What to Know About Generic Viagra (Sildenafil)

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Where to buy generic Viagra

While some of what’s sold as generic Viagra online is fake, several reputable companies sell sildenafil online. Each of the companies below has been vetted by our team for medical and business standards. Learn more here.

Best generic Viagra service with clear and transparent pricing

Roman Image of Roman's Viagra and generic Viagra pills.

Price: $2 – $10 per dose of sildenafil
Pros: A licensed doctor in your state can meet with you and prescribe ED medication over a video call. Roman’s website has clear, side-by-side pricing page for easy comparison. Treatment options for premature ejaculation are also available.
Cons: The price of ordering medication through Roman might be higher than similar medications covered by insurance.

Roman is a telehealth company that focuses on treatment for ED, including generic Viagra. With Roman, you can make online and in-person doctor’s visits and get your prescription filled and refilled.

Roman offers the following ED treatments:

generic Viagara (sildenafil)
brand-name Viagra
generic Cialis (tadalafil)

GET STARTED WITH ROMAN

Best for generic Viagra and other health and wellness medications

Lemonaid Image of Lemonaid's pill bottle

Price: $2 per dose of sildenafil
Pros: Online doctor video calls are available and Lemonaid covers a wide range of medications focusing on men’s and women’s health, hair loss, and mental health.
Cons: There’s a small consultation fee to meet with a doctor. Consultation fee and prescriptions are not covered by insurance.

Lemonaid is a telehealth company that offers a wide range of services. You can connect with a doctor online without having to book time off to go to an in-person appointment.

The company has a mail-order pharmacy that allows you to get meds delivered straight to your door. The downside, though, is that they don’t take insurance — even for non-ED drugs.

Doctors can prescribe the following ED treatments:

generic Viagra (sildenafil)
brand-name Viagra
brand-name Cialis
generic Cialis (tadalafil)
Levitra (vardenafil)

GET STARTED WITH LEMONAID

Best for generic Viagra and other sexual health-related products

Hims Image of Him's Viagra and generic Viagra pills.

Price: $3 per dose of sildenafil
Pros: Scheduling online doctor consultations and receiving a prescription can all happen within 24 hours of sign-up. Medications are shipped to your home and premature ejaculation treatments are also available.
Cons: Doctors’ visits are limited in scope and not ideal for addressing larger health concerns.

To purchase medication from telehealth company Hims, you’ll need to fill out a health questionnaire, which is then reviewed by an on-staff doctor.

The company offers the following ED treatments:

generic Viagra (sildenafil)
brand-name Viagra
brand-name Cialis
generic Cialis (tadalafil)
Stendra (avanafil)

GET STARTED WITH HIMS

Best price for generic Viagra when bought in bulk

Optum Store A generic pill bottle with the Optum Store logo.

Price: Less than $1 per dose of sildenafil, if purchased in bulk
Pros: Free online consultation and free shipping on medications. Medications arrive within 5 business days and can cost less than $1 if purchased in 30-day to 180-day supplies. Several other ED medications are also available at the Optum Store.
Cons: Only two insurance plans are accepted, so you will likely not be able to use your insurance for a reduced medication cost.

To purchase generic Viagra (sildenafil) and brand-name Viagra through Optum Store, you must fill out a questionnaire, upload a photo ID, and provide a recent blood pressure reading, which will then be evaluated by a licensed physician in the United States who can determine if sildenafil could treat your ED symptoms.

The Optum Store offers the following ED treatments:

generic Viagra (sildenafil)
brand-name Viagra
brand-name Cialis
generic Cialis (tadalafil)

What is generic Viagra?

Sildenafil citrate (sildenafil), often referred to as “generic Viagra,” is the same active ingredient used in Viagra. Viagra also contains small amounts of inactive ingredients. These ingredients give the pill its form and make it easier for your body to metabolize them.

One of the primary causes of ED is a buildup of the phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) enzyme that restricts blood flow to the penis and prevents or lessens the firmness of an erection. Sildenafil works as a PDE5 inhibitor, which blocks the effect of PDE5 and allows more unrestricted blood flow — making an erection more likely.

How do PDE5 inhibitors work?

Sildenafil doesn’t cure ED. It treats ED symptoms. Likewise, sildenafil doesn’t cure PH. It just helps control blood pressure in the arteries in the lungs.

