What Are Viagra Tablets?
Viagra tablets are a treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED) in men and they are a branded version of Sildenafil. Other sildenafil products are prescribed for pulmonary arterial hypertension, but this Viagra page is about treatment for erectile dysfunction. If you have erection problems it works by temporarily increasing blood flow to the penis when sexually aroused.
You can buy Viagra tablets online for erectile dysfunction from Hightown Pharmacy with next day delivery available. Just fill out our free online consultation form, this will then be sent to our prescriber for review and delivered discreetly to your front door.
Why should I choose Viagra?
Sildenafil (Viagra) is the most popular and well known treatment for ED for good reason. In fixed-dose clinical studies, 74% of men taking sildenafil 50mg reported improved erections, compared with 25% taking placebo. This describes reported improvement at that dose, not a guarantee of success for every person or every attempt. It is taken by millions of men around the world, helping them achieve a healthy sex life. Viagra was first authorised in 1998. Long-term studies support continued benefit, but your health and other medicines still need to be considered when deciding whether treatment is suitable.
How to order Viagra online
You can use our online prescription service to buy Viagra online in the UK. We are a regulated GPhC registered pharmacy based in the UK. Any website that claims to sell Viagra tablets without a prescription is operating illegally and you could be purchasing counterfeit / fake tablets.
Upon completion of your order, our independent prescriber will then review your online assessment. If your assessment is approved, our pharmacy team will then receive a prescription and dispense your order, which will be dispatched the same day using your chosen delivery method.
How it works
Viagra contains the active ingredient Sildenafil which is a PDE-5 inhibitor. It works by blocking phosphodiesterase type-5 which helps to relax and widen the blood vessels to the penis. This allows an increase in blood flow to the penis, making it easier to maintain an erection when sexually aroused.
Other help with ED
As you get older your risk for ED increases. But having trouble maintaining an erection isn’t always due to age with many men experiencing ED at some point in their lives. The good news is ED will usually go away with treatment and is usually easily treated with minimal side effects.
Identifying the cause of ED can help improve treatment outcomes. Psychological factors such as stress and anxiety are the most common cause of ED. Easing stress and anxiety can help reduce ED as well as improve overall health.
Common causes include:
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol levels
- Obesity
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Smoking
- Low testosterone
Treating the conditions listed above can help with your ED problem and may reduce the need for treatment.
Therapy can help with stress or anxiety induced ED and these include:
Counseling: A therapist will help to identify and address any major stress or anxiety, helping you manage them.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT): A therapist will work with you to help you manage your problems by changing the way you think and behave.
Sex therapy: A sex therapist will listen to you describe your problems and assess whether the cause is likely to be psychological, physical or a combination of the two. They can also help with worries caused by a lack of knowledge surrounding sex and addressing any emotional issues.
Other ways of reducing stress and anxiety include alternative therapies such as:
Yoga
Meditation
Relaxation techniques
Research shows these treatments can help manage and reduce your stress and anxiety levels.
There is less evidence supporting these alternative therapies compared to more traditional therapies, however they may provide additional benefits when used alongside any ED treatments you are prescribed.
How to take Viagra
Viagra is usually taken approximately 1 hour before sexual activity. It usually has a starting dose of 50mg, which can then be adjusted according to response. It is recommended to try Viagra a few times before trying something else. If you find 50mg aren't producing enough of an effect, the dose can be increased to 100mg. On the other hand if you find you are experiencing side effects from the 50mg tablets, you can try the lower strength dose of 25mg which can still successfully treat ED.
Viagra usually takes between 30 minutes to 1 hour to work, but the onset of effect may be delayed if taken with food. Once taken it usually lasts 4 – 5 hours. Do not take more than one dose of Viagra in 24 hours or more often than prescribed. Do not combine it with another ED medicine or switch treatments without advice from your prescriber.
