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 – it is classified as a pharmacy medicine meaning that you can buy it without a prescription from pharmacies only. 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.

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.

Viagra Connect can be taken with or without food, but food can delay the onset of activity so it may take a little longer to work.

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 the medication remains active in the body and 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. Even though it is an over-the-counter product, you will need to speak to a pharmacist before taking the treatment to ensure it is suitable for you. When ordering, we’ll ask you a few questions to check if Viagra Connect is right 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.

All generic medications have to demonstrate that they are medically equivalent to their branded versions to be approved for the market. This means that they have been proven to have the same active ingredient, effectiveness, strength, stability, quality and safety as their branded counterparts.

As Viagra Connect is available without a prescription, it is only sold in the standard 50mg strength. This is the recommended starting dose, and the one that is suitable for most men in helping achieve an erection when required. 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. Both Viagra and generic Sildenafil are available at 25mg and 100mg strengths with a prescription.

Does Viagra Connect help you last longer in bed?

There isn’t enough conclusive evidence as to whether Viagra could help prevent premature ejaculation or not, and therefore you cannot get a Viagra prescription for the treatment of PE. Specific premature ejaculation treatments are available that are far more suitable and effective, please discuss with your pharmacist or doctor about this.

Can I take Viagra Connect with alcohol?

Drinking alcohol can temporarily affect the ability to achieve a strong erection, and indeed chronic alcohol use is a cause of longer-term erectile dysfunction. 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. In order to get the full effect of the medication, avoid drinking large quantities of alcohol before intended sexual activity.

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

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 does not work immediately, it takes 30 to 60 minutes to take effect in the body. Whilst it helps to gain and maintain an erection, sexual stimulation is also needed. It does not increase sex drive, and 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.

Side Effects From Using Viagra Connect

Viagra Connect has been used by millions of men worldwide for over a decade and has been proven to be a safe and effective treatment for erectile dysfunction. For the majority of users no side effects are experienced. 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

Please read the enclosed leaflet carefully before use.

• take 1 tablet approximately one hour before sexual activity
• swallow tablet whole with water
• do not take more than 1 tablet a day

Viagra Connect starts to work within 30-60 minutes. You may take it up to 4 hours before sexual activity.

Oral use.

Hazards and Cautions

Do NOT take if you:

• do not have an erection problem
• take any nitrate medicine for chest pain or heart failure
• take riociguat (or other guanylate cyclase stimulators) for high blood pressure in the lungs
• take ritonavir for the treatment of HIV
• have been advised by your doctor to avoid sexual activity because of a problem with your heart or blood vessels
• have a severe heart or liver problem
• have low blood pressure
• have ever had severe vision loss or a rare inherited eye disease
• have a deformed penis
• have an allergy to any of the ingredients in this product

Talk to your pharmacist or doctor before taking if you:

• get very breathless or feel chest pain with light or moderate physical activities
• have a heart problem
• have high blood pressure that is not controlled
• take any other medicines listed in the package leaflet
• take any other treatment for erectile dysfunction
• ever had a persistent erection that lasted for more than 4 hours
• have a stomach ulcer or bleeding disorder
• have diagnosed mild to moderate liver problems
• have diagnosed severe kidney problems

Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children

Storage

Do not store above 30°C.

Store in original package in order to protect from moisture.

Sealed pack. Do not use if box has been opened.

Precautions

This is a medicine;

• Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have an underlying medical condition, are taking any other medication or complementary therapy, or if symptoms persist.
• Seek advice before using if you suffer from allergies.
• Not suitable for women.

Helps you get and keep an erection

See details below, always read the label

Suitable for: Men 18 years and older

Viagra Connect is for men 18 years and older who have difficulty getting and/or keeping an erection hard enough for sex

Age Restriction

You must be at least 18 years old to purchase this product.

Ingredients

Active Ingredients: 1 tablet: 50 mg sildenafil.

Also contains: Lactose. See package leaflet for further information