What is Viagra?

Viagra is a medication designed to treat symptoms of erectile dysfunction (ED) in men aged 18 years and older. It contains the active ingredient sildenafil.
Viagra is now available to buy without a prescription over-the-counter or online in pharmacies, subject to suitability.

How Viagra Helps Men with Erectile Dysfunction

Viagra is an effective treatment for the symtoms of ED in men aged 18 years and older. It is clinically proven to treat the following symptoms of E

  • Difficulty getting an erection
  • Inability to achieve an erection firm enough to have sex
  • Inability to maintain an erection firm enough to have sex

It does this by relaxing the blood vessels in the penis, allowing blood to flow into the penis when sexually excited and causing an erection.

Beyond its physical effects, it can also provide psychological benefits as many men report feeling more confident in their sexual performance when using Viagra. This boost in confidence can help alleviate feelings of inadequacy or reduced masculinity that often occurs hand-in-hand with ED.

Do not take Viagra if you do not have erection problems.

Why is Viagra available over-the-counter without a prescription?

Sildenafil – the active ingredient in Viagra – has been available for a number of years, but as a prescription-only medicine. Viagra is now available without a prescription to help men with erectile dysfunction (ED).

The availability of Viagra can help men get accurate information about ED and treatments from a trusted and professional source – the pharmacist.

How Does Viagra Work?

Viagra helps adult men with erectile dysfunction (ED) achieve and maintain an erection when sexually stimulated. You might be curious about exactly how it works in your body, so below we’ll take you through the science of Viagra and how it can help men counter ED symptoms.

How Viagra Works in Your Body

Viagra Connect contains an ingredient called sildenafil. Upon taking Viagra, the sildenafil is absorbed into the bloodstream and targets and inhibits PDE-5 enzymes. By doing so, it is then able to relax blood vessels in the penis, allowing them to expand and improve blood flow, and this increased blood flow helps you to achieve and maintain an erection when sexually aroused.

It’s important to remember that Viagra doesn’t work without sexual stimulation, so while it does increase blood flow to the penis for men with erectile dysfunction, it doesn’t give you an instant erection.

How Long Does Viagra Take To Work

It is quickly absorbed into the body and may start to work in as little as 30 minutes. Most men will see effects within 30-60 minutes, however heavy meals, especially ones high in fat can slow the absorption and delay the intended effects.

For most men, Viagra will work the first or second time they try it. If, however, it has been some time since you were able to get and keep an erection, it may take a couple of attempts before you achieve the desired effect. Talk to your doctor for advice if you have tried Viagra Connect a number of times without being able to get and keep an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance.

How to Take Viagra

Viagra is available in a 100 mg tablet. The recommended approach to take this is:

  • One tablet with water about an hour before sexual activity. You can break a pill in 2 pcs and. take 50mg
  • Do not take more than 100 mg in 24 hours.

While Viagra is suitable to take if you have had approval from a consultation with your pharmacist, it is important to still be aware of its potential side effects such as headaches, nasal congestion and indigestion. Always read the patient information leaflet .

What Viagra Does and Doesn’t Do

There are many misconceptions around ED and the effects of Viagra. Below we highlight what Viagra can and cannot do.

Viagra can help you:

  • Get an erection firm enough for sex
  • Maintain an erection during sexual activities

Viagra will not:

  • Give you an instant erection without sexual stimulation
  • Increase your sexual desire

Dispelling Common Myths About Viagra

Myth: People believe Viagra is an aphrodisiac that can improve loss of sex drive and premature ejaculation.

  • Viagra increases blood flow to the penis and does not increase sexual desire, improve loss of sex drive or treat conditions such as premature ejaculation. Speak to your pharmacist or doctor about any health concerns you may have.

Myth: It is believed that Viagra will improve the sexual performance for all men that use it.

  • Viagra is not intended for men without erectile dysfunction.

Myth: Viagra causes immediate, long lasting erections.

  • Viagra can take from 30-60 minutes to take effect and will only help maintain erections for men who are sexually stimulated. Although a long lasting erection can be a rare side effect of Viagra, the erection will usually subside at the end of sexual intercourse.

Safety and Side Effects

Possible side effects

Viagra can cause side effects, although not everyone experiences them. These side effects are usually mild to moderate and of a short duration.

Seek medical attention immediately if you experience any of the following serious side effects:

  • Chest pains: this occurs uncommonly. If this occurs before, during or after sexual activity: Get in a semi-sitting position and try to relax. Do NOT use nitrates to treat your chest pain.
  • A prolonged and sometimes painful erection lasting longer than 4 hours: this occurs rarely.
  • A sudden decrease or loss of vision: this occurs rarely.
  • An allergic reaction: this occurs uncommonly. Symptoms include sudden wheeziness, difficulty breathing or dizziness, swelling of the eyelids, face, lips or throat.
  • Serious skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Syndrome (TEN): this occurs rarely. Symptoms may include severe peeling and swelling of the skin, blistering of the mouth, genitals and around the eyes and fever.
  • Seizures or fits: this occurs rarely.

Other side effects :

  • headache
  • nausea, indigestion, stuffy nose, dizziness
  • facial flushing, hot flush (a sudden feeling of heat in your upper body)
  • colour tinge to vision, blurred vision, visual disturbance
  • vomiting, upper abdominal pain, acid reflux (including heartburn)
  • skin rash, pain in the arms or legs, nosebleed, feeling hot, feeling tired (fatigue)
  • eye irritation, bloodshot eyes/red eyes, eye pain, seeing flashes of light, visual brightness, light sensitivity, watery eyes
  • pounding heartbeat, rapid heartbeat
  • high blood pressure
  • low blood pressure (typical signs are dizziness, fainting, blurred vision, nausea and tiredness)
  • muscle pain, feeling sleepy, reduced sense of touch, vertigo, ringing in the ears
  • dry mouth, blocked or stuffy sinuses, inflammation of the lining of the nose (can be experienced as runny nose, sneezing and stuffy nose)
  • presence of blood in urine
  • fainting, dry nose, swelling of the inside of the nose, feeling irritable and sudden decrease or loss of hearing
  • sudden unexpected death caused by loss of heart function (sudden cardiac arrest), stroke, heart attack, chest pains (angina), irregular heartbeat, temporary decreased blood flow to parts of the brain
  • feeling of tightening of the throat, numb mouth
  • bleeding at the back of the eye, double vision, reduced sharpness of vision, abnormal sensation in the eye, swelling of the eye or eyelid, small particles or spots in your vision, seeing halos around lights, dilation of the pupil of the eye, discolouration of the white of the eye
  • penile bleeding, presence of blood in semen