What do reviews of Viagra Connect say?

The active ingredient in Viagra Connect is called ‘Sildenafil’ and there have been a lot of reviews of this medication. Clinical studies have shown that Sildenafil is:

• Effective – it works in 46-87% of patients

• Very safe – side effects are usually well-tolerated

• It takes around an hour to start working and is effective for 4-6 hours

The review of the decision to offer Viagra Connect as an over-the-counter medication – this was made available in early 2021. Some of the reasons for making Viagra Connect available prescription-free include:

• More men with erection problems could get help

• The number of men looking for illicit treatments for ED could be reduced

• Pharmacists can offer a wider range of treatment in face-to-face consultations

• You may not need to see a doctor to receive ED medication

• The regulation of Viagra in Ireland can be improved, making it safer to buy 

The active ingredient is tried and tested – Viagra Connect contains the same active ingredient as Viagra and Sildenafil, two medications that are well-established for treating erectile dysfunction. Medications containing Sildenafil work in a similar way to other erectile dysfunction medicines. But Viagra Connect, unlike other treatments, is be available to buy over-the-counter.

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How do people find using Viagra Connect?

Feedback is generally positive – many patients and their partners gave positive views after trying erectile dysfunction (ED) medicines containing Sildenafil, which is the active ingredient in Viagra Connect. Although these reviews could be useful if you’re considering ED treatment, it is important to remember that they are not as important as the professional opinion of a doctor or pharmacist. 

Patient accounts – below are some patient reviews for medications containing Sildenafil:

“I started having trouble getting and maintaining an election so asked my doctor about the problem. He prescribed Viagra and it works great. One hour after taking 50mg I get a beautiful erection, sensitivity is good, climax is wonderful. My wife loves it and climaxes every time, sometimes twice. Side effects can be a flushed skin about an hour in and sometimes a bit of a headache (not severe, but there). Two Aspirin fix things. Wonderful product. Happy wife, happy life!”

“Yes, I achieved good erections after about 40 to 50 minutes and yes, I could repeat the experience a week or two later, however, the side effects drove me away from it.”

These reviews were taken from drugs.com. There are some side effects can occur in some men who use medicines containing Sildenafil. They usually aren’t serious and can be discussed with a doctor if they occur.

This kind of medication is gaining popularity – statistics show that one in ten men suffer from an erectile problem in the world. In Ireland, the number of men being prescribed medications containing Sildenafil are rising, making it an increasingly popular medication.

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Does the HSE recommend using Viagra Connect?

Yes – medicines containing Sildenafil are one of the first line treatment options for erectile dysfunction. This means that medicines containing Sildenafil (including Viagra Connect) meets all of the safety and effectiveness standards required by the HSE.

The HSE won't need to offer Viagra Connect – this is because it will be available over-the-counter, so the HSE doesn't need to give out prescriptions for it. However the HSE and private healthcare companies will continue to offer other medications which contain sildenafil under prescriptions

Viagra Connect is supported by the Irish government – as well as the HSE, the The HPRA also support Viagra Connect. The HPRA are the Irish government’s agency for reviewing healthcare in Ireland. They have led the way in introducing Viagra Connect and have done so because of how safe a treatment option it is.

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What are the reviews for buying Viagra Connect online?

The experience of buying online is generally positive – reviews for buying medicines containing Sildenafil from online services such as ours are generally positive. In December 2017, Superdrug Online Doctor service held a Trustpilot rating of 9.3 out of 10 for our online consultation service with customer reviews such as “efficient”, “fast”, and “discreet”. 

It is important to be cautious when buying products online – not all outlets are regulated, meaning that you are not guaranteed safe and effective treatment. You may be putting yourself at risk of additional unwanted side effects from a product that is not genuine. 

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How does Viagra Connect compare to other treatments?

The main difference between Viagra Connect and other medications is that it doesn’t require a prescription – because Viagra Connect is available over-the-counter, it is easier to access than other medicines that contain Sildenafil. This means that you do not require a prescription to receive your supply of Viagra Connect. 

