Best Viagra Alternatives In The UK

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common condition affecting many men worldwide, with statistics showing that at least 1 in 10 men suffer from this condition.

Viagra is possibly the most well-known and popular treatment for ED. However, it is not the only effective ED treatment available.

We have created this guide to highlight alternative ED treatments and user reviews to empower you to choose the best treatment in your sexual health journey.

What Else Can You Use Instead of Viagra?

There are multiple alternative treatments for erectile dysfunction available in the UK. Most ED medications require a prescription, whilst there are some over-the-counter (OTC) Viagra alternatives. Some men may find that they can treat their ED with natural remedies, medical devices or lifestyle changes.

Here are some of the most common Viagra alternatives in the UK, some of which are known to help with ED and others which have come to popularity through social channels whilst not necessarily being effective. We’ll explore the following in this article:

Prescription medications:

• Cialis
• Tadalafil
• Vardenafil
• Spedra

Over-the-counter Viagra alternatives:

• Viagra Connect
• Eropid
• Eroxon

Lifestyle alterations:

• Stress management
• Diet
• Weight loss
• Exercise
• Quitting smoking
• Reducing alcohol consumption

Medical devices and other alternatives:

• Penis pump
• Sex therapy
• Penile implants - surgery

If you would like to know more about treatment options, talk to your GP or pharmacist about which medication or alternative will work best for you.

Viagra Alternative Treatments: Prescription Medications

Cialis

Cialis is a prescription ED medication that has the active ingredient Tadalafil.

Tadalafil belongs to a group of drugs called phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. As one of the top alternatives to Viagra available in the UK, this ED medication works by relaxing the smooth muscles of the penis and increasing blood flow, causing an erection when sexually stimulated.

Cialis is available as 2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg and 20mg tablets that are taken at least 30 minutes before sexual intercourse. Cialis is popularly known as the “weekend pill” as it can last up to 36 hours in the body.

Common side effects of Cialis may include:

• Muscle and back aches
• Headaches
• Nausea and vomiting
• Indigestion
• Facial redness or flushing
• Stuffy or runny nose

Cialis prices start from £38.99. User reviews are mostly positive, with individuals enjoying Cialis’ effectiveness and how long it lasts in the body. The most prominent negative review is the cost of Cialis, which will make it less appealing for those seeking a cheap Viagra alternative.

Tadalafil

Tadalafil is the generic version of Cialis and requires a prescription. Its active ingredient is tadalafil which is a PDE5 inhibitor that temporarily treats ED by prompting blood flow into the penis when sexually stimulated.

Like Cialis, Tadalafil takes 30-60 minutes to begin working and lasts in the body for up to 36 hours. The main difference between Cialis and Tadalafil is the packaging and price.

Tadalafil is available in doses of 2.5mg, 5mg, 20mg and 20mg, which can be taken either on an empty stomach or after food.

Common side effects of Tadalafil may include:

• Stuffy or runny nose
• Indigestion
• Muscle or backaches
• Hot flushes or flushing
• Nausea or vomiting
• Headaches

The price of Tadalafil starts from £8.49 for a pack of 4 pills. User reviews are positive, with the most common themes being Tadalafil’s effectiveness, how long it lasts in the body and its cost as one of the cheaper Viagra alternatives.

Vardenafil

Vardenafil is the generic version of Levitra. It is a prescription medication that is effective in treating ED and is a viable alternative to Viagra, which is available in the UK.

The active ingredient vardenafil also falls under the class of drugs called PDE5 inhibitors. Vardenafil tablets, combined with sexual stimulation, increase the blood flow into the penis by widening the blood vessels in the smooth muscles, causing an erection.

Vardenafil is available in 5mg, 10mg and 20mg tablets. The prescribed dose should be taken at least an hour before sexual intercourse and can last up to 4 hours in the body.

Common side effects of Vardenafil include:

• Headaches
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Dizziness
• Flushing

Vardenafil's price starts at £16.99 for a pack of 4 tablets. User reviews are also mostly positive, with reviewers expressing that they got an erection within an hour of taking Vardenafil. Reviewers also noted that they did not experience any side effects. Some reviewers commented that the 5mg and 10mg doses were more than sufficient to get and maintain an erection during sex.

