Viagra Connect Reviews: Cost, Efficacy, User Reviews

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 Cloud Pharmacy). 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, Cloud Pharmacy 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 ViagraCialis, 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)

Cost

As a UK-based GPhC and MHRA-registered online pharmacy, Cloud Pharmacy has Viagra Connect available:

  4 Tablets8 Tablets12 Tablets16 Tablets
50mg£20.99£34.99£60.99£79.99

Viagra Connect summary

Active Ingredient The active ingredient is Sildenafil citrate
Dosage 50mg
Effectiveness It typically takes 30 to 60 minutes for Viagra Connect to begin working. Viagra Connect may last in your bloodstream for up to 4 hours.
Side effects Common side effects include headaches, dizziness, indigestion and nausea. 
Cost Viagra Connect is available from £20.99
Do you require a prescription? Viagra Connect can be purchased OTC through Cloud Pharmacy
User Reviews The average reviews are mainly positive, with many saying that they get better results using Viagra Connect. Many men noted that they could get Viagra Connect OTC, making the process easier for them.

Viagra Connect Reviews

Viagra Connect 50mg reviews are generally positive, with an average score of 4.5 out of 5. Users commented that Viagra Connect worked well but was on the expensive side.

Viagra Connect reviews summary

Viagra Connect 50mg reviews are positive, with reviewers reporting a good experience when taking this ED medication. Reviewers report that they found that Viagra Connect works as directed. Some reviews for Viagra Connect express that there are side effects; however, they were mild and disappear within an hour or two.

One negative mentioned in the reviews for Viagra Connect was its cost. However, reviewers found it worth it as they could get this medication without a prescription.

Does Viagra Connect work as well as Viagra?

  Viagra Connect Viagra
Active ingredient Sildenafil citrate Sildenafil citrate 
Doses 50mg 25mg, 50mg, 100mg
Price Starting from £20.99 and can be bought through Cloud PharmacyStarting from £24.99 and can be bought through Cloud Pharmacy
Advantages It is available without a prescription if you are over 18 years old. You can get the dose that is most suitable for you. 
Disadvantages You can only get 50mg doses Requires a prescription to purchase a dose of Viagra. 
User review themesThe medication worked as intended, and while expensive, the convenience of not needing a prescription makes it worth it. Viagra is a popular treatment for ED and has very positive reviews, with men mentioning that it works well for them. 

Viagra Connect and Viagra tablets are the same medication made by Pfizer. However, they do have two main differences.

  • Firstly, Viagra Connect is only available as 50mg tablets, while Viagra is available as 25mg, 50mg and 100mg tablets.
  • Secondly, Viagra requires a prescription before it can be dispensed to you, while Viagra Connect is a pharmacy medication, meaning that you can purchase it OTC (without a prescription) from a pharmacy after completing a short questionnaire.

Recent Viagra Connect research and relevant reading material

Further reading includes:

Does Viagra Connect work for women?

Although there have been studies conducted on the effectiveness of Viagra for female sexual arousal dysfunction, research is inconclusive, and there have been side effects reported.

Viagra Connect does not work for women. It is only approved (licensed) for use by men who are 18 years and older and who have erectile dysfunction.

Is Viagra Connect worth it?

Viagra Connect has proven to be a safe and effective treatment option for erectile dysfunction. As it is classified as a P medicine, it can be purchased from a pharmacy without a prescription.

Viagra Connect is as effective as Sildenafil (generic) and Viagra; they have the same active ingredient. Therefore, it is a matter of personal preference as to which ED medication you prefer.

If you find that a 50mg dose of the active ingredient (Sildenafil) works best for you, then you may find it easier to purchase Viagra Connect. If you find Vigara Connect expensive, then you can get a prescription for the generic version of Sildenafil.

Buy Viagra Connect

Viagra Connect can be purchased in the UK from either a high street or a registered online pharmacy. When purchasing Viagra Connect online, ensure that you are getting it from a reputable source to ensure that you are not paying for a counterfeit.

Cloud Pharmacy is a UK-based GPhC and MHRA-registered company that stocks Viagra Connect. You can simply purchase Viagra Connect by filling out a couple of questions to ensure that it is the most appropriate treatment for you.

After you have chosen how many tablets you would like and have paid for them, your Viagra Connect will be sent in discreet packaging via same-day delivery to your UK address.

Click here to start the process today.

FAQs

How long does Viagra Connect keep you hard?

Viagra Connect can last in your body for up to 4 hours. It can help you get an erection that lasts the duration of sex. After ejaculation, you may find that you can get another erection within the 4-hour period.

However, if you experience an erection that lasts 4 hours or more, you must seek medical attention to avoid causing permanent damage to your penis.

Viagra Connect will only get you and keep you hard if you are sexually stimulated.

How do you use Viagra Connect for the best results?

To ensure that you get the best results when taking Viagra Connect, you need to:

  • Be sexually stimulated: Viagra Connect generally works 30-60 minutes after taking it. You need to be sexually aroused for this medication to work.
  • Be relaxed: Stress and anxiety can reduce your ability to get an erection. Viagra Connect can stay in your body for up to 4 hours, so there is no rush to try to get sexually stimulated.
  • Watch what you eat: You can take Viagra Connect with or without food. However, certain foods, such as those high in fat, may cause the drug to take longer to work.
  • Don’t give up: If it is your first time taking Viagra Connect and it does not work, it isn’t something to worry about, as getting an erection may take a couple of tries. Never take more than one dose of Viagra Connect in a 24-hour period.
  • Keep your options open: Viagra Connect doesn’t work for everyone. If it is still not working after several tries, talk to your GP or pharmacist about other ED treatment options.
  • Read the instructions in the Patient Information Leaflet.

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