Sildenafil vs Viagra
Viagra is simply the brand name for Sildenafil, which was first made by Pfizer, since it is no longer under patent other drug companies can now manufacture Sildenafil tablets at a much lower price. Despite the name difference both tablets contain the exact same active ingredient, which is Sildenafil. Viagra is more expensive than Sildenafil as you are paying for the brand name rather than it providing a better or faster response.
Viagra (Sildenafil) side effects
Like all medicines, sildenafil can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Many effects are mild, but it is important to recognise the warning signs below. The most common side effects of Sildenafil include headaches, flushing, nasal complaints (stuffy or runny nose), nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea. If you would like to see a full list of side effects please refer to the SPC below or look in the patient information leaflet.
Stop taking sildenafil and get medical help immediately for an erection lasting more than 4 hours, sudden loss or a marked change in vision, or sudden hearing loss. A prolonged erection can damage the penis; sudden vision loss can be a sign of a serious eye problem. Hearing changes may occur with ringing in the ears or dizziness.
Call 999 for chest pain or signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as difficulty breathing or swelling of the face, lips or tongue. Do not take nitrate medicines for chest pain after an ED tablet; tell the emergency team what you took and when.
Who cannot take Viagra (Sildenafil)
Sildenafil is well tolerated and suitable for most men over the age of 18. However it may not be suitable if you:
- Have previously had an allergic reaction to Sildenafil
- Are taking nitrates for chest pain
- Suffer with a serious heart or liver condition
- Have recently had a stroke, heart attack or other heart problem
- Suffer from low blood pressure
- Have a rare inherited eye disease
- Suffer from sickle cell anaemia, leukaemia or multiple myeloma
- Have a penis deformity or a curved penis (Peyronie's disease)
- Have a stomach ulcer
- Have a bleeding disorder such as haemophilia
Drug Interactions with Viagra (Sildenafil)
The following drugs interact with Sildenafil, make sure you tell your doctor if you are taking:
Nitrates eg. Isosorbide mononitrate
Poppers or other nitric oxide donors
Protease inhibitors eg. Ritonavir
Alpha-blockers eg. Tamsulosin, doxazosin.
Riociguat
You should also be aware that any herbal or alternative remedies you take may also interact with Sildenafil and cause side effects. If you are taking any herbal or alternative remedies make sure to mention them to your doctor, or on the consultation form so we can make sure they are safe to take together. If you would like a full list of drug interactions with Sildenafil you can find them here: Sildenafil interactions. If you have any concerns about any medications you are taking and if they safe to take with Sildenafil do not be afraid to contact our support team and ask.
Viagra vs Tadalafil (Cialis)
Tadalafil or Cialis is another form of medication that is used to treat ED. Like Viagra it starts to work in around 30 minutes, but lasts much longer than Viagra does with an effect seen for up to 36 hours. For this reason it is known as the 'weekend' pill. This does not mean you will have an erection that lasts 36 hours more that you will be able to get and maintain an erection when sexually aroused in a 36 hour period. This longer duration can be a drawback if you experience side effects as the drug will remain in your system for up to 36 hours compared to Viagra which will begin to wear off after 4 hours.
Viagra has been around longer than Tadalafil but Tadalafil has been around as Cialis since 2003 when it was first manufactured. Both are safe and effective treatments for ED. The use of either tablet tends to come down to personal preference.
Viagra Alternatives
If you find Viagra is not working for you, there are other treatments available such as:
Tadalafil – can be taken up to 36 hours before sex
Vardenafil – can be taken up to around 4 hours before sex
Levitra – can be taken up to around 4 hours before sex
Cialis (Tadalafil) – can be taken up to 36 hours before sex
Spedra – can be taken up to around 4 hours before sex
Making lifestyle changes, such as exercising, stopping smoking can help overcome ED and help increase the chances of treatment being successful. Discussing any psychological factors such as stress or anxiety with a doctor or therapist can also help overcoming ED.