Spedra

Spedra is a prescription ED medication that works similarly to Sildenafil (the generic of Viagra). The active ingredient is avanafil, which is a PDE5 inhibitor.

Spedra helps temporarily treat ED by promoting blood flow into the penis. This medication only works when you are sexually stimulated.

Spedra is available in three different dosages: 50mg, 100mg, and 200mg. The recommended starting dose is normally 100mg and should be taken on an empty stomach at least 20 minutes before you plan to have sexual intercourse. This medication will last in the body for at least 4-5 hours.

If you take Spedra an hour after eating, it may take up to 90 minutes for the effects to start working.

Side effects of Spedra are not very common, but if they do occur, they can include:

• Nasal congestion
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Facial redness or flushing
• Blurred vision
• Pounding heartbeat

Prices of Spedra start from £28.99. Reviews for Spedra are mixed, with some users saying that it is not as effective as ED medications such as Tadalafil. Other users prefer Spedra over Sildenafil or Viagra as it is effective faster.

Summary of Alternative Prescription ED Medication

Over-The-Counter Viagra Alternatives

Viagra Connect

Viagra Connect contains 50mg of Sildenafil. From 2018, it has not required a prescription for those who are 18 years and older.

50mg Sildenafil is a PDE5 inhibitor and works by widening the blood vessels in the penis and promoting blood flow into the penis when sexually stimulated.

The only difference between Viagra and Viagra Connect is how they have been marketed.

Eropid

Eropid is a prescription medication used for treating ED. It contains 50mg of the active ingredient Sildenafil — the same as Viagra Connect.

Sildenafil is part of the class of drugs called PDE5 inhibitors that temporarily treat ED by relaxing the smooth muscles and widening the blood vessels of the penis. This promotes the required blood flow into the penis that is needed to cause an erection.

Eropid is only available in 50mg tablets, which should be taken 30-60 minutes before sexual intercourse. 50mg of Sildenafil can last in the body for 4-6 hours.

Common side effects of Eropid include:

• Prolonged erection (lasting more than 4 hours)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Insomnia
• Red face
• Nosebleeds
• Flu-like symptoms
• Diarrhoea

The price of Eropid starts at £13.49. User reviews for this ED treatment are generally positive, with some reviewers noting they did not experience an erection every time they used Eropid.

Eroxon

Eroxon Stimgel is a fast-acting and effective topical treatment that can be used to treat ED temporarily. This gel can be purchased OTC. The gel is applied to the head of the penis when sexually stimulated, promoting blood flow to the penis. Eroxon begins to work within 10 minutes, and effects should last throughout sexual intercourse.

Side effects are minimal, with reported low-level penile burning. Partners have reported vaginal irritation.

Kamagra

Kamagra is an oral jelly that is not licensed to be sold legally in the UK. While this drug claims to contain Sildenafil citrate, it has not undergone the necessary testing to be confirmed. While it is tempting to purchase Kamagra, as it is cheaper and you can get it without a prescription, the side effects can be very dangerous. Based on the above, medical advice is not to use this product.

Summary of Over-The-Counter Viagra Alternatives

Viagra Alternative Treatments: Lifestyle Changes

Weight Loss

Losing weight can help fight ED, as obesity increases the risk of developing diabetes and vascular problems. Both diabetes and vascular (blood vessel) problems are two major causes of ED. Excess fat in the body also interferes with the production of several hormones in the body.

Exercise

Regular exercise — at least 30 minutes per day — can help manage weight, reduce stress levels and boost overall health, contributing to better sexual health.

Quitting smoking

Smoking cigarettes (nicotine) increases the risk of developing heart conditions, which can affect how well blood can get to the penis. Smoking is also an independent risk factor for developing ED.

Reducing alcohol intake

Consuming large amounts of alcohol can affect parts of the body that are needed to get an erection, such as the brain, nerves, blood vessels, and hormones (testosterone). Alcohol withdrawal can also affect the ability to get an erection.

