What is Viagra?
Viagra for men, often referred to as the 'blue pill', is an ED pill which can help to improve sexual wellbeing by enhancing erectile performance. Taken by men experiencing ED, it works by increasing blood flow to the penis. Increased blood flow helps men to get and maintain an erection. The effects of Viagra can last up to four hours.
“If you keep experiencing ED and feel it is affecting your self-image or sex life, it may be a good idea to seek medical advice. Although rare, ED can be a side effect of more serious health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.” - Dr Neel Patel
How does Viagra work?
Viagra's active ingredient (sildenafil citrate) increases blood flow to the penis. It enables a firmer, longer-lasting erection if you are sexually aroused. However, the treatment will not resolve the underlying physical cause of your ED or increase your sexual desire.
Viagra also isn’t a treatment for premature ejaculation. Although erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation (PE) can happen at the same time. Viagra will help you get an erection, but it won’t slow down ejaculation.
How effective is Viagra for men?
Viagra is effective for 73% of men when taken correctly. There are things that can make it less effective such as:
- Eating a large meal before you take it
- Drinking more than one or two units of alcohol
- Not being sexually aroused
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. There are lots of other options for treating ED.
What to expect when first taking Viagra
When taking Viagra for the first time, there’s a few ways you can prepare:
- Eat a light meal - Although Viagra can be taken with and without food, a large or full fat meal can delay absorption.
- Give yourself time - You won’t instantly get an erection when taking Viagra, it can take 30-60 minutes to begin to feel the effect. You can take the tablet up to 4 hours before use.
- Get in the mood – You need to be sexually aroused for Viagra to work.
- Limit your alcohol - A glass of wine or another alcoholic drink can help you relax, but any more than this after taking Viagra may make it harder for you to get an erection.
How do you take Viagra?
You should take one tablet one hour before sex. Taking Viagra after eating or on an empty stomach works best. However, if you take Viagra after a high-fat meal (e.g. fried food) you might find it takes longer to feel an effect. Alcohol will also limit Viagra's effectiveness.
You should not combine Viagra with other ED medicines including Spedra which can work within 15 minutes.
Viagra dosages
The standard dose of Viagra 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.
“Keep in mind that you will need to try a dosage of Viagra at least eight times before changing to a higher dosage. Sometimes it takes a while to begin working.” - Dr Bhavini Shah
In clinical trials different dosages resulted in more men reporting improved erections:
| Dosage | Percentage of men reported improved erections |
| 25mg | 62% |
| 50mg | 74% |
| 100mg | 82% |
Higher doses come with an increased chance of developing side effects. Our clinicians will let you know which dosage and how many tablets are safe for you to take.
Where to buy Viagra
You need a prescription to take Viagra. 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.
There is an over-the-counter Viagra – Viagra Connect which is available without a prescription. Viagra Connect contains the same active ingredient as Viagra - sildenafil citrate. You still need to answer a few simple questions, as this allows our clinicians to make sure the treatment is safe for you to take.
Side effects
Like all medicines, Viagra can cause side effects. However not everyone will experience these, and if they do side effects tend to be mild and last a short time.
Viagra side effects can include:
| Common side effects | Uncommon and rare side effects |
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For full information on side effects and correct use, see the patient information leaflet.
