List of topics
- Treatment for erectile dysfunction with Viagra Connect®
- Access Viagra Connect® following an online consultation
- What is Viagra Connect®?
- What is the active substance in Viagra Connect®?
- Who may be considered for Viagra Connect®?
- What dosage is available?
- How is Viagra Connect® taken?
- How long does Viagra Connect® take to work and how long does it last?
- What can affect the effect of Viagra Connect®?
- When should Viagra Connect® not be used?
- Warnings and precautions
- Interactions with other medicines, food and drink
- What side effects can occur?
- Driving and operating machinery
- Storage information
- Viagra Connect® active substance and excipients
- Patient information leaflet
Treatment for erectile dysfunction with Viagra Connect®
Viagra Connect® is a pharmacy medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) in adult men aged 18 years and over. Erectile dysfunction is defined as the persistent inability to achieve or maintain an erection firm enough for satisfactory sexual activity.
Viagra Connect® contains sildenafil citrate, which belongs to a group of medicines called phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors. It works by relaxing blood vessels in the penis, increasing blood flow during sexual stimulation and helping to achieve an erection. Viagra Connect® does not cause an erection without sexual stimulation.
Viagra Connect® is available in a single 50 mg strength and is intended for on-demand use following a pharmacist consultation.
Access Viagra Connect® following an online consultation
Start the online consultation and complete a short medical questionnaire.
A UK-registered pharmacist will review your information to determine whether Viagra Connect® may be suitable for you. If appropriate, the medicine can be supplied following this assessment.
Important information
DoktorABC UK is a digital health platform that connects patients with independent, UK-registered healthcare professionals. DoktorABC UK does not provide medical care, issue prescriptions or dispense medicines. All clinical decisions are made by the pharmacist following an individual medical assessment.
Important health advice
You should schedule a health check-up with your doctor as soon as possible within the first 6 months of starting to use Viagra Connect® to ensure that your erection problems are not caused by any serious health condition.
Erectile dysfunction may be an early sign of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol. If you have not already done so, tell your doctor about your erectile difficulties.
What is Viagra Connect®?
Viagra Connect® is a pharmacy medicine for erectile dysfunction in adult men. It helps support the natural erectile response by improving blood flow to the penis during sexual stimulation.
Viagra Connect® may start to work within around 30–60 minutes in most men. The effects can last for up to approximately four hours, although this varies between individuals.
What is the active substance in Viagra Connect®?
The active substance in Viagra Connect® is sildenafil (as sildenafil citrate).
Sildenafil inhibits the PDE-5 enzyme, which plays a role in regulating blood flow in the penis. By inhibiting this enzyme, sildenafil enhances the natural erectile response to sexual stimulation.
Who may be considered for Viagra Connect®?
Viagra Connect® may be suitable for men aged 18 years and over with erectile dysfunction, following a pharmacist assessment.
During the consultation, the pharmacist will consider factors such as:
- cardiovascular health and fitness for sexual activity
- current medicines (including nitrate medicines)
- relevant medical history (including liver, kidney or eye conditions)
Viagra Connect® is not suitable for everyone. A pharmacist assessment is required before supply.
What dosage is available?
Viagra Connect® is available as 50 mg sildenafil tablets only.
The recommended dose is one 50 mg tablet, taken as needed approximately one hour before sexual activity.
Do not take more than one tablet in 24 hours.
How is Viagra Connect® taken?
Always take Viagra Connect® exactly as described in the patient information leaflet or as advised by your pharmacist.
General guidance includes:
- Take one tablet approximately one hour before sexual activity
- Swallow the tablet whole with water
- It can be taken with or without food, but a heavy or high-fat meal may delay the onset of effect
- Do not take more than one tablet per day
- Sexual stimulation is required for the medicine to work
Viagra Connect® will only help you achieve an erection if you are sexually aroused. You and your partner should engage in foreplay just as you would if you were not taking a medicine for erectile dysfunction.
How long does Viagra Connect® take to work and how long does it last?
The time Viagra Connect® takes to work varies between individuals, but it normally takes between 30 to 60 minutes. You may take it up to 4 hours before sexual activity.
