Viagra vs Sildenafil: What’s The Difference?
Medically reviewed by
Dr. IkejiLast reviewed: 31 Jul 2024
Viagra and sildenafil share the same dosages and active ingredient, but there are some distinct differences between their price and branding.
Research shows that 50mg of sildenafil or Viagra is effective in 74% of men, enabling them to get and keep an erection long enough to have sex.
Let’s explore the similarities and differences between Viagra and sildenafil to help you decide which erectile dysfunction treatment is best for you.
How are sildenafil and Viagra related?
Sildenafil and Viagra are erectile dysfunction treatments. They belong to a group of medications called phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors.
Viagra is the brand name for sildenafil, while sildenafil is the generic name for Viagra. This means that Viagra and sildenafil are the same medication because they have the same active ingredient and work in the same way.
Because Viagra is a branded medication, it can only be sold by the brand owner, which is Pfizer. Originally, Pzifer held the patent for Viagra, which meant only they could make and sell the treatment. You may have heard of Viagra being referred to as the ‘blue pill’, which reflects the way the pills look as part of Viagra’s branding.
After the patent expired in the UK in 2013, other manufacturers were able to produce generic Viagra (sildenafil) as an erectile dysfunction treatment. While only Pfizer could make Viagra, they had more control over its pricing. Since generic sildenafil has become available, it’s become generally cheaper than Viagra due to competitive pricing.
Since Viagra and sildenafil are essentially the same medication, they have the following in common:
- Dosages: 25mg, 50mg (most common), and 100mg
- PDE-5 inhibitors: Viagra and sildenafil work by temporarily increasing blood flow to the penis to help you get and maintain an erection.
- Effectiveness: Research shows that the different Viagra (sildenafil) doses improved erections by 62% (25mg), 74% (50mg) and 82% (100mg) compared to 25% in people given a placebo.
- Prescription-only: Sildenafil and Viagra require a prescription. Viagra Connect is an over-the-counter erectile dysfunction treatment that contains sildenafil as its active ingredient.
What are the differences between Viagra and sildenafil?
Although Viagra and sildenafil are basically the same medication, there are some distinct differences, particularly between their branding, packaging, over-the-counter availability, NHS prescription availability, and price.
- Branding: Viagra is the brand name for sildenafil whereas sildenafil is the generic version of Viagra.
- Packaging: The packaging of Viagra and sildenafil will be different. Viagra is manufactured by Pfizer while generic sildenafil can be manufactured by other companies.
- Over-the-counter availability: Sildenafil is only available over-the-counter in pharmacies in the form of the branded medication Viagra Connect.
- NHS prescription availability: Generic sildenafil is available to patients who meet the normal prescribing criteria for erectile dysfunction treatment, but branded medications like Viagra are not usually available on NHS prescription.
- Price: Generic sildenafil is cheaper than Viagra. It’s unlikely that you’ll get a Viagra prescription on the NHS, you’ll usually be given generic sildenafil.
Viagra prices
| Pack Size | Price |
|---|---|
| 4 tablet(s) - 25 mg | £19.99 |
| 8 tablet(s) - 25 mg | £29.99 |
| 12 tablet(s) - 25 mg | £45.00 |
| 16 tablet(s) - 25 mg | £54.99 |
| 28 tablet(s) - 25 mg | £90.00 |
| 40 tablet(s) - 25 mg | £127.00 |
| 56 tablet(s) - 25 mg | £175.00 |
| 4 tablet(s) - 50 mg | £29.99 |
| 8 tablet(s) - 50 mg | £49.99 |
| 12 tablet(s) - 50 mg | £70.00 |
| 16 tablet(s) - 50 mg | £84.99 |
| 28 tablet(s) - 50 mg | £125.00 |
| 40 tablet(s) - 50 mg | £180.00 |
| 56 tablet(s) - 50 mg | £245.00 |
| 4 tablet(s) - 100 mg | £33.99 |
| 8 tablet(s) - 100 mg | £59.99 |
| 12 tablet(s) - 100 mg | £80.00 |
| 16 tablet(s) - 100 mg | £94.00 |
| 28 tablet(s) - 100 mg | £155.00 |
