SildenafilGeneric for Viagra®

Generic Viagra® contains sildenafil, the same active ingredient as brand-name Viagra®, which means that it is just as effective for the treatment of erectile dysfunction as the original ED medication. Generic Viagra® is a PDE5 (phosphodiesterase type 5) inhibitor, which works by blocking the PDE5 enzyme, which in turn temporarily relaxes smooth muscle and improves blood flow to the penis during sexual stimulation. Other similar PDE5 inhibitors are Cialis® (tadalafil), Levitra® (vardenafil) and Stendra® (avanafil).

While Viagra® is easily recognizable as the “little blue pill,” the generic for Viagra® comes in many different colors and shapes. Authentic pills may be white or blue, round or diamond, etc.

The generic for Viagra® is called sildenafil citrate, which is the active ingredient in Viagra®. This means that the generic form of Viagra® will have the same therapeutic effect, but at a lower cost.

Yes, generic forms of Viagra® are just as safe as Viagra®. Both Viagra® and generic for Viagra® were approved by Health Canada to treat ED and millions of men have used Viagra® or the generic for Viagra® to treat their erectile dysfunction. Generic medications do not compromise the safety of a medication. The cost is lower than brand name medication for many reasons, most notably because the brand name medication is no longer legally protected against competition from other manufacturers.

Generic for Viagra® may not be safe for men with some pre-existing conditions or who are taking medications that may interact with the drug. If you have (or have ever had) heart problems (such as a heart attack), heart disease, irregular heartbeat, angina, chest pain, narrowing of the aortic valve, heart failure, heart surgery, pulmonary hypertension including pulmonary arterial hypertension, stroke, low blood pressure, high blood pressure, a deformed penis shape (Peyronie’s Disease), priapism (an erection that lasts for more than 4 hours), sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, leukemia, retinitis pigmentosa (a rare genetic eye disease), severe vision loss (such as NAION), bleeding problems, stomach ulcers, liver problems or kidney problems (such as kidney dialysis), you may be at higher risk for adverse effects. If you have any of these health conditions, or any other health condition, tell your healthcare provider. Your provider should be aware of all medical conditions, prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications that you are taking.

Multiple companies make sildenafil (generic for Viagra®), including Teva Pharmaceuticals and Pfizer Inc.

In Canada, you can get sildenafil from most major pharmacies and online with a prescription. While you cannot simply “buy” sildenafil over-the-counter, sildenafil is widely available throughout Canada with a prescription.

To get genuine sildenafil (generic for Viagra®), ensure that you are seeing a healthcare provider licensed in your province and have your prescription filled by a qualified pharmacy, one that is licensed in your province and has 3rd-party accreditations like LegitScript.

Sildenafil, an ED drug created by Pfizer, is the original drug in the PDE5 inhibitor class of medications and is very effective in treating erectile dysfunction. Sildenafil can help you get an erection or it can help you to maintain an erection for longer. If your current erection is not allowing you to have satisfying sex, a prescription for sildenafil may be able to help you.

Sildenafil works by temporarily slowing the effect of the enzyme that makes your penis return from an erect to a flaccid state after sex. If you have erectile dysfunction, the enzyme phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) often works too quickly to make your penis flaccid, which can make it difficult for you to get an erection in the first place or keep one for long enough to ejaculate. PDE5 inhibitors slow the work of PDE5, which helps you to keep an erection during sexual activity.

However, sildenafil does not automatically give you an erection just because you take the pill. You will still need to be sexually aroused for the medication to work. The good news is that you don’t need to worry about sildenafil causing an untimely erection.

To get the best results, sildenafil should be taken 30–60 minutes before you plan to have sex. Sildenafil needs time to work, so taking it too close to the time you need it may make it more difficult to get an erection strong enough for satisfying sex. Fat in a meal can delay the effects of sildenafil and also decrease the amount that is absorbed.

Sildenafil typically lasts in full effect for about two to three hours after you take the pill. Sildenafil can work for up to four or five hours, but you will likely notice that its effectiveness starts to decrease after two or three hours. This is because the half-life of sildenafil is about four hours, which means that only half of the drug will still be in your system after that time, reducing its effect on your erection.

Keep in mind that sildenafil is typically not effective until about an hour after you take the drug, so you will need to plan ahead for sex. If you are looking for an ED drug that works around the clock, Cialis or Tadalafil might be the best option for you.

Take sildenafil (generic for Viagra®) about one hour before sexual activity, as it takes about 30 minutes to an hour to begin working.

Sildenafil is available in three doses: 25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg. The 25 mg dose is the lowest available dosage of sildenafil, which is only used if you are unable to tolerate higher doses. The 50 mg dose is the “normal dose” or starting dose of Sildenafil for most men. If the 50 mg dose is not effective for you, your doctor may prescribe you maximum strength sildenafil, which is 100 mg.

