How much does sildenafil cost without insurance?

If you’re considering Viagra for erectile dysfunction (ED), you might be wondering about the cost. 

Sometimes, brand-name medications for ED, such as Viagra, aren’t covered by insurance, meaning costs can add up quickly. Out-of-pocket, Viagra can cost over $100 per pill – for a one-month supply, that’s a pretty steep price tag. 

The good news is sildenafil, the generic version of Viagra, can be significantly cheaper. As a generic drug, sildenafil may be more likely to be covered by insurance. Here’s what you need to know about affording sildenafil without insurance.

Sildenafil is the generic version of Viagra, a popular prescription drug used to treat ED. Like other ED medications such as Cialis (tadalafil) and Levitra (vardenafil), sildenafil is a PDE-5 inhibitor. This class of drugs causes blood vessels to relax, thereby encouraging more blood flow to the penis. The end result is stronger, longer-lasting erections.

Sildenafil is also FDA-approved for pulmonary arterial hypertension, a form of high blood pressure in the lungs. Sildenafil for pulmonary hypertension (brand name Revatio) is prescribed at a lower dose of 10 or 20 mg typically taken three times a day.

Sildenafil for ED comes in doses of 25, 50, or 100 mg per day, with 50 mg as a common starting dose. It comes in tablet or liquid form (brand name Liqrev) for those unable to take oral medication. This medication should only be taken once per day and requires you to be sexually aroused for it to work properly. 

Sildenafil is sometimes prescribed off-label (meaning not yet approved by the FDA) to treat sexual dysfunction in women, though evidence of its effectiveness for females is lacking.

Yes. Sildenafil, more formally known as sildenafil citrate, is the active ingredient in Viagra. Since both drugs contain the same active ingredient, they function the same way in the body. 

The only difference between the two is cost (as a brand name drug, Viagra is almost double the price or more of sildenafil) and their indications; Viagra is FDA-approved for ED only while sildenafil can be prescribed for ED or pulmonary hypertension.

Other alternatives to sildenafil that are FDA-approved for treating ED include avanafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil. 

The price of a 30-day supply of 100 mg of brand-name Viagra without insurance (even with a discount coupon) can be almost $2,700, depending on the pharmacy. 

Out-of-pocket, sildenafil is still pricey—about $1,200—but a much more affordable option compared to its brand-name counterpart. Even without insurance, discount coupons can knock the price of sildenafil way down; for example, GoodRx offers a 30-day supply of generic sildenafil for less than $30. You can also get Viagra and sildenafil through a telehealth company such as Ro where you visit with a provider and get the medication without needing insurance.

Keep in mind that the prices of both medications can vary widely depending on the vendor.

Another benefit of generic sildenafil is that insurance is much more likely to cover it compared to Viagra. Because brand-name medications are generally more expensive, some insurers may not cover them, especially if a less expensive generic version is available.

It’s important to check with your insurer what medications are covered as Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance plans all have different policies about what they’ll pay for. For example, Medicare Part D excludes any drugs prescribed for sexual dysfunction, which is why Viagra is off the list. 

However, since sildenafil can be prescribed for purposes outside of ED, such as pulmonary hypertension, most Medicare plans will cover it for that purpose. Whether or not sildenafil will be covered for ED depends on your insurance. Keep in mind that if your insurance does cover sildenafil, there may be a copayment; again, the amount will depend on your plan. There also might be restrictions such as quantity limits or prior authorization (meaning approval from the insurer is required before the medication can be prescribed).

It’s a bit of a gray area that can be tricky to navigate, but the chances of sildenafil being covered by health insurance are higher compared to Viagra and other brand-name ED medications. If you’re unsure, most insurance companies list what drugs they cover under what plan on their website.

If you don’t have insurance, don’t despair—there are many low-cost options for accessing sildenafil even without insurance.

Try telehealth to treat ED  

Another low-cost option for obtaining sildenafil is through trusted telehealth services like Ro. Telehealth has the added benefit of convenience—you can connect with a doctor from the comfort of your home, and medication can be discreetly shipped to your door. 

Getting ED medication through telehealth could also be cheaper than getting medication at a pharmacy. For example, Ro offers sildenafil starting at $4/pill or $2/pill with an annual plan. Ro also offers a 2-in-1 sildenafil and tadalafil medication called Ro Sparks, which can kick in more quickly than sildenafil alone and be longer lasting, too. 

Use a savings card 

Prescription discount cards are generally free and offer significant savings – up to 80% in many cases – to people who may not have insurance or the means to afford the medications they need. 

One option is RxSaver, a free discount program that offers coupons at nearby pharmacies to save on prescriptions. Prices vary depending on the pharmacy and where you live, but you can find coupons for a 30-day supply of 50 mg sildenafil for under $20.

Coupons through savings cards may also be used in conjunction with insurance to lower high deductibles and copayments. Other popular prescription discount cards include GoodRx, Blink Health, ScriptSave WellRx, and Optum Perks. 

Check prices 

Because the cost of medications fluctuates (and varies from pharmacy to pharmacy), it’s always a good idea to check prices before you buy. That’s one reason why the discount programs we mentioned above are so handy – they list the prices of prescriptions at nearby pharmacies so you can easily see where the lowest-cost option to get sildenafil is. 

If your go-to pharmacy prices seem too high, it never hurts to check the next closest option – another pharmacy down the street may offer the same drug for half the price. 

All FDA-approved ED medications including sildenafil require a prescription from a licensed healthcare professional. Like any other prescription medication, this means you can’t pop by a drugstore and pick it up over the counter. 

While sildenafil is safe for most people to use, it has the potential for side effects, which is a big reason why a prescription is required. Some medications should not be taken with sildenafil – another reason why it’s important to speak with a healthcare provider before taking it.

If using a telehealth service, make sure to do your research and use a legitimate company like Ro that sells only FDA-approved medications. Many companies online claim to sell “authentic Viagra,” but studies have found over 70% of these online products are counterfeit, especially when taken from unreliable sources. Taking counterfeit sildenafil can be dangerous; fake products have been found to contain hazardous chemicals like paint and printer ink.

ED is a common condition that is effectively treated with medications like sildenafil, the generic version of Viagra. These medications work in part by increasing blood flow to the penis, resulting in stronger erections.

The problem with some brand-name medications like Viagra is they aren’t often covered by insurance and can cost thousands of dollars for a one-month supply. The good news is generic ED drugs like sildenafil can be more affordable than the brand-name versions – and more likely to be covered by insurance.

Even without insurance coverage, you can still get lower cost sildenafil using prescription discount cards at pharmacies and through telehealth services like Ro. If you’re experiencing symptoms of ED, the first step is connecting with a healthcare provider who can recommend the right course of treatment. If it’s right for you, medications like sildenafil can enable you to feel more confident and enjoy a happy, fulfilling sex life.

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How we reviewed this article

Every article on Health Guide goes through rigorous fact-checking by our team of medical reviewers. Our reviewers are trained medical professionals who ensure each article contains the most up-to-date information, and that medical details have been correctly interpreted by the writer.

Editorial Guidelines | Medical Review Process

Current version

May 07, 2024

Written by

Anna Brooks

Fact checked by

Raagini Yedidi, MD

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About the medical reviewer

Raagini Yedidi, MD

Raagini Yedidi, MD, is an internal medicine resident and medical reviewer for Ro.