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Viagra is a prescription drug people can take to help with erectile dysfunction. Several online pharmacies sell Viagra, but a person needs a current prescription.
A quick look at where to buy Viagra online
- Best for free follow-up appointments: Roman | Skip to Review
- Best for free shipping: Hims | Skip to Review
- Best for discreet packaging: Lemonaid | Skip to Review
- Best for discreet packaging: REX MD | Skip to Review
- Best for chewable tablets: Bluechew | Skip to Review
Viagra is the brand name version of
Doctors usually prescribe Viagra to help relieve erectile dysfunction (ED), which causes a person to have difficulty getting or maintaining an erection.
Following sexual stimulation, taking Viagra helps
This drug can start working within 30 minutes, and its effects can last 4 hours. Although doctors usually prescribe 50 milligrams (mg) of Viagra, they may lower this to 25 mg or increase it to 100 mg.
People can purchase Viagra online from several online pharmacies and telehealth companies.
However, the drug is only available with a prescription. Some online pharmacies can fill an electronic prescription and notify the person when Viagra is available for collection at their local pharmacy. Other online pharmacies offer delivery to the person’s door.
If an individual does not have a current prescription, some online pharmacies and telehealth companies may offer an online consultation with a doctor via a phone or video call. This consultation may lead to the doctor prescribing Viagra, which the company can fill.
Learn about the benefits and disadvantages of telemedicine.
However, people should never purchase Viagra from companies that do not require a prescription. There is a possibility that companies will sell products that do not contain the ingredients they should.
For example, a 2020 study found that
In addition to companies not requiring a prescription, some other warning signs that online Viagra may not be genuine include the following:
- The company ships the Viagra from a different address than where it claims to be based.
- The Viagra does not come with a product information leaflet.
- The Viagra does not come with any safety warnings.
Therefore, people should research companies that sell Viagra to ensure they are not buying counterfeit drugs before purchasing.
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried any of these products. All information presented here is purely research-based.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
Best for free follow-up appointments: Roman
- Price: from $4 per dose
Roman offers various treatment options for conditions such as ED, hair loss, and premature ejaculation.
The company uses United States-licensed healthcare professionals to run its pharmacy service.
To order from Roman, a person describes their symptoms to a licensed physician or nurse practitioner for evaluation. Within 24 hours, the healthcare professional contacts the individual to discuss treatment options. This service is free of charge, with free unlimited follow-up appointments.
Roman offers Viagra and generic sildenafil in 25-, 50-, or 100-mg doses. The healthcare professional who assesses an individual’s case can suggest which dose is most suitable for that person. The company then sends the medication using discreet packaging.
Generic sildenafil starts from $4 per dose, while Viagra starts from $90.
Best for free shipping: Hims
- Price: from $4–$139 per dose
Hims is an online pharmacy service that caters to male wellness.
This company sells Viagra on a prescription-only basis. Individuals must first have an online consultation with a local licensed physician to receive a prescription if they do not already have one.
Hims states that the online consultation does not take a long time. Before connecting with a healthcare professional, a person must first answer questions about their medical history and symptoms. For this consultation, an individual needs proof of identity and a credit card.
This consultation and any shipping are free. Hims sends all medications in discreet packaging.
Branded Viagra is $139 per dose, while generic Viagra starts at $4 per dose. The price may change depending on the strength.
The company also sells Viagra and generic sildenafil in various doses through its website.
Best for discreet packaging: Lemonaid
- Price: from $2 per dose
Lemonaid is an online pharmacy that provides medication for many conditions, including ED.
The company sells sildenafil on a prescription-only basis. These medications are available in 25-, 50-, and 100-mg doses. Prices start from $2 per dose.
To order with Lemonaid, the person fills in and submits a medical history questionnaire and provides information about their medical condition. A licensed doctor or nurse then reviews the information and contacts the individual to discuss their treatment, with the initial consultation costing $25. This price includes a doctor filling in a prescription.
The company uses discreet packaging.
Learn more about Lemonaid here.
Best for free consultations: REX MD
- Price: from $6 per dose
REX MD is an online health clinic that focuses on male health. The company sells sildenafil on a prescription-only basis.
To order with REX MD, a person needs to fill out an online survey and provide government-issued identification to verify their medical profile. They can then have an online consultation with a licensed doctor. The doctor can provide a prescription if the individual is medically suitable for the treatment.
The company offers free 2-day delivery and discreet packaging.
Sildenafil is available in 25-, 50-, and 100-mg doses. Prices start at $6 per dose.
Best for chewable tablets: Bluechew
- Price: from $20 a month
Bluechew is a health provider that offers medical support for ED with no waiting rooms or appointments. It offers sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil prescriptions after a consultation.
However, these chewable forms of the medication are not FDA-approved.
To order with Bluechew, a person must apply for a free consultation on the website. The company says that a healthcare professional will decide whether a prescription is necessary and, if so, what type and dosage.
The brand offers discreet shipping, monthly refills, and chewable tablets.
