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Viagra is a brand-name sildenafil drug that doctors can prescribe to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). Viagra can start at $70 per dose, but the generic version, sildenafil, can cost as little as $2.
A quick look at where to buy Viagra online
- Best for a free consultation: Roman
- Best for drug options: Hims
- Best for affordability: Lemonaid
- Best for competitive prices: Rex MD
- Best for shipping options: Optum Store
However, people can use coupons, discounts, and patient assistance programs (PAPs) to save money on sildenafil and Viagra.
This article looks at Viagra prices and provides tips on how a person can save money on this medication. It also discusses safety and side effects and lists some frequently asked questions.
Viagra and sildenafil are available at different prices. The price depends on factors such as brand name, retailer, and dose.
Several companies sell Viagra and sildenafil online. The sections below provide a brief overview of each brand.
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 a free consultation: Roman
- Price for Viagra: $90 per dose
- Price for sildenafil: $4–10 per dose
This telehealth company sells prescription medication for ED, among other conditions. Individuals require a prescription from a licensed medical doctor in the United States.
The company offers a free initial consultation with a healthcare professional to help people find the medication that is most suitable for their needs.
Roman offers Viagra and sildenafil starting from $4 per dose.
Additional medications include:
- as needed Cialis and generic Cialis (tadalafil)
- daily Cialis and tadalafil
Best for drug options: Hims
- Price for Viagra: $139 per dose
- Price for sildenafil: $3–10 per dose
This telehealth company specializes in male health and offers both Viagra and sildenafil for people with ED.
After creating an account, the company connects individuals with a healthcare professional in their state of residence to discuss treatment options and medications.
As well as Viagra and sildenafil, Hims offers generic and branded Cialis and Stendra. Sildenafil starts from $3 per dose.
Best for affordability: Lemonaid
- Price for Viagra: the company does not sell Viagra
- Price for sildenafil: from $2 per dose
People need to complete an online assessment and answer follow-up questions with a healthcare professional to use this service.
According to Lemonaid, a person can receive their medication within 2–3 days.
Lemonaid offers sildenafil and tadalafil.
The company states that it offers ED pills starting from $2 per tablet, making it the least expensive option in this article.
Best for competitive prices: Rex MD
- Price for Viagra: $90 per dose
- Price for sildenafil: $10 per dose
To use Rex MD, a person needs to take an online assessment of their health and symptoms. The service will then assign them a licensed doctor who will discuss treatment options.
If the doctor agrees that Viagra is suitable, the service will send the medication straight to the person, with free 2-day shipping.
The company claims it offers competitive prices for all medication, including drugs for erectile dysfunction.
Rex MD offers sildenafil, Viagra, and tadalafil starting at $6 per pill. The company also provides daily Cialis on a monthly subscription.
Best for shipping options: Optum Store
- Price for Viagra: from $80 per dose
- Price for sildenafil: from $6 per dose
To use Optum Store, a person must enter their valid prescription details onto the website or connect with an Optum Store healthcare professional who can fill a prescription.
Optum ships the medication straight to the person.
Orders $75 or above benefit from free shipping. Otherwise, the company charges $9.99 for expedited shipping or $5.99 for standard shipping.
Optum Store offers sildenafil, Viagra, tadalafil, and Cialis starting at $6 per dose.
The following table lists which drugs each company sells and how much they may cost.
About Viagra prices
Prices for Viagra and sildenafil can fluctuate regularly. The prices we list below are correct as of March 2023. A person can contact their local pharmacy for the most up to date prices.
| Viagra | Sildenafil | |
|---|---|---|
| Roman | available in 25, 50, and 100 mg at $90 per dose | • 25 mg: $4 per dose • 50 mg: $6 per dose • 100 mg: $10 per dose |
| Hims | available in 25, 50, and 100 mg, starting at $139 per dose | • 25 mg: $3 per dose • 50 mg: $6 per dose • 100 mg: $10 per dose |
| Lemonaid | the company does not offer Viagra | no dose information, starting at $2 per tablet |
| Rex MD | • 50 mg: $90 per dose • 100 mg: $90 per dose | • 25 mg: $10 per dose • 50 mg: $10 per dose • 100 mg: $10 per dose |
| Optum Store | 25, 50, and 100 mg: from $80 per dose | • 25 mg: from $6 per dose |
The cost of Viagra from pharmacies can vary widely. Health insurance may cover all or part of the cost of this medication.