| 40 tablet(s) - 100 mg | £225.00 |
| 56 tablet(s) - 100 mg | £305.00 |
Sildenafil prices
| Pack Size | Price |
|---|---|
| 25 mg - 4 tablet(s) | £15.99 |
| 25 mg - 8 tablet(s) | £23.00 |
| 25 mg - 12 tablet(s) | £40.50 |
| 25 mg - 16 tablet(s) | £44.00 |
| 25 mg - 28 tablet(s) | £78.00 |
| 25 mg - 40 tablet(s) | £110.00 |
| 25 mg - 56 tablet(s) | £152.00 |
| 50 mg - 4 tablet(s) | £14.99 |
| 50 mg - 8 tablet(s) | £27.99 |
| 50 mg - 12 tablet(s) | £41.00 |
| 50 mg - 16 tablet(s) | £44.99 |
| 50 mg - 28 tablet(s) | £78.00 |
| 50 mg - 40 tablet(s) | £111.00 |
| 50 mg - 56 tablet(s) | £154.00 |
| 100 mg - 4 tablet(s) | £24.99 |
| 100 mg - 8 tablet(s) | £34.99 |
| 100 mg - 12 tablet(s) | £52.00 |
| 100 mg - 16 tablet(s) | £55.99 |
| 100 mg - 28 tablet(s) | £100.00 |
| 100 mg - 40 tablet(s) | £142.00 |
| 100 mg - 56 tablet(s) | £198.00 |
Side effects of Viagra and sildenafil
Because the dosages and chemical compounds in Viagra and sildenafil are the same, the side effects and likelihood of experiencing them will be the same.
The common side effects of Viagra and sildenafil include:
- nausea (feeling sick)
- facial flushing (face turning red)
- hot flush (sudden feeling of heat in your upper body)
- indigestion
- your vision changing colour
- blurred vision
- visual disturbances
- stuffy nose
- dizziness
For a full list of side effects, check the patient information leaflet that comes with your medication.
If you experience side effects while taking Viagra or sildenafil, you should speak to your doctor for advice. They may recommend reducing your dose to help reduce the chance of experiencing side effects.
Note that if you get Viagra Connect over-the-counter, you can only get the standard 50mg dose. This means that if you get side effects, you won’t be able to switch to the lower 25mg without switching to prescription Viagra or sildenafil.
Which one is best for me?
Clinically, Viagra and sildenafil work in the same way, are available in the same doses, and contain the same active ingredient..
Choosing Viagra
Some people may prefer to take the branded Viagra instead of sildenafil, simply because they are more familiar with the brand. You may also decide to choose Viagra because you want to get over-the-counter treatment in the form of Viagra Connect.
Choosing Sildenafil
If price is a concern, sildenafil is the most suitable option because it tends to be cheaper than Viagra. If you’re looking to get an NHS prescription, generic sildenafil will also be a better choice.
Alternative erectile dysfunction tablets
Viagra and sildenafil are not the only treatments available for erectile dysfunction. Viagra (sildenafil) alternatives include:
- Spedra (avanafil) – a fast-acting treatment, it can get to work in just 15 mins, meaning you don’t have to plan as far ahead for sex
- Cialis (tadalafil) – lasts up to 36 hours (weekend pill) and available in a daily dose that means you’re always ready for sex
- Levitra (vardenafil) – an alternative to sildenafil that works in a very similar way, within 30 mins to 1 hour
| Viagra | Cialis | Levitra | Spedra | |
| How effective are they? | Up to 82% | Up to 86% | Up to 80% | Up to 59% |
| Generic available? | Sildenafil | Tadalafil | Vardenafil | No |
| Over the counter version? | Viagra Connect | Cialis Together | No | No |
| Available in a daily dosage? | No | Cialis Daily | No | No |
| How fast do they work? | 30-60 minutes | 30 minutes | 30-60 minutes | 15-30 minutes |
| How long do they last? | 4-6 hours | Up to 36 hours | 4-6 hours | 6 hours |
Sources
- Erectile dysfunction (impotence), NHS [accessed 16 July 2024]
- Sildenafil 25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg film-coated tablets package leaflet, emc [accessed 16 July 2024]
- Vardenafil is effective and well-tolerated for treating erectile dysfunction in a broad population of men, irrespective of age, BJUI [accessed 16 July 2024]
- Viagra 25 mg, 50 mg or 100 mg film-coated tablets package leaflet, emc [accessed 16 July 2024]
- Viagra Connect 50 mg film-coated tablets, emc [accessed 16 July 2024]