It is a good idea to talk with your GP or pharmacist about your alcohol consumption to understand if it is negatively affecting your sexual health.

Reducing stress

Stress and anxiety affect brain signals to the body's physical responses, interrupting how the brain sends messages to the penis to allow increased blood flow. Having ED can also be a cause of stress and anxiety.

Different people respond to different approaches to reducing stress. Finding what works for you, such as meditation, exercise and yoga, can help reduce stress and improve your sexual health.

Medical Devices/Alternatives to Viagra

Penis pumps

Penis pumps, or vacuum pumps, temporarily encourage blood flow into the penis, resulting in an erection. Like Viagra, these devices are only used when you plan on having sex and need to be erect.

Penis pumps work by removing the air inside the tube to create a vacuum. This pressure encourages blood into surrounding blood vessels and the penis. The constriction ring at the base of the pump prevents blood flow out of the penis.

In most cases, an erection can be maintained for 30 minutes after using a penis pump. Penis pumps are generally used for mild ED and are a good alternative for men who can’t take Viagra. Penis pumps should be used with caution, as using it multiple times in a short period could cause priapism.

Sex Therapy

Sex therapy is a specialised form of counselling by licensed professionals who are trained to help treat sexual challenges.

Depending on individual needs, sex therapy may focus on helping you overcome nervousness or anxiety about sex or a host of other sex-related issues.

A recent study looked at the effects that cognitive behavioural sex therapy (CBST) had on young men suffering from nonorganic erectile dysfunction (NOED). While this was a small study, results showed that CBST improved erection scores, and there was a reduction in the severity of ED experienced.

Ensure that the sex therapist that you are seeing is a member of the College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists (COSRT) and the Institute of Psychosexual Medicine. You could also look into Relate, which offers free sex therapy.

Penile Injections

Erectile tissue is a muscle that causes you to get an erection. If you suffer from ED and go for long periods without getting an erection, the erectile tissue may become damaged.

There are three commonly used drugs for penile injection therapy: Trimix, papaverine and Bimix. Penile injections work by relaxing the smooth muscles, and widening the blood vessels in the penis, resulting in an erection. Most patients start injection therapy with Trimix (papaverine, alprostadil and phentolamine).

It is important not to take Viagra (sildenafil), Levitra (Vardenafil) or Stendra (Avanafil) within 18 hours of injecting. If you are taking Cialis (tadalafil) 10mg or 20mg, do not use penile injections within three days (72 hours) of taking the ED medication. If you are taking Cialis (tadalafil) 5mg daily, talk to your GP about how you should be using this medication along with the injections.

Surgery

Inflatable penile prosthesis surgery is a minimally invasive procedure for men who suffer from ED and have not responded to oral tablets, vacuum pumps or injections. This surgical procedure involves placing two soft plastic cylinders side by side into the shaft of the penis. A reservoir is then placed under the abdominal wall and filled with sterile water.

The reservoir in the abdominal wall holds the water until the individual wants to inflate the cylinders to cause an erection. A small pump is also placed in the scrotum and deflates or inflates the cylinders as needed. The pumps also work to move fluid between the hidden reservoirs and the penis cylinders.

The surgery is accomplished by making a small cut in the middle of the scrotum, which typically takes 45 minutes to complete.

What’s Better Than Viagra?

It's not necessarily about what is better than Viagra, but what is better for you. Some individuals may be looking for cheap Viagra alternatives, such as a generic or a drug such as Cialis (Tadalafil) that lasts longer in the body. Other individuals may be looking for an OTC option or a treatment that is not an oral tablet.

Talk to your pharmacist or GP about what ED treatment you are looking for so that they can recommend which treatment will work best for you.

Viagra Alternative Treatments Summary

There are many effective ED treatments available in the UK. You may already have found one that works well for you, or perhaps you are looking for some advice about which one will work best.

Cloud Pharmacy makes getting the correct UK alternative to Viagra quick and easy. Once you have completed a quick eligibility check, you will have an online consultation with one of our registered pharmacists. Once you have ordered your ED treatment, it will be discretely and confidentially delivered to your door.