Buying Viagra Online: Everything You Need to Know
Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects around 33 percent of men by age 40, and 70 percent of men by age 70.
ED is defined as the inability to develop and maintain an erection firm enough for sexual activity or penetrative sex.
Although this can be an upsetting diagnosis for some, many people find that their condition is treatable with Viagra, also sometimes called the “little blue pill.”
Keep reading to learn more about how Viagra works, the alternatives, and how Viagra compares to other ED medications.
Viagra is a brand name prescription drug approved to treat ED. Viagra contains sildenafil, which belongs to a class of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors.
Viagra is the well-known brand name version of this medication. It works by increasing blood flow to your penis, which helps you have and keep an erection. However, it only works if you’re sexually aroused.
Viagra is approved for use in those who are 18 years and older.
Though Viagra is manufactured by Pfizer, plenty of other companies also make and sell less expensive versions of generic sildenafil pills.
Some ED medications are PDE5 inhibitors that relax smooth muscle tissue and increase blood flow. There are four main types of PDE5 inhibitors:
- Stendra (avanafil)
- Levitra (vardenafil)
- Cialis (tadalafil)
- Viagra (sildenafil)
If you’re interested in buying Viagra online, read on to learn more about the considerations you should make.
Viagra and generic sildenafil are prescription medications, so you’ll need to consult a doctor before purchasing. Some companies have healthcare professionals on their team who can assess you prior to your purchase and make an accurate ED diagnosis.
Oral medications for ED are among the most counterfeited medications in the world . Online pharmacies can sell counterfeit medications, so it’s important to do your research before you buy from any retailer.
The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy found that 97 percent of the internet pharmacies it examined were not compliant with federal laws, state laws, or industry standards.
Counterfeit Viagra is known to contain amphetamines, toxic chemicals, the wrong dose of active ingredients, and even blue printer ink.
It’s a good practice to stay away from international websites, as each country has its own governance when it comes to manufacturing. Stick to reputable sites and pharmacies you can trust.
We chose the following brands based on user ratings, discreetness, and pricing. Hims, Roman, and Lemonaid all report that a doctor or other qualified or licensed medical professional are involved in determining the appropriateness of the prescribed medication.
The companies listed here, except for BlueChew and Eddie by Giddy, have a Better Business Bureau (BBB) accreditation and rating of A or above.
BlueChew is not accredited by the BBB, but we didn’t find any FDA warning letters or class action lawsuits. Similarly, we didn’t find any FDA warning letters involving Giddy.
None of the services listed here are covered by insurance.
Best overall
Hims is a telehealth company that provides both prescription and over-the-counter generic and brand name medications. The brand focuses mainly on five FDA approved medications, including Viagra.
The first step is a consultation with an online qualified medical professional who will make a diagnosis and prescribe the best ED treatment for you. They’ll also answer any questions you have, and may be contacted in the future to make treatment adjustments.
If you’re prescribed Viagra, you can purchase it in 25-mg, 50-mg, or 100-mg doses. Hims recommends taking Viagra anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours prior to sexual activity. You can purchase a one-time order or sign up for a subscription plan that sends you a monthly supply of the pills in discreet packaging.
Price: Subscriptions start at around $20 per month. Medication costs for subscribers include Viagra (five 50-mg pills for $425 each month).
Best for variety
Roman
Roman is a healthcare technology company that sells FDA approved men’s health products.
The first step is to schedule a $15 consultation with one of their licensed healthcare professionals to assess your symptoms and come up with a treatment plan. If you’re not a fit for their products or telemedicine, Roman will refund you your money.
Not all of Roman’s ED products require a prescription. However, you need one for Viagra. Roman sells both generic Viagra and brand-name Viagra, and they’re available in 25-mg, 50-mg, and 100-mg oral tablets.
After you place your order, Roman will ship your items for free in discreet packaging, They can also send your order to your local pharmacy for an added fee. If you want to make changes to your order, Roman offers free unlimited follow-ups with their healthcare professionals.
Price: Monthly subscriptions generally start around $31 per month for 12 20-mg pills of generic sildenafil. You can alter how often and how many pills you want. Branded Viagra costs $70, whereas generic sildenafil costs $34.
Best budget option
Lemonaid
Lemonaid is a telehealth medicine service that connects people with healthcare professionals. It offers highly competitive mail-order pharmacy pricing.
After you select the condition you want to be treated for, Lemonaid asks you to complete an online assessment.
If you’re a candidate after the medical review, you pay a $25 flat fee for a consultation with a licensed medical professional. Lemonaid offers a range of ED pills, including 20-mg sildenafil pills.
Lemonaid will then prescribe you treatment for your ED, and send your prescription to their mail-order pharmacy.
Price: Generic sildenafil costs $2 per pill with Lemonaid’s mail-order pharmacy. They offer free delivery on all orders.
Best for fast results
Bluechew
Bluechew is a monthly subscription service that provides sildenafil or tadalafil chewable tablets for ED.
These tablets are cheaper and easier to consume. Plus, each tablet comes in its own pouch, making it easy to carry around with you.
The tablets are made from compounding the active ingredients sildenafil and tadalafil into a chewable tablet that supposedly works faster. That being said, it’s important to note that BlueChew is not currently FDA approved.
However, a 2017 study showed that the oral sildenafil citrate tablet and the chewable sildenafil citrate take the same amount of time to start working and are equally effective.
Price: The cheapest plans are $20 for six 30-mg chewable tablets of sildenafil or four 6-mg tablets of tadalafil. The most expensive plans are $120 for either 34 45-mg sildenafil tablets or 28 9-mg tadalafil tablets.
Best alternative device
Eddie by Giddy
Eddie by Giddy is an alternative to Viagra for anyone looking to avoid pills.
Eddie is an FDA registered, Class 2 wearable ED device that keeps blood flowing in your penis, allowing you to maintain an erection, without constricting your urethra or arteries.
It comes in four different sizes, and each package comes in a discrete box. Eddie’s design is meant to fit the penis comfortably and constricts only where it’s needed, thanks to the adjustable tension bands.
Giddy offers free shipping, free resizing, and a money-back guarantee if your ED symptoms don’t improve within 30 days. According to the company, Eddie should not result in any harmful side effects when used properly. Side effects resulting from misuse of Eddie should be minor and infrequent.
That being said, it’s important to make sure to talk with your doctor before using this product.
Price: For $188 you get the device, six tension bands (three sport, three comfort), and a 30-day training program to help you treat your ED.
