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Viagra is a prescription drug people can take to help with erectile dysfunction (ED). Online pharmacies like Lemonaid and telehealth companies such as Roman and Hims sell Viagra, but buyers will need a current prescription.
- Best for free shipping: Hims | Skip to Review
- Best for free follow-up appointments: Roman | Skip to Review
- Best for discreet packaging: Lemonaid | Skip to Review
- Best for free consultations: REX MD | Skip to Review
- Best for chewable tablets: Bluechew | Skip to Review
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried any of these products. All information presented here is purely research-based.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
The table below compares the cost of Viagra or its generic counterpart from each company in this article.
| Type | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Hims | • sildenafil • Viagra | • Generic: from $4 per dose • Branded: $139 per dose |
| Roman | • sildenafil • Viagra | • Generic: from $4 per dose • Branded: from $90 |
| Lemonaid | sildenafil | • Generic: $2 per dose • Branded: not offered |
| REX MD | sildenafil | • Generic: $6 per dose • Branded: not offered |
| Bluechew | chewable sildenafil | • Generic: from $20 a month • Branded: not offered |
People can purchase Viagra online from several online pharmacies and telehealth companies.
However, the drug is only available with a prescription. Some online pharmacies can fill an electronic prescription and notify the person when Viagra is available for collection at their local pharmacy. Other online pharmacies offer delivery to the person’s door.
If an individual does not have a current prescription, some online pharmacies and telehealth companies may offer an online consultation with a doctor via a phone or video call. This consultation may lead to the doctor prescribing Viagra, which the company can fill.
Learn about the benefits and disadvantages of telemedicine.
However, people should never purchase Viagra from companies that do not require a prescription. There is a possibility that companies will sell products that do not contain the ingredients they should.
For example, a 2020 study found that 60% of vardenafil the researchers looked at was falsified and inauthentic, containing other PDE5 inhibitors.
In addition to companies not requiring a prescription, some other warning signs that online Viagra may not be genuine include the following:
- The company ships the Viagra from a different address than where it claims to be based.
- The Viagra does not come with a product information leaflet.
- The Viagra does not come with any safety warnings.
Therefore, people should research companies that sell Viagra to ensure they are not buying counterfeit drugs before purchasing.
Learn more about buying ED pills online.
There are two ways to get a Viagra prescription: in-person or online.
In-person prescription
Getting an in-person prescription requires an appointment with a healthcare professional with the authority to prescribe medication.
If a person has insurance, they should contact their provider to ensure the doctor they wish to consult is in-network. People may also wish to check that the hospital the healthcare professional uses is in-network.
ED may be a sensitive topic for some people. Due to this, a person should always make sure they feel comfortable talking about their health with the doctor.
If a person feels uncomfortable during an initial consultation or finds that the healthcare professional does not explain their condition and medication in a way they can understand, they may wish to change doctors.
Once a person has their prescription, they can receive the medication at their local pharmacy. Some pharmacies may offer coupons that help reduce the cost of the medication.
Online prescription
Some online pharmacies and telehealth companies will connect them with a healthcare professional for a fee if a person does not have a valid prescription.
Many companies ask that people complete a questionnaire detailing their concerns and the medication or treatment they want to try. Then, the service will connect the person to a healthcare professional who will ask further questions and prescribe treatment if necessary.
Companies will then send medication to a person’s address or a local pharmacy.
For most online pharmacies, a person must begin by signing up to the company’s website. Here, a person may need to pay a subscription fee to the service or just need to fill in some personal details.
Many companies ask that people complete a questionnaire detailing their concerns and the medication or treatment they want to try. Then, the service will connect the person to a healthcare professional who will ask further questions.
This appointment with a healthcare professional typically occurs via an online video consultation. Alternatively, it may take place over the phone or via instant messaging. If appropriate, this healthcare professional will prescribe treatment.
Most companies offer a shipping service directly to a person’s house or to a local pharmacy in discreet packaging. This may take, on average, 3-7 days. However, in some cases, a person may be able to pick the prescription up from a local pharmacy on the same day.
Viagra is the brand name version of
Doctors usually prescribe Viagra to help relieve ED, which causes a person to have difficulty getting or maintaining an erection.
Following sexual stimulation, taking Viagra helps
This drug can start working within 30 minutes, and its effects can last 4 hours. Although doctors usually prescribe 50 milligrams (mg) of Viagra, they may lower this to 25 mg or increase it to 100 mg.
People who use Viagra may notice that they find it easier to get and keep an erection. However, before using the drug, they should also discuss potential safety considerations with the healthcare professional in their online consultation.
The sections below look at some advantages and disadvantages of getting Viagra online.
Advantages
Some people may find buying Viagra online more convenient as they do not need to make an appointment with a doctor. Getting an online consultation may be quicker than waiting for a face-to-face appointment.
Additionally, people may feel more comfortable and less embarrassed buying Viagra online as they do not need to speak to their regular doctor.
Several clinical studies have investigated the effects of Viagra on ED. Research suggests that people who take this drug may be more likely to get and maintain an erection than those who do not.
Disadvantages
However, a person should be very careful before purchasing Viagra online. Some sellers may not be genuine and taking these fake products can be dangerous. A person should always ensure they purchase from a legitimate online pharmacy with many positive customer reviews.
Viagra may not be suitable for everyone and can also cause
Learn more about the safety and side effects of Viagra.
A person must contact a doctor to receive a prescription for Viagra or sildenafil. The doctor can recommend the most suitable strength, and an individual can have follow-up consultations to ensure the drug and dose are still suitable for their condition.
A doctor can also advise a person on whether or not Viagra or sildenafil may interact with other medications or any recreational drugs or dietary supplements they are currently using.
In some cases, Viagra or sildenafil can cause serious side effects. If a person experiences any of the following, they should seek immediate medical attention:
- chest pain
- painful erections or erections that last for longer than 4 hours
- vision loss
- swelling of the eyes
- skin rash
- anaphylaxis, a serious allergic reaction
Below, we answer common questions about getting Viagra.
Can you legally buy Viagra online?
Many online pharmacies and telehealth companies sell Viagra online. These include Lemonaid, Roman, and Hims. However, people will need a prescription to buy Viagra online, and most online services require people to consult a doctor beforehand.
Those looking to buy Viagra online should only buy it from reputable companies and brands.
Is there anything over the counter that works like Viagra?
There are no safe over-the-counter (OTC) alternatives to Viagra, according to the
There may be sexual enhancement supplements claiming to help target sexual health problems, but these are not FDA-approved. The
Find out more about over-the-counter alternatives to Viagra.
What is the closest thing over the counter to Viagra?
As mentioned above, there is limited research to suggest whether natural or herbal remedies are safe or effective. There are
However, some ingredients that may provide similar benefits to Viagra include:
- dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
- L-arginine
- ginseng
- Propionyl-L-carnitine
- yohimbe
Find out more about over-the-counter alternatives here.
Can I buy Viagra OTC or online?
Viagra is not available over the counter in the United States. It requires a prescription. However, people can buy Viagra online with a prescription.
Where is the easiest place to get Viagra?
The easiest way to get Viagra may be to use an online service such as Hims, Roman, or Lemonaid. People can schedule consultations and receive prescriptions quickly with these services.
Although Viagra effectively treats ED, a person needs a prescription to purchase this medication. Various online pharmacies offer this drug, many of which offer online consultations with licensed doctors before purchase.
Before buying Viagra online, a person should research the company offering the medication to ensure it does not sell counterfeit drugs.
Individuals should also seek immediate medical attention if they experience severe side effects such as anaphylaxis when using Viagra.