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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns against buying ED pills online from websites that do not require a prescription. It is important to choose online retailers that require a prescription to avoid products with harmful and unlisted ingredients.
- Best for generic options: Roman | Skip to Review
- Best range of ED pills: Hims | Skip to Review
- Best for health services: Lemonaid | Skip to Review
- Best for FSA and HSA payments: Optum Store | Skip to Review
According to the
This article will look at some drugs that help with ED, the risks associated with buying them online, and where to get ED pills safely. It will also discuss some other ways of treating ED.
The FDA has approved the use of four PDE-5 inhibitors for ED:
| Drug name | Dose |
|---|---|
| avanafil (Stendra) | 50 milligrams (mg), 100 mg, 200 mg |
| sildenafil (Viagra) | 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg |
| tadalafil (Cialis) | 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg |
| vardenafil (Levitra) | 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg |
Depending on the efficacy and side effects that a person may experience while taking any of these drugs, doctors may recommend a different dosage.
Additionally, doctors may recommend alternative treatments for ED if they determine PDE-5s are not suitable.
For example, alprostadil (Muse), a prostaglandin E1 vasodilator, is a suppository that a person can insert into the urethra of the penis. The same medication is also available in an injectable form called Caverject.
Here, compare some common medications: Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, and Stendra.
The best place from which to obtain ED pills is a licensed pharmacy. A pharmacist can answer a person’s questions about ED pills and provide them with information on the possible side effects.
People who would prefer to fill their prescriptions online should choose a reputable online pharmacy in the United States that has a pharmacist on hand to help out with any problems.
Reputable online pharmacies have a seal of approval from the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. This proves that the pharmacy is legal and does not sell counterfeit drugs.
A person should not obtain ED pills from websites with no contact details, have much lower prices than pharmacies, and do not ask for a prescription.
Medical News Today chooses online pharmacies that fit the following criteria:
- Healthcare professionals: Each online pharmacy or telehealth company uses licensed healthcare professionals, including doctors, that advise individuals and prescribe medication.
- Prescriptions: Each online pharmacy or telehealth company offers a prescription for medication after an appointment with a doctor.
- Contact details: Each online pharmacy or telehealth company provides contact details.
- Privacy: Each online pharmacy or telehealth company has a privacy policy available on its website that describes how it protects people’s credit cards and personal information.
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
Best for generic options: Roman
Roman is an online telehealth company that provides prescription and nonprescription medication for various conditions, including ED.
To order from Roman, a person needs to attend a free online appointment with a doctor. If necessary, the doctor will ask about a person’s symptoms and medical history before prescribing medication.
The company also offers free follow-up appointments for ongoing care.
Roman offers the following ED medication:
- Sildenafil at $2 per dose
- Generic Viagra at $34 per dose
- Branded Viagra at $70 per dose
- Generic Cialis starting from $11 per use
- Daily generic Cialis starting from $8 per use
- Branded Cialis at $17 per dose
- Daily Cialis at $13 per dose
Roman offers free shipping within 2 days of ordering. The company delivers all medication in discreet packaging.
People can refill their prescriptions monthly or quarterly. There are no sign-up or cancellation fees.
Other positives of Roman include:
- free online visits and follow-ups
- free 2-day prescription shipping
- people can cancel subscriptions anytime
However, some cons include:
- online visits can take 24 hours to receive a reply
- available medications may not be suitable for everyone
- no insurance coverage
Best range of ED pills: Hims
Hims is also a telehealth company that offers prescription and nonprescription medication for a variety of conditions, including ED.
To order from Hims, a person must first create an account and enter their medical history and symptoms. Then, Hims will connect people with licensed healthcare professionals in their state to discuss treatment options. The healthcare professional will fill a prescription if necessary.
Hims also offers ongoing support and care if a person purchases medication.
Hims offers the following ED medication:
- Sildenafil at $4 per use
- Viagra at $70 per use
- Cialis starting from $20 per use
- Tadalafil starting from $8 per use
- Stendra starting from $35 per use
Hims offers free shipping in discreet packaging.
