Since hitting the market, Viagra® (sildenafil) been one of the most popular methods for treating erectile dysfunction. For good reason -- it works for the majority of men who try it.
Due to an increase in competition, though, branded Viagra has generated less revenue over the years for its owner Pfizer. That decline began with the launch of Cialis® and Levitra® a few years after Viagra's 1998 approval, and since 2017 when the first true generic sildenafil versions entered the market, branded Viagra has been gutted.
So, where are men getting all this Viagra from?
Long story short, since Viagra is a prescription medication, it’s basically impossible to get without a doctor’s approval. For good reason, too. Here's the story on how to get Viagra.
What is Viagra?
While most people have probably heard about the famous “little blue pill” and its effects, they may not know how it works.
Viagra is a brand name prescription drug that treats erectile dysfunction, approved by the FDA for men 18 years and older in 1998. The key ingredient in Viagra is sildenafil, which is available as a generic version as of 2017.
Sildenafil belongs to a class of drugs known as phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors, which work to increase the blood flow to the penis in order to help achieve and maintain an erection. While this medication will help with erections, it will not work unless you are sexually aroused or have some stimulation to get things started.
Viagra comes as a diamond shaped blue tablet that should be taken orally about an hour or so before sexual activity, and its boner-producing effects last for around four hours. There are three available doses of Viagra: 25 milligrams, 50 milligrams, and 100 milligrams.
How Can You Get A Prescription For Viagra?
Viagra, as with all prescription medications, is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. A doctor's prescription is required, and Viagra is only available from a pharmacy.
Visit Your Personal Doctor
The traditional method of receiving a prescription will require you to visit your regular doctor and discuss your symptoms. Most doctors are very open to prescribing medications such as Viagra if you're frequently experiencing erectile dysfunction and it’s negatively impacting your sex life.
It’s understandable that discussing erectile dysfunction with your regular doctor may not be a comfortable experience, especially if you've known them for a long time or have a friendly personal relationship.
For years that was a hurdle for many guys dealing with erectile dysfunction, as the hassle and stigma around talking about the issue kept guys out of the doctor's office. Not only is it a sensitive issue with the doctor, but picking up a Viagra prescription from your local pharmacy might be uncomfortable as well.
Now, there are other options.
Online Medical Consultation
There's no FDA requirement that you visit a doctor in person to get a prescription for Viagra or other erectile dysfunction medications. In fact, the way medicine is regulated has changed in the last few years to make it easier for doctors to work with patients remotely: without seeing them in person, but connecting by phone or video if necessary.
The way Rex MD's men’s telemedicine platform works is:
Step 1: Answer A Few Questions
Just like visiting a doctor in person, your virtual visit begins by providing answers to various questions about your health and the current symptoms that you're experiencing. Our short survey helps your Rex MD doctor evaluate your situation and make the best treatment recommendation for you, in many cases without even speaking with you directly.
In addition to answering these questions, you'll upload a government issued ID and a photo of your face. This is to ensure that we're working with real people - it protects you, us, and allows your physician to complete the initial telemedicine visit.
Step 2: Connect With A Doctor
Depending on the laws in your state, you may need to connect with your assigned physician by phone or video after the initial survey is complete. Some states require this personal virtual visit, though the majority of Rex MD patients do not require a real-time discussion with their assigned doctor. During this call, if necessary, you can ask questions about ED and medications if you're not sure which medication is right for you.
The virtual visit can be done via phone or computer, whenever you both are available.
Step 3: Wait For Your Medication To Arrive
If your assigned physician determines that a medical prescription is the right treatment for you, our pharmacy partner ships your medication directly to your door (Rex MD includes free two-day delivery).
Step 4: Treatment Begins
With Rex MD, you can continue to interface with your doctor by chat, make changes to your order, and more through our Member Portal. We send you monthly or bimonthly refills on your medication in the amount you've requested, and can even up or lower your dose based on your doctor's recommendation.
It's easy, fast, and affordable.
Are There Side Effects When Using Viagra?
There are several side effects that may occur as a result of taking Viagra, although most of them are mild and uncommon.
