We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.
Medical News Today only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.
Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:- Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
- Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
- Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?
Buying Viagra online is simple and discreet with reputable online pharmacies and telehealth firms such as Lemonaid, Ro, and Hims. If you are looking to buy Viagra online, read on to learn about the best places to try.
Several clinical studies have investigated the effects of taking Viagra on ED. Research suggests that people who take this drug may be more likely to get and maintain an erection than those who do not.
This article looks at the best places to buy Viagra online and discusses how to stay safe while buying ED medications online.
The following table compares the cost of Viagra or its generic counterpart from each company in this article.
| Doses available | Sildenafil price | Viagra price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hims (sildenafil, Viagra) | 20, 50, 100 milligrams (mg) | from $4 per dose | $139 per dose |
| Ro (sildenafil, Viagra) | 20, 50, 100 mg | from $4 per dose | from $90 per dose |
| REX MD (sildenafil) | 25, 50, 100 mg | $6 per dose | — |
| Sesame Care (sildenafil) | 25, 50, 100 mg | pricing information unavailable | — |
| Lemonaid (sildenafil) | 20 mg | from $2 per dose | — |
| Bluechew (sildenafil) | 30, 45 mg | from $20 a month | — |
Medical News Today chooses Viagra retailers that meet the following criteria:
- Company reputation: MNT selects brands that have undergone internal vetting of medical and business standards. We choose reputable, reliable brands with transparent business practices.
- Reviews: MNT recognizes that some review websites contain only customer complaints, and some brand websites display only positive reviews. This may not represent a fair picture of a company or its products, so MNT provides the information as it is available.
- Safety: MNT chooses brands that require a doctor’s prescription before customers can order Viagra or its generic counterpoint.
- Dosage: MNT features brands that clearly state the products’ ingredients, side effects, and recommended dosage.
- Price: MNT selects products that suit a range of budgets, including choosing brands that offer both branded Viagra and generic options.
To buy Viagra or sildenafil online, most online pharmacies require a person to register with the company’s website. Here, they may need to pay a subscription fee to the service or fill in some personal details.
Many companies ask that people complete a questionnaire detailing their:
- personal information such as age, sex, and ethnicity
- current health conditions
- medication and supplements
- health concerns
A person will likely have to document which medication they want to try for ED. Then, the service will connect the person to a healthcare professional who will ask further questions.
This appointment with a healthcare professional typically occurs via an online video consultation. Alternatively, it may take place over the phone or via instant messaging. If appropriate, this healthcare professional will prescribe Viagra.
Most companies offer a shipping service directly to a person’s house. This may take, on average, 3 to 7 days. However, in some cases, a person may be able to collect the prescription from a local pharmacy on the same day.
Getting Viagra online safely
People considering taking Viagra for ED should never purchase the drug from companies that do not require a prescription or offer doctor’s consultations with licensed healthcare professionals. There is a risk that companies operating in this way will sell products that:
- do not contain the correct FDA-approved drugs
- contain ingredients at unsafe doses
- contain undisclosed ingredients
For example, a 2020 study looking into 15 online retailers of vardenafil (Levitra) found that 60% of the vardenafil the researchers purchased was falsified and inauthentic. The fake products contained other ED medications, such as sildenafil (Viagra) or tadalafil (Cialis).
In addition to companies not requiring a prescription, some other warning signs that online Viagra may not be genuine include the following:
- The company ships the Viagra from a different address than where it claims to be based.
- The Viagra does not come with a prescribing information leaflet.
- The Viagra does not come with any safety warnings.
- There is no ingredient list or dosage information.
People should research companies with Viagra available to ensure they are not buying counterfeit drugs before purchasing.
Learn more about buying ED pills online and find out how to get Viagra online in the UK.
There are two ways to get a Viagra prescription: in-person or online.
In-person prescription
Getting an in-person prescription requires an appointment with a healthcare professional with the authority to prescribe medication.
If a person has insurance, they should contact their provider to ensure the doctor they wish to consult is in-network. People may also wish to check that the hospital the healthcare professional uses is in-network.
ED may be a sensitive topic for some people. Due to this, a person should always make sure they feel comfortable talking about their sexual health with the doctor.
If a person feels uncomfortable during an initial consultation or finds that the healthcare professional does not explain their condition and medication in a way they can understand, they may wish to change doctors.
Once a person has their prescription, they can receive the medication at their local pharmacy. Some pharmacies may offer coupons that help reduce the cost of the medication.
Online prescription
Getting branded and generic Viagra online is relatively simple. Some online pharmacies and telehealth companies will connect them with a healthcare professional for a fee if a person does not have a valid prescription.
Many companies ask that people complete a questionnaire detailing their concerns and the medication or treatment they want to try. Then, the service will connect the person to a healthcare professional who will ask further questions and prescribe treatment if necessary.
Companies will then send medication to a person’s address or a local pharmacy.
Reputable online pharmacies and telehealth companies can make purchasing Viagra online a more convenient and cheaper experience.
However, not all online pharmacies are reputable. The
- do not require prescriptions
- have prices that are significantly lower than average
- do not provide access to licensed pharmacists for questions about medications
- do not have valid licenses in the United States or the state where they are located
- do not explain how they protect a person’s private information
- sell medications that do not look like the same drug from other sources
- ship expired or damaged medication
- do not store medication properly
- sell a person’s private information
- do not accurately disclose the active ingredients of the medications they sell
A person must contact a doctor to receive a prescription for Viagra or sildenafil, online or in person. The doctor can recommend the most suitable strength, and an individual can have follow-up consultations to ensure the drug and dose are still suitable for their condition.
A doctor can also advise a person on whether or not Viagra or sildenafil may interact with other medications or any recreational drugs or dietary supplements they are currently using.
Viagra may not be suitable for everyone and can also cause
- chest pain
- painful erections or erections that last for longer than 4 hours
- vision loss
- swelling of the eyes
- skin rash
- anaphylaxis, which is a serious allergic reaction
Learn more about the safety and side effects of Viagra.
There are no safe OTC alternatives to Viagra, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Research into natural and herbal remedies is very limited, and there is not enough information to claim that OTC Viagra alternatives are safe or effective.
There may be sexual enhancement supplements claiming to help target sexual health problems, but these are not FDA-approved. The FDA warns that these products may cause side effects and interact with a person’s medications.
Some ingredients that may provide similar benefits to Viagra include:
- dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
- L-arginine
- ginseng
- Propionyl-L-carnitine
- yohimbe
Find out more about OTC alternatives to Viagra.
No, Viagra cannot help people maintain an erection after orgasm. However, sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra, significantly reduces the refractory period. This means it may take less time for a person to develop another erection.
No, Viagra is not available to buy over the counter because it is a prescription-only drug.
Viagra can cost up to $139 per dose if a person uses an online pharmacy to buy the drug.
People can buy Viagra on Amazon Pharmacy with a valid prescription.
Although Viagra effectively treats ED, a person needs a prescription to purchase this medication. Various online pharmacies offer this drug, many providing online consultations with licensed doctors before purchasing.
Before buying Viagra online, a person should research the company offering the medication to ensure it does not sell counterfeit drugs.
Individuals should also seek immediate medical attention if they experience severe side effects such as anaphylaxis when using Viagra.