Viagra

Viagra is a prescription medicine that contains the active ingredient sildenafil. It belongs to a family of medicines called PDE5 inhibitors, and it is used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) in adult men – the inability to get or keep an erection that is firm enough for satisfactory sexual activity. Viagra works by relaxing the blood vessels in your penis, which allows more blood to flow in when you become sexually aroused. This helps you achieve and maintain a firm erection for the duration of sexual activity. A very important point: Viagra only works if you are sexually stimulated. It is not an aphrodisiac – it will not produce an erection on its own, and it will not help you if you do not have an erection problem. Erectile dysfunction can sometimes be an early warning sign of other underlying health conditions, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes. Before you start treatment, it is sensible to see a doctor for a full health check-up.

To get the best results, you need to use Viagra exactly as directed. The recommended dose for most men is 50 mg, taken as needed, approximately one hour before sexual activity. However, you can take it anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours before sex, depending on your own response. The maximum recommended dosing frequency is once per day – you should not take more than one tablet in any 24-hour period. If you choose to order Viagra tablets for the first time, it is best to start with the standard 50 mg dose and see how you respond before considering any change. You can take Viagra with or without food. However, a heavy or fatty meal can delay the medicine from being absorbed, meaning it may take longer to work. The tablet should be swallowed whole with a glass of water.

Viagra tablets are available in three strengths: 25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg. 50 mg – this is the standard starting dose for most men. It is the dose that doctors usually recommend first because it works well for the majority of people while keeping side effects manageable. 25 mg – this is a lower dose, used for men who may need to start with a lower strength. This includes men over 65 years of age, men with certain health conditions (such as liver or severe kidney problems), or those who experience side effects from the 50 mg dose. 100 mg – this is the maximum strength. It is used for men who have tried 50 mg and found that it does not work well enough, but who tolerate the medicine without troublesome side effects. Do not start with 100 mg unless a doctor has told you to. If you choose to buy Viagra online through a regulated pharmacy, the doctor or pharmacist will help you decide the appropriate starting dose based on your medical history and other factors.

You can legally buy Viagra online in the UK from registered online pharmacies that offer an online doctor service. The process is straightforward: You complete a brief online medical consultation – a health questionnaire that asks about your medical history, any other medicines you are taking, and your symptoms. A UK-registered doctor or pharmacist reviews your answers to ensure Viagra is safe and appropriate for you. If approved, the pharmacy issues a prescription and dispatches your medication to you. All regulated online pharmacies are registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) or the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). You should never buy Viagra from unregulated websites or from friends – counterfeit ED medicines are common and can contain dangerous substances such as industrial dyes, floor wax, or other drugs that could harm you.

The Viagra price varies depending on the strength, the pack size, and where you buy it from. As a branded medicine, Viagra is generally more expensive than generic sildenafil, which contains the same active ingredient and works in exactly the same way. For the over-the-counter version, Viagra Connect (50 mg), indicative prices are around £9.99 for 2 tablets, £19.99 for 4 tablets, and £38.50 for 8 tablets. For prescription-only Viagra tablets (25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg), prices can vary significantly between pharmacies. Buying a larger pack size usually works out cheaper per tablet. Some online pharmacies also offer free shipping on orders over a certain amount, and many provide discreet Viagra next day delivery as a standard service. If you already have a private prescription, you can use it to order Viagra tablets from many UK pharmacies, which may offer competitive pricing. When you buy Viagra online through a service that includes a consultation, the price you see typically covers both the consultation fee and the medication, so there are no hidden extras.

Most men tolerate Viagra well, but like all medicines, it can cause side effects. Most side effects are mild to moderate and short-lasting. Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 men): Headache – this is the most common side effect, reported in up to 28% of users Flushing (redness and warmth of the face and neck) – reported in up to 19% of users Indigestion (dyspepsia) – reported in up to 17% of users Nasal congestion (a stuffy or runny nose) Dizziness Blurred or abnormal vision, including a blue-tinged colour to your vision Nausea Less common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 men): Vomiting Back pain or pain in your arms and legs (reported in up to 15% of users) Skin rash Muscle pain (reported in up to 14% of users) Ringing in your ears (tinnitus) Serious side effects – these are rare, but you need to know about them: Priapism – a painful erection that will not go away. If you have an erection that lasts more than 4 hours, you must seek emergency medical attention immediately. If left untreated, priapism can cause permanent damage to your penis and lead to long-term erectile dysfunction. Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes – this can be a sign of a rare but serious condition called non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION). If this happens, stop taking Viagra and seek medical help urgently. Sudden hearing loss – some people have reported a sudden decrease in hearing, sometimes accompanied by ringing in the ears (tinnitus) or dizziness. Severe allergic reaction – swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat, or difficulty breathing. When to seek medical help: If you develop an erection lasting more than 4 hours If you lose your vision suddenly If you develop chest pain, severe dizziness or nausea during sexual activity – stop sexual activity immediately and seek medical attention

