Where and how to get Viagra

Since it came on the scene in the late 1990s, Viagra (sildenafil) has helped literally millions of people successfully treat their erectile dysfunction (ED). Despite its popularity, though, the little blue pill isn’t something you can find in the aisles of any local store. So, where can you get Viagra? And do you need a prescription for it? 

Ahead, we break down how to get Viagra safely and legally so you can trust you’re taking the right steps to address your symptoms. 

Yes, you need a prescription for Viagra. Similar to other ED meds, such as Cialis (tadalafil) or Stendra (avanafil), Viagra is only available as a prescription drug—and the same is true of the generic form, sildenafil. To get either version of the drug, you need to meet with a licensed healthcare provider, as they’re the only one qualified (and legally allowed) to write the Rx. 

You also need to be at least 18 years old to get Viagra or sildenafil for ED. The medication is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat sexual dysfunction in males ages 18 years and older. Some people may think of ED as exclusively an older man’s issue (likely thanks to all those gray-haired Viagra and Cialis commercials). And while the condition does become more common as you age, it can affect people at various points in their lives. In fact, studies estimate ED affects 30% of men under age 40, including 14% of men between the ages of 18 and 31. 

Viagra is generally considered safe when taken as prescribed. But it, like any other prescription medication, can cause side effects. And while most of these are mild, serious adverse reactions to the drug are possible, too. Viagra can also come with a risk of potentially dangerous contraindications and drug interactions. For these reasons, Viagra is a prescription-only medication. 

A licensed healthcare provider, such as a doctor of medicine (MD), nurse practitioner (NP), or physician assistant (PA), is the only professional qualified to prescribe Viagra and sildenafil. They’re trained to assess your health, identify potential risks, and ensure the medication is a fit for you in the context of your overall health. It’s also important to have a healthcare provider available to monitor you so that if you have any questions about the drug or experience side effects, you have an expert with whom you can discuss it.

Furthermore, the dose of Viagra that you take at the beginning of your treatment may not be the exact amount—or even the right medication—you end up needing to experience desired results. Treating ED is an ongoing conversation in which you and your healthcare provider navigate the situation together. 

Side effects of Viagra

The side effects of Viagra tend to be mild, temporary, and manageable and commonly include:

• Headache

• Upset stomach

• Nasal congestion

• Back or muscle pain

• Nausea

• Flushing

• Dizziness

• Rash 

In rare cases, Viagra can cause more serious side effects, such as priapism (an erection that lasts more than 4 hours and requires immediate medical attention), sudden loss of vision, or decrease in or loss of hearing. If you experience any serious or concerning side effects, seek medical attention right away; do not wait to hear back from your healthcare provider. 

Drug interactions

Viagra, and its generic counterpart, belong to a group of medications known as phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. These drugs work in part by increasing blood flow to the penis, which promotes stronger, longer-lasting erections. In doing so, however, PDE5 inhibitors can relax the blood vessels and temporarily decrease blood pressure. 

So, if Viagra is combined with, say, nitrates—which includes drugs for chest pain like nitroglycerin—it could lead to a dangerously low drop in blood pressure. This is also why Viagra may not be safe for those with low blood pressure or a history of heart attack, stroke, or other cardiovascular issues. 

Now that you know that you do, in fact, need a prescription to get Viagra, it’s time to answer another hard-hitting question: where can I buy Viagra?  

You can get Viagra online or in-person. Here’s what you can expect:

Online  

Getting Viagra online through a trust-worthy telehealth service can be a more convenient and discreet alternative to going to your healthcare provider’s office in person. 

Here’s how the process works through Ro: First, you complete an online form with details about your ED symptoms, medical history, and current medications. Typically within 24 hours, you’ll hear from a licensed healthcare provider who has reviewed your information and determined the best treatment plan for you. If Viagra is deemed appropriate, they’ll order the Rx, and just 4–7 days later, the medication will arrive at your door in discreet packaging. 

