How to Get Viagra: Do You Need A Prescription?
Psssst... Hey! Hey, you! We heard you were looking for some of that little blue pill. Yeah man, we got whatcha need!
Sound familiar? Like a bad pop-up ad on a questionable website?
Well, it’s definitely a conversation you'd never be able to have with anyone except a board-certified healthcare professional, because Viagra isn't available over the counter. And that blue pill in the ad you clicked on probably isn’t a Viagra pill at all.
We know, it's a bummer. But it makes sense. Viagra® (and its generic version and active ingredient, sildenafil) is one of the most popularly prescribed medications for erectile dysfunction on the market today — but the key word there is "prescribed."
In the United States, both brand name Viagra and its generic version sildenafil are only sold to people with a valid prescription.
But if you’re wondering where to get Viagra, read on.
We’ve explained why Viagra can only be purchased with a prescription and how you can get a prescription to use it. We also get into why attempting to buy Viagra without a prescription — or ordering non-prescription Viagra “alternatives” — isn’t worth the time, hassle or potential health issues.
Do You Need a Prescription for Viagra?
Straight answer: Yes. FDA-approved since the late 1990s, Viagra (and sildenafil) is a prescription-only medication.
Other ED medications, including tadalafil (Cialis®), vardenafil (Levitra®) and avanafil (Stendra®) are also only available with a valid prescription in the United States.
Laws regarding the sale of Viagra vary in other countries. For example, Viagra is available over the counter in the United Kingdom as Viagra Connect®. If you’re located outside the United States, you can check your local laws for more information about the availability of ED medications.
Why Can’t I Buy Viagra Without a Prescription?
Sildenafil belongs to a class of medications called PDE5 inhibitors. It works by blocking the effects of an enzyme called phosphodiesterase type 5, or PDE5, which regulates blood flow to your penis. As you can imagine, anything you put into your body that can affect the way your blood flows — especially in such an impactful way — probably shouldn’t be handled lightly.
With great power comes great responsibility, right?
For most men, Viagra works as a safe and effective medication that treats erectile dysfunction without causing any major issues. However, like all medications, Viagra has the potential to cause side effects.
Most of these side effects are mild and will gradually resolve with time, but some side effects can be more serious, which is a big reason Viagra is only available with a prescription.
Viagra and other erectile dysfunction medications can also interact with other drugs, including a few used to treat common cardiovascular health issues.
Some of these interactions can be fatal. Let us say it again. Some of these interactions can be fatal.
That’s another reason Viagra is only available by prescription. Because higher dosages can increase the risk of experiencing adverse effects, it's important to have a healthcare provider monitor your dosage, with an eye on side effects and drug interactions.
Side Effects
Common side effects of Viagra include:
Flushing
Dyspepsia (indigestion)
Changes in your vision
Nasal congestion
Back pain and myalgia (muscle pain)
Rash
Dizziness
Feelings of nausea
Although uncommon, Viagra may also cause more serious side effects that include:
Hearing issues
Sudden vision loss
Priapism (a type of persistent, painful erection that requires urgent medical treatment)
These side effects are rare and most men are able to use Viagra and other medications for ED without significant issues. However, it’s always important to seek medical advice, discuss your medical history and get the right dose of Viagra from your prescribing local or online doctor.
Our guide to Viagra side effects provides more information about the issues that can occur with Viagra and generic sildenafil.
Drug Interactions
Viagra can also interact with certain medications, including medications used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and other cardiovascular health conditions. In some cases, interactions that involve Viagra can lead to serious medical conditions that may require urgent attention.
For example, when Viagra and other PDE5 inhibitors are used with nitrates, they can cause your blood pressure to drop. Low blood pressure may cause you to feel dizzy or faint, or lead to life-threatening issues such as heart attack or stroke.
Other anti-hypertensive medications, including many alpha-blockers, can also interact with ED medications such as the Viagra pill.