Sildenafil is available in 30–45 mg dosages. Prices start at $20 a month for six tablets.
The table below compares the cost of Viagra or its generic counterpart from each company in this article.
| Type | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Roman | • sildenafil • Viagra | • Generic: from $4 per dose • Branded: from $90 |
| Hims | • sildenafil • Viagra | • Generic: from $4 per dose • Branded: $139 per dose |
| Lemonaid | sildenafil | • Generic: $2 per dose • Branded: not offered |
| REX MD | sildenafil | • Generic: $6 per dose • Branded: not offered |
| Bluechew | chewable sildenafil | • Generic: from $20 a month • Branded: not offered |
People who use Viagra may notice that they find it easier to get and keep an erection. However, before using the drug, they should also discuss potential safety considerations with a healthcare professional.
The sections below look at some advantages and disadvantages of using Viagra in more detail.
Advantages
Several clinical studies have investigated the effects of Viagra on ED. Research suggests that people who take this drug may be more likely to get and maintain an erection than those who do not.
Although the percentage of individuals who find that Viagra helps them differs depending on their dose, all doses seem to be more effective than not taking the medication.
Additionally, in the clinical studies, while the number of times per week the participants had penetrative sex did not change while taking Viagra, the individuals did report more success in maintaining an erection.
Disadvantages
Viagra may not be suitable for everyone, including those who:
- have had an allergic reaction to Viagra or sildenafil
- take nitrates or nitroglycerins
- have a heart or liver condition
- have had a stroke or heart attack
- have low blood pressure
- have one of several rare inherited eye conditions, including retinitis pigmentosa
Viagra or sildenafil can also cause
Learn more about the safety and side effects of Viagra here.
Viagra is also unsuitable for females or children. Because the drug is a prescription medication, a doctor will discuss any potential side effects and other safety considerations with each individual before prescribing this drug.
There are two ways to get a Viagra prescription: either in-person or online.
In-person prescription
Getting an in-person prescription requires making an appointment with a healthcare professional who has the authority to prescribe medication.
If a person has insurance they should contact their insurance provider to ensure the doctor they wish to see is in-network. People may also wish to check that the hospital the healthcare professional uses is in-network.
Erectile dsyfunction may be a sensitive topic for some people. Due to this, a person should always make sure that they feel comfortable talking about their health with the doctor.
If a person feels uncomfortable during an initial consultation, or finds that the healthcare professional does not explain their condition and medication in a way they can understand, they may wish to change doctors.
Once a person has their prescription, they can go to their local pharmacy and receive the medication. Some pharmacies may offer coupons that help reduce the cost of the medication.
Online prescription
If a person does not have a valid prescription, some online pharmacies and telehealth companies will connect them with a healthcare professional for a fee.
Many companies ask that people fill in a questionnaire detailing their concerns and the medication or treatment they would like to try. Then, the service will connect the person to a healthcare professional who will ask further questions and prescribe treatment if necessary.
Companies will then either send medication directly to a person’s address, or send it to a local pharmacy.
A person must contact a doctor to receive a prescription for Viagra or sildenafil. The doctor can recommend which strength is most suitable, and an individual can have follow-up consultations to ensure that the drug and dose are still suitable for their condition.
A doctor can also advise a person on whether or not Viagra or sildenafil may interact with other medications or any recreational drugs or dietary supplements they are currently using.
In some cases, Viagra or sildenafil can cause serious side effects. If a person experiences any of the following, they should seek immediate medical attention:
- chest pain
- painful erections or erections that last for longer than 4 hours
- vision loss
- fever
- swelling and peeling of the skin
- blisters in and around the mouth, genitals, and eyes
- anaphylaxis, a serious allergic reaction
Below are some of the most common questions and answers about Viagra.
Can I buy Viagra over the counter or online?
Viagra is not available over the counter in the U.S. It requires a prescription.
People can buy Viagra online with a prescription.
What are Viagra’s side effects?
Some side effects of Viagra include:
- headaches
- indigestion
- back pain
- nausea
Viagra can also interact with other medications. For this reason, people should speak with a healthcare professional before taking it.
How long does Viagra take to start working?
Viagra may start working within 30 minutes.
How long does Viagra last?
Viagra’s effects can last for around 4 hours.
How can I get Viagra easily?
The easiest way to get Viagra may be to use an online service such as Hims, Roman, or Lemonaid. People can schedule consultations and receive prescriptions quickly with these services.
Can you take two Viagra pills at once?
No. People should not double up on Viagra pills or take more than one tablet in 24 hours.
If Viagra is ineffective, a person should speak with a doctor and try a different ED medication.
Although Viagra is effective in treating ED, a person needs a prescription to purchase this medication. Various online pharmacies offer this drug, many of which offer online consultations with licensed doctors before purchase.
Before buying Viagra online, a person should research the company offering the medication to ensure it does not sell counterfeit drugs.
Individuals should also seek immediate medical attention if they experience severe side effects such as anaphylaxis when using Viagra.