Sildenafil and other active ingredients – medicines containing Sildenafil (including Viagra Connect) come under a family of medicines called PDE-5 inhibitors. Sildenafil and the other drugs in this family seem to be equally effective, so it might be helpful to take your lifestyle into account. For instance, if you would prefer not to have to arrange a consultation for your supply of medicine, Viagra Connect may be suitable for you. However, the characteristics of other PDE-5 inhibitors may mean that another ED medication is more suitable for you.

Cialis and Spedra, for example, may be suitable for you if you do not want to plan sex in advance. This is because Cialis works for over a day in some men and Spedra does not take a long time to take effect.

Viagra Connect and other treatment options – The main difference between medications like Viagra Connect and other therapies is that medications are easier, effective, fast-acting, and can help a wide range of people with erection problems.

Many non-medication options are available in treating erectile dysfunction (ED). There are lifestyle changes that you could make to improve erections, whether or not these are used with ED medication: 

• Losing weight if your BMI is above the ideal range 

• Eating a healthy diet with low saturated fat and lots of fruit and vegetables 

• Stopping smoking 

• Cutting down on drinking alcohol 

Also, there are alternative therapies available if you would prefer not to use ED medication:

• Alprostadil (a medication applied to the penis)

• Pelvic floor exercises

• Psychological or psychosexual therapies (for example, counselling or CBT)

• A penis pump or penis ring

• Hormone therapy

• Surgery 

• Treating the medical condition that causes ED (if applicable – can include diabetes, high blood pressure)

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How can I try Viagra Connect?

If you are an adult man with erectile dysfunction (ED), you can use our online consultation system to get your supply of Viagra Connect:

• Complete a short online questionnaire to see whether you can use Viagra Connect safely. You will be asked questions such as any medical conditions that you have and other medications that you are already taking

• Once you have completed the questionnaire, a doctor will review your answers to see whether there are any medical reasons that mean you should not use Viagra Connect

• If it's right for you, our doctors will approve your prescription and send it to a pharmacy of your choice where you can then collect and pay for your medication

How do I know if I need Viagra Connect – you may need Viagra Connect if you have erectile dysfunction. This is when you repeatedly can’t get or keep an erection which is hard enough to have sex with your partner. This is very common, especially in men who are over 40 years old. At some point in their lives, men are likely to experience this. But if this starts to occur regularly, you may want to get treatment for it. Not only could it cause stress in a relationship, but it can also be a sign of an underlying health problem.

How should I try Viagra Connect – Viagra Connect should be taken around one hour before sex. It’s important to bear in mind that your body might need some time to get used to the medicine and that Viagra Connect might not work the first time you take it. You may need to try Viagra Connect up to eight times (no more than once per day) to see the full effect.

With food or alcohol? – Viagra Connect can be taken with or without food. However, you might find that Viagra Connect takes a little longer to work if you take it with a large meal. Alcohol can impair your ability to get or keep an erection so we advise that you do not take Viagra Connect with a large amount of alcohol. 

You should not use Viagra Connect if you: 

• Are allergic to Sildenafil or any other ingredients of Viagra Connect

• Are taking certain medication for your blood pressure

• Have a serious liver or heart problem

• Have recently had a stroke or a heart attack 

• Have certain eye conditions such as retinitis pigmentosa or NAION

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Sources

Clinical Knowledge Summaries (2014). Erectile dysfunction. NICE. [online] Available at: https://cks.nice.org.uk/erectile-dysfunction#!scenario [accessed 12th January 2018].

Culley, C. et al (2002). The efficacy of sildenafil citrate (Viagra®) in clinical populations: an update. Urology, 60(2): 12-27.

Milipharm Limited (2014). Sildenafil. EMC. [online] Available at: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.7124.pdf?filename=PIL.7124.pdf [accessed 12th January 2018].

Scaglione, F. et al (2017). Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors for the treatment of erectile dysfunction: pharmacology and clinical impact of the sildenafil citrate orodispersible tablet formulation. Clinical Therapeutics, Feb; 39(2): 370-377.

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