This free service collates prices and discounts for drugs to help people save money on their prescriptions. It does not require registration, and discounts are valid at many pharmacies.
The following table shows the cost of 30 tablets of 25 milligrams (mg) of sildenafil from several providers.
| Cost | |
|---|---|
| Walmart | $16.56 |
| CVS Pharmacy | $368.63 |
| Target | $368.63 |
| Walgreens | $24.99 |
Drug pricing in the U.S. is a very complex topic, and many factors affect how much a drug may cost.
For a long time, the Viagra brand monopolized the oral ED medication market. This is because drug companies have the right to be the exclusive supplier of a newly developed drug for a number of years. Therefore, there is no competition from other brands selling the same product. These exclusivity periods can last up to 20 years and help companies make a profit from their investment in drug development.
There are also
When Viagra’s patent expired, other companies could sell a generic version of the drug — sildenafil — for significantly lower prices. For instance, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that the price of sildenafil dropped by
The
However, Viagra prices have not decreased to match its competition. This is because the brand does not aim to compete on price. Instead, it uses its position as a widely trusted household name to compete with generics, which people may know less about and be less likely to trust.
Research from 2020 showed that 65.2% of the 305 primary care physicians in the study believed generic drugs were less effective than branded drugs. It also found that over 60% of the physicians claimed they did not check if a drug was generic or branded when prescribing them to a person. The authors note that greater education about generic drugs improved opinions about their safety, quality, and effectiveness increased.
Additionally, a
The FDA writes that generic medication can
There are several ways a person may save money when purchasing Viagra.
Choosing generic medication
People may wish to choose sildenafil instead of Viagra. The generic versions of the drug have the same ingredients and are often available in the same dosages.
Learn more about buying sildenafil online.
Discounts
Purchasing Viagra or sildenafil from telehealth companies may be cheaper than receiving a prescription from a person’s primary healthcare professional.
Many telehealth companies offer discounts for first-time buyers. Additionally, some companies offer monthly subscriptions that may cost less than buying Viagra elsewhere.
However, a person should ensure they are using a reputable telehealth company.
People should only purchase medication from an online pharmacy with U.S. licensed pharmacists and other healthcare professionals available to fill prescriptions and answer any questions.
Additionally, people should ensure that the company they use has a seal of approval from the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. This means that the company is legal and does not sell counterfeit drugs.
Learn more about buying ED pills online safely.
Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs)
Some pharmaceutical companies may offer PAPs to help cover the costs of Viagra.
Pharmaceutical companies may offer prescription drugs to people without insurance for a lower cost. Each company will have its own criteria for eligibility, but people will
People can either contact a pharmaceutical company directly by telephone or complete forms on the company’s website. Many PAP forms require a doctor’s signature.
Coupons
Some pharmacies may offer coupons that can help reduce the cost of prescription medication.
A person can either search their local pharmacy’s website or go into the store to speak with an employee to find out if the pharmacy offers coupons and discounts.
Private health insurers may cover part of the costs of generic sildenafil but may not pay for Viagra. A person should check their insurance coverage before purchasing sildenafil or Viagra to ensure they do not incur unexpected out-of-pocket costs.
However, Medicare may cover part of the costs of sildenafil or Viagra.
Learn more about whether Medicare covers Viagra.
Medicare coverage
Medicare Part A offers benefits for people in the care of a skilled nursing facility. However, it does not cover ED medications.
