Viagra Connect vs Viagra and Other Erectile Dysfunction Treatments

Viagra Connect and Viagra are two of the most popular ED treatments you can use. We compare Viagra Connect vs Viagra and also look at some of the alternative ED medications on the market.

Review the information we’ve provided, and then decide which one is right for you.

What’s the difference between Viagra and Viagra Connect?

The key difference between Viagra Connect and Viagra is that the former can be bought without a prescription, while the latter needs authorisation from a GP.

Viagra Connect and Viagra are both manufactured by Pfizer, contain the same active ingredient (sildenafil citrate), and work in the exact same way.

You might now be asking yourself “is Viagra Connect the same as Viagra”? The answer is that it’s not quite the same but it’s pretty close. This is because it’s not only how you buy Viagra Connect that differs but the amount of sildenafil citrate the two medications contain.

These are the two differences between regular Viagra and Viagra Connect:

• Viagra Connect is an over-the-counter medication
• Viagra Connect contains 50mg of sildenafil citrate

Below, we explain the two differences between Viagra and Viagra Connect in more detail:

You don’t need a prescription to buy Viagra Connect

Viagra Connect is a pharmacy medicine. This means you can buy it over the counter. Before Viagra Connect was launched in April 2018, you could only get ED treatments by prescription.

You can only get 50mg dosages of Viagra Connect

Viagra Connect is available in tablets containing 50mg of sildenafil citrate. Regular Viagra, on the other hand, is available in higher (100mg) and lower doses (25mg), and by prescription only.

You can purchase Viagra Connect in pharmacies. All you need to do is have a quick discussion with the pharmacist, who will make sure it’s safe for you to take the medication.

You can buy Viagra Connect from The Independent Pharmacy

If you use The Independent Pharmacy to buy Viagra Connect, you will need to fill out a short and confidential questionnaire, which will be checked by a qualified doctor. Once approved by an online doctor, you will be able to order Viagra Connect tablets online and have them delivered in plain, unmarked packaging for maximum discretion.

Available Online - Viagra ConnectAvailable without a prescription, Viagra Connect 50 mg Tablets can be bought online today for just £19.99. Fill out your consultation questionnaire today and get your ED treatment delivered to you at home.

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What is the active ingredient in erectile dysfunction pills?

Viagra Connect and Viagra are the two flagship erectile dysfunction treatment brands sold by Pfizer. But these are just two of the medications you can use.

Before we talk about the different brands, let's explain the difference between the main active ingredients found in most erectile dysfunction treatments: Sildenafil citrate and tadalafil.

Key details of sildenafil citrate

• Takes 30 to 60 minutes to work
• Provides an erection for up to 4 hours
• Works when you are sexually aroused; it won’t cause an erection alone

Key details of tadalafil

• Takes 30 minutes to work
• Provides an erection for up to 36 hours
• Works when you are sexually aroused; it won’t cause an erection alone

Sildenafil citrate is the medical name for Viagra, the most recognised brand of erectile dysfunction medication. However, there are several other manufacturers that offer sildenafil citrate-based treatments under different brand names, plus alternative tadalafil-based treatments.

Now, to give you an idea of the most suitable ED treatment for you, we’ve compared Viagra against other popular medications.

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Viagra vs Cialis

Rather than sildenafil citrate, Cialis contains the active ingredient tadalafil. This ingredient works in a very similar way to sildenafil citrate, increasing blood flow to the penis, and helping you to get and maintain an erection for sexual activity.

Both Viagra and Cialis can only be purchased with a prescription. Overall, there are three main differences between Viagra and Cialis.

One, because they use different active ingredients, the two treatments work for varying amounts of time. Viagra’s effects last up to four or five hours. Sometimes called the weekend drug, the effects of Cialis can last for much longer, and can help you maintain an erection for up to 36 hours.

Two, Cialis is available in two doses: 10mg and 20mg. Viagra, by comparison, is available in three doses: 25mg, 50mg, and 100mg.

Three, Cialis is equally effective when taken with food. For the best results, Viagra should be taken on an empty stomach, and typically takes a lot longer to work if you have eaten a high-fat meal recently.

Viagra and Cialis can both produce similar side effects, including:

• Headaches
• Nausea
• Indigestion and heartburn
• Light-headed or dizzy spells

For more information, see our guide on Viagra side effects, which answers the most common questions users have before taking medication for the first time.

Cialis vs Cialis Daily

Cialis is prescribed for one-off use and is designed to be taken one hour before you want to engage in sexual activity. Cialis Daily is a lower-dose tablet of the same medication that you take every day.

Available in 2.5mg and 5mg tablets, Cialis Daily is the ideal medication if you want to have spontaneous sex. When taking Cialis Daily, you should be able to achieve an erection for sexual activity when you want and without the need to plan ahead.

If you like to have sex more than three times a week, Cialis Daily is likely to be the best ED treatment for you.

Click here to find out more about what Cialis is.

Sildenafil vs Viagra

Sildenafil is essentially a cheaper generic version of Viagra. Both Sildenafil and Viagra are proven to be equally effective, the only difference is the branding; Viagra is a brand name that only Pfizer can use, which is why it commands a premium price. Like regular Viagra, Sildenafil is available as a prescription-only medication.

Sildenafil vs Tadalafil

In the same way that Sildenafil is a cheaper generic version of Viagra, Tadalafil is a cheaper generic version of Cialis. Again, the only difference between Cialis and Tadalafil is the branding. The two treatments work in the exact same way and are available as a prescription-only medication.

Kamagra vs Viagra

Kamagra is an ED that claims to contain sildenafil citrate in gel form, rather than a tablet. Kamagra has become popular because it's cheaper than both Viagra and Cialis. Before Viagra Connect was released, it was also one of the few ways to get hold of an ED treatment without a prescription.

However, it is illegal to buy Kamagra in the UK. This means you will be buying the treatment from unlicensed websites, usually from India. Because you won’t talk to a doctor or pharmacist before buying the treatment and you don't know exactly what is in each sachet, Kamagra is potentially much more dangerous than Viagra, Cialis, and other ED treatments.

You can read more about Kamagra here.

Levitra is also an effective ED medicine but is most suited to men aged over fifty. See this article to find out more about Levitra versus Viagra.

How do all these treatments compare against each other?

Summary

The treatment you choose will depend mainly on price, effectiveness, and method of purchase.

Medications containing sildenafil citrate (Viagra products) and tadalafil (Cialis products) are both comparably effective at treating ED symptoms.

Generic sildenafil citrate and tadalafil are often smart choices because they are just as effective as their branded counterparts, but much cheaper. Alternatively, if you want to purchase an ED treatment over the counter or through an online pharmacy, Viagra Connect is your best option.

Whichever treatment you choose, it is advisable to have a consultation with your doctor or pharmacist beforehand. When buying Viagra Connect from The Independent Pharmacy, this can be done through an online questionnaire that is confidential and discreet, so you don’t have to speak to someone face to face if it makes you feel uncomfortable. This online questionnaire also makes sure you are safe to take the ED treatment of your choice and that it doesn’t pose a danger with any other medications you are currently taking.

For more information about what our customers say, take a look at our Viagra Connect reviews.

Sources:

https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/sildenafil.html

https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-77875/tadalafil-oral/details

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5603624/

https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/sildenafil-viagra/

https://www.pfizer.com/sites/default/files/investors/financial_reports/annual_reports/2018/our-innovation/focusing-on-patients/erectile-dysfunction/index.html