What is Viagra and How Much Does It Cost?
Viagra is one of the best-known and most popular treatments for erectile dysfunction (ED) on the planet. The little blue pill is what’s known as a PDE5 inhibitor, which means it targets phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5), an enzyme that affects your blood flow. By inhibiting this enzyme, Viagra encourages more blood to flow below the belt, helping you achieve and maintain an erection when sexually aroused.
Read More: What Does Viagra Do?
Of course, Viagra isn’t the only ED medication on the market. The likes of Cialis (Tadalafil) and Levitra (Vardenafil) work in a similar way. Yet, Viagra was the first, patented by the company Pfizer, and has remained synonymous with ED treatment ever since.
But, in June 2013, Pfizer’s UK patent expired. This meant Viagra could now be sold under different names. And while healthcare providers, like the NHS, and officially licenced pharmacists, like Manual, are now able to offer a regulated, generic, and unbranded alternative called Sildenafil, less reputable manufacturers have flooded the black market with weak, ineffective, or downright dangerous pills.
That’s why it’s vital to only buy Viagra from trusted sources. If you don’t, you run the risk of purchasing anything from a harmless placebo to a hazardous tablet full of chalk, talcum powder, brick dust, or blue printer ink.
So, How Much Does Viagra Cost?
The branded version of Viagra is available in three dosages: 25mg, 50mg, and 100mg.
Typically, you’ll find the 50mg version of Viagra online for around £8.00 to £12.00 per tablet.
On Manual, you can buy the generic alternative, Sildenafil, for as little as £2.25. It’s our most popular ED treatment and works the same as Viagra, just without the brand name. Clinically proven and used by millions worldwide, Sildenafil is a cost-effective option available in 50mg and 100mg dosages.
Here’s how ordering from Manual works.
- Complete a quick questionnaire: We’ll ask you a couple of simple medical questions. A clinician then reviews your answers and issues your prescription.
- Free next-day delivery service: Your treatment is delivered for free. Our discreet packaging fits through your letterbox and comes with clear instructions for how to use the medication.
- Support when you need it: You can chat with a medical expert on the phone or via email. Get clinician support and advice throughout your treatment.
Where to Buy Viagra or Sildenafil?
As we mentioned earlier, it’s crucial that you only buy Viagra — and other kinds of ED medication — from reputable sources. While you could get your hands on something claiming to be Viagra for next-to-nothing, the person on the other end of that shady website or spammy email won’t have your best interests at heart.
Instead, make sure you’re getting Viagra or Sildenafil from the following places:
1. A Licenced Pharmacy (Online or Offline)
To be licenced (in other words, to be allowed to sell drugs), pharmacists need to be fully qualified and registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council. The GPhC makes sure that everyone who claims to be a pharmacist actually is one, and that they have the qualifications and know-how to advise you on whether or not you should take a certain medication.
Nowadays, licenced pharmacies can operate both online and off. Manual is a fully licenced online pharmacy, offering a convenient and discreet way of ordering ED medications directly to your door.
Can You Buy Viagra Without a Prescription?
Yes, you can. Although you’ll need a prescription for the higher, 100mg dose of Viagra, you can purchase a 50mg version — called Viagra Connect — over the counter, without a prescription.
Learn more about Viagra Connect in this article.
2. On the NHS
Under certain circumstances, you can be prescribed branded Viagra or unbranded, generic Sildenafil on the NHS. You’ll need to visit your GP to get a prescription, but it is an option — especially if you’d benefit from the stronger dosage.
Read More: Where Can I Buy Viagra?
How to Use the Little Blue Pill
Taking Viagra or Sildenafil is easy.
- Around an hour before you want to have sex, swallow one pill with water, ideally on an empty stomach.
- If taken with food (especially a fatty meal) the effects can be delayed.
- For best results, don’t skip the foreplay. Sexual stimulation is vital.
You can safely use Viagra or Sildenafil daily.
As is the case with most medication, the effects of Viagra or Sildenafil will vary from person to person. Usually, you’ll experience an erection within 30 to 60 minutes of taking it (assuming you’re aroused), with the potential for erections lasting for up to four hours.
If you’re aged 65 and over, the active ingredient, Sildenafil Citrate, can stay in your body for longer, which may result in you experiencing the effects for longer, too. After ejaculation, your penis should return to its flaccid state.
If you notice any serious side effects, such as dizziness, headaches, indigestion, chest pain, or priapism (a prolonged erection), you should stop taking Viagra or Sildenafil and consult your healthcare provider. You should also refrain from taking alcohol or nitrates when using Viagra or Sildenafil.
Key Takeaways…
So, what is the cost of Viagra? It can depend on the pharmacy, dosage, and number of pills in a packet, but it can range from £8.00 to £12.00 per tablet.
If you’re looking for a cost-effective alternative, the generic, unbranded form of Viagra, called Sildenafil, represents great value at just £2.25 per 50mg tablet — and it works every bit as well as the more famous little blue pill.
Get inspired: Check out our Daily Health articles for more diet and lifestyle tips & advice.
¹viagra.com – Avoid-Counterfeits – https://www.viagra.com/avoid-counterfeits
²General Pharmaceutical Council – https://www.pharmacyregulation.org/
While we've ensured that everything you read on the Health Centre is medically reviewed and approved, information presented here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It should never be relied upon for specific medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns, please talk to your doctor.
