Viagra Connect

Viagra Connect tablets (sildenafil 50mg) for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in men, available to buy online.

Viagra Connect rated 4.48/5 in 99 reviews

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Buy Viagra Connect online in UK

How to order Viagra Connect online for UK delivery:

  1. Read medical information about erectile dysfunction
  2. Answer medical questions to check for eligibility
  3. Reviewed by doctors - posted from UK pharmacy (tracked 24hr service)

Men should have an erectile dysfunction diagnosis from a GP before buying medication online.

Other order options

Viagra Connect is a new brand of Viagra available from pharmacies without prescription. It is the same medicine as sildenafil, or generic Viagra, which Dr Fox supplies at much lower cost from 50p per tablet. Generic Viagra (sildenafil) is medically identical to it's branded equivalent (see generic medicine FAQs).

Prices

Prices of Viagra Connect and sildenafil tablets (in stock)
Tablet type 2 tablets 4 tablets 8 tablets 16 tablets 32 tablets
Viagra Connect 50mg £16.00 £32.00
Sildenafil 25mg £4.90 £8.50 £15.20 £29.50
Sildenafil 50mg £1.00 (trial pack) £6.50 £11.90 £23.00 £44.00
Sildenafil 100mg £7.20 £13.25 £26.00 £49.00

Prescription fees

Dr Fox supplies medicine on prescription and charges a small prescription fee based on the order value of each prescription.

Prescriptions are issued by our doctors online and sent electronically to our pharmacy.

Order value Prescription fee
up to £10 £1.00
up to £20 £2.00
up to £40 £3.00
over £40 £4.00

If you have your own private paper prescription please post to our pharmacy (details).

Dr Fox prices are 25%–50% lower than other UK online clinics.

Delivery charges

UK delivery only: £2.90 per consultation via Royal Mail Tracked 24 Signed For (1-2 working days with tracking).

Parcel forwarding services are not permitted. Use only UK home or work delivery address.

Returns and refunds - unwanted items can be returned within 14 working days for a full refund.

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About Viagra Connect

  • Viagra Connect tablets are used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) in men.
  • 'Viagra Connect' is a brand name, the active ingredient is 'sildenafil'.
  • Available over-the-counter from pharmacies without a prescription.
  • Take 30-60 minutes before sexual activity, usually lasts for 4 hours.
  • Sexual stimulation is required for Viagra Connect to be effective.
  • Read the patient leaflet for a full list of side effects, cautions, and interactions with other drugs.

The active ingredient in Viagra Connect is sildenafil, a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor. It works by relaxing the blood vessels in your penis, allowing blood to flow into your penis when you get sexually excited and causing an erection, and helps to prevent blood flowing back out of the penis. Viagra Connect will not work if you are not sexually excited (stimulated).

Medical checks for erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction is when a man finds it difficult to achieve or maintain an erection that is firm enough to have sex. Erections depend on many different factors, including proper blood flow to the penis. Erectile dysfunction can affect men differently. Some cannot achieve an erection. Others may achieve an erection, but not firm enough for having sex or they may lose the erection before or during sex.

Before requesting treatment from Dr Fox, men must read the medical information which provides background information about erectile dysfunction and its treatment.

It is important that men with erectile dysfunction are properly assessed and advised about treatment. This includes having a health check with a doctor to check for any underlying health conditions within 6 months of starting treatment or sooner if Viagra Connect is not working.

How to take Viagra Connect

  • Take 1 tablet (50mg sildenafil) 30-60 minutes before sexual activity.
  • Swallow the tablet whole with water.
  • Effective for around 4 hours.
  • Do not take more than 1 tablet a day.

According to the study data for Viagra Connect (sildenafil 50mg) 74% of men reported that treatment improved their erections. This figure increases to 82% of men using sildenafil 100mg dosage.

There are times when ED tablets might not work and may not improve or overcome the underlying cause of erectile dysfunction. Satisfactory erections require the following:

  • Adequate blood supply
  • Sexual arousal - if you are not sexually aroused, Viagra Connect will not work.
  • Healthy nervous system

Viagra Connect will usually achieve the desired effect the first or second time it is taken for most men, and up to 4 attempts should be made (on different days) before deciding to trial alternative treatment.

If the effect is too strong, or the side effects are too severe, a lower-dose of sildenafil (25mg) may be suitable. Our doctors and pharmacists are available to advise if required.

