Generic Viagra (sildenafil): uses, doses, side effects, cost

If you struggle with erectile dysfunction (ED), you might be looking for a fix that can help you get hard and stay hard. Viagra is a popular brand-name ED treatment, but it’s available as a generic, too. The generic version of Viagra is sildenafil, but does it do everything that the brand-name medication does? Read on to learn more.

Generic Viagra and brand-name Viagra contain the same active ingredient, a drug called sildenafil, commonly used to treat ED. Generic Viagra is the non-name brand version of the same drug. Generic medications must have the same active ingredients and side effects as their branded counterparts to be marketed as such in the United States.

If you’ve experienced ED, where you can’t get or maintain an erection that’s hard or long enough for satisfying sex, you’re not alone. It affects up to 50 million men in the US. There are several ED treatments available, and sildenafil (generic and branded) is chief among them.

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Generic Viagra: what does it look like? 

Generic Viagra often looks different from brand-name Viagra. The familiar “little blue pill” is made by the pharmaceutical company Pfizer, but other companies can make generic versions in different shapes or colors. Each company’s design may look different, but this doesn’t change how the drug works. 

Generic Viagra works the same way as brand-name Viagra. The active ingredient, sildenafil, is a type of drug called a PDE5 inhibitor (phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor). 

By blocking a chemical called PDE5, the drugs in this class relax the smooth muscles in the penis and dilate the blood vessels, ultimately increasing blood flow to the penis so that it’s easier to get and keep an erection.

Studies have found that the generic option, sildenafil, helps up to 65% of men with ED maintain their erections, which is just as effective as brand-name Viagra. 

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires all generic medications to contain the same active ingredients, dosages, and formulations as brand-name drugs to achieve the same results. This means the generic and brand-name versions will work the same way.

Multiple manufacturers produce generic Viagra, including:

• Advagen Pharma

• Ajanta Pharma USA  

• Amneal Pharmaceuticals

• Aurobindo Pharma

• Camber Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 

• Cipla USA 

• Teva Pharmaceuticals

If your provider prescribes the generic form of sildenafil to you, your pharmacy will fill the prescription with whichever generic manufacturer they have in stock. All of the Viagra generics work the same way.

Generic Viagra tablets come in the same dosages as brand-name Viagra: 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg pills. Sildenafil is also available as an injection and an oral suspension (a liquid). 

A typical starting dose is 50 mg of Viagra taken 30–60 minutes before sexual activity, though it may be effective even when taken up to four hours before sex. A healthcare provider will help determine the appropriate dose and timing for you. 

Sildenafil is also available in off-label formulations like Ro Sparks, a fast-acting pill that dissolves under the tongue and contains a combination of sildenafil and tadalafil (the active ingredient in Cialis, Viagra’s sister drug). 

Since generic Viagra works the same way in the body as brand-name Viagra, they have the same potential side effects. Common side effects include: 

• Headaches

• Upset stomach

• Flushing

• Dizziness

• Nasal congestion

• Rash

• Body aches

More serious side effects of sildenafil are less common but can include: 

• Low blood pressure: Sildenafil makes your blood vessels relax (dilate), so your blood pressure may suddenly drop, which can cause fainting and other issues.

• Priapism: This is a painful erection that lasts four hours or longer (a dangerous condition that requires immediate medical attention).

• Hearing loss: This is a possible side effect of ED meds like sildenafil, though the data is inconclusive. 

• Eye disease (nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, or NAION): Rarely, sildenafil can decrease blood flow to the eyes' nerves, leading to sudden vision loss.

Sildenafil is not safe for everyone. For example, people who have a history of heart disease (like heart attacks and high blood pressure) may need to avoid taking sildenafil. Sildenafil also may have drug interactions when combined with certain other medications, like nitroglycerin (nitrates), blood pressure drugs, and HIV drugs. 

Your provider will help determine whether you can safely take sildenafil. It’s important to let them know all medications and supplements you’re taking before you start sildenafil.  

Generic Viagra and brand name Viagra are prescription drugs. They’re not available over-the-counter (OTC) in the US. 

Some online pharmacies claim to offer generic Viagra OTC, but those claims are an immediate red flag. It’s important to only purchase your medication through a licensed pharmacy to be sure you receive actual sildenafil and not a counterfeit version.

Counterfeit pills often don’t contain the drug advertised, have the wrong dosage, and may contain potentially toxic filler ingredients and dyes, so it’s important to buy from a pharmacy you can trust.  

You can search for licensed online pharmacies here. 

One key difference between generic and brand name Viagra is price. According to GoodRx, brand-name Viagra can cost around $25 per pill. Alternatively, you can get generic Viagra for $4–$10 per pill through an online provider like Ro.

So the medications have the same effect on your body, but the generic version is better for your wallet. 

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Generic Viagra and brand name Viagra contain the same active ingredient, sildenafil. Here’s what you need to know:

• Since they contain the same dose of the same active ingredient, both brand name and generic Viagra work the same way in your body.

• The main differences between the two are their appearance and price.

• Both brand name Viagra and generic Viagra are prescription-only. You can’t get them OTC.

• Whether you’re taking the brand-name or generic version, this drug comes with a potential risk of side effects like headaches, flushing, dizziness, and muscle aches. Speak to your provider to see if the medication is a good fit for you.