Viagra Connect

Viagra Connect is part of the manufacturer company Pfizer linked to the classic Viagra brand. It contains the same active ingredient as Viagra; the phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE 5) inhibitor Sildenafil. As Viagra Connect is the same as Viagra, it also has the same benefits. This includes maintaining an erection for up to 4 hours and working within 60 minutes of digestion. It will also look the same as Viagra (a small light blue diamond-shaped tablet). So what's the difference?

• Viagra Connect is currently available in a dosage of 50mg only, which is the ideal starting dosage when first buying Viagra.
• It is also the first PMED available for erectile dysfunction in the UK, meaning you can purchase it without a doctor's prescription. This was approved in November 2017.

It's important to note that a medical professional will still need to review certain medical details before purchase to ensure it isn't dangerous to your health. This includes information regarding your heart and blood pressure and will be 100% confidential.

Is Viagra Connect safe?

The Viagra brand has been registered and regulated through all UK governing bodies and pharmaceutical licenses, Viagra Connect included. For further information on the new patent as a pharmacy medicine (PMED), our section on 'Why is Viagra Connect available without a doctor's prescription?' has the answers.

Why is Viagra Connect available without a doctor's prescription?

With erectile dysfunction treatments available online from HealthExpress, Viagra Connect offers further accessibility to a much-needed product without a prescription. It also alleviates time and energy on the NHS and other doctor's services.

This allows a wider range of men to access the medication; a move that has been in the pipeline since late March 2017 when the initial formal proposal was sent over.

The Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) announced this form of Viagra without prescription in November 2017 for men over the age of 18 who have erectile dysfunction. They have stated that not only will this widen the access for men requiring treatment, but also this may reduce the amount of illegal ED medication sold to the unsuspecting public.

Over £50 million unlicensed/counterfeit ED medications have been seized in the last 5 years. In turn, this could reduce the amount of fake impotence medications out there, which is not only a waste of money but could be potentially dangerous to your health.

This move from prescription treatment to pharmacy treatment gives UK pharmacies further access of erectile dysfunction treatment, which has already been used to help millions of men across the world.

Being a PDE 5 inhibitor, Viagra Connect works by relaxing the blood vessels around the body including the penis. By relaxing the blood vessels, more blood can flow to the area, causing the penis to become erect.

In clinical trials, Viagra Connect worked for approximately 74% of men. If you're currently taking Viagra in a 50mg dosage, and find the effects to be ideal, you can transition to Viagra Connect. If you usually take another ED brand, or a different dosage, you may wish to discuss switching to Viagra Connect with your doctor first.

You can see your eligibility for Viagra Connect without prescription by completing a consultation, whether this is from a reputable online source, or at the pharmacy in-person.

Viagra Connect is taken in the same way as classic Viagra. Once you've swallowed one pill, it may take up to 60 minutes to take full effect and this may last for up to 4 hours. This does depend on the individual, but this is the case for most men.

You only get an erection when sexually aroused over this time - you will not have an erection continually for 4 hours. You should swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water.

You can only take one tablet at a time, and this should not exceed more than one pill within 24 hours.

How to make Viagra Connect most effective?

There are ways to encourage Viagra Connect to work to its fullest. These are lifestyle changes and self-help techniques that any man can do:

• Avoid heavy and/fatty meals - this means the tablet will take longer to absorb at a lower effect.
• Avoid grapefruit juice - Grapefruit can interact negatively with PDE 5 inhibitors, causing side effects.
• Avoid excessive alcohol use - This can affect any men with or without erectile dysfunction so limiting intake can help Viagra Connect work.

Viagra Connect without prescription is only available for men over the age of 18 who have erectile dysfunction (when this occurs the majority of the time). It is also not suitable for women, or for individuals interested in increasing their libido (sex drive).

The precautions of Viagra Connect are very similar to classic Viagra as well as other erectile dysfunction treatments:

• History of sight problems with yourself or in your family history
• Conditions associated with your kidneys or liver
• Serious cardiovascular conditions
• Serious chest pains (especially during exercising)
• Experience breathing problems
• High and/or uncontrollable blood pressure
• If you have or have had sickle-cell anaemia, multiple myeloma or leukaemia

Like other erectile dysfunction medications, you must be wary of taking too much Viagra Connect, or mixing it with other ED medications. At least 24 hours should have passed before changing to a different impotence treatment. Other medications that may cause unwanted side effects of Viagra Connect include:

• Alpha-blockers
• Nitrates
• CYP3A4 inhibitors
• Guanylate cyclase stimulators

At your doctor's/pharmacist's discretion, you may still be able to take Viagra Connect, especially if your condition is extremely mild. To find out more, you can begin a consultation.

Viagra Connect has the same side effects as Viagra. Side effects of Viagra Connect include headache, facial flushing, hot flushes, indigestion issues, upset stomach, blocked nose, nausea (vomiting), dizziness or light-headedness and blurred vision.

If you experience a continual and prolonged erection (exceeding 4 hours) otherwise known as 'priapism', you must seek medical attention. The same goes if you experience symptoms of an allergic reaction.

If you experience side effects, you can try a lower dosage of 25mg, however, this is only available in classic Viagra at this time so you will need doctor's approval.

Any male in the UK over the age of 18 can request Viagra Connect without a prescription.

You may have used, or use, other erectile dysfunctions including Viagra, Cialis and Levitra. Before March 2018, these all required a doctor's signature resulting in a prescription that proved your suitability to the treatment in question. Now, you can walk into a pharmacy or order online and request Viagra Connect without the need for a doctor's prescription.

This doesn't mean Viagra Connect is available like paracetamol and other over-the-counter medications. You will still require approval from the pharmacy in question - this is to ensure your safety - however, this does make obtaining erectile dysfunction medication easier.

Viagra Connect still requires a consultation approved by a medical professional, however this can be a pharmacist whereas before it was only a certified doctor. This means you will still be required to answer a few questions beforehand, however once approved, obtaining Viagra Connect is much easier.

You can buy Viagra Connect online by completing a quick consultation. This will review certain aspects of your medical history to ensure you won't experience any adverse side effects linked to the active ingredient Sildenafil.

Should I tell my GP?

If you haven't taken erectile dysfunction medication before, it is advised to tell your doctor, as this may be a symptom of another condition such as high blood pressure or cardiovascular disease. Your doctor will also need to know if you are required to take any other medication that could react negatively with Viagra Connect.

If you are taking another erectile dysfunction treatment that is a lower dosage than 50mg for a particular reason, it is advised to consult your doctor beforehand.

What other erectile dysfunction treatments are on offer?

If Viagra Connect is not right for you, there are a number of other impotence medications. These include different dosages ranging from Cialis Daily (2.5mg) up to Spedra (200mg).

The only impotence treatment that is taken daily and continually is Cialis Daily; this is a good option for men who tend to experience side effects or require a constant dosage. Cialis is also available in a needs-be basis options. Levitra Orodispersible is the only dissolvable form of erectile dysfunction medication, offering a very discreet option. Spedra can work in as little as 15 minutes, whilst Cialis can stay in the system for up to 36 hours.

Erectile dysfunction medication can also be bought in its generic form, meaning the active ingredient without the branding. For example, Sildenafil (Viagra) and Tadalafil (Cialis).

Whilst the only option available without a doctor's prescription is Viagra Connect, there are many options still suitable through a doctor's consultation.