Sildenafil is in a class of medications called PDE5 inhibitors. These drugs restrict the action of phosphodiesterase enzymes, which break down cyclic guanosine monophosphate. This is a type of molecule that relaxes smooth muscle tissue in the body, such as those in the blood vessels that allow the penis to become erect. Taking sildenafil improves circulation by helping the arteries relax enough to fill more easily with blood.

Sildenafil is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream, reaching maximum concentration in about 1 hour for most users. Generic Viagra, like other PDE5 inhibitors, can cause a drop in blood pressure. If you take medications for blood pressure control or tend to have low blood pressure, ask your doctor if it’s safe to use sildenafil.

Sildenafil doesn’t trigger an erection on its own, nor does it increase sexual desire. Sexual stimulation is still required. However, for most healthy people, sildenafil can make an erection easier to get.

A 4-year study published in 2007 found that sildenafil is generally safe to use over the long term. Other data pulled from clinical trials in 2016 noted that sildenafil is effective without severe side effects regardless of age.

Is generic sildenafil as effective as Viagra?

Instead of the “little blue pill,” as Viagra is known, sildenafil is often sold as a little white pill by Viagra’s competitors. The pill’s appearance does not change its effectiveness or how it works in the body.

While generic sildenafil and Viagra are equally safe and effective, the medications have one key difference: price. Viagra costs around $60 to $70 per tablet. Generic sildenafil can range from $7 to $18 per pill, depending on the manufacturer and dose.

Who makes generic Viagra?

The pharmaceutical giant Pfizer discovered the ED benefits of sildenafil by accident.

Researchers were testing the medication to treat high blood pressure and angina — chest pain associated with heart disease. They found that the medication was especially effective at inducing erections. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Viagra in 1998, making it the first oral drug specifically prescribed for ED.

Pfizer was also the first to introduce generic Viagra through a subsidiary called Greenstone. Other companies around the world also manufacture sildenafil pills, including:

Teva Pharmaceuticals
Aurobindo
Cambia
Mylan
Bristol Labs

Avoiding fake Viagra

Viagra and other ED medications are some of the most counterfeited drugs. It’s important to speak with a doctor to seek treatment and get medications through a pharmacy.

Sildenafil is available at most retail pharmacy locations and several reputable online retailers, so there’s no need to buy sildenafil from companies not regulated by the FDA.

What is generic viagra used for?

Sildenafil is best known as a treatment for ED, the inability to get or keep an erection. Sildenafil is meant to be taken before having sex, with the understanding that its effects last only a few hours.

Sildenafil is also approved for treating pulmonary hypertension (PH) — elevated blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs and in the right side of the heart. Revatio is the brand name of sildenafil prescribed for PH.

Generic sildenafil is always sold as sildenafil. There are currently no other brand names for the drug, aside from Viagra and Revatio.

In the United States, sildenafil for ED or PH requires a prescription. The United Kingdom allows for over-the-counter sales of the drug, in part to discourage the market for fake sildenafil. Sildenafil is one of the most commonly counterfeited drugs in the world.

Dosage for generic Viagra

Generic Viagra (sildenafil) is available as a 20-milligram (mg), 25-mg, 50-mg, and 100-mg pill and in liquid form. It’s usually taken 3 times per day. The 50-mg dose is standard, though your doctor may start you on a 25-mg dose to see if that’s enough.

Does generic Viagra have side effects?

Sildenafil may cause side effects, most of which are minor and temporary. Some of the most common are:

headaches
flushing, or a feeling of warmth under the skin
heartburn
diarrhea
insomnia
tingling in the limbs
muscle aches
sensitivity to light

Serious side effects of sildenafil

More serious side effects should prompt an immediate call to your doctor or 911. They include:

erection that is painful or lasts longer than 4 hours (priapism)
blurry vision or sudden and severe loss of vision
diminished hearing
ringing in ears
dizziness or lightheadedness
fainting
shortness of breath
chest pain
itching or burning during urination
rash

How long does it take for generic Viagra to take effect?

For ED, take sildenafil as needed, ideally 1 hour before intercourse. However, sildenafil may be effective as soon as 30 minutes before intercourse and may still be effective 3 or 4 hours later.

After 4 hours, the effects of sildenafil tend to wear off. It’s recommended that you take sildenafil no more than once daily.

Interactions

Like any medication, sildenafil can have potentially serious interactions with other drugs, alcohol, and even some foods.

Blood pressure and heart medications

One of the most serious interactions can come from combining PDE5 inhibitors with nitrates or compounds containing nitrates. Several studies, including a 2018 study, show that using PDE5 inhibitors with nitrates is a contraindication that can cause a life threatening drop in blood pressure.

