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Viagra (sildenafil) is a prescription drug for erectile dysfunction (ED). Buying Viagra online is simple with online pharmacies and telehealth firms such as Lemonaid, Ro, and Hims. We look at the best places to shop.

Medical News Today chooses ED products that meet the following criteria:

  • Company reputation: MNT selects brands that have undergone internal vetting of medical and business standards. The brands we choose are reputable and reliable, with positive customer reviews and transparent business practices.
  • 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.
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The table below compares the cost of Viagra or its generic counterpart from each company in this article.

TypePrice
Hims• sildenafil
• Viagra
Generic: from $4 per dose
Branded: $139 per dose
LemonaidsildenafilGeneric: from $2 per dose
Branded: not offered
Ro• sildenafil
• Viagra
Generic: from $4 per dose
Branded: from $90
REX MDsildenafilGeneric: $6 per dose
Branded: not offered
Bluechewchewable sildenafilGeneric: from $20 a month
Branded: not offered
Sesame Caresildenafil• Prices not available for medication
• Consultations from $27 with a Sesame Care Plus membership

For most online pharmacies, ordering Viagra online begins with signing up to the company’s website. Here, a person 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, 3–7 days. However, in some cases, a person may be able to pick the prescription up from a local pharmacy on the same day.

How to get Viagra safely online

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.

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.

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.

However, people should weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of buying Viagra online before purchasing.

Pros

  • Convenience: Some people may find buying Viagra online more convenient as they do not need to make an in-person appointment with a doctor. Getting an online consultation may be quicker than waiting for a face-to-face appointment.
  • Anonymity: Additionally, people may feel more comfortable and less embarrassed buying Viagra online as they do not need to speak to their regular doctor. Although they will need to provide personal details for an online consultation, there may be greater anonymity with phone consults, for instance.
  • Home delivery: People can get Viagra delivered to their home or a location of their choice, offering greater discretion than picking the drug up from a pharmacy.

Cons

  • Risk of fake products: A person should be cautious before purchasing Viagra online. Some sellers may not be genuine, and taking these fake products can be dangerous. A person should always ensure they purchase from a legitimate online pharmacy with licensed, qualified doctors and many positive customer reviews. The FDA provides guidance on how to identify a safe online pharmacy.
  • Relies on technology: Buying Viagra online is not accessible to those who do not have a secure and reliable internet connection. It may also be difficult for people who find using a computer or smartphone hard. Learn more about the benefits and disadvantages of telemedicine.
  • Risk of lost deliveries: If a person chooses to have their Viagra delivered to their home, there is a risk of packages getting lost during transit. Picking a prescription up at a pharmacy mitigates this risk.
  • Insurance coverage: Not all online companies will accept insurance for their services. As branded Viagra can be significantly more expensive than sildenafil, not being able to pay with insurance may be undesirable for some people.
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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 FDA states people should avoid pharmacies that:

  • do not require prescriptions
  • have prices that are significantly lower than average
  • do not provide access to licensed pharmacists for questions about medciations
  • do not have valid licenses in the U.S. 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

Other FDA-approved ED medications that work similarly to Viagra are also available to purchase online. These medications are known as PDE5 inhibitors and include:

Learn more about PDE5 inhibitors.

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 some side effects. If a person experiences any of the following, they should seek immediate medical attention:

  • 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.

It is possible to buy real Viagra online. Many online pharmacies and telehealth companies sell Viagra. These include Lemonaid, Ro, and Hims. However, people will need a prescription to buy Viagra online, and most online services require people to consult a doctor beforehand.

Those looking to buy Viagra online should only buy it from reputable companies and brands.

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.

As mentioned above, there is limited research to suggest whether natural or herbal remedies are safe or effective. There are no safe OTC alternatives to Viagra.

However, some ingredients that may provide similar benefits to Viagra include:

  • Propionyl-L-carnitine

  • yohimbe

Find out more about OTC alternatives to Viagra.

Viagra is not available OTC in the United States, and a person will need to speak with a doctor to get a Viagra prescription. Buying Viagra or other ED medications without a prescription is unsafe.

The easiest way to get Viagra may be to use an online service, such as Hims, Ro, or Lemonaid. People can schedule consultations and receive prescriptions quickly with these services.

The closest thing to Viagra a person can buy is sildenafil, the generic form of Viagra. Sildenafil has the same active ingredient as Viagra but can cost significantly less.

According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, there is not enough evidence to support using herbs, acupuncture, or other complementary healthcare practices for ED.

Viagra is not available OTC in the United States. People will need to speak with a doctor to get a prescription for Viagra.

No, it is not possible to buy Viagra over the counter in the U.S. People must have a valid prescription from a doctor to get Viagra.

According to Optum Store, Viagra costs $113 at CVS.

Although Viagra effectively treats ED, a person needs a prescription to purchase this medication. Various online pharmacies offer this drug, many of which offer online consultations with licensed doctors before purchase.

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.