Some possible mild side effects include:
- Headaches
- Flushing in the body or face
- Indigestion
- Vision changes, such as blue tint, blurred vision, and light sensitivity
- Nasal congestion
- Back pain
- Muscle pain
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Rash
Most of these side effects will go away when the drug leaves your system but may persist for a few days or weeks. If they're becoming more severe over time or haven’t gone away after two weeks, talk with your doctor or a pharmacist.
Interactions With Other Medications
One of the reasons that Viagra is prescription only is due to its profound effect on your body. Not always in a dangerous way, as the side effects listed above indicate, but it does affect your blood pressure.
If you're considering getting a prescription for Viagra, make sure you're not taking any of these medications. Whenever Viagra is combined with the following medications, there could be serious negative consequences. Make sure you're transparent about these things in your initial Rex MD visit.
Nitrates
If you're taking nitrate drugs, then you probably shouldn’t take Viagra or any other erectile dysfunction medication. Nitrates are primarily used to treat angina, a type of chest pain, so if you're currently on any medication for angina, avoid Viagra or talk to your doctor first. Mixing the two could cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure that may result in heart attack or stroke.
Examples of nitrates include:
- Nitroglycerin, such as Nitromist, Nitro-Dur, Nitrolingual Pumpspray, and Gonitro
- Isosorbide mononitrate, such as Monoket
- Isosorbide dinitrate, such as Dilatrate SR and Isordil
- Glyceryl trinitrate
- Amyl nitrate, also known as poppers
- Alkyl nitrate
- Butyl nitrate
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Drugs
Combining the following medications for pulmonary arterial hypertension with Viagra can also cause your blood pressure to drop:
- Riociguat, such as Adempas
- Sildenafil, such as Revatio
- Tadalafil, such as Adcirca
Blood Pressure Drugs
Medications that are used to treat high blood pressure can cause your blood pressure to drop too low if they're combined with Viagra. Some of the drugs that are commonly used to treat high blood pressure include:
- Calcium channel blockers, such as amlodipine (Norvasc)
- Beta blockers, such as metoprolol (Lopressor and Toprol-XL)
- ACE inhibitors, such as lisinopril (Zestril and Prinivil)
- Angiotensin II receptor blockers, such as losartan (Cozaar)
Alpha Blockers
Another type of drug that helps treat high blood pressure is called an alpha blocker. This type of drug is also commonly associated with treating benign prostatic hyperplasia as well. While it’s possible to take Viagra in combination with alpha blockers, you should talk to your doctor first. If you feel dizzy, lightheaded, or faint, talk with your doctor immediately.
Some examples of alpha blockers include:
- Doxazosin, such as Cardura
- Prazosin, such as Minipress
- Alfuzosin, such as Uroxatral
- Tamsulosin, such as Flomax
- Silodosin, such as Rapaflo
- Terazosin
Illicit Drugs
As mentioned previously, Viagra shouldn’t be taken with poppers, illicit drugs that contain amyl nitrate, alkyl nitrate, and butyl nitrate. Mixing these drugs with Viagra can cause a dangerous drop in your blood pressure. While there hasn’t been a lot of research completed, it’s possible for Viagra to have dangerous effects on your heart and blood pressure when combined with:
- Stimulants, such as cocaine, ecstasy, amphetamines, and speed
- Anabolic steroids
- Adderall, as it contains amphetamine salts
- Xanax, as it’s classified as a benzodiazepine and contains alprazolam
How Much Does Viagra Cost?
Depending on where you're buying it, branded Viagra can cost as much as $70 per pill, meaning that a supply of six, 100 milligram (the largest dose) tablets could cost as much as $420.
The generic version of Viagra, known as sildenafil, is available as low as $10 per pill from Rex MD, an industry leading price, so the same number of pills at the same dose would only be $60.
The Takeaway: Viagra is only available via prescription from a licensed medical professional. If you're uncomfortable discussing erectile dysfunction with your regular doctor, there are several options available online for getting your prescription (if approved), including Rex MD.
Erectile dysfunction can be sensitive to talk about with other people, even a doctor. Online telemedicine options like Rex MD help you get the treatment you're after without all of the hassle, if prescribed.
