Viagra is a prescription medication –– you’ll need to talk to a healthcare provider before you begin taking Viagra. While Viagra is safe and effective for the treatment of ED, there are some solid reasons why you can’t purchase it over the counter.
Viagra, or sildenafil, was the first oral pill approved by the FDA to treat erectile dysfunction. Pfizer released Viagra in 1998 and, since then, generic versions of the drug have become available, too.
Viagra, along with other ED medications such as Cialis (tadalafil) and Levitra (vardenafil), functions as a phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor. PDE5 inhibitors increase blood flow to the penis by causing the blood vessels in penile tissue to relax.
This increased blood flow makes it easier for people to get and maintain an erection with sexual stimulation. (Note that ED medication doesn’t cause spontaneous erections without stimulation — so don’t worry, you’re not at risk of getting an erection on, say, the subway.)
Keep reading to find out:
Does Viagra require a prescription? Yes, and it’s because you’ll need to work with a healthcare provider to monitor for side effects and avoid potential drug interactions.
Before you sound the alarms: Viagra is considered safe, and serious side effects are rare.
But 15% of people who take Viagra experience some side effects, even though most of them are mild. Here are some common, less serious side effects of Viagra:
But if you experience any of these symptoms, stop taking Viagra and seek immediate medical attention:
When you get a prescription for Viagra, your healthcare provider will ask whether you’re taking any other medications. It’s important to be honest about your other prescriptions, so your doctor can give you the best advice about taking Viagra.
Viagra shouldn’t be used with medications that lower blood pressure, particularly nitrates — nitrates are an absolute contraindication to PDE5 inhibitors like Viagra. People who are taking nitrates cannot, under any circumstances, use ED medication.
Alpha blockers, antihypertensives, and riociguat can be taken with Viagra, but only under supervision because there are some specifics about how to take the medications together.
Antibiotics, antifungals, and HIV protease inhibitor drugs are all processed in the liver, just like Viagra. That means they can increase the amount of Viagra in your body, which can cause unwanted side effects. The dose of Viagra would need to be adjusted with this in mind.
And what about drugs that decrease the effect of Viagra on your erections? Anticonvulsants (like phenytoin or carbamazepine) and an antibiotic called rifampin can all cause Viagra to not do its job.
A final heads up on interactions: Alcohol and grapefruit juice can also increase the likelihood that you’ll experience Viagra side effects.
Getting a prescription for Viagra isn’t … hard.
Erectile dysfunction is common and you don’t need to be a certain age to get a prescription for Viagra. If you’re generally healthy and aren’t taking any medications that interact with Viagra, a healthcare provider will usually write you a prescription after an assessment of your symptoms.
But we get it — talking about ED is uncomfortable. Some people think it’s embarrassing when they can’t maintain an erection, and the thought of asking for medication to help can seem mortifying.
The thing is, erectile dysfunction is a lot more common than people think. According to a 2020 study by researchers for the International Society for Sexual Medicine, erectile dysfunction can see rates as high as 48.6% in some countries for people over 18. Recent studies suggest a 50% prevalence for people over the age of 40.
If you feel comfortable enough talking about ED to seek a prescription for Viagra, there are three ways to get it:
Erectile dysfunction is so common we’re willing to bet your doctor has written at least a few prescriptions for Viagra before. Sexual health is an important part of overall health, and your doctor is trained to recognize the importance of a satisfying sex life.
When you visit your doctor and ask for a prescription for Viagra, they’ll ask you a series of questions about your symptoms. Depending on your situation, your doctor may prescribe Viagra or an alternative ED medication after walking you through your options.
If you feel nervous about how to talk to your doctor about ED, try using this checklist to help you find the right words.
Sometimes ED is a symptom of an underlying condition. If your doctor is concerned your ED is an indicator of a more serious problem, they may send you to a specialist who can run some additional tests.
Erectile dysfunction has been linked to:
Your doctor may refer you to an endocrinologist, urologist, or even a therapist if they suspect your ED is caused by something more serious. If that’s the case, a specialist may prescribe Viagra to treat ED symptoms while investigating other health concerns.
You can also get a prescription for Viagra online through a telehealth platform like Felix.
When you get Viagra online through Felix, you’ll submit information about your medical history and symptoms. Within 24 hours, a healthcare provider will contact you for further information and to present you with several options. If Viagra is right for you, you’ll get a prescription delivered to your door.
Getting a prescription for Viagra online is a good option if you want to keep things discreet and convenient. If you decide on this option, just make sure you’re getting Viagra from a licensed medical professional.
Viagra is in high demand — and it’s one of the most counterfeited drugs in the world. Even though it’s against the law to sell Viagra without a prescription, people all over the world are doing it.
Counterfeit Viagra is dangerous. When you purchase fake Viagra from an online seller, you may be at risk of ingesting:
Counterfeit Viagra may also have too much of the active ingredient sildenafil. Viagra is typically taken at a dose of 50mg about one hour before sex. Your doctor may want to increase your dose to 100mg if the initial dose is ineffective, but you may also want to reduce your dose to 25mg if you’re seeing side effects.
When you purchase counterfeit Viagra, you have no way of knowing how much Viagra you’re actually taking. Always take Viagra under the supervision of a licensed medical professional, who can properly monitor your dose and any side effects.
It’s okay to take medication for erectile dysfunction. You deserve a healthy sex life, and if medication will help with your overall sexual health, don’t feel ashamed that you need it.
But medication may be just one of many ways to help you stay hard. Besides medication, you’ll also want to consider these angles:
Building intimacy with other people can seem intimidating. Fear of intimacy and anxiety about sexual performance can affect your ability to get and maintain an erection.
The good news is that you can take steps to improve your relationship with sex and reduce some of the pressure to perform. Here’s how:
Before you start comparing ED meds, you may want to consider making small lifestyle changes to improve your erections. Here are five things you can do today:
Whether you decide to take Viagra or not, taking steps to improve your sex life is an act of self-love. Want to discuss your treatment options? Connect with one of Felix's healthcare practitioners today.
The views expressed here are those of the author and, as with the rest of the content on Health Guide, are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any medical questions or concerns, please talk to your healthcare practitioner.
