Some people voice concerns about how well generic medications work. Thankfully, strict regulations are in place in the U.S.

Side Effect	Incidence Rate	Severity	Commonality	Notes
Headache	High	Mild to moderate	Common	Usually resolves quickly
Flushing	Moderate	Mild	Common	Reddening of face and neck
Dizziness	Moderate	Mild to moderate	Common	Especially when standing up quickly
Vision Changes	Low	Mild to moderate	Less common	Blurred vision or light sensitivity

that regulate the quality of all prescription medications.

Country/Region	Legal Status	Regulatory Agency	Prescription Needed	Notes
United States	Prescription-only	FDA	Yes	Class II controlled substance
European Union	Prescription-required	EMA	Yes	Regulated as prescription drug
India	Available both OTC and RX	CDSCO	Prescription recommended	Varies by state
Australia	Prescription-only	TGA	Yes	Controlled medicine

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.

What is the difference between sildenafil and Viagra?

Just like brand-name Viagra, sildenafil is an oral medication. Both versions come as tablets in three different doses: 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. They also can have slightly different inactive ingredients, but this doesn’t affect their safety or effectiveness. Sildenafil is the generic version of two common brand-name products: Viagra and Revatio.

Product	Dosage	Quantity + Bonus	Price
Viagra Generic	100mg	30 + 4 Pills	60.91€ 58.01€
Kamagra Polo	100mg	60 + 4 Pills	189.39€ 180.37€
Viagra Generic	25mg	180 + 6 Pills	154.93€ 147.55€
Viagra Generic	100mg	60 + 4 Pills	96.36€ 91.77€
Viagra Generic	200mg	270 + 10 Pills	379.76€ 361.68€
Viagra Generic	100mg	120 + 6 Pills	149.50€ 142.38€
Kamagra Soft Tabs	100mg	180 + 8 Pills	425.45€ 405.19€
Viagra Generic	100mg	180 + 8 Pills	199.37€ 189.88€
Viagra Generic	50mg	20 Pills	40.52€ 38.59€
Kamagra Oral Jelly	100mg	63 + 7 Sachets	224.18€ 213.50€
Viagra Generic	150mg	270 + 10 Pills	326.61€ 311.06€
Viagra Generic	25mg	120 + 6 Pills	125.56€ 119.58€
Kamagra Polo	100mg	180 + 8 Pills	446.52€ 425.26€
Viagra Generic	150mg	360 + 10 Pills	423.48€ 403.31€

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.

8.6 Patients with Hepatic Impairment

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. But generic Revatio comes in different forms. It’s also available as a 10 mg/mL oral liquid (suspension) and an injection given into a vein by a healthcare professional.

5.1 Cardiovascular

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.

Allergy warning

Knowing some basics about brand-name and generic Viagra can help you get the most out of your prescription. Teva Pharmaceuticals was the first company to sell generic Viagra. And ever since it originally canadian sildenafil citrate 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: 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.

How it works for ED

You can use these services to obtain an online prescription for Viagra. 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. 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.

4.3 Concomitant Guanylate Cyclase (GC) Stimulators

Sildenafil improves sexual function in men without erectile dysfunction. Off-label use of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor erectile dysfunction medication to enhance sex among gay and bisexual men in Australia: Results from the FLUX study. Recreational use of erectile dysfunction medications and its adverse effects on erectile function in young healthy men: the mediating role of confidence in erectile ability. Sildenafil does not improve sexual function in men without erectile dysfunction but does reduce the postorgasmic refractory time. New insights into hypertension-associated erectile dysfunction.

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

Sildenafil treatment of women with antidepressant-associated sexual dysfunction: A randomized controlled trial. Characteristics of sildenafil erections in healthy young men. The pill with imprint AN 351 (White, Round, 7 mm) has been identified as Sildenafil Citrate 20 mg (base) and is used for Erectile Dysfunction, and Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Viagra (sildenafil) is a prescription medication that treats erectile dysfunction (ED). It’s available as 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg tablets.

Is it OK to take 100 mg of Teva sildenafil?