Other pros include:
- flexible dosage options
- free to pause or cancel subscriptions
- same-day delivery in some states
- consumers can send their deliveries to P.O. boxes
However, here are some of the negatives to consider:
- people cannot pay with insurance for most products and services
- deliveries can take up to 7 days
Others note that the company’s medical professional tried to convince them to get a prescription for medication they had a negative experience with in the past.
The company has a 4.3-star rating on TrustPilot but 1.14 on Better Business Bureau (BBB). It also has an A+ accreditation rating. Negative reviews argue that customer service is lacking.
Best for health services: Lemonaid
Lemonaid describes itself as a national online doctor’s office. It provides prescription and nonprescription treatment for a range of conditions, including ED.
To order from Lemonaid, a person needs to sign up and tell the service about any symptoms they are experiencing and their medical history.
If a person lives in a state that requires a video consultation or telephone call with a doctor, they will need to book an appointment with a healthcare professional through Lemonaid.
Healthcare professionals will review the information a person provides and, if necessary, prescribe treatment. Each consultation costs $25.
Lemonaid offers generic Viagra (sildenafil) and generic Cialis (Tadalafil), starting at $2 per pill. However, it does not offer other types of medications.
The company offers free delivery within 3 business days in discreet packaging. People can also ask the company to send the prescription to a local pharmacy.
Other pros of Lemonaid include:
- free consultations for refills
- free lab tests for ED
- large range of other healthcare services, for men and women
However, while postponing or canceling subscriptions is free, it requires the consumer to contact customer care from their account.
The company has a 3.85-star customer rating on BBB and an A+ accreditation rating. Negative reviews and complaints revolve around customer service and surprise payments.
Best for FSA and HSA payments: Optum Store
Optum Store offers prescription medication and online doctor’s consults. It provides medication for a range of conditions, including ED.
To order from the Optum store, a person must search for the medication they require. They must provide a valid prescription for the medication or begin a consult with the company through an online questionnaire.
Each consultation with a medical professional costs $55.
Optum Store offers the following ED treatment:
- sildenafil, starting from $6 per dose
- tadalafil, starting from $7 per dose
- Viagra, starting from $80 per dose
- Cialis, starting from $17 per dose
Optum Store offers shipping to the contiguous United States, Alaska, and Hawaii. Orders $75 or above benefit from free shipping; otherwise, people must pay $5.99 for standard delivery or $9.99 for expedited delivery.
Other advantages of Optum Store include:
- accepts FSA and HSA payments
- automatically transfers prescriptions once a person makes an account
- offers an auto-refill program
However, Optum store does not accept any insurance companies apart from OptumRX. This also means that the company does not accept Medicare and Medicaid. Additionally, it does not accept coupons.
We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission or other tangible benefit. Optum Store, Optum Perks, and Healthline Media are owned by RVO Health. Here’s our process.
Here is how the above services compare to each other.
| Roman | Hims | Lemonaid | Optum Store | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Consultations | free | free | $25 | $55 |
| Prescription medication | available | available | available | available |
| Nonprescription or alternative medication | not available | available | available | available |
| Subscription required | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Pause subscriptions | yes | yes | yes | not applicable |
| Free anytime cancellation | yes | yes | yes | not applicable |
| Can pay with insurance | no | no | no | no |
| Free shipping for treatment | yes | yes | yes | orders over $75 |
| Medication price starts from | $2 | $4 | $2 | $6 |
People should not buy ED pills online unless they have a prescription from a doctor and are purchasing them from a reputable online pharmacy. The FDA does not regulate online ED products to ensure they are safe.
The FDA states that it has found more than
This means that online ED products could contain harmful substances or high amounts of drugs that consumers are unaware of. Taking high doses of PDE-5 inhibitors, such as vardenafil, can cause:
- back pain
- muscle pain
- changes to vision
- low blood pressure, or hypotension
- an erection that lasts more than 4 hours, which health experts call priapism
Priapism is a medical emergency that requires prompt treatment.