There are several groups of people who must not take Viagra. This is very important. Do NOT take Viagra if: You take any medicine called a nitrate. Nitrates are prescribed for chest pain (angina). Common nitrate medicines include glyceryl trinitrate (GTN), isosorbide mononitrate, isosorbide dinitrate, and amyl nitrite ("poppers"). Taking Viagra with a nitrate can cause your blood pressure to drop suddenly and dangerously, leading to fainting, heart attack, or even death. This is an absolute contraindication. You take a medicine called riociguat (Adempas). This is used to treat high blood pressure in the lungs. You have been advised by a doctor to avoid sexual activity because of a heart problem (e.g., unstable angina, severe heart failure, recent heart attack or stroke). You have a deformed penis – such as Peyronie's disease (where the penis is curved) or any condition that could make erections painful. These conditions increase the risk of priapism. You have a blood disorder – such as sickle cell anaemia, multiple myeloma or leukaemia. These also increase the risk of priapism. You have low blood pressure (hypotension) or high blood pressure not controlled by medicines. You have ever had an allergic reaction to sildenafil or any of the other ingredients in the tablet.

Yes, it is very important to be aware of potential drug interactions. Dangerous interactions (do not take Viagra at all): Nitrates – as described above. This is absolute. Poppers (amyl nitrite) – also absolute. Interactions that need caution (tell your doctor before starting Viagra): Alpha-blockers – medicines such as doxazosin, tamsulosin (Flomax), terazosin, alfuzosin and silodosin. These are often prescribed for high blood pressure or for prostate problems. Combining them can cause a drop in blood pressure. If you take an alpha-blocker, your doctor will start you on the lowest dose (25 mg). Ritonavir – an HIV medicine that can increase sildenafil levels by 11-fold. If you take ritonavir, the recommended maximum dose is 25 mg within a 48-hour period. Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors – certain antifungals (itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole), certain antibiotics (erythromycin, clarithromycin) and some HIV medicines. These can increase sildenafil levels, so your doctor may advise a lower starting dose (25 mg). Other PDE5 inhibitors – do not take Viagra together with other ED medicines such as tadalafil (Cialis) or vardenafil (Levitra). Using more than one type at the same time will not improve the effect but will greatly increase the risk of side effects. What about alcohol? Moderate drinking (one to two units) is generally fine with Viagra. However, alcohol can also lower your blood pressure and can make it harder to get an erection. Drinking heavily before taking Viagra may mean the medicine does not work as well, and you may feel more dizzy or lightheaded than usual.

You need to be careful. You should discuss Viagra with your doctor or pharmacist if you have any of the following: Heart problems – such as a recent heart attack (within the last 6 months), unstable angina, severe heart failure, or an irregular heartbeat. High blood pressure that is not well controlled or low blood pressure. A stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA) within the last 6 months. Liver problems (such as cirrhosis) – you may need a lower starting dose (25 mg). Severe kidney problems (creatinine clearance less than 30 mL/minute) – you may need a lower starting dose (25 mg). Deformed or curved penis (Peyronie's disease). Blood disorders (sickle cell anaemia, leukaemia, multiple myeloma). Active stomach ulcers – sildenafil can sometimes cause indigestion or aggravate an existing ulcer. A bleeding disorder – such as haemophilia. If you have any of these conditions, you may still be able to take Viagra, but your doctor will need to start you on a lower dose and monitor you carefully.

If you order Viagra tablets online and complete the consultation before the daily cut-off time (usually mid-afternoon), your order will be dispatched the same day. Most UK online pharmacies offer Viagra next day delivery as a standard service, with orders arriving by Royal Mail Tracked 24 or a similar courier service. Delivery is often free on orders over a certain amount, and the packaging is discreet – plain and unmarked – so no one else knows what is inside. Once your order is dispatched, you will receive tracking information so you can follow your delivery all the way to your door. For those who prefer to speak to someone in person, you can also buy Viagra online from a pharmacy that offers click-and-collect, allowing you to pick up your order from a local pharmacy branch in as little as 2 hours.

Store below 25°C (room temperature) in a dry place, away from direct sunlight and heat. Keep the blister pack or bottle in its outer carton to protect it from moisture. Keep the medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use the tablets after the expiry date printed on the packaging. The active ingredient becomes less effective over time. If you have any leftover tablets, do not throw them away in household waste or pour them down the sink. Take them to your local pharmacy, where they will be disposed of safely.