Possible side effects of Viagra Connect

The most common side effects of Viagra Connect (sildenafil) are headache, flushing, dyspepsia (indigestion), visual disorders, nasal congestion, dizziness, and visual colour distortion.

In the rare event of serious side effects men should seek immediate medical advice. This applies particularly to chest pains (possibly cardiac), loss of vision, and prolonged and painful erections (priapism).

For a full list of side effects see the patient information leaflet for Viagra Connect.

Viagra Connect warnings

For a full list of cautions and medicine interactions see the patient information leaflet for Viagra Connect.

Men should not take Viagra Connect without first discussing with their own doctor if they have certain medical conditions:

  • Breathlessness.
  • Low or high blood pressure.
  • Recent heart attack.
  • A history of heart disease or stroke.
  • Mild or moderate liver disease or serious kidney (renal) disease.
  • Angulation or deformity of the penis.
  • Leukaemia.
  • Multiple myeloma or sickle cell disease.
  • Bleeding disorders.
  • Stomach ulcers.

Do not take Viagra Connect if you also take nitrate medicine (chest pain or heart failure) or amyl nitrates ('poppers'), riociguat (high blood pressure in lungs), or ritonavir (HIV treatment), or other ED treatment.

There is a very rare theoretical risk of abnormal heart rhythm if Viagra Connect (sildenafil) is taken at the same time as some other medications - please check this list.

Patient Information Leaflet

Illustration of patient leaflet from medicine packet

The Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) is the leaflet included in the pack with a medicine and must be read before taking the medicine. It is written for patients and gives information about taking or using a medicine.

Viagra Connect Patient Information Leaflet

Alternative treatment to Viagra Connect

Other oral ED drugs work in a similar way, with similar side effects. Viagra was the first drug in this class to become widely prescribed.

The following oral tablet treatments for ED are available to buy online in various strengths and pack sizes from Dr Fox after completing the same medical consultation:

Compare erectile dysfunction tablets

Compare PDE5 inhibitors for erectile dysfunction (data source)
Sildenafil Tadalafil Vardenafil Avanafil
Brand names Viagra, Viagra Connect Cialis, Cialis Together Levitra Spedra
Available generically Yes Yes Yes No
Starting dose 50mg 10mg 10mg 100mg
Time taken to start working 30-60 minutes 30-60 minutes (2.5mg and 5mg tablets can be taken daily) 25-60 minutes - faster for orodispersible tablets 15-30 mins on empty stomach, 1.5 hours on full stomach
How long effects last 4 hours 36 hours 4-5 hours 4 hours
Warnings and cautions
Warning Sildenafil Tadalafil Vardenafil Avanafil
Do not take Allergic to ingredients, low or high blood pressure, severe heart or liver problems, loss of vision due to NAION, recent stroke or heart attack
Rare inherited eye diseases Kidney dialysis, rare inherited eye diseases Liver or kidney problems, rare inherited eye diseases
Exclusions - talk to your doctor first Sickle cell anaemia, multiple myeloma, leukaemia, deformity of the penis, problems with your heart, stomach ulcer or bleeding problems
Drug interactions Any nitrate-based medication, usually to treat angina (important); 'poppers'; nitric oxide donors, medicines for HIV, AIDS, or fungal infections; riociguat; alpha-blockers; other ED medicines
Common side effects (% occurrence)
Adverse event Sildenafil Tadalafil Vardenafil Avanafil
Headache 12.8% 14.5% 16% 10%
Flushing 10.4% 4.1% 12% 4%
Dyspepsia (indigestion) 4.6% 12.3% 4% <2%
Nasal congestion 1.1% 4.3% 10% 2%
Dizziness 1.2% 2.3% 2% 1.2%
Abnormal vision 1.9% <2% <1%
Back pain 6.5% 2%
Myalgia (muscle pains) 5.7% <1%
Medical emergencies (very rare)
Urgent medical attention required Sudden decrease or loss of vision, Priapism (painful erection lasting 2 hours or more), allergic reaction, chest pains, heart attack

Notes: Sexual stimulation is required before erection will take place. See the manufacturer's patient information leaflet included in medicine packs for full details of cautions and interactions. If side effects are severe, stop the medication and see your doctor.

Non tablet alternatives

Other treatments for ED include topical applications, injections into the penis, surgical devices, penis pumps, and counselling.

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Viagra Connect FAQs

Why can Viagra Connect be supplied without a prescription?

