Is it possible to get Viagra without a prescription?

What started off as a chest pain treatment, the infamous blue pill has become one of the most well known erectile dysfunction treatments worldwide. It contains the active ingredient Sildenafil which works by increasing blood flow to the blood vessels in the penis.

Since the rise in popularity of Viagra, many more ED treatments have become available such as Cialis (Tadalafil), Levitra (Vardenafil) and Spedra (Avanafil). They now all belong to one big class of ED medicines known as PDE-5 inhibitors.

No, you cannot buy prescription Viagra or any PDE5 inhibitor over the counter. However, there is a lot of confusion about what is and isn’t available.

Viagra Connect

Viagra Connect is an ED treatment option that contains the same active ingredient as prescription Viagra and is made by the same manufacturer (Pfizer). So what’s the difference beyond the brand name, why can you buy this one over the counter in the UK?

Viagra Connect is only available as a 50mg dose, whereas prescription Viagra is also available in a lower (25mg) and higher dose (100mg). Connect also contains less tablets. You can buy packs of 2, 4 or 8 tablets and whilst you can buy multiple packs, you start to pay more. The medium dose and the small pack sizes mean it is safe to sell over the counter.

If you’re unsure about trying Sildenafil, you could start with Viagra Connect and see how you react to the drug. However in the long-term, it may be easier and more cost-efficient to get Viagra on prescription.

Herbal Viagra

You may see many products available online or over the counter that claim to be a herbal Viagra. Natural medicines such as fenugreek, barrenwort, ginkgo biloba and ginseng have all been hailed as aphrodisiacs and ED cures. There are also many herbal recipes that claim to have Viagra-like effects. It sounds enticing, right? A natural product with less side effects that you can access without going to your doctor.

As great it may seem, the herbal supplement market isn’t as regulated as the pharmaceutical market. All over-the-counter and prescription drugs are regulated by a government agency such as the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the UK or the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US. If a medicine isn’t approved, it can’t be sold or prescribed.

However, herbal medicines can be sold without a proper licence, known as traditional herbal registration (THR) in the UK. This could mean the product isn’t safe nor actually effective. This can be particularly dangerous if you take other medicines or have another medical condition.

Moreover, even if the medicine is regulated, the effects of a lot of natural ingredients are not well understood and research is divided. The product you’re buying may not help with the ailment you’re buying it for.

Getting prescription Viagra or the generic version from a licensed healthcare professional means they can ensure it is right for you.

People with certain health conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, liver disease, or those who take certain medicines may be more at risk of experiencing side effects of Viagra.

Some more common side effects of Viagra can make preexisting conditions worse. For example, a common side effect of the drug is heartburn or indigestion which is not ideal if you already suffer from chronic acid reflux or GORD.

Viagra is a very safe medication and has a relatively low risk of any side effects, let alone serious side effects. However, it’s always best to check with your doctor who knows your medical history and the medicines you take.

You can buy Viagra Connect from most chain or local pharmacies in the UK. A pharmacist will ask you a few questions to check you’re okay to take it. You can get a Viagra prescription or a prescription for the generic Sildenafil from your doctor’s surgery or from an online doctor.

Who can prescribe Viagra?

Only a licensed doctor can prescribe you Viagra. This could be your family doctor, your GP or a specialist (a urologist). A pharmacist, on the other hand, cannot prescribe you Viagra. They may ask you a few questions if you buy Viagra Connect over the counter, but this is not a prescription.

Booking and waiting for a doctor’s appointment isn’t convenient or feasible for most people. That’s why Viagra is now widely available online.

Viagra should never be sold online without some form of prescription, usually electronic. So when buying online, you should always check that the online doctor or online pharmacy service is credible.

Here are some signs you should look for when buying prescription Viagra online:

• look for accreditations from relevant government agencies such as the MHRA, CQC, GMC, GPhC etc.
• check reviews for the website and/or product
• check with your doctor first before buying online

Here at euroClinix, you can order Viagra without a prior prescription from your GP. This is because our licensed doctors prescribe electronically, meaning you don’t need a physical prescription for Viagra already. Then, the prescription is dispensed by our in-house pharmacy.

Our online doctor service is discreet and secure. All you have to do is complete a medical questionnaire, from which our doctors can check whether you’re suitable for treatment. Your Viagra is then delivered straight to your door - no more long wait times or queues.