What’s Viagra?
Viagra is a brand of medication that’s used for erectile dysfunction. Pfizer manufacture Viagra, and it’s often known as the “little blue pill”. Viagra is arguably the most well-known erectile dysfunction treatment available, and it’s characterised as being in the shape of a blue diamond. Viagra is currently available in three strengths:
- Viagra 25mg
- Viagra 50mg
- Viagra 100mg
Most commonly, doctors will advise that you start with Viagra 50mg if you haven’t taken the drug before, but if you feel as though it’s too strong or too weak, this can be decreased to Viagra 25mg or increased to Viagra 100mg. Erectile dysfunction is a surprisingly common problem that can affect any man, and it can be caused by a number of factors such as underlying health issues, psychological problems and even age. In fact, erectile dysfunction is most common in men over the age of 40. As one of the best-known erectile dysfunction treatments, Viagra is also available over the counter in some pharmacies as Viagra Connect, but we understand that having a face to face chat with a pharmacist about a sexual problem can be embarrassing, so our online consultation process makes sure that buying Viagra is as discreet and easy as it can be, whilst still making sure that it’s suitable for you.
Erectile Dysfunction Treatments
Erectile dysfunction is a problem that’s thought to affect around 4.3 million men in the UK, making it a fairly common condition. But what exactly are the symptoms of erectile dysfunction? It can be classified as:
- Not being able to get an erection at all
- Getting an erection but it not being able to last long enough for sex
- Experiencing an erection that isn’t hard enough for sex
You can experience ED either intermittently, or every time you try to have sex, and it’s an issue that can cause a lot of embarrassment and frustration. However, erectile dysfunction is a treatable condition thanks to medicines such as Viagra.
Physically, erectile dysfunction is usually caused by not enough blood flowing into the sex organ due to blocked or narrow blood vessels, but there can be many factors that lead to impotence such as other health issues or psychological factors, but it’s important to know that ED has nothing to do with your sex drive. This means that the desire to have sex can be there, but the physical ability is lacking.
Erectile dysfunction treatments such as Viagra aim to treat this problem, and make sure that your ability to have sex matches your sex drive, minimising any frustration.
How does Viagra work?
Viagra contains the active ingredient, sildenafil citrate, which is also available to buy un-branded and is sometimes known as generic Viagra. Sildenafil citrate belongs to a family of medicines called PDE5 inhibitors, which help to relax the blood vessels in your penis. Once these are relaxed, blood can flow into the sex organ and cause it to harden (in other words, It’ll stimulate an erection). You still need to be aroused for Viagra to take effect though, so you won’t get an erection after taking Viagra unless you’re sexually excited, but it makes it much easier to keep an erection if you are.
You should only ever take Viagra if you struggle with erectile dysfunction. A common myth is that the drug can help to enhance sexual performance even if you don't struggle with the condition, but this simply isn't true. If you take medicine that you don't need, it could be dangerous.
Viagra Tablet
Viagra didn’t actually start out as a treatment for ED, it actually started life as a potential drug for high blood pressure and angina. Sildenafil citrate was created in 1989 with the intention of treating hypertension and chest pains, but trials soon showed that the medicine wasn’t as effective as the scientists had first hoped. However, it was discovered that increased erections were being reported as a side effect by participants in the study. Trials for high blood pressure and angina were shelved, but it wasn’t long before the drug was put through pilot studies for men with erectile dysfunction. It was patented by Pfizer in 1996, and approved for use in 1998, making the little blue pill 21 this year.
Can Viagra help with premature ejaculation?
As Viagra is related to sexual function many people may assume it helps with premature ejaculation and may ask questions such as ‘does Viagra make you last longer in bed?’. The short answer is no, Viagra doesn’t help with premature ejaculation but it may help you to last longer in bed if the reason sex is cut short is because you can’t get or maintain an erection for long enough time. Premature ejaculation is a completely different condition to erectile dysfunction, and requires different treatment.
Viagra doesn’t affect the sensitivity of the penis in any way and therefore it can’t prevent you from ejaculating too quickly, but it can help you get erections. It improves the blood flow to the penis but does not have any effect on arousal or orgasms. For premature ejaculation, Fortacin is one of the best treatments as it reduces sensitivity in the head of the penis so you have more control over when you ejaculate.
Is Viagra safe?
Viagra is safe for a majority of men, but because of how it works, there are some that should talk to their own doctor before they buy Viagra online for the sake of their overall health. This is because taking Viagra if you have certain pre-existing conditions can cause more harm than good. If you’ve been diagnosed with any of the following conditions or medical problems, please talk to your own doctor before you order Viagra:
Allergic to sildenafil or other ingredients
Taking riociguat for pulmonary hypertension
Using protease inhibitors for HIV
Advised to avoid sexual activity
Low blood pressure
Lost vision due to damage to the optic nerve
Uncontrolled blood pressure
Severe liver problem
Disease of the penis
Deformed penis
Issues with one of the valves in your heart
Cardiomyopathy
Arrythmia
Heart surgery
Erection that lasted longer than 4 hours
Sickle cell anaemia
Leukaemia
Multiple myeloma
Stomach ulcer
Bleeding disorder
Any liver or kidney problems
If you know you have, or think you might have any of the above problems, please talk to your doctor before you take Viagra or sildenafil as they might want to monitor you or advise that you start on the lower dose of Viagra 25mg. There are also some medicines that Viagra might interact with that you should be aware of, as it could be dangerous if you mix two interacting medicines. If you’re already taking any of the following drugs, talk to your GP or pharmacist about whether Viagra is the right erectile dysfunction treatment for you:
Nitrate medicines for angina
Poppers- a recreational legal high
Any other erectile dysfunction treatments
Alpha-blockers
Protease inhibitors
Cimetidine
Itraconazole
Ketoconazole
Erythromycin
As long as you aren’t taking any of the above medicines, and don’t have any of the medical conditions listed before, Viagra should be safe for you to take as long as you take it correctly and are aware of all of the risks and side effects. If Viagra wasn’t safe, it wouldn’t be so easily available.
