What is Viagra Connect and what is it used for?

Viagra Connect is an erection treatment for male adults who suffer from erectile dysfunction, a condition also known as impotence. Taken before sexual activity, Viagra Connect allows a man to achieve and maintain an erection during sex, by enabling greater blood flow to the penis.

Viagra Connect is the first erectile dysfunction medication available without needing a prescription. This makes Viagra Connect a convenient option for treating erectile dysfunction.

How does Viagra Connect work?

Viagra Connect contains the active ingredient sildenafil citrate which belongs to a class of medications called phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5). PDE5 inhibitors relax the blood vessels in the penis, increasing the blood flow to the organ and enabling an erection upon arousal in most men.

The treatment is only effective when coupled with sexual stimulation - Viagra Connect and other PDE5 inhibitors do not create sexual arousal or increase libido, they simply enable blood to flow normally to the penis in order for an erection to occur when you get aroused.

Viagra Connect helps to temporarily treat both the physical causes of ED and the psychological causes of ED.

What is a standard dose of Viagra Connect?

Viagra Connect, suitable for men between 18-64 years old, comes in a 50mg strength tablet. 50mg is the standard dose of treatment for sildenafil-based erectile dysfunction medication, including Viagra Connect, Viagra (the prescription sildenafil treatment from Pfizer) and generic Sildenafil.

The lower 25mg strength of Sildenafil is often prescribed for men over the age of 65. If an individual’s tolerance to the standard dose is high, the dose can be increased on prescription to the 100mg tablets of Sildenafil.

However, it is advised to consult with your GP for the most suitable dosage.

How do I take Viagra Connect?

One Viagra Connect tablet should be swallowed whole with water approximately one hour before intended sexual activity.

Do not take more than one tablet in 24 hours.

How long does Viagra Connect take to work?

Once you have taken a tablet, it can take between 30 and 60 minutes for the effects to become active in the body. It is important to note that sexual stimulation is required for the treatment to be effective.

For most men, Viagra Connect will work the first time, but it may take two or three attempts of taking the treatment to work if you haven’t had an erection in a while. These attempts should be done on different days - you must leave 24 hours between doses.

How long does Viagra Connect remain active in the body?

Viagra Connect stays in the body for up to 4 hours. This does not mean that patients will have an erection for 4 hours continuously but so there is the potential, with sexual stimulation, to achieve and maintain an erection for sexual intercourse.

Are Viagra Connect tablets safe?

Viagra Connect is a licensed and registered medication in the UK. The active ingredient, sildenafil citrate, has been on the market for as many years as the well-known erection treatment Viagra, first manufactured by Pfizer (patented the medication in 1996) and is proven to be both safe and effective.

Do I need a prescription to take Viagra Connect?

You do not need a prescription to buy Viagra Connect in the UK. However, we do advise you to consult with your GP to see if this medication is suitable for you.

How is Viagra Connect different from Sildenafil?

Sildenafil citrate is the active ingredient in Viagra Connect, as well as in Viagra and in its generic version Sildenafil, and so all are medically equivalent. As Sildenafil is the unbranded version of the medicine, it is available on the market at a significantly lower price, despite working in the same way and being just as effective.

Viagra Connect is available without a prescription, and it is only sold in the standard 50mg strength. This is the recommended starting dose, some men may wish to take a stronger dose if they have tried the standard 50mg strength and found it is not treating their erectile dysfunction effectively, or take a lower dose if they experience side effects.

However, we do advise to firstly consult with your GP to see if this medicine is suitable for you

Does Viagra Connect help you last longer in bed?

Viagra Connect might have some positive effects on managing premature ejaculation (PE) according to some studies. A 2007 study found that after 6 months of Viagra use, PE (premature ejaculation) was reduced and was more effective than the squeeze technique.

With that said, there isn’t enough conclusive evidence as to whether Viagra works in preventing PE or not. Therefore it is advised to consult your doctor first to see if this is the recommended treatment for you.

Can I take Viagra Connect with alcohol?

It is advised to steer clear of heavy drinking as it can temporarily affect the ability to achieve a strong erection. While Viagra Connect is safe to take when drinking alcohol in moderation, heavy consumption of alcohol may decrease your likelihood of being able to get an erection.

When is the best time to take Viagra Connect?

To get the maximum benefit from Viagra Connect, you should take it approximately 30 to 60 minutes before planned sexual activity.

A heavy or high-fat meal can slow down the effect of the medication so it is best to take the medicine on an empty stomach.

Are there any alternatives to Viagra Connect?

In the UK, Viagra Connect is the only erectile dysfunction medication available over-the-counter, but many others can be bought with a prescription.

Viagra and generic Sildenafil are other forms of the medication consisting of sildenafil citrate, also available in higher and lower doses than Viagra Connect.

For those that do not find Viagra Connect effective or their lifestyle demands different action times, some alternatives include Cialis (Tadalafil), Spedra (Avanafil), and Levitra (Vardenafil).

For an alternative method of achieving an erection without medication, try our VaxAid Deluxe hydrotherapy system.

It is best to consult with your GP first to see which medication is the most suitable for you before buying.

Will Viagra Connect improve my fertility?

There are yet conclusive results that show the effect of Viagra on male fertility.

However, a 2017 Chinese meta-analysis found that PDE5 inhibitors (such as Viagra, Cialis, Levitra) could “modestly” increase sperm motility (how well they swim) and morphology (their shape) in infertile men.

It would be best to consult with your GP to discuss the chances of taking this medication could improve your fertility.

Misconceptions about Viagra Connect

There are many erectile dysfunction myths and misconceptions surrounding Viagra Connect and alternative medications.

Here’s a few key things you should know about ED and associated treatment.

• ED affects adult men of all ages, even in younger men, but is most common with age.
• Viagra Connect takes 30 to 60 minutes to take effect in the body.
• Sexual stimulation is also needed.
• It does not increase sex drive.
• It does not prevent sexually transmitted diseases, so contraception like condoms are recommended.

If Viagra Connect is found to be unsuitable for you, it is not the only option. There are several other ED treatments which you may find to be more effective than others.

Viagra Connect has been proven to be a safe and effective treatment for erectile dysfunction for over a decade among men.

Majority of users experienced no side effects. However, some men may experience mild side effects and less than 1% will experience serious side effects.

Very Common Side Effects (affects more than 10% of the population)

• Headache

Common Side Effects (affects between than 1-10% of the population)

• Dizziness
• Blurry Vision / Visual Disturbances
• Hot flushes
• Blocked nose
• Nausea/Indigestion

Information Leaflet

Always read the patient information leaflet before commencing treatment.

• View the patient information leaflet for Viagra Connect.