Certain recreational drugs, like “poppers,” also contain ingredients such as amyl nitrite and butyl nitrate that can interact with ED medications and potentially cause serious health problems.
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Where Can I Get Viagra?
The good news is that getting a prescription for Viagra generally isn’t difficult. To get a prescription, you need to talk to your general healthcare provider (you can use your regular provider or connect with one of ours), or a specialist (like a urologist).
There's no difference between our providers and an in-person primary care provider, except accessing ours takes way less effort.
How Old Do You Have to Be to Buy Viagra?
Although advertising for ED medication often focuses on older men, Viagra can actually be prescribed to men 18 and up (sorry ladies — there’s no indication for use of Viagra in women).
Despite the commercials, ED can affect guys of all ages. It may become more common as we age, but it's not exclusively an "older" guy's issue.
If you suffer from occasional or persistent erectile dysfunction and want to get a prescription for Viagra, you have several options. We’ve listed these below and provided additional information to help you access Viagra or similar medication in the way that’s most convenient for you.
Get a Viagra Prescription Online
Getting a Viagra prescription through an online pharmacy is a useful option if you don’t feel comfortable talking to your primary care provider for medical advice about Viagra, or if you just want a more convenient, easier alternative to a visit to your local healthcare provider’s office.
The most convenient way to get a Viagra prescription is to talk to a licensed healthcare provider online. Using our telehealth platform, you can speak to a professional from home via an online ED consultation.
They'll talk to you about your experiences with ED and if they decide Viagra is right for you, they'll write you a prescription for Viagra, sildenafil citrate (generic Viagra) or even another ED medication altogether.
If you think a different ED medication might be more appropriate for you, you can talk with a healthcare provider about using one of the following:
Cialis. Sold as brand name Cialis or generic tadalafil, this is a longer-lasting medication that can last for up to 36 hours or be used on a daily basis for ongoing erectile dysfunction treatment.
Stendra. Available only as a brand-name medication, Stendra is a newer ED drug that’s less likely to cause certain side effects. It also works in as little as 15 minutes, making it a good option if you’re prone to side effects from other ED medications or need fast-acting relief.
Levitra. Available as brand name Levitra or generic vardenafil, this is another as-needed ED medication that’s taken an hour before sex and lasts roughly four to six hours.
Visit Your Local Healthcare Provider’s Office
You can also get a prescription for Viagra from your primary care provider. Worried about having to discuss your ED issues with them? Relax — they've heard much worse, and what you're experiencing is perfectly normal.
If you have difficulty developing or maintaining an erection, you tell your healthcare provider that you think you might have ED or ask specifically about using Viagra.
Once you start talking about erectile dysfunction, your healthcare provider will inform you about the options that are available and, if appropriate, write a prescription.
Visit a Urologist, Endocrinologist or Other Specialist Healthcare Provider
If your primary care provider thinks that your erectile dysfunction could be caused by a physical health problem, they might refer you to a specialist like a urologist (a doctor that specializes in the urinary and reproductive tract) or endocrinologist (a specialist in hormonal health).
They may also refer you to a psychiatrist or other mental health professional if they believe that your ED is related to a psychological factor, such as sexual performance anxiety or stress.
These healthcare providers may talk to you in more detail or perform additional tests to find out which type of treatment is best for you. This process could involve:
Checking for physical injuries to your penis and surrounding area
Testing for hormonal deficiencies, such as low testosterone levels
Performing other tests to check your general health and wellbeing
Conducting a psychiatric evaluation
If your ED is caused by a physical or psychological issue, your healthcare provider may suggest treating the underlying cause on its own or in combination with ED treatment. If appropriate, you may receive a prescription for Viagra or other medication to treat ED.
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Traditional Pill
SildenafilGeneric Viagra®
From £2.36/use
The most commonly prescribed ED treatment, contains the same active ingredient as Viagra® but is 80% more affordable than the brand name.