Pfizer, the pharmaceutical company which developed Viagra, successfully applied to the UK medicines licensing authority, the MHRA, to supply sildenafil 50mg direct from pharmacies over the counter. Pfizer was able to make the case that sildenafil could be supplied safely without the need to consult a doctor for a prescription, but instead with a check from a pharmacist. Sildenafil has few common serious side effects and interactions and is usually an effective medicine to treat erectile dysfunction. Pfizer has marketed Viagra Connect via its generic medicines business Upjohn.

This does not mean erectile dysfunction (ED) is not a significant medical condition which can cause considerable distress. It also does not mean men with ED do not need a full medical assessment, which might include investigations and tests. ED can be a sign of underlying problems with circulation or a number of other medical conditions.

How do erectile dysfunction medicines work?

Both Viagra and Viagra Connect are brand names for a medicine, the medical name of which is sildenafil. Sildenafil works by changing blood flow in the penis during sexual stimulation. It does this by inhibiting an enzyme called phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5). It is a PDE5 inhibitor.

Other treatments for erectile dysfunction such as Cialis (tadalafil), Levitra (vardenafil), and Spedra (avanafil), are also PDE5 inhibitors. The main difference between these treatments is the duration of action. They stay active for different lengths of time: 1 tablet of Viagra or Viagra Connect (sildenafil) will last about 4 hours; Spedra (avanafil) also lasts about 4 hours; Levitra (vardenafil) for about 4-5 hours; and Cialis (tadalafil) for about 36 hours.

What are the advantages of Viagra Connect?

Men who need erectile dysfunction treatment straight away, the same day, can now visit their local pharmacy for their tablets. They might need to make an appointment, and would need an in-store assessment, but potentially it is same day treatment. Dr Fox usually can provide next day delivery for orders made in the morning, but not same day.

What are the disadvantages of Viagra Connect?

  • The main disadvantage is cost. Viagra Connect is a 50mg tablet of sildenafil (around £4 each), and sildenafil 50mg can be bought online for a lot less (around £1.31 each). The saving is considerable (see prices above).

  • If obtained online, the treatment is delivered by post with a signature required. This saves a trip to a pharmacy.

  • Some men may prefer not to have to have a face-to-face pharmacy assessment to obtain treatment.

  • Men can obtain different strengths of tablets online, not just 50mg tablets. 50mg of sildenafil is the usual starting dose, but some men require 100mg or 25mg. Dr Fox supplies 25mg, 50mg, and 100mg tablets.

  • Viagra Connect is available from pharmacies only in packs of 4 or 8 tablets. Greater quantities are available online as well as combinations of different strengths and alternative treatments.

  • Viagra Connect contains lactose so is not suitable if lactose intolerant.

Are other ED tablets available without prescription?

There are other brands of generic sildenafil 50mg now available without prescription as they have been reclassified as a 'Pharmacy medicine'. Other ED tablets such as Cialis (tadalafil), Levitra (vardenafil), and Spedra (avanafil) are also likely to be reclassified as 'Pharmacy medicine' in the future but this process will take time and are not currently available without a prescription.

Can I get Viagra Connect on the NHS?

Your GP can prescribe Viagra, although usually will limit the quantity to 1 dose per week and most will prescribe the generic version sildenafil. NHS prescription fees will apply. See Sildenafil on the NHS.

See also erectile dysfunction FAQs page.

This page written and reviewed by doctors

Dr Tony Steele

Authored 09 April 2018 by Dr Tony Steele
MB ChB Sheffield University 1983. Former hospital doctor and GP. GMC no. 2825328

Reviewed by Dr Claire Pugh, Dr Barbara Babor, Dr Amanda Wood
Last reviewed 05 October 2022
Last updated 18 March 2024
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References

Recent Viagra Connect reviews

Viagra Connect rated 4.48/5 in 99 product reviews

See over 40,000 service reviews of Dr Fox

Viagra Connect

Seems not to be quite as potent as the standard Viagra but similarly fewer side effects, or at least, less severe side effects as the original Viagra. A good choice I've found.

29 December 2021
Anonymous Verified

Viagra Connect

Amazing it changed my life and made me more confident

09 October 2021
Anonymous Verified

Viagra Connect

They were good and there was an improvement but not as good as the Sildenafil for me personally.

07 October 2021
Anonymous Verified

Viagra Connect

Worked a treat and did exactly as described. Follow advice on how to take medication for maximum effect.

10 June 2020
Anonymous Verified

Viagra Connect

Worked well not to much ingestion as I find with some others

15 March 2024
Anonymous Verified

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The order process

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Medicine posted direct from pharmacy