Throughout the course of your treatment, your Ro provider will remain available for free, unlimited follow-ups. Some patients might need to adjust their Viagra dose for optimal results; the brand-name drug is available in 25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg. Others might benefit from a different ED medication, such as Cialis (tadalafil). Either way, your provider will continue to work with you to ensure you experience a safe and successful treatment.

In-office 

While getting a Viagra prescription online might work for some folks, others might prefer the more traditional route: scheduling an in-person appointment with a healthcare provider, such as your primary care physician (PCP). 

During your consultation, you’ll need to provide a list of the medications (over-the-counter, prescription, and supplements) that you’re taking and review your medical history. Your provider will also ask you a series of questions about your symptoms and experiences with sexual dysfunction (e.g. how often you have difficulty getting an erection). They will likely perform a physical exam, too; this may involve looking at your penis and genitalia to assess if any injury or infection could be to blame for your symptoms. All of these steps will help your provider better understand what may be contributing to your ED and determine whether Viagra is a fit for you. 

If your PCP thinks an underlying condition (e.g. cardiovascular disease, diabetes) may be playing a role in your ED, they may refer you to a specialist whose expertise is the potential cause for concern or directly prescribe you medications to address the underlying issues. They may also recommend seeing a mental health professional (e.g. psychiatrist or therapist) if they believe stress or a mental health condition could be affecting your erectile function. After all, getting and maintaining an erection is just as much about the mental as it is about the physical. 

It’s also possible that your PCP will refer you to a urologist, a specialist trained in the male reproductive system and urinary tract who can perform additional tests to determine the cause of ED. For example, a urologist may order blood work to assess testosterone levels (low T can negatively impact erectile function) or a penile Doppler ultrasound to evaluate blood flow to the penis. 

Depending on your situation, your healthcare provider might want to address any underlying conditions or causes by themselves or in tandem with treating ED. All this is to say that you may leave the doctors office with more than just a prescription for Viagra and a treatment plan for ED. 

One more time for the folks in the back: Viagra, including generic Viagra, is only available as a prescription medication. Given its popularity and effectiveness, though, the little blue pill is one of the most counterfeited drugs in the world. 

If you see something advertised as over-the-counter (OTC) Viagra in the US, do not buy it. These “Viagra pills” are unsafe, illegal, and unproven—no matter the bold, catchy claims on their packaging or their sheer abundance (and accessibility). In fact, there’s so much fake Viagra out there that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) put together a database to warn consumers. 

Other reasons to steer oh-so-very clear of OTC Viagra:

• You have no idea what’s actually in these pills, and you can’t believe the packaging. For example, some faux versions have been found to contain sildenafil but do not accurately note this on their labels. This could lead to harmful (potentially deadly) interactions in some people, such as those who take certain medications (remember what we discussed earlier?). 

• OTC Viagra isn’t produced in pharmacies that meet the FDA’s standards. As a result, there’s a high risk of contamination, and many fake little blue pills have been found to contain toxic materials (think: paints, metals). 

So, do you need a prescription for Viagra? Hard yes—and that means OTC Viagra, no matter the convincing advertising, is not safe. 

There are two main ways you can get and buy Viagra safely: through your local pharmacy or an online pharmacy. If you get Viagra through a telehealth program, they should have a trusted pharmacy partner who can fill your Rx. Usually, online pharmacies will ship Viagra directly to your home, and some brick-and-mortar locations offer home delivery—you just have to ask. 

If it’s your first time using an online pharmacy, the FDA has a list of four things to look for to ensure it’s a safe place to get Viagra. For example, the pharmacy should:

• Require a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider

• Have a US telephone number and physical address

• Have a licensed pharmacist on staff who can answer your questions

• Be licensed with a state board of pharmacy

In short, to get Viagra safely, you should follow the same steps you would for any other prescription medication, be it through a local or online pharmacy. And if the latter, make sure it meets the above requirements.

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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.

Current version

August 30, 2024

Written by

Amelia Willson

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.