The effects may last for up to around four hours, although this varies between individuals.
For most men, Viagra Connect® will work the first or second time they try it. If it has been some time since you were able to achieve or maintain an erection, it may take a couple of attempts before you achieve the desired effect.
What can affect the effect of Viagra Connect®?
The effect of Viagra Connect® can vary depending on individual factors and circumstances. Examples that may influence response include:
- Taking it after a heavy or high-fat meal (may delay onset)
- Excessive alcohol consumption (may reduce erectile function and increase side effects)
- Underlying health conditions (e.g., diabetes, cardiovascular disease)
- Certain medicines that interact with sildenafil
- Lack of sexual arousal or stimulation
When should Viagra Connect® not be used?
Do not take Viagra Connect® if you:
- do not have erectile dysfunction
- are allergic to sildenafil or any of the ingredients
- take nitrate medicines for chest pain (angina) or heart failure
- use nitric oxide donors (such as amyl nitrite, "poppers")
- take riociguat (or other guanylate cyclase stimulators)
- take ritonavir for HIV treatment
- have been advised by your doctor to avoid sexual activity because of heart or blood vessel problems
- have a severe heart problem such as a recent heart attack or stroke (within the last 6 months), unstable angina or severe cardiac failure
- have a severe liver problem
- have low blood pressure (below 90/50 mmHg) which can cause symptoms such as tiredness, dizziness or blurred vision
- have ever had severe vision loss because of nerve damage in the eyes (such as NAION) or have a rare inherited eye disease (such as retinitis pigmentosa)
- have a deformed penis
Viagra Connect® is not suitable for women or for anyone under 18 years of age.
Always inform the pharmacist about your full medical history and current medicines before taking Viagra Connect®.
Warnings and precautions
Cardiovascular risk factors
Sexual activity can put strain on your heart. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor before taking Viagra Connect® if you:
- get very breathless or feel pain in the chest with light or moderate activity (e.g., walking briskly for 20 minutes or climbing two flights of stairs)
- have a problem with a heart valve (valvular heart disease)
- have a disease where the heart muscle becomes inflamed (cardiomyopathy)
- have an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
- have had surgery to improve blood flow to your heart, or have high blood pressure which is now adequately treated
- have high blood pressure that is not controlled
Other risk factors
Speak to a pharmacist or doctor before using Viagra Connect® if you:
- have ever had an erection lasting more than 4 hours (priapism). Some conditions can increase the risk, such as sickle cell anaemia, leukaemia or multiple myeloma
- have a stomach ulcer or bleeding disorder (such as haemophilia)
- have previously been diagnosed with mild to moderate liver disease, or severe kidney problems
- notice any sudden changes in vision or hearing
If you experience any sudden visual defect, stop taking Viagra Connect® and contact your doctor immediately.
Interactions with other medicines, food and drink
Some medicines may interact with Viagra Connect®. Tell your pharmacist if you take:
Do not use Viagra Connect® if you take:
- Nitrate medicines (such as glyceryl trinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate) for chest pain or heart failure
- Riociguat or other guanylate cyclase stimulators for high blood pressure in the lungs
- Ritonavir for HIV treatment
Talk to your pharmacist before using Viagra Connect® if you take:
- Medicines for fungal infections (itraconazole, ketoconazole) or antibiotics (erythromycin)
- Heartburn treatment (cimetidine)
- Alpha-blockers for prostate problems or high blood pressure (alfuzosin, doxazosin, tamsulosin)
- Medicines containing sacubitril/valsartan for heart failure
- Other treatments for erectile dysfunction
Food and drink interactions:
- Do not take Viagra Connect® with grapefruit or grapefruit juice, as this can affect how the medicine works
- Drinking excessive alcohol can temporarily reduce your ability to achieve an erection
- When taken after a high-fat meal, Viagra Connect® may take longer to start working
What side effects can occur?
Like all medicines, Viagra Connect® can cause side effects, although not everyone experiences them. These side effects are usually mild to moderate and of short duration.
