Our Guide to buying Viagra Connect®

Viagra Connect® is the first genuine non-prescription sildenafil medicine available anywhere in the World. Viagra® is now a Pharmacy Only medicine which means, if a pharmacist agrees it is safe for you to take, you can buy it without seeing your doctor.

Remember, only buy Viagra® from a registered pharmacy. Products bought from unregulated websites are not tested for safety and may not even contain the ingredients listed.

  1. Only buy from a registered pharmacy
  2. Answer the health questions as fully and honestly as you can
  3. Follow the advice given by the pharmacist (and read the product information)
  4. Make an appointment to see your doctor within six months

Before buying, you will need to answer questions about your health, medical conditions and any other medication you are taking. So, is Viagra Connect® suitable for you? Who shouldn’t take it? And when do you need to see a doctor?

Who is Viagra Connect® for?

Viagra® has been available on prescription for twenty years and is an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED). Viagra Connect is only intended for men aged 18 years and older who are experiencing erectile dysfunction (ED) – in other words difficulty in getting or maintaining an erection for sexual performance. It doesn’t help men who don’t have ED!

ED is usually a symptom of an underlying physical or psychological condition; depression, anxiety, diabetes, heart and blood vessel problems. ED is often seen as an early indicator for future heart problems caused by a narrowing of the arteries. ED can also be caused by excessive alcohol use and taking certain medicines. Examples of medicines that cause ED include blood pressure medicines, steroids and epilepsy medication.

For more information about erectile dysfunction visit:

NHS Choices https://­www.­nhs.­uk/­conditions/­erection-problems-erectile-dysfunction/

Patient.info https://­patient.­info/­health/­erectile-dysfunction-impotence

Using Viagra Connect® will not treat your underlying medical condition, so you should speak to your doctor to find out why you are experiencing ED. Depending on the cause, Viagra is not always suitable for treating ED. When you buy Viagra Connect® the pharmacist will advise you to make an appointment with your doctor within the next six months.

The pharmacist will also offer lifestyle advice such as quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake, increasing exercise and eating healthily – all things which can improve your performance.

Who shouldn’t buy Viagra Connect® over-the-counter?

In order to make sure Viagra is safe for you to take, the pharmacist will ask you about your health.

The pharmacist will not be able to sell Viagra Connect® if any of the following apply to you:

  • If you have had a heart attack or stroke within the last 6 months
  • If you feel very breathless or experience chest pain when doing light or moderate physical activity
  • If your ED is caused by a physical deformity of the penis
  • If you have very low blood pressure or uncontrolled high blood pressure
  • If you have unstable angina (chest pain), or are using nitrate medicines to treat angina pain
  • If you have existing heart problems such as irregular heart beat or heart disease
  • If you are taking certain medication, such as nitrates and medicines for treating prostate and urinary problems
  • If you have liver or kidney disease or have an active stomach ulcer
  • If you have certain other medical conditions such as bleeding problems or cancer

If Viagra Connect is not suitable for you for any of these reasons, make an appointment with your doctor to discuss other treatment options.

Will Viagra work for me?

The generic medicine in Viagra is sildenafil. Sildenafil works by widening the blood vessels that supply blood to your penis, allowing an erection to develop. Sexual stimulation is still required to achieve an erection.

The majority of men who can safely take sildenafil will find that it does ‘what it says on the pack’ and will help couples maintain a healthy sex life. But if your ED is not caused by an underlying narrowing of the arteries, sildenafil may not work for you.

If using Viagra Connect® on a number of separate occasions doesn’t resolve your ED, you must stop taking it and see your doctor.

There are many other treatments still available on prescription from your doctor and they will help you find a treatment that works for you.

This medical information was written by our clinical pharmacist Michael Stewart.

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