Traditional Pill
Daily TadalafilDaily Generic Cialis®
From £21/month
A clinically proven treatment for erectile dysfunction that helps men achieve and maintain erections more easily. It gives you the freedom to enjoy spontaneous sex without needing to plan ahead.
Traditional Pill
As-Needed TadalafilGeneric Cialis®
From £2.36/use
The unbranded, more affordable generic form of Cialis® taken as needed. It is clinically proven to help men get and keep harder erections for up to 36 hours.
Traditional Pill
Viagra Connect®
From £5.83/use
The over-the-counter branded version of sildenafil. Viagra Connect® improves blood flow to the penis, helping you achieve and maintain strong and satisfying erections.
Important safety information for Sildenafil, Tadalafil, Tadalafil Daily or Viagra Connect.
Why You Should Avoid Non-Prescription “Viagra”
You can’t legally purchase Viagra without a prescription in the United States and in the majority of other countries.
Nonetheless, as a quick look at just about anyone’s email spam box will prove, Viagra is readily marketed for sale without a prescription online.
If you see Viagra available for sale online without any need for a valid prescription, purchasing it isn’t a good idea for two key reasons:
Viagra is one of the most commonly counterfeited drugs in the world. Merchants that are willing to break the law and sell Viagra without requiring a prescription are also likely to sell fake products that may harm your health.
Many websites that claim to sell Viagra without a prescription aren’t run by trustworthy, reputable businesses. This means that not only are you at risk of potentially buying fake medication, but you may also put your personal and financial information at risk by ordering from these websites.
Pfizer, the company that developed sildenafil and makes brand name Viagra, has spent a huge amount of time and money investigating the “Viagra” that’s sold online. Their testing has revealed that many counterfeit pills contain “ingredients” such as printer ink, commercial paint, pesticides and wallboard.
The tests also found that many drugs advertised online only contained 30 to 50 percent of the dosage of sildenafil claimed on the product labeling.
Put simply, when you buy Viagra or generic Viagra online without a prescription, you might not get Viagra, and if you do get it, you may get something that’s either contaminated with dangerous ingredients or only a fraction as strong as it should be.
How to Get Viagra Safely
It’s easy to get and use Viagra safely once you understand the process of seeing a healthcare provider and receiving a prescription from a healthcare professional. Beyond going to your local pharmacy, you can try a reputable accredited internet pharmacy or retailer, like Hims.
Use the following tips to access Viagra safely and avoid common scams, fake medications and other issues:
Know where to buy Viagra. Viagra is available from most pharmacies and from trusted online vendors. If you’re purchasing Viagra online, check that the process of receiving a prescription involves a consultation with a licensed healthcare provider.
If it’s in your email spam box, ignore it. No legitimate online healthcare provider service promotes itself through email spam. If you’re offered a Viagra prescription in an unsolicited email, it’s definitely something to avoid.
Avoid over-the-counter Viagra “alternatives.” Many of these sexual health products sold in gas stations and online contain unsafe, unlabeled ingredients that can cause or contribute to health problems.
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Learn More About How to Buy Viagra
Viagra has been in use for more than two decades as a treatment for erectile dysfunction, but whether you’ve used it before or not, here are the most important things to remember when seeking out your next dose:
It’s a prescription medication, meaning you won’t be able to purchase or use it without getting a valid prescription from your healthcare provider first.
Getting it is easier than you think. You can talk to a healthcare provider online, visit your local primary care provider or schedule an appointment with a specialist to talk about your symptoms and discuss treatment options.
It’s not the only option. We also offer Viagra and other erectile dysfunction medications online, following a consultation with a licensed healthcare provider who will determine if a prescription is appropriate.
Just don’t use the OTC stuff. Pills that aren’t Viagra shouldn’t be marketed like Viagra — if they are, they could be dangerous.
Ready to get started? You can find out more about Viagra and other forms of treatment for erectile dysfunction in our full guide to the most common ED treatments and drugs.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment or medication.