Medicare Part B offers coverage for a person’s treatment in clinical settings if Medicare deems the treatment medically necessary. It is unlikely Medicare will cover the costs of Viagra or sildenafil for ED. However, in most cases, it may offer benefits for people who receive ED treatment in sexual health clinics.
Medicare Part D offers prescription drug benefits. Medicare will not cover the costs of prescription Viagra for ED as it does not deem the drug medically necessary.
Before taking sildenafil or Viagra, a person should be aware of the side effects it can cause, which include:
- headaches
- heartburn
- diarrhea
- muscle aches
- nosebleeds
- numbness, burning, or tingling in the limbs, hands, and feet
- sensitivity to light
- changes in color vision
Viagra or sildenafil may not be suitable for everyone. For example, people should not use this drug if they:
- have had a previous allergic reaction to the drug
- are taking medications called nitrates
- have a heart or liver condition
- have had a stroke or heart attack
- have low blood pressure
- have certain inherited eye conditions, such as retinitis pigmentosa
When to contact a doctor immediately
A person should urgently contact their doctor if they experience any of the following symptoms:
- rash
- itching or burning sensation when urinating
- sudden and severe loss of vision
- sudden loss or decrease in hearing
- ringing in the ears
- dizziness or lightheadedness
- shortness of breath
- chest pain
- fainting
- an erection that lasts for more than 4 hours
Below are answers to common questions about Viagra.
Can I buy Viagra?
People can purchase Viagra either from a pharmacy or via telehealth services online so long as they have a valid prescription from a healthcare professional.
Is sildenafil the same as Viagra?
Sildenafil is the generic version of Viagra. Viagra’s active ingredient is sildenafil.
Both of these drugs treat ED the same way. Many companies sell Viagra and sildenafil, although sildenafil is often less expensive than Viagra.
How much does sildenafil cost?
The cost of sildenafil can vary depending on the company that sells it and any discounts that a person may have.
However, telehealth companies sell sildenafil starting from $2 per dose. Some companies may sell sildenafil for a certain amount per month, which may be cheaper depending on the amount of the drug a person requires.
How much does Viagra cost per pill?
Viagra often costs more per pill than sildenafil.
The price per pill may depend on factors such as which company a person purchases from and the dosage they require. However, people can expect to pay around $70 per dose.
How much does Viagra cost with insurance?
Medicare does not cover the cost of Viagra in most cases as it does not deem the drug medically necessary.
A person should check with their private health insurance company whether it covers all or part of the costs of Viagra.
However, a person may be able to receive support with the costs of their medication through PAPs and by using discounts and coupons from their local pharmacy. Additionally, some telehealth companies may offer discounts for first-time users.
Where is the cheapest place to get Viagra?
The prices for Viagra vary. Through Optum Perks, people can buy Viagra from around $13 from local pharmacies such as Kroger and Walmart.
A person can also consider sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra, which is often cheaper than its branded counterpart. Some retailers, such as Roman, sell sildenafil for $2 per dose.
Why is Viagra so expensive?
One reason that brand-name Viagra is expensive is that companies in the U.S. private sector do not face pricing restrictions. This means they can set their own prices for their drug. Viagra also dominated the oral ED medication market when it first became FDA-approved, meaning there were no generic drugs competing with it for price.
However, prices for branded Viagra may not always decrease when more affordable generic versions of the drug are available. Instead, the Viagra brand competes based on its popularity and consumer trust rather than price. This is because some people believe branded drugs are more effective than generic versions, despite the
Viagra is a medication that doctors may prescribe for ED. The drug is available with a prescription from local pharmacies and online telehealth companies.
The price of Viagra may vary depending on the dosage and whether the company offers the generic version, sildenafil. While Medicare and private health insurance may not assist with costs, people can contact pharmaceutical companies directly for PAPs or check whether their local pharmacy offers discounts and coupons.