Another medication is also available called Alprostadil. This is a synthetic hormone that stimulates blood flow to the penis. It comes in the form of and injection directly into the penis or as a small pellet placed inside the urethra. This medication is not currently available to buy from us and will require you to make an appointment with your GP.
Frequently asked questions
How do I take Viagra to get the best results?
You should take your Viagra at least 30 minutes before sexual activity, it will last for around 4 hours and should be taken on an empty stomach to help with absorption.
Alternative therapies such as:
Yoga
Meditation
Relaxation techniques
Can help improve treatment outcomesHow many Viagra tablets can I take in one day?
Do not take more than one Viagra tablet in 24 hours or more often than prescribed. Do not combine it with another ED medicine or switch treatments without advice from your prescriber.
Can women take Viagra?
Viagra is licensed for erectile dysfunction in adult men, not for sexual problems in women. Other sildenafil products may be prescribed for pulmonary arterial hypertension under specialist care.
Any long term effects of taking Viagra?
Viagra can be safety taken for a prolonged period of time and there do not seem to be any lasting harmful effects from taking it for years.
How old do I need to be to take Viagra?
Erectile dysfunction can affect people at different ages. To purchase them from our pharmacy you will need to be 18 years old or older.
Will Viagra affect fertility?
There is no evidence to suggest that taking Viagra will affect fertility in either men or women.
Can you cut or split a Viagra tablet?
Check with your pharmacist before splitting a tablet. Whether it can provide an accurate half-dose depends on the exact product and strength supplied. Use the strength prescribed for you rather than assuming every tablet can be divided equally.
Is it safe to buy Viagra from your pharmacy?
We are a General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) registered pharmacy and we source all our pharmaceutical products from reputable wholesalers, the same wholesalers that provide the medicines used to fill NHS prescriptions.
If you buy them from an unregistered pharmacy you may be wasting your money at best or at worse harm yourself buying and taking fake tablets. Always check to make sure where you are buying them from are registered with the GPhC.Does Viagra expire?
Yes, like most medicines has a shelf life and will become less effective if it is left unused. Always check the expiry date of any medicines you are taking before you take them. If you find your medicine has expired, you can post them to us, bring them to us or take them to your nearest pharmacy for safe disposal.
How should I store Viagra?
Viagra should be stored in a dry area below 30°C and kept out of direct sunlight. Storing the tablets incorrectly could result in the tablets becoming less effective.
How long does Viagra last?
Viagra usually lasts between 2 - 5 hours before its effects diminish and fully wear off. This does not mean you should have a continuous erection. An erection lasting more than 4 hours needs immediate medical help.
Will Viagra work?
Sildenafil can improve erections, but the response varies between people.
If the starting dose of 50mg does not work, your prescriber may consider 100mg after checking how you used it and any side effects. If there are no results then there are other treatments available.Who shouldn't take Viagra?
Viagra should not be taken by those with heart conditions as it can widen the blood vessels putting increased pressure on the heart. If you have a heart condition please discuss with your doctor, as suitability can depend on multiple factors and circumstances.
Will Viagra help with premature ejaculation?
Viagra will only with ED, it will not directly help with premature ejaculation (PE). Dapoxetine which has been proven to help with PE and is manufactured as the brand Priligy, this can help you last up to three times longer in bed.
You can buy Priligy tablets from Hightown Pharmacy after filling in an online consultation.Is there a herbal Viagra?
A herbal Viagra or Viagra has never been approved as a treatment for ED. Any treatment claiming to be a herbal treatment, may not work or could even be unsafe and cause you harm.
Can I take Viagra with alcohol?
Alcohol intake should be avoided or kept to a moderate amount when taking Viagra, as it can increase the risk of side effects and also reduce the ability for you to maintain an erection.
Sources and further information
- eMC: Cialis 10mg film-coated tablets patient leaflet (checked 8 September 2026)
- Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC)
- NHS: sildenafil information and urgent side-effect advice (accessed 8 September 2026)
