Can I buy Viagra online?

Sildenafil (Viagra) is in a class of medications called PDE5 inhibitors. It treats erectile dysfunction (ED) by increasing blood flow to the penis. 

Sildenafil (Viagra) is available through many online pharmacies. Before you buy prescription drugs online, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that you check that the website is legitimate and meets certain safety standards. 

Treatment for ED can also include lifestyle changes or counseling, depending on what’s causing the condition. 

Where to buy Viagra online 

You can buy sildenafil (Viagra) from many online pharmacies. Even though you are not going to a physical location, the requirements for getting the medication are the same. You’ll still need a doctor’s prescription.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has a few tips to recognize if the online pharmacy you are considering is safe and legitimate. The pharmacy should:

• require a doctor’s prescription
• have a physical address and telephone number within the United States
• have a licensed pharmacist available to answer your questions
• be licensed with the board of pharmacy in your state

The FDA provides links to the websites of the boards of pharmacy in each state.

Many states have easily accessible license information. For example, the California State Board of Pharmacy has an online search tool where you can enter the name of the online pharmacy to check its status. You can use the same tool to check the license status of individual pharmacists who work for an online pharmacy.

Some of the larger online pharmacies include Amazon Pharmacy and Express Scripts. You might also be able to order Viagra online from your local independent pharmacy if it has an online storefront that meets FDA requirements. 

How online pharmacies work

Most websites ask that you set up or register for a personal account to make purchases. Especially as you will need to provide a prescription. Setting up an account also helps ensure your information and transactions are secure.

Some online pharmacies allow your prescribing doctor to send the prescription directly, with the prescription then showing up on your account dashboard.

Depending on the website, you might have several delivery options for your sildenafil (Viagra) medication, such as same-day delivery or automatic refills. You may also have the option of discreet delivery.

The medication you get from a legitimate online pharmacy will look the same as the medication you get at a physical pharmacy. The packaging should not be damaged or broken, and the medication you receive should have an expiration date.

The informational inserts should appear in the English language. If they do not, it could be a sign that the drug is counterfeit.

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Risks of counterfeit or unsafe products

The FDA cautions against getting drugs like sildenafil (Viagra) and other prescription medicines from unsafe websites. One of the dangers of visiting these sites is you may potentially receive unsafe drugs. Specifically, if you get sildenafil (Viagra) from an unlicensed online storefront, the drug:

• could be manufactured anywhere in the world and may not follow adequate safety standards
• could have passed its expiration date
• might not contain any sildenafil, which is the active ingredient in Viagra
• might contain too much or too little sildenafil
• might contain other harmful ingredients  

However, it is possible to order sildenafil (Viagra) online safely, as long as you are using a legitimate site. 

About erectile dysfunction (ED) 

ED is a common condition. Symptoms may be different for each person but can include: 

• being able to get an erection but not long enough to have penetrative sex
• being able to get an erection sometimes but not every time
• being unable to get an erection

Statistics vary about how many people have ED. A 2018 systematic review, citing research from 2006 to 2016, indicates one-third of males experience the condition. A 2019 review gave a much wider range, suggesting estimates were between 3% and 76.5%.

Possible causes for ED include:

• physical health conditions like heart disease or type 2 diabetes
• medications, like antidepressants or those for blood pressure
• mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, or stress
• lifestyle factors like smoking or excessive alcohol use

Sildenafil (Viagra) works by increasing blood flow to the penis, but it does not increase sexual desire or cure ED. You may find a combination of therapies to help with the condition.

Learn more about erectile dysfunction.

Other ED medications

Other PDE5 inhibitors for ED besides Viagra include:

• tadalafil (Cialis)
• avanafil (Stendra)
• vardenafil (Levitra)

PDE5 inhibitors work for ED by widening the blood vessels in the penis to increase blood flow. This allows erections to be stronger and last longer. PDE5s are typically taken as a tablet 1 hour before you plan to have sex. 

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Contacting a doctor

You might consider speaking with a doctor or healthcare professional if you have symptoms of ED. They can help determine the cause and address any underlying conditions.

Depending on the cause, lifestyle modifications and talking therapies might also help with ED. In some cases, a combination of therapies brings the best results.

When speaking with a doctor or healthcare professional, you can also discuss any side effects you may be experiencing from a current ED medication. They might suggest switching to a different drug or trying a different dosage.

It can also be beneficial to speak with a healthcare professional about getting sildenafil (Viagra) from an online pharmacy. They may be able to send you a digital copy of your prescription or send it to an online pharmacy directly, making the process easier.

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Summary

Sildenafil (Viagra) is a PDE5 inhibitor doctors prescribe to treat ED.

You can buy Viagra online, although you still need a prescription. Legitimate online pharmacies should have certain safeguards, such as a pharmacist, to answer your questions about taking sildenafil (Viagra).

If you experience ED, you may consider speaking with a doctor or healthcare professional to determine a possible cause and appropriate treatment.

Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on many prescription medications. Plus, you can now get them delivered to your home in as little as 3 days. Search for your medication here.