This is why you should discuss any medications that you are taking with your doctor before starting any new medication. This can reduce the chances of a dangerous interaction.

If you take other medications for high blood pressure, you may be at risk of experiencing a dangerous drop in blood pressure. These include:

diuretics
angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
calcium channel blockers

A drop in blood pressure can result in:

dizziness
headache
fainting or falling

Severe blood pressure drops can also result in less oxygen moving through your organs.

Other ED medications

Avoid taking sildenafil with any other ED medications. The combination can lower blood pressure, causing fainting, dizziness, and in some rare cases, heart attack.

Alcohol

Alcohol and sildenafil can combine to lower blood pressure too much. Avoid alcohol if you’re taking sildenafil.

Grapefruit

The only real food interaction with generic Viagra is grapefruit and grapefruit juice. These products can raise the levels of sildenafil in your body but can also delay the time the drug takes effect.

Cytochrome P450

Similar to grapefruit, medications known as cytochrome P450 (CP450) inhibitors and substrates can delay how long it takes sildenafil to work and can increase your chance of side effects. CP450 inducers, such as modafinil, reduce the effects of sildenafil if taken at the same time.

CP450 medications include:

cimetidine
clopidogrel
chloramphenicol
fluvoxamine
omeprazole
modafinil

Comparing the best places to buy generic Viagra online

NamePrice for sildenafilDosage available for sildenafilED medications available

Roman$4 – $10 per dose25mg – 100mgBranded Viagra, generic Viagra, branded Cialis, generic Cialis, generic daily Cialis

Lemonaid$2 per dose20mgsildenafil, generic Viagra, tadalafil

Hims$4 – $10 per dose25mg – 100mgBranded Viagra, generic Viagra, branded Cialis, generic Cialis

Optum StoreStarting at $6 per dose – could be lower when buying a large supply20mg – 100mgBranded Viagra, branded Cialis, sildenafil, tadalafil

Other treatment options

There are a number of different treatments for ED. In addition to medications or other medical interventions, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can affect the success of your ED treatment.

Sildenafil is just one of several ED medications on the market.

Other oral medications

The four major PDE5 inhibitors are:

sildenafil (Viagra)
tadalafil (Cialis)
vardenafil (Levitra)
avanafil (Stendra)

All those medications, except avanafil (Stendra), are available as generic medications.

Penis pump

There are some nonpharmacological treatments for ED, including a vacuum erection device, also known as an ED pump.

It works by placing a seal around the end of the penis and attracting blood to the arteries in the penis by air suction.

Surgery and injections

Penile implants and penile injections to treat ED are other options to consider. Talk with a urologist to learn more about treatments you may want to try.

When to talk with a doctor about ED

While you may be familiar with Viagra and its effectiveness, you might be understandably cautious about a generic version of Viagra. So if you have questions about how well generic Viagra works or where to buy it from a reputable source, it’s a good idea to meet with a doctor or healthcare professional.

If you are experiencing symptoms of ED and are considering a generic version of Viagra, your doctor can prescribe a generic alternative to ensure it is safe and FDA-approved.

It’s important to avoid any generic alternative not prescribed by a doctor or fulfilled by a reputable pharmacy. Prescriptions not filled through legitimate channels may not be FDA-approved, may have inaccurate labeling on the packaging, and may have ineffective or potentially harmful ingredients.

Frequently asked questions about generic Viagra

What is generic Viagra?

Generic Viagra, or sildenafil, is the non-brand-name version of the popular ED drug. It’s virtually identical to the brand-name drug, except it may be a different color (instead of blue, like Viagra) and costs a lot less.

How much does generic Viagra cost?

Generic Viagra usually costs anywhere from about $2 to $30 for each tablet depending on the dosage and manufacturer.

Can you buy generic Viagra without a prescription?

No. In most countries, including the United States, Viagra is not available without a prescription. However, in 2017, Viagra became available over the counter in the United Kingdom to combat the counterfeit market and improve access.

Can you buy generic Viagra over the counter?

In the United States and most other countries, generic Viagra is only available with a prescription.

However, many new telehealth services make it easier to get a prescription without making an in-person appointment with a doctor. There are also a few over-the-counter alternatives to Viagra that may be worth exploring as well.

Takeaway

Generic Viagra, or sildenafil citrate, works the same as Viagra, but at a lower cost.

While Pfizer still manufactures the “little blue pill,” other companies, globally and in the United States, make sildenafil. It may look different, but it’s still an effective treatment for ED.