You can take a dose about 1 hour before sexual activity. Viagra is available as a lower-cost generic. GoodRx can help you save over 95% off the average retail price at certain pharmacies. Or, with GoodRx for ED, you can get generic Viagra delivered directly to your door starting at $18 per month. Viagra is a popular prescription medication that treats erectile dysfunction (ED). This team — Pfizer Global Security — works with law enforcement officials, pharmacies, and wholesalers to monitor and improve surveillance on counterfeit Viagra. 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. Viagra is an effective medication for ED. But there are some side effects you should be aware of. 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.

Sildenafil tablets are classified as phosphodiesterase inhibitors.
White sildenafil tablets are available by prescription only.
They should not be used with nitrates due to risk of dangerous drops in blood pressure.
Certain medications may interact with sildenafil, including antibiotics and antifungals.
The tablets are designed to last approximately 4-6 hours.
Overuse can lead to adverse effects like dizziness or vision changes.
Sildenafil helps men with erectile dysfunction achieve and maintain erections.
The medicine is not an aphrodisiac and requires sexual stimulation.
The tablets should be stored in a cool, dry place away from children.
Beware of counterfeit sildenafil tablets sold online.
Always verify the legitimacy of the medication before use.

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. 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.

Interactions between Sildenafil (Viagra) and other drugs

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. 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. Pharmacy regulations are different in other countries.

8.1 Pregnancy: Teratogenic Effects

And you’re not more or less likely to experience side effects. Viagra (sildenafil) and similar medications are useful for improving sexual function in men with erectile dysfunction (ED). But some men without ED use these medications off-label or without a prescription to try to improve sexual performance. You shouldn’t take Viagra or medications like it without a prescription. It’s risky since you don’t really know what you’re taking.

What does SILDENAFIL CITRATE (Generic for REVATIO) look like?

You could be taking a dose that’s higher than what’s safe, or unknowingly consuming contaminants in illegal pills. Some women may experience more sexual desire from taking Viagra, especially if their sexual dysfunction is caused by antidepressants. But Viagra is not an approved medication for women’s sexual function. Before taking Viagra, you should always talk with a healthcare professional. Efficacy and safety of sildenafil citrate in women with sexual dysfunction associated with female sexual arousal disorder.

How is sildenafil supplied (dosage forms)?

Journal of Women’s Health and Gender-Based Medicine. Overall mental health and misuse of erectile dysfunction medication among sexual minority men. Significant misuse of sildenafil in London nightclubs. Sexual dysfunction in women: A practical approach. Sildenafil for male erectile dysfunction: A systematic review and meta-analysis. 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.

Sildenafil tablets are specifically formulated to mitigate potential side effects.
The tablet's white color is typical for certain dosages or brands.
Patients with cardiovascular issues should consult a doctor before use.
Sildenafil is sometimes used to treat certain cases of erectile dysfunction caused by depression medication.
The effects of sildenafil can be enhanced by reducing alcohol intake.
Contraceptive methods do not impact sildenafil's effectiveness.
Sildenafil does not cause spontaneous erections without sexual stimulation.
It is important to remain seated or relaxed after taking sildenafil.
The pill’s manufacturing process includes strict quality control protocols.
Beware of unregulated markets selling unverified sildenafil tablets.
Follow dosing instructions carefully to prevent overdose or underdose.

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.

What does Sildenafil Citrate look like?

These medications aren’t recommended for low libido caused by medical issues, relationship problems, or medications. After taking Viagra, its effects typically last about 4 hours. But it can take your body up to 20 hours to metabolize (break down) and remove Viagra completely. This can take even longer for people who are 65 years old or older. People this age may also be more likely to experience side effects from taking Viagra.

Who should not take sildenafil?

Viagra starts working in about 30 minutes to 1 hour. Your prescriber may recommend taking Viagra may 30 minutes to 4 hours before sex. Viagra is only meant to be taken once per day. Taking more than one dose in a day can increase your risk for side effects. If Viagra isn’t working for you, talk with your prescriber about what to do next.

Your questions answered

Viagra is only FDA approved for treating ED. Another form of sildenafil, called Revatio, is approved at a lower dose for a lung condition called pulmonary arterial hypertension. If you take Viagra and don’t have sex or sexual stimulation, you’re unlikely to have an erection. This is because Viagra and other phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors only work to improve erections during sexual stimulation. Your body will clear the medication as it normally would otherwise.