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Viagra (sildenafil) is a prescription drug for erectile dysfunction (ED). Buying Viagra online is simple with online pharmacies and telehealth firms such as Lemonaid, Ro, and Hims. We look at the best places to shop.
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.
The table below compares the cost of Viagra or its generic counterpart from each company in this article.
For most online pharmacies, ordering Viagra online begins with signing up to the company’s website. Here, a person may need to pay a subscription fee to the service or fill in some personal details.
Many companies ask that people complete a questionnaire detailing their:
personal information such as age, sex, and ethnicity
current health conditions
medication and supplements
health concerns
A person will likely have to document which medication they want to try for ED. 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 Viagra.
Most companies offer a shipping service directly to a person’s house. 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.
How to get Viagra safely online
People should never purchase Viagra from companies that do not require a prescription or offer doctor’s consultations with licensed healthcare professionals. There is a risk that companies operating in this way will sell products that:
do not contain the correct FDA-approved drugs
contain ingredients at unsafe doses
contain undisclosed ingredients
For example, a 2020 study looking into 15 online retailers of vardenafil (Levitra) found that 60% of the vardenafil the researchers purchased was falsified and inauthentic. The fake products contained other ED medications, such as sildenafil (Viagra) or tadalafil (Cialis).
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 prescribing information leaflet.
The Viagra does not come with any safety warnings.
There is no ingredient list or dosage information.
People should research companies with Viagra available 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 sexual 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
Getting branded and generic Viagra online is relatively simple. 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.
Several clinical studies have investigated the effects of taking 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.
However, people should weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of buying Viagra online before purchasing.
Reputable online pharmacies and telehealth companies can make purchasing Viagra online a more convenient and cheaper experience.
However, not all online pharmacies are reputable. The FDA states people should avoid pharmacies that:
do not require prescriptions
have prices that are significantly lower than average
do not provide access to licensed pharmacists for questions about medciations
do not have valid licenses in the U.S. or the state where they are located
do not explain how they protect a person’s private information
sell medications that do not look like the same drug from other sources
ship expired or damaged medication
do not store medication properly
sell a person’s private information
do not accurately disclose the active ingredients of the medications they sell
Other FDA-approved ED medications that work similarly to Viagra are also available to purchase online. These medications are known as PDE5 inhibitors and include:
Learn more about PDE5 inhibitors.
A person must contact a doctor to receive a prescription for Viagra or sildenafil, online or in person. 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.
Viagra may not be suitable for everyone and can also cause some 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, which is a serious allergic reaction
Learn more about the safety and side effects of Viagra.
Below, we answer common questions about getting Viagra.
It is possible to buy real Viagra online. Many online pharmacies and telehealth companies sell Viagra. These include Lemonaid, Ro, 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.
There are no safe OTC alternatives to Viagra, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Research into natural and herbal remedies is very limited, and there is not enough information to claim that OTC Viagra alternatives are safe or effective.
There may be sexual enhancement supplements claiming to help target sexual health problems, but these are not FDA-approved. The FDA warns that these products may cause side effects and interact with a person’s medications.
As mentioned above, there is limited research to suggest whether natural or herbal remedies are safe or effective. There are no safe OTC alternatives to Viagra.
However, some ingredients that may provide similar benefits to Viagra include:
Find out more about OTC alternatives to Viagra.
Viagra is not available OTC in the United States, and a person will need to speak with a doctor to get a Viagra prescription. Buying Viagra or other ED medications without a prescription is unsafe.
The easiest way to get Viagra may be to use an online service, such as Hims, Ro, or Lemonaid. People can schedule consultations and receive prescriptions quickly with these services.
The closest thing to Viagra a person can buy is sildenafil, the generic form of Viagra. Sildenafil has the same active ingredient as Viagra but can cost significantly less.
According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, there is not enough evidence to support using herbs, acupuncture, or other complementary healthcare practices for ED.
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.