Seek medical attention immediately if you experience:
- Chest pains (uncommon): Get in a semi-sitting position and try to relax. Do NOT use nitrates to treat your chest pain
- A prolonged and sometimes painful erection lasting longer than 4 hours (rare): This requires urgent medical attention
- Sudden decrease or loss of vision (rare)
- Sudden decrease or loss of hearing (rare)
- An allergic reaction (uncommon): Symptoms include sudden wheeziness, difficulty breathing or dizziness, swelling of the eyelids, face, lips or throat
- Serious skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (rare): Symptoms may include severe peeling and swelling of the skin, blistering of the mouth, genitals and around the eyes, and fever
- Seizures or fits (rare)
Very common side effects (may affect more than 1 in 10 people):
- Headache
Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
- Nausea
- Indigestion
- Stuffy nose
- Dizziness
- Facial flushing or hot flush
- Colour tinge to vision, blurred vision, visual disturbance
Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):
- Vomiting, upper abdominal pain, acid reflux (heartburn)
- Skin rash, pain in arms or legs, nosebleed, feeling hot, fatigue
- Eye irritation, bloodshot eyes, eye pain, seeing flashes of light, light sensitivity, watery eyes
- Pounding heartbeat, rapid heartbeat
- High or low blood pressure
- Muscle pain, feeling sleepy, reduced sense of touch, vertigo, ringing in ears
- Dry mouth, blocked or stuffy sinuses, inflammation of the nose lining
- Presence of blood in urine
Reporting side effects (UK)
Suspected adverse reactions can be reported via the MHRA Yellow Card scheme or by searching for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
Driving and operating machinery
Viagra Connect® may cause dizziness or visual disturbances in some people. Do not drive or operate machinery if affected.
Storage information
- Keep out of the sight and reach of children
- Do not store above 30°C
- Store in the original packaging to protect from moisture
- Do not use after the expiry date shown on the pack
Viagra Connect® active substance and excipients
Active substance:
- Sildenafil 50 mg (as sildenafil citrate)
Other ingredients:
- Tablet core: microcrystalline cellulose, calcium hydrogen phosphate (anhydrous), croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate
- Film coat: hypromellose, titanium dioxide (E171), lactose, triacetin, indigo carmine aluminium lake (E132)
Viagra Connect® contains lactose and sodium. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.
Patient information leaflet
Always read the UK patient information leaflet before taking Viagra Connect®. The leaflet contains complete information on safe use, side effects and storage.
Frequently asked questions
Does Viagra Connect® work without sexual stimulation?
No. Sexual stimulation is required for Viagra Connect® to be effective.
Can I take Viagra Connect® every day?
Viagra Connect® is intended for on-demand use. Do not take more than one tablet in 24 hours.
What if Viagra Connect® does not work the first time?
Relax and be patient if Viagra Connect® does not help you the first time. You can try again later, but remember you can only take one tablet per day. For most men, Viagra Connect® will work the first or second time they try it.
If you have tried Viagra Connect® as directed and are still not able to achieve or maintain an erection, talk to your doctor or pharmacist for further assessment.
What is the difference between Viagra Connect® and prescription Viagra®?
Viagra Connect® contains 50 mg sildenafil and is supplied as a pharmacy medicine following consultation with a pharmacist. Prescription Viagra® is available in 25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg strengths and requires a prescription from a doctor following medical assessment.
Both contain the same active substance (sildenafil citrate) and work in the same way.
Can Viagra Connect® be taken with food?
Yes. Viagra Connect® can be taken with or without food. However, when taken after a high-fat meal, it may take longer to start working.
How is Viagra Connect® different from other ED medicines?
Viagra Connect® is the only sildenafil product available as a pharmacy medicine in the UK. Other PDE-5 inhibitors (such as tadalafil, vardenafil, avanafil) are prescription-only medicines.
Leaflet info
The Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) is the leaflet included in the pack with a medicine. It is written for patients and gives information about taking or using a medicine. It is possible that the leaflet in your medicine pack may differ from the PDF-version from this website because it may have been updated since your medicine was packaged or the medicine is from another brand.