It is important to take your prescribed sildenafil dose and to only take a maximum of one sildenafil dose per day. Taking too much sildenafil can have dangerous effects on your blood pressure and cause you to lose consciousness.

The cost of a generic for Viagra® tablet varies based on the strength of the dose of sildenafil it contains, but generally costs around $10 per dose. Through Livewell, sildenafil (generic for Viagra®) costs less than branded Viagra®. Sildenafil (generic for Viagra®) is the best way to get the same effect and dosing as Viagra® with the lowest price.

As you age, it is normal to see erectile function decrease. As a result, you may need more medication to see the same results. In some cases, erectile function may also worsen due to the progression of the underlying disease that is causing ED (e.g., diabetes, vascular disease).

Because ED may be caused by serious medical issues, you should connect with a primary care provider to assess any potential causes or disorders.

Sildenafil does not diminish in efficacy over time (i.e., you don’t need more because your body gets “used to it”).

The only ED treatments that work like sildenafil are other PDE5 inhibitors, which are all available by prescription-only in Canada. If you are experiencing erectile dysfunction, it is best to seek medical advice from a doctor and get an effective prescription drug treatment rather than trying your hand at home remedies or purported “over-the-counter” sildenafil alternatives.

Sildenafil may be better for you and your sex life than other ED medications, but it is not inherently better or worse than other ED treatment options. If you want a drug that you can take as-needed and that works quickly and effectively during sexual stimulation, sildenafil might be right for you. If you want around-the-clock ED treatment, daily dosages of Cialis or Tadalafil might be right for you. If you want a super quick effect, stendra might be the best option. Sildenafil is a great ED option for many men, but the best ED medication is the one that is right for you.

There are other medication options besides sildenafil such as Tadalafil, also known as Cialis.

The difference between tadalafil and sildenafil and other ED medications is that it tends to be longer lasting. While sildenafil works for three to five hours, a typical dose of tadalafil keeps working for 24 to 36 hours in your body.

Yes, you can buy sildenafil online in Canada through an online healthcare provider like Livewell. As it is a prescription drug that is not available over the counter, you can’t order it at regular retail stores. Since many people take sildenafil only occasionally as it’s needed, it can be easy to forget that you need to buy more and find yourself in a situation where you wish you had it. Instead of ruining the mood by interrupting date night to go to a pharmacy, you can have sildenafil regularly delivered to your doorstep so that you always have it when you need it. Buying it online not only helps you avoid running out when you need it most, but it also saves you the first trip to the doctor to get your prescription and the second trip to the pharmacy to get it filled.

If you see other pills online that don’t require a prescription but that claim to have benefits similar to sildenafil for those suffering from symptoms of ED, it’s a good idea to skip those. There are lots of unregulated products online, and some of these may not be safe.

If you’re buying sildenafil online, make sure you're buying it from Livewell or another platform that adheres to all Canadian regulations, where licensed healthcare practitioners write prescriptions and registered pharmacists fill them.

No, you can’t. Sildenafil and other erectile dysfunction medications are only available with a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider in Canada.

You might find websites that claim to offer sildenafil without a prescription, but these sellers are untrustworthy, and using the medications they offer can be dangerous.

With Livewell, you can always be sure you are getting genuine medication with active ingredients in the correct amount without harmful additives. Livewell dispenses drugs manufactured by pharmaceutical companies that are regulated by Health Canada. You will likely find many of the same manufacturers we use in your local pharmacy. With Livewell, you never need to worry about what’s actually in the pills you are taking.

To get a prescription for sildenafil you’ll need to talk to a healthcare practitioner who can assess your situation and write the prescription. In Canada, only licensed healthcare practitioners are legally allowed to write prescriptions. Your family doctor can do this, or you can use an online health provider like Livewell and get your prescription online, without having to visit the doctor’s office. Since Viagra and other PDE5-inhibitors are safe and widely used, you shouldn’t have any issues getting a prescription if you’re experiencing symptoms of erectile dysfunction. The most common symptoms of ED are difficulty getting an erection and difficulty maintaining a firm enough erection for long enough to have a satisfying sexual encounter.

Once your prescription is written, you can go to a pharmacy to get it filled. If you’re using an online healthcare provider like Livewell, it’s even easier. You can skip the pharmacy and order your sildenafil online. It’ll be delivered to your home discreetly and on a schedule that works for you, so you’ll never be without it when the mood strikes. To get started, set up an online visit with Livewell, complete it at your own time, and it will be reviewed by a licensed healthcare practitioner within 24 hours.

You can work with a Livewell-affiliated healthcare provider to get a prescription through an online visit on our platform. Your medical history and symptoms will be assessed during the online visit and if approved for a sildenafil prescription, you can buy sildenafil through Livewell to manage your erectile dysfunction.

