What is Viagra Connect?
Viagra Connect is an over-the-counter medication designed to help men aged 18 years and over who are experiencing symptoms of erectile dysfunction (ED). It contains 50 mg of sildenafil which works by relaxing blood vessels in the penis, improving blood flow when you’re sexually aroused.
How does Viagra Connect work?
When you’re sexually stimulated, Viagra Connect helps blood flow more easily into your penis. This helps men with ED to achieve and maintain an erection sufficient for sex. Remember the effects will not be instant just by taking the 50 mg Viagra Connect pill. This is because Viagra Connect only dilates the blood vessels in your penis - sexual arousal is still necessary.
Taking Viagra Connect
How do I use Viagra Connect for the best results?
- Take one tablet about an hour before sexual activity
- Swallow the tablet whole with water
- You can take Viagra Connect with or without food. When this medicine is taken after a high-fat meal, it may take a little longer to start working.
- Remember, you can only take one tablet in 24 hours
- If you take more than one tablet, please seek medical advice.
Viagra Connect usually starts to work within 30 to 60 minutes and can remain active in your system for up to 4 hours before being predominantly broken down by your liver.
Can I take Viagra Connect if I am taking other medicines at the same time?
During your consultation with the pharmacist, they will advise whether your current medicines can be taken with Viagra Connect or if it is not suitable for you. Some medicines cannot be taken with Viagra Connect so if you are currently taking any medicines it is important to discuss suitability of Viagra Connect with your pharmacist or doctor.
Remember to read the Viagra Connect Patient Information Leaflet for more information.
What if Viagra Connect doesn’t work for me?
It can take more than one attempt before the desired effect is achieved. If symptoms of ED have not improved after taking Viagra Connect a number of times on different occasions, speak with your doctor. The maximum dose is one 50 mg tablet per day. They can advise on alternative treatments that might be more suitable for you.
Remember that even if you do not experience effects, do not to take more than one tablet in 24 hours.
Buying Viagra Connect
Where can I get Viagra Connect?
You can purchase Viagra Connect over the counter at most pharmacies in Ireland, both in-store and online, subject to suitability. A prescription is not needed but you will have a private consultation with the pharmacist to ensure it is suitable for you.
When buying Viagra Connect online, you will need to complete a confidential questionnaire which your pharmacist should review.
Where can you buy Viagra Connect?
What should I expect during the pharmacy consultation?
The pharmacist will ask you some questions about:
- Your ED symptoms
- Your general health
- Any medication that you’re currently taking
This is to make sure that Viagra Connect is suitable for you. Don’t worry though, there is no physical examination and the consultations are held in confidence and as privately as possible to ensure your comfort.
Safety and Side Effects
Possible side effects
Viagra Connect can cause side effects, although not everyone experiences them. These side effects are usually mild to moderate and of a short duration.
Seek medical attention immediately if you experience any of the following serious side effects:
- Chest pains: this occurs uncommonly. If this occurs before, during or after sexual activity: Get in a semi-sitting position and try to relax. Do NOT use nitrates to treat your chest pain.
- A prolonged and sometimes painful erection lasting longer than 4 hours: this occurs rarely.
- A sudden decrease or loss of vision: this occurs rarely.
- An allergic reaction: this occurs uncommonly. Symptoms include sudden wheeziness, difficulty breathing or dizziness, swelling of the eyelids, face, lips or throat.
- Serious skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Syndrome (TEN): this occurs rarely. Symptoms may include severe peeling and swelling of the skin, blistering of the mouth, genitals and around the eyes and fever.
- Seizures or fits: this occurs rarely.
Other side effects :
- headache
- nausea, indigestion, stuffy nose, dizziness
- facial flushing, hot flush (a sudden feeling of heat in your upper body)
- colour tinge to vision, blurred vision, visual disturbance
- vomiting, upper abdominal pain, acid reflux (including heartburn)
- skin rash, pain in the arms or legs, nosebleed, feeling hot, feeling tired (fatigue)
- eye irritation, bloodshot eyes/red eyes, eye pain, seeing flashes of light, visual brightness, light sensitivity, watery eyes
- pounding heartbeat, rapid heartbeat
- high blood pressure
- low blood pressure (typical signs are dizziness, fainting, blurred vision, nausea and tiredness)
- muscle pain, feeling sleepy, reduced sense of touch, vertigo, ringing in the ears
- dry mouth, blocked or stuffy sinuses, inflammation of the lining of the nose (can be experienced as runny nose, sneezing and stuffy nose)
- presence of blood in urine
- fainting, dry nose, swelling of the inside of the nose, feeling irritable and sudden decrease or loss of hearing
- sudden unexpected death caused by loss of heart function (sudden cardiac arrest), stroke, heart attack, chest pains (angina), irregular heartbeat, temporary decreased blood flow to parts of the brain
- feeling of tightening of the throat, numb mouth
- bleeding at the back of the eye, double vision, reduced sharpness of vision, abnormal sensation in the eye, swelling of the eye or eyelid, small particles or spots in your vision, seeing halos around lights, dilation of the pupil of the eye, discolouration of the white of the eye
- penile bleeding, presence of blood in semen
Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people):
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):
Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):
If you get side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in the package leaflet. Please report side effects with any medicines or vaccine directly via the national reporting system: HPRA Pharmacovigilance, Website: www.hpra.ie . By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine. You should also report any side effects to Viatris Pharmacovigilance on 0044(0)8001218267 or email pv.ireland@viatris.com
You can find out more about the potential side effects of Viagra Connect by reading the Patient Information Leaflet, available on www.medicines.ie
Other Important Information
Who can I talk to about erectile dysfunction (ED)?
You can talk to your doctor or even ask your pharmacist for a private conversation - they are trained professionals who are happy to discuss these topics and to help you understand your current health.
We also would recommend talking to your partner. Like most issues couples face in life, it is better to face them together as a team, and while it might feel intimidating, having open conversations can really help to remove the tension that you may be feeling. We have a page linked below that discusses this in more detail and provides suggestions on how to approach the topic.
Talking to your partner about ED
How can I be sure I’m buying genuine Viagra Connect?
To ensure you’re getting Viagra Connect, always purchase from a registered pharmacy. Counterfeit medicines can be dangerous and may contain harmful ingredients, as they are not manufactured safely or inspected by regulatory authorities.
Here are just a few ingredients found in counterfeit medicines:
- Mercury
- Arsenic
- Rat poison
- Cement
Is there such a thing as “Herbal Viagra Connect"?
If a product is advertised as “Herbal Viagra Connect”, it is not associated with Viagra Connect. Viagra Connect is not a herbal treatment.
If you have any other questions or concerns about Viagra Connect, do not hesitate to speak with your pharmacist or doctor. As trained professionals they are there to help you and can provide personalised advice based on your individual circumstances.
Can women take Viagra Connect?
Viagra Connect is only for men aged 18 years and over with ED symptoms. It has not been tested on women so its effects are unknown.