The FDA keeps a
- Actra-Rx
- Hero
- Libidus
- Naustra
- NaturalUp
- Neophase
- Vigor-25
- Xiadafil VIP
- 4EVERON
Getting ED pills without consulting a doctor or pharmacist first is not safe. ED pills that do not require a prescription may not come from a trustworthy company.
Also, PDE-5 inhibitors can cause serious interactions with other medications. For instance, people who take sildenafil alongside medications that contain nitrates may experience severely low blood pressure.
Drug interactions and preexisting conditions are some of the factors a doctor can take into account before prescribing an ED medication, to ensure that it will be safe and effective.
Therefore, it is vital to consult a doctor before purchasing ED pills.
The
- undergoing mental health counseling to reduce sexual performance anxiety
- treating any underlying conditions that can impact sexual performance, such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes
- making lifestyle changes, such as eating a balanced diet and getting regular exercise
Some individuals may be candidates for the combination treatment of PDE-5 inhibitors and testosterone.
There are also some procedures that may improve sexual performance, including:
- penile arterial reconstruction
- penile prosthesis implantation
- extracorporeal shockwave therapy
- stem cell therapy
People who think that they have ED can speak with a doctor. A doctor will be able to determine which treatment options are best.
For example, for those with ED and metabolic syndrome, a doctor may suggest a weight loss program that could improve their sexual performance. A doctor can also suggest whether a medication or a procedure is more appropriate.
Anyone taking ED pills should consult a doctor immediately if they are experiencing any side effects, such as:
- vision loss or changes
- hearing loss or changes
- priapism
- chest pain or pressure
- dizziness and fainting
- an allergic reaction, such as a rash and difficulty breathing or swallowing
Priapism is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment.
Below are some frequently asked questions about buying these pills online:
Are ED pills available to buy online without a prescription?
People should not buy any ED pills from a company that does not require a prescription. ED supplements or pills that are available without a prescription can include unlisted ingredients, such as sildenafil, or other PDE5-inhibitors.
Additionally, a person should never purchase ED pills or supplements without contacting a doctor to ensure the medication is safe to take. Certain medications may interact with ED pills and cause serious side effects, such as severely low blood pressure.
How do I know whether an ED medication is safe?
A person needs to contact a doctor to ensure ED pills are safe to take.
Additionally, people should only purchase ED medication from a licensed pharmacy. Licensed pharmacies provide ED pills that the FDA has evaluated for safety and effectiveness.
Which online companies should I avoid?
The
- sell medication without a valid prescription
- do not have a state-licensed pharmacist available to answer questions
- offer very cheap medication
- send spam or unsolicited emails
- operate outside the U.S. or ship worldwide
Can I take ED pills with heart medication?
PDE5 inhibitors, such as sildenafil and tadalafil, are safe to take alongside heart medication.
However, it is important not to take ED pills alongside nitrates. Combining these two medications
Learn more about taking ED pills with a heart condition here.
Do ED pills work for premature ejaculation?
Yes, ED pills, such as sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil, can
However, ED pills are not suitable for people who have premature ejaculation but do not experience erectile dysfunction.
Which online ED treatment is best?
All prescription ED pills can help people have and maintain an erection and can increase satisfaction in a person’s sex life.
People may wish to consider the side effects of the pills and how often they wish to take them before choosing which one to purchase. For example, people who wish to take ED pills daily will most likely use daily Cialis or tadalafil.
Is there an over-the-counter Viagra?
No, Viagra is only available as a prescription.
Over-the-counter ED pills do exist. The manufacturers of these pills claim the herbal ingredients help ease symptoms of ED. However, there is not enough scientific evidence that these claims are true. The FDA does not regulate these pills.
Additionally, the
Purchasing ED pills online can be unsafe, as these products are not subject to FDA regulations. They may contain harmful ingredients or high amounts of unlisted drugs. The FDA has already banned numerous ED products.
The safest way to obtain ED pills is to consult a doctor. If the medication is appropriate, the doctor will provide a prescription. A person can fill the prescription at a reputable pharmacy, either online or offline.