Erectile dysfunction (ED) or impotence is a common disorder affecting your ability to get or maintain an erection for sexual intercourse. It is estimated that at least 4.3 million men in the UK suffer from erectile dysfunction or other erection problems.

Many different factors can affect your ability to “get it up,” such as stress, anxiety, lifestyle factors and certain conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease, low testosterone and others.

Treatment options for ED may include oral medications, lifestyle changes (quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption and improving diet) and medical devices.

One well-known effective treatment for ED is Viagra Connect. Viagra Connect has the same ingredient as Viagra, Sildenafil citrate (Sildenafil tablets are available to purchase at Digital Drug Store). Since Spring 2018, Viagra Connect can be purchased over-the-counter (OTC) from registered pharmacists without a prescription for those who are 18 and over.

This article will break down what Viagra Connect is, how to use it and its potential side effects, including highlighting user Viagra Connect reviews.

Viagra Connect overview: What is it and how do you use it?

Active ingredients

The active ingredient in Viagra Connect is 50mg of Sildenafil citrate.

How does Viagra Connect work?

The active ingredient, Sildenafil citrate, is part of a class of drugs called phosphodiester type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. In 1998, Sildenafil was the first PDE5 inhibitor approved for use by the FDA in treating erectile dysfunction.

Normally, an erection is caused when the soft tissue (corpus cavernosum) of the penis is filled with blood and hardens. The influx of blood to the penis occurs when the blood vessels in the penis widen. At the same time, the blood vessels in the base of the penis that remove excess blood constrict to make sure that the blood stays in the penis.

When you are sexually stimulated, nitric oxide (NO) is released, causing an enzyme called guanylate cyclase to make cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). cGMP is mostly responsible for decreasing or increasing the width of the blood vessels in your penis.

The erection ends when cGMP is destroyed by enzymes called PDE5, as the blood vessels return to normal and the excess blood flows back out of the penis.

Viagra Connect (Sildenafil) works as a PDE5 inhibitor. It prevents PDE5 enzymes from working too quickly and allows cGMP to stay longer. This leads to more blood entering and staying in the penis, which can cause an erection that lasts the duration of sex.

How long does it take for Viagra Connect to kick in?

After taking Viagra Connect, it may take 30 to 60 minutes to start work. So, it is advised to take it at least 30 minutes before you plan on having sex. Viagra Connect can stay active in your bloodstream for up to 4 hours.

If your erection lasts longer than 4 hours, seek emergency medical attention to avoid possible irreversible damage to your penis.

It is important to understand that you have to be sexually aroused for the effects of Viagra Connect to work. Viagra Connect is not a cure for ED but rather a temporary treatment option.

If Viagra Connect does not work the first two times that you try it, and you are not able to get an erection or keep your erection for the duration of sex, talk to your GP or pharmacist. They will be able to recommend other treatments, a higher dose, or if there are any underlying conditions causing your ED.

How much Viagra Connect can be prescribed on the NHS?

Viagra Connect does not need a prescription to be bought online from a registered pharmacy. You just need to be 18 years of age or older.

Being able to purchase Viagra Connect online without a prescription opens the doors for counterfeit products. Counterfeit ED medications can be both ineffective or cause adverse side effects, as they are not regulated and may contain no, too much, or too little active ingredient.

So, how do you make sure that the online pharmacy is genuine?

• A genuine pharmacy will require you to answer some simple questions to ensure the Viagra Connect is the most appropriate treatment for you.
• All genuine pharmacies will be registered with the correct regulatory bodies. For instance, Digital Drug Store is a UK-based GPhC and MHRA-registered online pharmacy.
• The online pharmacy will also have its name and address available to be searched on the regulatory body’s website.

Dosage and usage recommendations

Viagra Connect is available as a 50mg dose for those over the age of 18. Ensure that you understand and follow the directions (see the Patient Information Leaflet) to ensure you have the best chance of getting the best results from Viagra Connect.

It is recommended to take one dose (50mg) one hour before you plan to have sex. If needed, you can take a dose of Viagra Connect at least 30 minutes to 4 hours before sex.

Swallow the tablet whole with a drink of water or fruit juice. Note that it is recommended to avoid drinking grapefruit juice as this can increase the concentration of Sildenafil in the body, which may cause side effects.

Do not take more than one dose (50 mg tablet) per day. If you do accidentally take more than 1 Viagra Connect tablet in a 24-hour period, seek medical attention or call 999 if you experience severe side effects.

How does it feel after taking Viagra Connect?

Viagra Connect should be effective for most men over the age of 18. 30-60 minutes after taking a dose of Viagra Connect, when sexually aroused, you should be able to get an erection or sustain an erection during sex.

Due to the increase in blood flow, you may experience mild side effects such as flushing of the skin, dizziness, or headaches. These side effects are normal and should disappear in a few hours once your body has adjusted to the ED medicine.

Are there any known side effects?

There are known side effects of Viagra Connect. Common side effects of Viagra Connect may include:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Nasal congestion (stuffy or runny nose)
• Flushing of the skin
• Pain in the muscles or back
• Indigestion

If any side effects become severe or they do not go away, talk to your GP or pharmacist.

Serious side effects of Viagra Connect may include:

• Sudden loss of vision or hearing
• An erection that lasts more than 4 hours or is painful
• Rash
• Chest pain
• Fainting or lightheadedness

All medicines may cause side effects, although not everyone may experience them. If you experience serious side effects, stop taking Viagra Connect and seek emergency medical attention.

Interactions with other medications

Some medications do not mix well with the active ingredient Sildenafil citrate. These medications include:

• Nitrates: These medications are typically used to treat a type of chest pain called angina. Nitrates are also found in illegal drugs called amyl nitrate or “poopers.” Nitrates can lower blood pressure, so when mixed with Viagra Connect, they can cause a dangerous sudden drop in blood pressure, which may lead to severe conditions such as stroke or heart attack.
• Alpha-blockers: These medications, such as prazosin, are used to treat high blood pressure and can increase the side effects of Sildenafil.
• Antifungal medications: Certain antifungal drugs can increase the risk of experiencing side effects of Viagra Connect.
• Some antibiotics: Certain antibiotics, such as erythromycin, can amplify the side effects of Viagra Connect.
• Other ED medications: Other erectile dysfunction medications, such as Viagra, Cialis, Tadalafil, Avanafil and other PDE5 inhibitors, can cause severe side effects or, in some cases, an overdose.

Alcohol can interact with the active ingredient in Viagra Connect in a couple of different ways. Firstly, alcohol is a known cause of erectile dysfunction or can worsen your condition; when mixed with Viagra Connect, it can cancel out the medication’s effects.

Alcohol widens the blood vessels in the body, like PDE5 inhibitors, so you are at risk of experiencing low blood pressure. It is best to avoid mixing alcohol and Viagra Connect, but your GP or pharmacist can advise you on a safe amount.

Before taking Viagra Connect, tell your pharmacist or GP about medications (prescription or OTC), herbal remedies or supplements that you are taking so that they can check if there are any interactions.

Not everyone can safely take Viagra Connect. Tell your pharmacist or GP if you have any of the following:

• A serious liver or heart problem
• Have recently had a heart attack, stroke or other heart problem
• Low blood pressure
• Sickle cell anaemia or other abnormalities of the blood cells
• Stomach ulcer
• Peyronie’s disease (a deformity of the penis)