10 Things to Know About Generic Viagra

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Viagra is a popular prescription medication that treats erectile dysfunction (ED). You’ve likely seen commercials for it on television, on your newsfeed, or on the radio. You may have even heard about its lower-cost generic that shares the same active ingredient: sildenafil.

If you’re prescribed Viagra or generic Viagra, it’s natural to have some questions. For instance, you may be curious if the brand and generic versions work the same way. Or what Viagra side effects you should be aware of. Knowing some basics about brand-name and generic Viagra can help you get the most out of your prescription.

1. There are multiple generic Viagra manufacturers

Teva Pharmaceuticals was the first company to sell generic Viagra. And ever since it originally launched in December 2017, more manufacturers have come to the table. This has continued to drive generic Viagra prices down.

Examples of other generic Viagra manufacturers include:

• Ajanta Pharma

• Amneal Pharmaceuticals

• Aurobindo Pharma

• Cipla USA

• Lupin

• Macleods Pharmaceuticals

• Mylan

• Nivagen

• Novitium Pharma

• Quallent Pharmaceuticals Health

• Sunshine Lake Pharma

• Torrent Pharmaceuticals

2. Can you get generic Viagra online?

Yes, with the help of telehealth providers and services, getting prescriptions or refills for medications online is a convenient option for many people with access to the internet. You can use these services to obtain an online prescription for Viagra.

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That said, it’s a good idea to do some research before purchasing Viagra from an online pharmacy. For example, make sure it’s a certified VIPPS online pharmacy. This credential helps demonstrate that a pharmacy is legitimate.

These are some other signs that an online pharmacy is safe to use:

• A prescription from a licensed healthcare professional is always required.

• A physical U.S. address and phone number are listed.

• The staff includes a licensed pharmacist to answer your questions.

• The pharmacy is licensed with a state board of pharmacy.

3. How to save on generic Viagra

There are many ways to save on Viagra, which is available as both a brand-name and generic medication.

• Save with GoodRx: GoodRx can help you save over 95% off the average retail price of the generic version. Generic Viagra’s price for thirty 50 mg tablets at certain pharmacies is as low as $11.70 with a free GoodRx discount.

• Save with GoodRx for ED: Get generic Viagra delivered directly to your door starting at $18 per month. This is an online telehealth service.

• Save with a copay savings card: If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to save up to 50% off your copay for Viagra using a savings card from the manufacturer.

4. Generic Viagra comes in multiple doses

Just like brand-name Viagra, sildenafil is an oral medication. Both versions come as tablets in three different doses:

• 25 mg

• 50 mg

• 100 mg

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Alternatives: In addition to Viagra (sildenafil), there are several other phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors available to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). Learn about the PDE5 inhibitors used to treat ED and how they compare.

• A persistent effect: Find out how long Viagra stays in your system after it starts working.

• Avoiding interactions: Viagra can interact with other medications and foods. Here are the common Viagra interactions to be aware of.

• Discount ED medications: Here’s a savings guide to different ED treatments, from Viagra and injectables to topical products and penis pumps.

The typical dosage of Viagra is 50 mg by mouth 1 hour before sexual activity. But depending on your response, you could take it anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours beforehand. Your dose may also be higher or lower. Just make sure you don’t take it more than once daily.

5. Generic sildenafil is no different from brand-name Viagra

Some people voice concerns about how well generic medications work. Thankfully, strict regulations are in place in the U.S. that regulate the quality of all prescription medications.

Alongside other quality control measures, guidelines are in place that ensure generic medications contain the same active ingredients as their brand-name counterparts.

The biggest difference between brand and generic Viagra is their colors. Viagra is known as the “little blue pill,” but sildenafil generally comes as a small white pill. They also can have slightly different inactive ingredients, but this doesn’t affect their safety or effectiveness.

6. A different version of sildenafil also exists

Sildenafil is the generic version of two common brand-name products: Viagra and Revatio. These medications are FDA approved for two different health conditions. While Viagra treats ED, Revatio is approved to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). This is a type of high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs.

So, how can you distinguish between the two? Dosages and available formulations play a big role.

Generic Viagra comes as 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg tablets. But generic Revatio comes in different forms. It comes as a 20 mg tablet. It’s also available as a 10 mg/mL oral liquid (suspension) and an injection given into a vein by a healthcare professional.

7. Viagra is one of the most counterfeited drugs in the world

Viagra is a popular medication. That means counterfeit versions can be an issue. In fact, the problem of counterfeit Viagra is so widespread that Pfizer has created their own security force to help cut down the number of unregulated drugs on the market. This team — Pfizer Global Security — works with law enforcement officials, pharmacies, and wholesalers to monitor and improve surveillance on counterfeit Viagra.

Why is this so important? A 2011 study done by the Pfizer Global Security team found that nearly 80% of Viagra purchases made from online websites were counterfeit. Most of the counterfeit tablets just had less sildenafil than what was labeled. But the team sometimes came across dangerous additives. Blue printer ink, amphetamines, road paint, and more were hidden in certain tablets — all things you don’t want to put in your body.

8. Viagra can cause side effects

Viagra is an effective medication for ED. But there are some side effects you should be aware of. Possible Viagra side effects include:

• Headache 

• Flushing (skin redness)

• Upset stomach

• Vision changes

• Dizziness

Viagra can also cause an erection lasting longer than 4 hours (priapism). If you experience this side effect, seek emergency medical care right away. If left untreated, a prolonged erection can cause permanent damage to the penis. 

Be sure to speak with your prescriber or pharmacist if you experience any other side effects that are bothersome, don’t go away, or get worse at any point.

9. Is generic Viagra available without a prescription?

No. In the U.S., Viagra (both brand and generic) is only available by prescription. An OTC version may potentially be approved in the future, but there’s no set timeline for this.

Pharmacy regulations are different in other countries. For instance, in the U.K., people can buy Viagra over the counter (OTC) without a prescription. It’s sold under the name Viagra Connect. The decision to make it available OTC was made by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency — the U.K.’s version of the FDA. This decision was made in an effort to help men get the care they need and avoid illegally operating websites.

10. What else does sildenafil treat?

Viagra wasn’t initially meant to be an ED treatment. It was first intended to treat chest pain (angina). But in clinical studies, people prescribed sildenafil for chest pain reported an interesting side effect — an increased amount of erections. It was approved to treat ED soon after. 

Since then, sildenafil’s approved uses have expanded to include PAH.

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Written by:

Jennifer Gershman, PharmD, CPh, PACS

Jennifer Gershman, PharmD, is a licensed pharmacist in Florida. She has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 15 years and is currently a medical writer.

Edited by:

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.

Reviewed by:

Amy B. Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS

Amy Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. Amy currently holds her pharmacist license in Georgia and California.

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