Viagra

Directions

Follow the instructions provided in the leaflet, as well as those issued by your prescriber.

1. Swallow tablets whole with water
2. If you are taking it after a big meal it may take longer to produce noticeable results
3. The user needs to be sexually stimulated in order for it to have an effect
4. Never exceed your prescribed dose
5. Do not take it more than once a day
6. If you find yourself taking it more than three times per week, there may be other medications that are more suitable for you

How long does it take to work?

Usually around 30-60 minutes. Ideally, you should take it one hour before sex so that the drug has had enough time to be absorbed into the your system.

How long do the effects last?

Sildenafil stays active in the body for up to five hours. However, this can vary from person to person.

Can I split the tablets?

It's recommended that you don't, as this alters the amount of the drug you take and it’s hard to be precise. The dosage issued to you by a doctor or a pharmacist is the specific dose they feel is most suitable for you. 

Side effects

While not everyone will experience them, Viagra can cause side effects in some cases.

If you notice: any signs of an allergic reaction, like swelling of the face, lips, eyes or throat, difficulty breathing or hives; chest pain or an irregular heartbeat; or any problems with vision; seek medical attention immediately.

Very Common (1 in 10 users):

• Headache

Common (1 in 100 users):

• Dizziness
  
• visual colour distortions
  
• blurred vision
  
• flushing
  
• hot flushes
  
• nasal congestion
  
• nausea
  
• indigestion
  

Uncommon (1 in 1000 users):

• Vomiting
  
• skin rash
  
• eye irritation
  
• red eyes
  
• eye pain
  
• visual flashes
  
• visual brightness
  
• increased sensitivity to light
  
• watery eyes
  
• increased heart rate
  

For more details on side effects, read the leaflet supplied or ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.

Prolonged or painful erections

A priapism is an erection that lasts for longer than 4 hours. It is reported in the patient information leaflet as a rare side effect (affecting 1 in 1,000 users or less). If you experience this, seek immediate medical attention.

Warnings

Using it with other medicines & contraindications

Tell your prescriber about any medicines you currently take during consultation. You should never begin or finish taking anything else before checking with your doctor first, whether they are prescription or non-prescription medications, or over-the-counter remedies.

Inform your prescriber during consultation if you take: nitrates for angina (chest pain), nitric oxide donors (‘poppers’), protease inhibitors to treat HIV, antiarrhythmia medication, or alpha-blockers for hypertension or prostate enlargement.

You should never take more than one erectile dysfunction medicine at a time.

Conditions to look out for

Viagra is not suitable if you: have severe heart or liver problems; have recently had a stroke or heart attack; have inherited eye diseases (retinitis pigmentosa); or have ever experienced a loss of vision due to non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION).

Your prescriber needs to know about any medical conditions you have, including the following: sickle cell anaemia, leukaemia, multiple myeloma, penile deformity, Peyronie’s Disease, heart disease, bleeding issues or stomach ulcers.

Men with certain medical conditions may be advised to use Levitra instead of Viagra. It works in the same way, but for some men it is less likely to cause side effects.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

This treatment should not be used by women.

Driving and using machinery

Possible side effects include dizziness and visual disturbances. You should wait and see how this medicine affects you before attempting to drive or operate machines.

Food, drink and alcohol

It may take longer for Viagra to function if taken with a large meal. Don’t drink grapefruit juice at the same time as taking it, as it can increase the risk of side effects.

Alcohol can make erectile problems worse, so it is better not to drink too much of it when using Viagra.

Recreational drugs

Using recreational drugs alongside erectile dysfunction treatment can be dangerous, and cause severe adverse reactions. You must not take recreational drugs if you are taking Viagra.

Lactose intolerance

These tablets contain lactose. If you are intolerant to any sugars, let your prescriber know.

What if it doesn’t work?

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for help if you take Viagra and it isn’t as effective as you would like it to be. They may be able to adjust the dose or, if necessary, suggest a different treatment. Some find that other similar medicines, like Cialis, Levitra or Spedra, work better for them.

If oral tablets are ineffective, there are other types of treatment like injections (Caverject, Invicorp, Viridal) and creams (Vitaros) that may be beneficial. 

Can I drink alcohol when taking it?

Yes. In small amounts, alcohol shouldn’t make too much of a difference to how well Viagra works. But drinking excessive amounts can make erectile dysfunction worse, so should be avoided.

What if my partner is pregnant?

There is no information in the leaflet specifically about the effects of Viagra on fertility, or use when a female partner is pregnant or breastfeeding.

Generally, if you are taking prescription treatment and your partner is pregnant, it’s safer to use a condom during sex in any case to prevent any traces of any medications coming into contact with an unborn baby.

Can I get Viagra without a prescription?

The 50mg dose was recently repackaged as Viagra Connect, and this version does not require a prescription. It can be issued to a patient by a pharmacist, but they’ll still need to ask you some questions and do some checks to make sure it’s a safe treatment for you.

The 25mg and 100mg doses still require a prescription. Some men may be entitled to the generic version of Viagra on an NHS prescription through their GP. You can find out more in our How to get ED treatment guide.

Am I allergic to anything in Viagra?

The tablets contain the active ingredient Sildenafil Citrate. Do not take it if you are allergic to this, or any other ingredients contained in it, which are: microcrystalline cellulose, calcium hydrogen phosphate (anhydrous), croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, titanium dioxide (E171), lactose monohydrate, triacetin, indigo carmine aluminium lake (E132).

How should I store it?

Below 30°C, and in a safe place away from children.

How can I order Viagra online?

Take our erectile dysfunction questionnaire, and one of our practising clinicians will review your responses. If Viagra is suitable for you, you’ll be given the option to have it dispensed and delivered to you through our UK pharmacy service. Each order is shipped by special delivery in secure packaging, and most orders arrive within one working day.