Viagra side effects
Because of the way Viagra acts in your body, it has the potential like most other medicines to cause some side effects. Side effects are symptoms that you might experience because of the medicine you take. Some of the side effects associated with Viagra can look concerning, but most of them are usually only mild. Some of the most commonly reported Viagra side effects are:
Headaches
Nausea
Indigestion
Stuffy nose
Dizziness
Facial flushing
Hot flush
Colour tinge to vision
Other visual disturbances
Vomiting
Upper abdominal pain
Heartburn / acid reflux
Skin rash
Pain in arms and legs
Nosebleeds
Feeling hot
Fatigue
Pounding/rapid heartbeat
High blood pressure
Low blood pressure
Muscle pains
Vertigo
Tinnitus
Dry mouth
More side effects can be found in the patient information leaeflet that comes in your order when you buy Viagra online through us, and we advise that you read all of it before you take your first dose. There are also some rare but serious side effects such as anaphylaxis, chest pains, an erection lasting longer than 4 hours, a sudden loss of vision, seizures and serious skin reactions. If you experience any of these, you should seek emergency help. If any of the side effects outweigh the benefits of the Viagra, stop taking it and consult your own doctor as soon as possible.
Taking Viagra
Viagra comes in tablet form, and should be swallowed whole with water. You should take Viagra around half an hour to an hour before you know you’re going to have sex, as it can take this long to start working in your system. Viagra can be taken every day, but only if you plan on having sexual intercourse every day. Ideally, Viagra should only be used if you know you’re going to have sex.
Viagra and alcohol
If you’re planning on drinking alcohol with Viagra, you may need to rethink your plans, as it’s advised that you avoid it when using the drug. This is because alcohol might make it harder for you to get an erection even with Viagra. Viagra and alcohol could also prove to be a dangerous mix as both are known to lower your blood pressure. For the best and safest results, you should avoid drinking alcohol if you plan to take Viagra.
Viagra without prescription
Viagra is available without a prescription at many pharmacies across the UK. However, we know that it can be embarrassing to have a face to face conversation with someone about a sexual problem. The only form of non-prescription Viagra that’s available is the 50mg version, and is branded as Viagra connect, so if you want the medicine today, or don’t want to wait for delivery, this might be your best option, but you may end up paying more for the convenience
Viagra UK
As with any medicine it’s important that you know where it is manufactured and that it has passed all regulations. All medicines in the UK go through a strict licensing process which involves research, clinical trials, and finally a license is granted once all clinical trials have passed. Depending on the medicine, phases in the clinical trials can range from 0-4. These trials test the safety, effectiveness, and quality of the drug as well as any side effects, and the license provides proof that a medicine is safe to use and works for the intended purpose.
Buying Viagra in the UK is the safest way to get hold of this medicine. You can be rest assured that it has passed all clinical trials, it is regulated, and therefore safe to take. Whether it’s over the counter at a pharmacy or at a regulated online doctor service, both methods are completely safe to buy Viagra. The NHS website provides lots of information about how to buy medicine safely both online and over the counter. As the NHS states, the safest way to buy online is by ensuring the company is regulated by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and the General Medical Council (GMC). Doctor-4-U are regulated by the GPhC, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), and all of our online doctors are registered with the General Medical Council (GMC), so you’re in safe hands when it comes to buying any medicine online from Doctor-4-U.
Viagra has been a very effective drug for millions of men since it was first introduced which gathered a lot of hype and attention, and with this comes a lot of Viagra counterfeits, or ‘fake viagra’ and ‘cheap viagra’ with unregulated sources profiting from the little blue pill phenomenon. This is not only illegal, but also highly dangerous so if you’re looking for Viagra at a cheaper price online always ensure it is from a fully regulated source and don’t take any risks.
Little Blue Pill
You may have heard the term ‘the little blue pill’ more than you have Viagra, this is because of its distinct characteristics which makes it stand out from the rest. It’s vibrant blue colour and diamond shape has given this drug its nickname.
Although it’s appearance is distinct to Pfizer’s drug this can easily be replicated by ‘the black market’, so just because it looks like the famous little blue pill doesn’t mean its contents are the same. Counterfeit Viagra may contain toxic ingredients, or may not have any of the right ingredients. The only way to be sure that it is authentic Viagra is by buying through regulated and legitimate sources.
Buy Viagra online
If you decide to buy viagra online, you’ll still need a prescription for it. Lukcily, this can be done electronically without a face-to-face consultation or your own GP. At Doctor4U, it’s safe, easy, and legal to buy Viagra online. You’ll be asked to answer a patient questionnaire that relates to the condition and medication which will then be reviewed by our own GMC-registered doctors to make sure that Viagra is suitable for you. If they’re satisfied that it is, they’ll generate a prescription and your order will be shipped out to you. If you’re worried about buying Viagra online, always look for a clickable logo that says “click to verify that this website is operating legally”.As long as it takes you to the government MHRA page, you can be sure that it’s safe and legal.We display ours next to the name of the medication at the top of the page, as well as in the footer of our website.
Viagra price
Viagra prices can often be higher than generic Viagra (sildenafil citrate) due to the fact that it’s a brand name. At Doctor4U, our prices for Viagra start at £10 per tablet and include your online consultation and prescription.
Advice on Addiction and Medication Restrictions
If you are at all worried or concerned about an addiction to any type of medication, we urge you to speak to a professional for help and advice. Below are links to organisations that can help.
Talk To Frank
NHS Help & Advice On Drug Addiction