With Livewell, you can always be sure you are getting genuine medication with active ingredients in the correct amount without harmful additives. Livewell drugs are manufactured by pharmaceutical companies that are regulated by Health Canada. In fact, you will likely find many of the same manufacturers we use in your local pharmacy. With Livewell, you never need to worry about what’s actually in the pills you are taking.

Livewell connects you with doctors and other healthcare providers online via text, audio, or video. You can request an online consultation and get prescription treatments 100% online.

Consultations work similarly to in-person appointments — the doctor can examine you as needed, ask questions about your symptoms, go through your health history, and determine if an online sildenafil prescription is right for you. If they think your condition is more serious, they may tell you to go to a clinic for an in-person, hands-on examination.

Once you talk to a doctor about ED and they prescribe medication online, you’ll have the option to send the sildenafil prescription to a local pharmacy or you can get your medication delivered within one to two business days for free.

Healthcare providers on the Livewell platform have the discretion to prescribe 25, 50 or 100 mg tablets of sildenafil for ED, based off of a patient’s unique medical history, symptoms, and preferences.

Livewell offers genuine sildenafil (generic Viagra®) to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) in 25, 50, or 100 mg dosages.

In general, sildenafil is safe when taken as prescribed. Sildenafil was rigorously tested in clinical trials prior to Health Canada approval and now has over two decades of use by men around the world. However, if you have certain health conditions, such as cardiovascular or heart problems, heart failure, irregular heartbeat, heart disease or a recent heart attack, sildenafil may not be a safe option for you.

In addition, if you have high blood pressure, low blood pressure, multiple myeloma, sickle cell anemia, leukemia, retinitis pigmentosa, bleeding problems, stomach ulcers, kidney problems, liver problems or Peyronie’s Disease, disclose these conditions to your doctor to ensure that you are clear to take sildenafil.

While it’s generally safe to drink alcohol with sildenafil in moderation, alcohol may make it more difficult to get an erection. People who drink alcohol and take ED meds might also experience more side effects. One study showed that over 45% of men who took sildenafil with alcohol for recreational purposes had a higher risk of side effects, including facial flushing, headaches, chest pain, changes in vision, and lightheadedness.

Sildenafil is not a treatment for premature ejaculation, so it usually won’t impact the amount of time you can have sex for before you ejaculate.

Sildenafil won’t make you hornier or help you feel sexually aroused when you otherwise wouldn’t be interested in sex. Sildenafil simply makes it easier to get an erection when you’re already sexually aroused.

If you have erectile dysfunction and normally find it difficult to get or maintain an erection, sildenafil might cause your erection to feel bigger but it will not make your penis physically larger than its regular size.

If you are currently taking any over-the-counter, recreational or prescription drugs or supplements, tell your healthcare provider. Some medications, like nitroglycerin (nitrates), isosorbide dinitrate, riociguat, ritonavir, itraconazole, ketoconazole, alpha blockers and “poppers”, have well-documented drug interactions with sildenafil and could cause serious side effects. If you are currently taking a PDE5 inhibitor, like Revatio for pulmonary arterial hypertension, talk to your doctor about adjusting your dosage.

Common sildenafil side effects include headache, flushing, upset stomach, eye problems (such as vision changes or blurred vision), stuffy or runny nose, back pain, muscle pain, nausea, dizziness or rash. These side effects are generally not dangerous, but consult your doctor if they persist or are particularly bothersome.

There are some other rare, serious side effects of sildenafil, including sudden vision loss, sudden hearing loss and chest pain, dizziness or nausea during sex. Priapism, or an erection lasting longer than four hours, is also a potential serious side effect. All of these serious side effects require emergency medical attention.

Sildenafil is considered safe when taken regularly by men, but shouldn’t be taken more than once within 24 hours. Doing so can cause side effects such as headache, dizziness, low blood pressure, priapism (a painful erection that can last for hours), and more.

Taking more than the recommended amount of Viagra® or sildenafil greatly increases your risk of side effects, including severe ones that can be dangerous, such as severe low blood pressure or an erection that won’t go away even after 4 or more hours (priapism). Never take more than the amount prescribed to you by your doctor. If you have any severe side effects after taking more than the recommended amount, or even after taking the amount of medicine prescribed to you, seek out emergency medical attention immediately.

Yes, sildenafil does expire. Typically, sildenafil is considered expired one year from the time the prescription is dispensed. Five years from the time of manufacturing, sildenafil becomes inert and loses all effectiveness.

Taking expired sildenafil is not dangerous, as long as the regular dosage is taken. However, like many medications, it becomes less effective after it expires. Therefore, it’s not recommended to take expired sildenafil, as it’s unclear how well it works.

If you have sildenafil at home that’s expired, you can speak with a doctor online on Livewell about how to get a new sildenafil prescription.