutes to begin to feel the effect. You can take the tablet up to 4 hours before use.

Side effects are uncommon, but Viagra side effects can include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Back pain
• Diarrhoea
• An allergic rash

Some men also experience facial flushing, headaches, light headedness, nasal congestion, indigestion, palpitations (racing heartbeat), and blurred vision. For full information on side effects and correct use, see the patient information leaflet.

ED medication such as Viagra is safe for people with healthy hearts. ED medications such as (sildenafil), Cialis (tadalafil) and Levitra (vardenafil) can be taken alongside most heart medications, but cannot be used alongside nitrates which are commonly used to treat angina. ED treatments can be used from six months after a heart attack but aren't recommended for people with low blood pressure. 

ED can be a symptom of underlying conditions such as diabetes, narrowing of the arteries or high blood pressure. ED can also be a side effect of some medications, including diuretics which are often used to treat heart-related conditions. Find out more about the signs of heart problems. 

The standard dose is 50mg. Depending on your age, height and weight, the cause and the severity of your ED, you may be prescribed a lower dose of 25mg, or a higher one of 100mg. Dosage does not affect how quickly or for how long the treatment works.

Higher doses come with an increased chance of developing side effects.

Like all medications Viagra will have a use by date. It’s not advised to take any medication past its use by date. 

If you are taking alpha-blockers (such as doxazosin or tamsulosin), you should wait at least 6 hours between taking those and taking Viagra.

You will be unsuitable for Viagra if you are taking nicorandil or nitrates, such as GTN spray or isosorbide mononitrate tablets to treat angina.

It is important that you let us know which prescription, over-the-counter medicines and recreational drugs you are taking so that we can prescribe Viagra safely.

While a beer or a couple of glasses of wine won’t affect how Viagra works, any more than this can make it harder to get an erection. It’s advised to not drink heavily before taking Viagra if you would like the best results. 

Viagra can be taken after eating or on an empty stomach. However, if you take Viagra after a high-fat meal (e.g. fried food) you might find it takes longer to feel an effect. 

You can request and pay for a Viagra prescription online. As this is a prescription-only medication, even if you are using an online service, you will need a prescription from a clinician before you can buy the treatment. 

You can get Viagra Connect from select pharmacies without a prescription. It contains the same active ingredient as Viagra - sildenafil citrate. 

Viagra is not typically prescribed to women. There has been research done into women taking Viagra, you can find out more here. 

Some men find counselling helpful as a means of exploring and treating psychological causes for ED.

If Viagra does not work for you, contact us via your Patient Record so that we can discuss your treatment options. View all our ED treatments.

If you’d like to reorder Viagra, you can go to your Patient Record and select ‘reorder’.

If you’d like regular treatment, you can choose a subscription and save 15% off your consultation. 

Free delivery of your treatment is included each month, or you can collect from your local LloydsPharmacy. And there’s no contract to worry about, you can cancel any time.