What is Viagra Connect?

In 2018, Viagra became available to buy over the counter in high street pharmacies as Viagra Connect. Men with ED who up until this point, have only been able to obtain Viagra with a prescription from their GP or through a prescription service such as Online Doctor.

If you're affected by the condition, you may be curious or even concerned about the differences between prescription Viagra and over-the-counter Viagra Connect.

If you’re considering purchasing Viagra Connect, we've looked into Viagra Connect, which will hopefully help you decide what is best for you and you’d like to know how it compares to prescription Viagra. 

What's the active ingredient in Viagra Connect?  

The first thing to know about Viagra Connect is that it contains the same active ingredient as Viagra, sildenafil citrate. Sildenafil is a PDE-5 inhibitor and works by temporarily increasing blood flow to the penis, which allows you to achieve an erection and maintain it during sex.

Because Viagra and Viagra Connect both contain sildenafil, they work in the same way.

Why is Viagra Connect available over the counter?

Viagra Connect is available without a prescription to encourage more men experiencing erectile dysfunction to seek medical help. Despite increasing awareness about the condition, many men still feel embarrassed about visiting a doctor to discuss the problem and seek treatment.

Erectile dysfunction is very often a symptom of another condition, when a man visits his doctor with ED, it can help lead to the diagnosis of the underlying condition. Feeling too embarrassed to visit a GP or not having the time to book an appointment means that many men may be missing out on this vital health check.

It is also believed that a worrying number of men with ED are sourcing Viagra and other ED tablets illegally over the internet. When obtained illegally it is impossible to tell whether an ED treatment is genuine, and – even if it is – whether it is safe to take.

By making it easier to obtain Viagra in a pharmacy, men with ED will have safe access to the medicine they need, and the opportunity to discuss their health problems with a medical professional.

Which questions will I be asked to get Viagra Connect?

If you order Viagra Connect via Online Doctor, you’ll need to complete a confidential consultation. Containing straightforward questions for you to answer, the majority of which require a simple yes or no answer, or multiple choice. 

These questions will focus on your overall fitness for sex, to find out if you get out of breath quickly or experience any chest pain when undertaking physical activity. 

You’ll also be asked about: 

• the health of your heart
• any underlying medical conditions
• whether you are allergic to any of the ingredients in Viagra Connect
• what other medication you are currently taking 

It’s important that our clinicians understand any medical issues that you may have or any medication that you may be taking.

After you have completed the consultation, your answers will be reviewed by a member of our clinical team to determine if you are suitable for Viagra Connect. 

Can I take Viagra Connect if I have a medical condition?

Whether you can use Viagra Connect to treat your erectile dysfunction depends upon the nature of your medical condition and the medication you’re taking.

Viagra cannot be taken by certain men, including those with: 

• A history/family history of eye problems/sight issues
• Sickle-cell anaemia, multiple myeloma or leukaemia
• A history of kidney or liver problems
• Low blood pressure
• Certain heart/cardiovascular conditions
• Conditions that require medications such as alpha blockers and nitrates 

A clinician will review any medication or health conditions you have to make sure Viagra Connect is safe for you to take.

How do I take Viagra Connect?

For most men, 50mg is the recommended dose and is usually very effective. You should take one Viagra Connect tablet around one hour before sex, preferably on an empty stomach. It’s best not to drink more than a couple of units of alcohol or grapefruit juice before taking Viagra Connect, as both can interact negatively with the active ingredient. 

How does Viagra Connect work?

Viagra Connect contains the active ingredient sildenafil citrate which helps men to achieve and maintain an erection when they’re sexually aroused. Viagra Connect allows blood vessels to relax and expand within the body, causing blood to flow to the penis, resulting in an erection that is hard enough for sexual intercourse. 

How long do Viagra Connect effects last?

Viagra Connect takes effect in as little as 25 minutes, however many men are able to achieve and maintain an erection up to four hours after taking a single 50mg pill. The recommended dose of Viagra Connect is one 50mg tablet taken with water approximately one hour before sexual activity.

What are the side effects of Viagra Connect?

As with any medication there are always possible side effects, the most common being:

• Headache
• Facial flushing
• Nausea
• Nasal congestion
• Dizziness
• Blurred or blue-tinted vision
• Indigestion and heartburn 

Find out more about the possible long-term and short-term effects of taking Viagra Connect here.

What happens if you take Viagra Connect and don't need it?

If you are not sexually aroused, the medicine will have no effect on your body, and you won’t get an erection. You may still experience side effects. The active ingredient will remain in your system for up to four hours, after which any effect of the medicine will cease. If you experience effects after four hours, contact your pharmacist or Online Doctor.

To receive Viagra Connect as a treatment for erectile dysfunction you will need to complete a simple online questionnaire or face-to-face consultation with a pharmacist. If you have received Viagra Connect by misleading your pharmacist, providing inaccurate information, or by not revealing any underlying heath conditions during the consultation process, it could be that this treatment is unsuitable for you, and you by taking it you are putting your health at risk.

What happens if a woman takes Viagra Connect?

Viagra Connect isn’t suitable for women to take. Viagra Connect works by increasing blood flow to the penis to help with erections. This increased blood flow to female genitals isn’t crucial to a positive sexual experience. Find out more about women and Viagra Connect in our article.  

Viagra Connect and Sildenafil - what's the difference?

The main difference between Viagra Connect and Sildenafil is that Viagra Connect can be purchased over the counter. They contain the same active ingredient and provide results in one hour. You can find out more about the differences between Viagra Connect, Viagra and Sildenafil here.  

References

www.gov.uk/government/news/mhra-reclassifies-viagra-connect-tablets-to-a-pharmacy-medicine
https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/sildenafil-viagra/who-can-and-cannot-take-sildenafil/